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”