What are Personal Statements?

1. Introduction (Hook):

• Purpose: Grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the essay.

• How: You might begin with a compelling story, a quote, or an insightful observation that leads into your main themes.

2. Background/Context:

• Purpose: Give context to your experiences or background that shaped your current goals and aspirations.

• How: Explain your family background, challenges you’ve overcome, personal experiences, or anything that is relevant to your development as a person.

3. Academic and Career Goals:

• Purpose: Show your future ambitions and how the specific college will help you achieve them.

• How: Discuss your interests in your chosen field of study, why you're passionate about it, and how the college’s programs, resources, or community align with your aspirations.

4. Challenges or Growth:

• Purpose: Reflect on obstacles you've faced and how you’ve grown from them.

• How: Share personal challenges (academic, social, or familial) and how they have shaped you into who you are today. Admissions committees value resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

5. Why This College:

• Purpose: Make a connection between your goals and what the college offers.

• How: Demonstrate why you're a good fit for the school and how the institution will help you grow academically and personally. Be specific about the programs, professors, campus culture, or extracurricular opportunities that appeal to you.

6. Conclusion:

• Purpose: Wrap up your essay by reinforcing your commitment to your goals and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

• How: End with a strong statement that emphasizes your readiness to contribute to the college community and achieve success in your chosen field.

In short, your personal statement should offer insight into who you are as a person, why you want to attend that particular school, and how the school fits into your future plans. It’s a way to personalize your application and stand out from the crowd.

• Be Authentic: Admissions officers are looking for your true self, not what you think they want to hear.

• Be Specific: Instead of general statements, give concrete examples of your experiences and aspirations.

• Reflect on Growth: Colleges value applicants who demonstrate self-awareness, growth, and the ability to learn from their experiences.

• Show Passion: Whether it’s about your field of study, extracurricular interests, or personal values, convey enthusiasm and commitment.

• Keep It Focused: Make sure your essay has a clear theme and purpose, and avoid trying to cover too many topics.

• Edit and Revise: Make sure your statement is polished, free of errors, and well-organized.