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Duke University
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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Personal statements: Do all colleges need one, or can I get away without writing it?

Writing's not my strongest suit and I'm slightly panicked about the whole personal statement ordeal. Do you guys know if every college requires a personal statement as part of the application, or are there some schools that don't ask for one?

a year ago

Hey there! It's perfectly natural to feel a bit overwhelmed by the personal statement—it's a significant part of the college application process. To answer your question, not all colleges require a personal statement. Some technical and community colleges, as well as a few other institutions, may not require one as part of their application.

However, the majority of four-year universities, especially more selective ones, do expect you to submit a personal statement or some form of writing sample. My advice would be to not shy away from this part of the application; it's your chance to tell your story and show what makes you unique.

Even if writing isn’t your strongest skill, there are resources to help. You can always seek guidance from your school's writing center or ask a teacher or mentor for feedback. Start early to give yourself plenty of time to revise and improve your essay. You've got this!

a year ago

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