18+-+Writing+Personal+Statements

Let's face it, most of us hate writing essays...so when it comes to applying to graduate or professional school, the dreaded personal statement always holds us back. It can be one of the most satisfying -- or frustrating-- writing experiences you'll ever have. So sit back and relax...here are some tips to writing the best personal statement that will blow them away and make you an applicant to remember: = = =  = = = = = = = = = = =


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Before Getting Started:
1) **Some characteristics of a good personal statement:**
 * is thoughtful and honest (it needs to be reflective)
 * strives for depth, not breadth (it is quality not quantity)
 * follows the conventions of good writing
 * conforms to guidelines
 * answers the question
 * benefits from several drafts and feedback from others
 * contains a catchy introduction that will keep the reader interested
 * transforms blemishes into positives
 * demonstrates your knowledge of the major/college
 * exudes confidence--you will be successful no matter what
 * stands out in a positive way, setting you apart from other candidates





Getting Started:


1) **Write down ideas and experiences**
 * write a journal
 * blog
 * share stories with friends and family members
 * brainstorm around a certain trait or experience

2) **Ask yourself a series of questions**
 * who are you and what do you want?
 * what are your career goals?
 * what are your hobbies?
 * what motivated you into choosing this career choice?
 * what is special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you?
 * what personal characteristics and/or skills do you possess that would make you successful in this career/field?





What Admissions Committees are looking for:
1) **Motivation**
 * why do you want to be a doctor/veterinarian/nurse/lawyer...?
 * anybody that inspired you to choose this career path?
 * any meaningful or life changing experiences?

2) **Language skills**
 * use proper grammar and punctuation
 * show off your writing abilities
 * portray yourself
 * convey your thoughts into words
 * use __STRONG__ action verbs
 * be concise

3) **"Soft Skills"**
 * compassion
 * maturity
 * sincerity
 * honesty
 * integrity
 * persistence









 1) **Introduction**
 * establish the tone and set the scene
 * provide your essay's controlling theme
 * hook your readers by sparking interest with details and quotes

2) **Body Paragraph**
 * write about 2-4 paragraphs
 * develop your theme using examples and detailed experiences
 * use transitions to make your ideas flow
 * include your most poignant information in the final body paragraph

3) **Conclusion**
 * widen the lens and wrap up your essay without summarizing or repeating what has already been written
 * extend your essay's parameters
 * demonstrate the significance of your experience in a larger context
 * do not repeat or summarize ideas already presented elsewhere, but rather re-affirm the validity of your essay's theme



Themes to Place in the Essay:
1) **Personality**
 * what makes you unique/different from the other applicants?
 * why are you qualified for this program?
 * do you have any talents/special abilities?
 * what aspects of your personality would improve your prospects for success in this career/field?
 * give examples to demonstrate certain characteristics that you possess
 * show diversity
 * be honest

2) **Experiences**
 * research
 * job
 * unusual/memorable experiences
 * volunteer work
 * community projects
 * any other experience that may not be related to area of study
 * international experiences/study abroad
 * adversity- if you have been through a situation which presented difficulty, feel free to talk about it in your personal statement. In some cases, this may even be used to explain your GPA or test scores if you feel they do not truly reflect your academic and intellectual capacity

3) **Inspiration**
 * family
 * friends
 * neighbor
 * co-worker/boss
 * pets
 * eye-opening events
 * life changing experiences, obstacles and hardships that you've overcome





<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Strategies and Tips:
1) **Answer the question**
 * make experiences/ideas/motivations...related to topic being asked
 * look at the application as a whole and use the essay to describe yourself entirely
 * make yourself __SHINE!__ This is the part of the application that you have control over
 * make sure to answer every part of the question asked
 * do not make your personal statement sound generic

2) **Avoid**
 * writing too much about others...this essay is about __YOU__
 * religious issues
 * political views
 * offending someone on the committee
 * thinking that you know more about an issue than the committee..they have been doing it longer than you have
 * using cliches
 * including a "laundry list" of activities- expand on your ideas to make them //meaningful// and be //specific// i.e. if you volunteered at a hospital, mention the name of the hospital, where and when you volunteered, and describe what you did there

3) **While writing**
 * capture reader's attention
 * keep it simple but not too plain
 * be descriptive
 * keep the audience in mind
 * be factual and to the point when needed
 * use questions to help edit the essay
 * keep a flow in your essay, with a goal in mind

4) **Tone**
 * try to sound honest and sincere
 * do not try to exaggerate or stretch the truth- professionals can tell the difference between a statement which sounds forced and artificial versus something authentic and organic



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<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Summary:

 * (According to the Owl at Purdue, here are some Do's and Don'ts to consider when writing your personal statement)**

1) **DOs**
 * Strive for depth rather than breadth. Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences
 * Try to tell the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say
 * Provide the reader with insight into what drives you
 * Be yourself, not the 'ideal' applicant
 * Get creative and imaginative in the opening remarks, but make sure it's something that no one else could write
 * Address the school's unique features that interest you
 * Focus on the affirmative in the personal statement; consider an addendum to explain deficiencies or blemishes
 * Evaluate experiences, rather than describe them
 * Proofread carefully for grammar, syntax, punctuation, word usage, and style
 * Use readable fonts, typeface, and conventional spacing and margins

2) **DON'Ts**
 * Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application
 * Do not complain or whine about the "system" or circumstances in your life
 * Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme
 * Do not talk about money as a motivator
 * Do not discuss your minority status or disadvantaged background unless you have a compelling and unique story that relates to it
 * Do not remind the school of its rankings or tell them how good they are
 * Do not use boring clichéd intros or conclusions
 * "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is..."
 * "This question asks me to discuss..."
 * "I would like to thank the admissions committee for considering my application."
 * "It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your fine school."
 * "In sum, there are three reasons why you should admit me..."
 * Do not use unconventional and gimmicky formats and packages
 * Do not submit supplemental materials unless they are requested
 * Do not get the name of the school wrong
 * Do not incorporate technical language or very uncommon words

=<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">***REVISE, REVIEW, PROOFREAD*** = =<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> = =<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> = = <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> = =<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> = == =<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> = <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**Great Sources of Information:** 1) Studential.com [] This website has a great collection of personal statements written for all different majors/areas of study along with commentary by other students.

2) The Owl at Purdue []

3) Sample Personal Statement: []

4) Dos and Don'ts of writing a personal statement <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[]