📝 Personal Statement Guide

A personal statement for university applications is a written document where applicants share information about themselves, their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal experiences. It serves as a way for applicants to showcase their qualifications, goals, and reasons for applying to a particular university or program. The statement often includes information about the applicant's motivations, aspirations, and how their background aligns with the chosen course of study. It provides admissions committees with insights into the applicant's character, skills, and suitability for the academic program.

A personal statement for college should highlight your uniqueness, passion, initiative, and impact to make a compelling case for why you're an ideal candidate. Here's why each of these elements is important:

UNIQUENESS
Admissions officers read thousands of applications, so showcasing what sets you apart helps you stand out.

Example: You have a rare hobby like urban gardening, which has taught you the importance of sustainability.

PASSION
Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for the field or subject/program of study shows that you're committed to your field of interest and are likely to succeed.

Example: You’ve spent countless hours researching environmental policy because you're passionate about fighting climate change.

INITIATIVE to CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Highlighting how you have taken action on your interests to challenge yourself in a new way.

Example: You started a club in high school to mentor underclassmen in coding, filling a gap in your school’s curriculum.

IMPACT & APPLICATION
Colleges want to see that you’ve made an impact on others and will continue to do so by applying the education and opportunities they provide you on campus, the local community, and more.

Example: You organized a charity run that raised $5,000 for local food banks, directly benefiting your community. OR You hope to use the education provided to build your skills in business management to create sustainable employment opportunities which will support low-income people.

Make sure to check UniFrog 🐸 for their built-in Personal Statement Writing Guide.

The College Essay Guy references two different types of essays in his free guide. Neither are better than the other, but the message that students are trying to share may be different based on the choice: