As you prepare for college, writing a strong personal statement will help you get noticed by college admission boards.
Every year during the college application process, university admission boards receive thousands of personal statements and admission essays. Because of the volume of submissions that are received, it can be easy to get lost in a stack of paperwork if your statement doesn't stand out. Such statements are critical. "Much of the time, it is your essay that will set you apart from the pack," says Peterson's College Search. Preparation, an understanding of the request and editing can help make your essay stronger.
Instructions
1. Read examples of well-written personal statements online. This will give you an idea of what others who have authored strong personal statements are saying and may give you some ideas for your own work.
2. Gather information about yourself, such as your academic transcript and names of those who have employed you or supervised your volunteer efforts in the past. As you write, you'll be making references to these things, so you'll want them immediately available.
3. Determine the direction of your essay by reading the other materials that will be included in your college application. Look for things that aren't already reflected in your transcripts and resumes but help describe the type of person you are, such as volunteer opportunities, unique talents or hobbies that might relate to your chosen field. These are the things you'll want to focus on in your statement.
4. Write a first draft of the statement, incorporating three main elements: an opening that introduces you to the reader and states your desire to be in the program or school, several supporting paragraphs that show your experiences and qualifications, and a conclusion that summarizes your interest in the school and what assets you will bring to college.
5. Revise your first draft for content. If the personal statement is an answer to a question posed by the admissions department, make sure you've answered that question. Also make sure you've included all pertinent information about you and your desire to enter the program in question.
6. Edit the statement for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. The statement is then ready for submission.
Tags: personal statements, your essay, admission boards, college application, first draft