What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Tips for writing a composition about yourself?

I have an assignment to write a composition about myself, and I'm not sure where to start. I don't want to sound too braggy or too boring. Any tips or guidelines on how to approach this would be appreciated!

9 months ago

Hi! It can indeed be a challenging task to strike the right balance between showcasing your accomplishments and interests without coming across as self-centered or dull. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Start with a hook: Begin your composition with a captivating opening line, anecdote, or an interesting fact about yourself that would grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more about you.

2. Focus on key experiences: Instead of trying to cover every aspect of your life, choose a few key experiences, events, or interests that have shaped your personality, values, and passions. This will allow you to maintain a good balance between describing your accomplishments and delving into your personal growth and character.

3. Be authentic and show vulnerability: While it is important to highlight your achievements and strengths, also consider sharing your struggles, challenges, or moments of self-doubt that demonstrate growth, resilience, and introspection. It's perfectly okay, and even desirable, to show vulnerability – it adds depth to your character and makes your story more relatable.

4. Keep it engaging and well-structured: To keep your composition interesting and easy to read, ensure that it flows smoothly and logically. Break it down into short paragraphs, and use varied sentence structures and transitions to maintain a good rhythm.

5. Reflect and analyze: As you write about your experiences and achievements, also make it a point to reflect on them. Analyze what you learned from each experience, how it has shaped you as a person, and why it is significant to you. This introspection will keep your writing from seeming too braggy and reveal more of your character to the reader.

6. Find a unique angle: To help your composition stand out, try to find a unique perspective or theme that connects your experiences and interests. This could be your ability to adapt in challenging situations, your lifelong passion for a specific subject, or how a particular moment inspired you to pursue a certain path.

7. Edit and revise: Give yourself enough time to revise your composition. After you've written your initial draft, take a break and come back to it with a fresh perspective. This will help you spot areas that need improvement and allow you to polish your writing before turning it in.

Remember, your composition is a snapshot of who you are. It's an opportunity for you to share your interests, achievements, and growth as a person with your reader. By following these tips and putting in the necessary effort, you'll be able to create a well-balanced and engaging composition that showcases your unique personality and experiences. Good luck!

9 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.