Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement
Ready to start applying to college? If so, then you are preparing to write a personal statement. Personal statements are integral to standing out among a sea of other applicants. The hardest part of crafting a personal essay is figuring out what to write about. Here are a few tips (we'll have more in future posts) to help you get started:
Convey your passions and who you are. Use this space to emphasize your interests. Do you have any hobbies or personal/academic achievements that tie into your desired field of study? Have you won any awards or contests that might be relevant to your prospective field? This is where you tie those accomplishments into your future studies. Be careful not to stray too far away from your point. Make sure all the information you are giving here is relevant to your educational goals in some way.
Analyze and explain your experiences. This is your chance to really reflect on what you are saying in your opening statement and subsequent paragraphs. You want to show the college that you are capable of learning and growing, not just memorizing facts. This will probably take the longest and involve the most brainstorming. Take your time with this task.
Conclude your essay by emphasizing why the school should accept you. Remember, the personal essay is there to show your writing and analytical skills, but it is also your chance to really sell yourself to the college. Why should they accept you over other equally-qualified candidates? What is it about you that makes you a catch? Don’t be afraid to be proud of your record and accomplishments. Brag a little bit. Just make sure you don’t come across sounding conceited.
AVOID CLICHES! Are you thinking of writing about how you overcame your broken ankle by training and winning the 50 yard dash? Or maybe you want to write about how much you loved a grandparent and how they taught you valuable life lessons that you want to apply to your future. While these are touching stories that you should hold dear, they make for rather cliche personal essays. Every year, college admissions boards read hundreds, if not thousands, of personal statements talking about sports or grandparents. You want something that will make you stand out, not blend in. Note: Though it has dominated our lives for the past two years, DO NOT write about COVID. We all have stories about losing a family member, or having to give up certain activities and/or social engagements because of COVID. Everyone is exhausted from talking about/hearing about the pandemic.
Ask for feedback. When you think you have finished a promising draft of your personal essay, ask for feedback. Ask your teachers, counselors, friends, and family. Make sure you ask people who you trust and who will give you honest feedback. Asking your grandma to read it while she still has your fourth grade spelling test pinned to her refrigerator might not be the way to go. You want people who will call out weaknesses in the essay and challenge you to strengthen those areas.
Whether you’re struggling getting started, or you’re ready for feedback, contact Ivy Link. Our admissions committee, made up of former admissions officers and readers, will help ensure you stand out from the crowd.
