Post on 17-Jan-2016
Writing the Personal StatementFrustrating or Satisfying?Create an accurate portrait!
Admissions readers are looking for 2 things:• HOW the essay provides
evidence of your achievements that isn’t reflected in other parts of your application
• HOW and WHY the events you describe have shaped your attitude, focus, and intellectual vitality
• WRITE FROM THE HEART!
A good essay is . . .
• Thoughtful and honest• Strives for depth, not
breadth• Follows the conventions
of good writing• Conforms to the guidelines• Answers the question• Contains a catchy
introduction that will keep the reader interested
A good essay is . . .
• Transforms blemishes into positives
• Demonstrates your knowledge of the major/ college
• Exudes confidence—you will be successful no matter what!
Essay structure (typical 2 page essay)
• An introductory paragraph that provides your essay’s controlling theme
• 2-4 body paragraphs that develop your theme through examples and detailed experiences and build upon each other. The final body paragraph will contain your most poignant information
• A conclusion that widens the lens and wraps up your essay without summarizing or repeating
The Introduction
• Establish the tone• Set the scene• Define its theme• Hook your reader through
interest with details and quotes
Drafting, Revising, Rewriting
• Make sure: 1. Does the theme indicate
a conceptual progression of ideas!
2. The paragraph’s topic sentence Focuses your theme
3. Does each example illustrate you main idea
4. Depth—not breadth?
Style Tips• Check word accuracy: do not
choose obscure words• Does every word mean what
you think it means• Be yourself!• Avoid empty words and
phrases like: “basically, really, goals and dreams”
• Use active verbs• Avoid predictable phrases: “I
learned to work with others, etc”
Style Tips• Avoid clichés, proverbs, or
other over-used phrases from literary sources
• Use a normal, 10-12 point font to type your essay
• Make sure you proofread for grammar and spelling
• Be Yourself! (Essays have become increasingly suspect, i.e. the essay “coach”