Hey there, I'm starting my college application process and I've heard the term 'personal statement' thrown around a lot but I'm not exactly sure what it really is. Can somebody kindly shed some light on this for me? Much appreciated!
Sure, happy to explain! A personal statement is a key part of your college application where you write an essay about yourself, your background, experiences, values, or interests. It's essentially your opportunity to introduce yourself to the college admission officers and demonstrate how you're unique or what you can bring to their college community.
While the wording can vary from college to college, many schools ask some variation of the question: "Tell your story" or "Describe a personal characteristic or an incident that helped shape you." The idea is to let your voice shine through and provide context to your application that grades and test scores cannot.
In terms of practicality, it can be any length, but it's typically 650 words (this is the limit on the Common App).
Many students struggle to find the perfect topic. Remember it's not so much about what you write, but how you write it. It's advisable to avoid cliché topics like sports victories/injuries or acing a tough class unless you can bring a unique perspective to them. Nitty-gritty of life experiences, told well, can have much more impact.
For example, a student may write about how caring for their younger sister after school while their single parent worked taught them about responsibility and empathy. Meanwhile, someone else might dive into their passion for puzzles and how that has instilled a problem-solving mindset useful in their everyday life.
Remember, the goal of the personal statement is to provide a holistic picture of who you are and not just what you've achieved academically.
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