Six prompts. Infinite possibilities. Outrageous amounts of stress. These descriptions can only belong to one task: the infamous personal statement in Common App. The personal statement presents possibly the most daunting assignment in the college application process, as it depends on students’ ability to show their true personality in just 650 words. Hopefully, these tips from Student Services could help make the process a bit less stressful.

Do: Be Authentic

The first piece of advice any teacher or website will give students writing their personal statement will be to stay true to yourself. According to a presentation by Ms. Wilson, the Dean of Students, called Applying to College: The Breakdown, most of her advice for this essay sounds like “share your personality,” “make your essay about you,” “be honest,” and “tell your story well.” The whole purpose of the essay should be to let colleges get to know students in ways beyond grades, because it allows them to make sure you and the school will be a good fit for each other.

Don’t: Be That Guy

The braggart. The woe-is-me. The sports fanatic. These people send colleges hundreds of essays every year, only to be swept back into their stereotype. Student Services Counselor Mr. Lane presents The College Essay, where he quotes an article from CBS titled “10 topics to avoid in college admission essay,” which says “A common mistake that students make when tackling their college essays is to pick the wrong topics. It’s a huge turn off, for instance, when applicants write about their sports exploits or their pets.”

Do: Start Early

Students can get started on their personal statements as early as junior year. In student service’s 11th Grade Timeline, students receive advice to begin their essays at the end of the year and continue them into the summer. This gives students a chance to revise as necessary, and takes the stress off writing essays last minute in the fall semester of their senior year.

Don’t: Discredit It

With so many essays sent in by students, it may seem difficult to believe that college admissions officers actually read all of them. However, the essay really does play a vital role in determining what kind of letter those students will receive. “We definitely read the essays,” says Joie Jager-Hyman, former admissions officer at Dartmouth College. Mr. Lane’s presentation even says “It is unlikely the essay, on its own, will get you into college, but a poor essay could keep you out of the college of your choice.”

Do: Edit

Editing must be a vital part of the essay writing process. Mr. Lane’s presentation recommends having “at least one other person edit your essay.” It also reminds students to ask questions about their essay like “Is the essay interesting?” “Do the ideas flow logically?” and “Does it reveal something?” Don’t forget to write several drafts, in order to be proud of the final product.

So many other resources exist to help students master their personal statement, and many can be found right on the AFHS Student Services website. They have linked so many presentations and videos to continue helping students with their essay, from the Summer To-Do List to the College Essay Writing Clinic. Students can take full advantage of these helpful resources to make their essay writing experience as painless as possible.