NEXT STOP, COLLEGE!!

Introduction to personal statements, college essays, and college

applications

Important Dates:WRITE THESE DOWN!!

By Monday, September 10th: Bring in the applications to your TOP 2 college choices.

Monday, September 10th: Rough Draft of personal statement DUE

Friday, September 14th: Final Drafts of personal statement AND college essay DUE

What is a Personal Statement?

The personal statement is an important part of your application package.

The essay you write provides additional evidence of your

academic and personal achievement. The essay allows the readers of your application to get a

feel for you as a person and as a student. It is your opportunity to essentially share the story behind

your academic achievements; define yourself as an individual and student; or explain any obstacles to your academic achievement.

The essay is your opportunity to SELL YOURSELF to the

college and/or post-secondary program of your choice.

In general those who will read your essay will be looking for two important

things….

HOW the essay provides evidence of your achievements that isn’t reflected in other parts of your application.

HOW and WHY the events that you describe have shaped your attitude (who you are as an individual), focus (obstacles to achievement), and most of all, your academic achievement.

Why is it necessary?The personal statement is your opportunity

to SELL YOURSELF to the college and/or post-secondary program of your choice.

This is your time to SHINE! Remember, you are among hundreds, if not

thousands of other students applying to the same program: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL?!

What Should Be Included?

A GOOD personal statement is:ReflectiveStrives for depth, not breadthFollows the conventions of good

writingTransforms blemishes into positivesDemonstrates your knowledge of the

major/collegeExudes confidence

Be sure that your essay does not include any of the following

mistakes:

Repeat any information contained elsewhere in the application

Contain the wrong school name

Contain mechanical errors or errors of usage, clichés, or meaningless prose

Is too long or too short

DO NOT: Complain about your circumstances. Simply

explain them. Discuss money or a college’s rankings as a

motivating factor for applying to a particular major/college.

Make claims in the essay that are not backed up

by your application.

*As a writer, be sure that you do not portray yourself negatively.

Do I Need A Personal Statement?

Many colleges and some trade schools or other post-secondary programs

require personal statements. However, even if you do not intend to

pursue one of these options, a personal statement is REQUIRED for

class.

Possible Personal Statement Prompts:

Obstacles to Academic Achievement

Academic/Personal Achievements

Academic Topics

Personal Topics

As with all writing, your personal statement MUST:

Open with an attention grabber: an interesting anecdote, quote, etc

Present a clear thesis statement Include specific, vivid supporting

details Include proper grammar and spelling Be written in standard English (NO

SLANG) Be typed, double-spaced, 1-inch

margins, 12 point font.

Along with the personal statement, you need to turn in:

One self-review/edit

At least one peer-review/edit

A completed college application

NOW FOR THE COLLEGE ESSAYAlong with the personal statement, you will be completing

a college essay. The college essay prompt is given on a particular schools

application as part of their expectations.

Every application and prompt is different, therefore it is your responsibility to write the essay that best fits you and the college requirements.

This is the THIRD component of your application.

You must bring in the applications to your TOP 2 schools in order to start the essay process.

Along with the college essay, you will be turning in:

One self-review/edit

At least one peer-review/edit

The completed college application that your essay is for

Questions, Comments, Concerns?