Hey guys, junior here. I've just started brainstorming for my personal statement for colleges. I'm a bit stuck though, as I've heard different advice from so many people and honestly, it's overwhelming. What should I include? What should I definitely not include? Any advice would be amazing.
Regardless of what you choose to write about, the most important thing is that it should be about YOU. You should be the star of your personal statement. It should revolve around your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
Avoid cliche topics like winning a sports game, learning a new language or moving to a new school. If you choose a common subject, your treatment should be unique to you. If you're writing about a sports achievement, for example, be sure to write about it from a unique angle that shows something about your character or life experiences that the reader wouldn't know otherwise.
One approach for setting your essay apart is to think about the moments of conflict or challenge in your life. The way you faced and overcame that challenge tells a lot about you and your character and makes for an engaging narrative.
Remember, what matters the most is not how intense or impressive the topic of your story is but rather how you narrate it and what it tells about you. A seemingly small incident can turn out to be an engaging story if narrated well.
Your personal statement should also give readers a sense of your voice, who you are, and what you value. Show, not tell. Don't just say you're passionate about science. Instead, weave in a story about the late nights you spent working on your science fair project and how much joy that brought you.
Stay on the positive side. If you're discussing a hardship or a failure, make sure you show how you grew or what you learned from the experience. Colleges are looking for resilience and growth, so make sure that if you do discuss challenges or obstacles, you also show how you were able to push past them.
Lastly, be yourself. You might feel the need to use complex vocabulary and formal language, but if that's not how you ordinarily speak, it could come off as strange and inauthentic. Use clear, concise language that comes naturally to you so that your unique perspective and voice shine through.
I hope this helps, and best of luck with your personal statement!
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