Personal Statement:

How to write a personal statements for scholarships

What is a personal statement?

• An essay that tells your story.• Let’s the reader (scholarship/admissions

committee) know who you are, your goals and challenges you have overcome in your life.

• Required by colleges as part of scholarship/admissions application process.

• Informs potential scholarship/admissions committees about yourself.

• Personal statements are generally 250-500 word or one page are typed.

• However, if they allow more than one page, maximize the opportunity to write more about yourself.

• Convey to the reader why you stand out from the other candidates and why you should be selected.

General Guidelines

Consider the following process

• A scholarship/admissions committee could review hundreds of applications.

• How will the decision be made as to which applicants will be selected?

• One thing that will be considered is how well your personal statement is written and prepared.

Use the following tips as you prepare

• Always type, hand written statements are not accepted• The opening should let the reader know what you are writing about• You need to hook the reader with a distinctive opening to your

statement• Distinguish yourself (have done or are you currently doing things that

are unique or different – voluntary/working/school-community involvement).

• What did you accomplish (in sports, committees, or clubs)? What did you learn from your participation in events and activities?

• Do not simply list events; write about those things that you know.• Be concise; to the point (do not write more than you need).• Write honestly about yourself/write from your heart.• Write about things that are important to you.

Tips (con’t)

• Be unique!• Always answer the questions asked on the application,• Do not repeat something that is already in the application.• Sentence construction should be brief with exact and clear

wording.• Use words that describe and show action.• Construct a well-written, error free statement (write as many

drafts as necessary to get it right).• Tell your story.• Be proud of who you are!• Be positive!• Do not be too dramatic

What should be included?

Writing a personal statement for scholarships could include the following:

1) Personal and Family background2) Educational and career goals3) Personal interests, extracurricular activities, employment, volunteer and community service.4) Reason for applying5) Challenges you have overcome in pursuing your

education.

Remember the committee member(s) may never meet or see you. How well did you describe yourself?

Personal & Family Background

• Are you the first in your family to graduate from university?

• What are your life goals and how will obtaining a college degree further these goals?

• How do you plan to balance your personal and academic responsibilities?

• What support systems do you currently have/need to help you succeed?

Education and career goals

• What led you to choose a certain school?

• What led you to choose a certain career or field of study?

• If you are undecided, discuss other interest or possibilities that you are exploring.

Personal interests, extracurricular activities, employment, volunteer & community service.

• Explain what significance or affect the activity had on you.

• What lessons did you learn from volunteering?

• Don’t just list the activities explain how they have made you into who you are today. What are the key take-aways from it.

• Give a reason you are applying for the scholarship or application.

• Highlight any challenges you have overcome in pursuing your education (remember focus on lessons learned and solutions to overcome these obstacles)

Other ideas to include

Key Elements of a Personal Statement

• Select a strong writing topic

• Write for the appropriate audience

• Write an effective introduction

• Use Description

• Write about the “So What”

• Write an effective conclusion

Selecting a strong topic

• Consider personal experience

• Issues of importance

• Influential people

Keep in mind the expectations of

college admissions/scholarship

committee.

Writing for Appropriate Audience

• Who is reading your statement?

• Is it a scholarship or admissions?

• What are you applying for?

• Your personal statement my change slightly with each task.

Writing an Effective Introduction

• Should be brief

• Will set up topic of essay

• Use a powerful quote or anecdote

• Use a series of questions (not recommended by Mrs. O)

• Grab your readers attention with the first sentence

Be Descriptive

• Use descriptive details

• Show don’t tell

• Tap into your 5 senses

Writing the “So What”

• Describe the lesson learned

• Shift from telling the story to persuading they reader why your story matters.

• Share why your story represents your unique interests and potential contributions to the university community

Write an effective conclusion

• End on a powerful and memorable note.• Make yourself stand out from the crowd• Expand on broader implications of your essay topic• Consider linking conclusion to introduction • Redefine a term used in a previous paragraph• Show your topic has widespread appeal• Avoid summarizing paragraphs• Give insight into how the experience has changed you

as a person

• Make sure the reason for writing this personal statement is clear and correct.

• Always check for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

• Write concisely, positively and truthfully.• When applying for more the one scholarship or

univeristy, be sure your personal statement applies to each individual one.

• Who will you consider for letters of recommendation?

Final Copy

Questions & Answers

Timed Writing Prompt

• For the next 30 minutes brainstorm and write about what makes you different. What makes you stand out from the crowd? Describe an experience unique to you and then explain the “So What”. Talk about how this experience has made you into the person you are today.