4 Traits of an Outstanding Personal Statement

Recorded Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 01:00 AM

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Building a balanced school list you’ll love
Increasing your acceptance chances at top schools
Writing amazing college essays
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Maximizing financial aid
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The admissions process is hard - Sophie is here to help!

Schedule a free consulation to meet Sophie and get your questions answered

Get help with:

Building a balanced school list you’ll love
Increasing your acceptance chances at top schools
Writing amazing college essays
Managing all requirements and deadlines
Maximizing financial aid
So much more!

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Learn about the entire admissions process from a top expert

Get help with:

Building a balanced school list you’ll love
Increasing your acceptance chances at top schools
Writing amazing college essays
Managing all requirements and deadlines
Maximizing financial aid
So much more!

About this livestream

Description

Outstanding personal statements highlight your core values, provide insight into who you are, express vulnerability, and demonstrate craft and writing skills. College advisor Sophie Alina explains the four traits of an outstanding personal statement, you can improve the personal essay that you have already written further to ensure that it best highlights your goals, values, skills, interests, and personal qualities.

Advisor

Sophie Alina

Education
B.A. Math, Vanderbilt University, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar | SMU M.Ed. | Vanderbilt Ph.D student
Bio
I'm so proud of my students!!! From full-tuition scholarships to admissions into Ivy League schools, congratulations to each one of you in the Class of 2023! I am a Vanderbilt Ph.D. student and Russell Hamilton Scholar at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development. As an Applications Consultant, I have collaborated with students to gain Ivy League acceptances, full-tuition scholarships, and admission into top-choice schools. As a teacher for three years, I have worked with over 400 elementary, middle, and high school students, giving me the skills to break down difficult topics into organized steps and work with students with a variety of learning differences and skills. As a graduate student and Master of Education graduate, I not only have strong writing chops, but also the ability to teach these skills to the students I work with. One Harvard professor said that the opening to my Ph.D. personal statement was one of the best introductions they had ever read.In high school, my Indian mother inspired me to pursue academics and music. I was valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, and won third place in my category in the Texas State Science Fair. I also founded a math club at my elementary school. For three years, I did research at my local university. In the summers, I was accepted into highly selective research opportunities. I was also an avid violinist. My passions for research, music, and math are all part of my journey today.After being awarded three full-tuition scholarships, I attended Vanderbilt on a full-tuition merit-based scholarship as a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar. There, I majored in mathematics and received Honors in the College of Arts & Sciences and graduated as a Top 20 Outstanding Senior. As a former premed student (I plan to pursue my M.D. after the completion of my Ph.D.), math major, violin performance minor, and social science researcher, I have a strong interdisciplinary foundation. This background enables me to effectively work with students to blend complex ideas with personal experiences to create compelling essays. I am extremely excited to use my experience as an applications consultant, teacher, and student to help you create a competitive application that shows how amazing you truly are. I cannot wait to work with you! Schedule a first-time consultation, select a package, or send in an essay for review, and you’ll hear back from me soon.
Specialties
PsychologySociologyEducationChemistryBiologyHealthMath
Your host

Undergrad College: Georgetown University '21

Major: History; Minors in French and Russian

Work Experience: The college applications process is all about responding to one question: who are you? I am passionate about helping students craft a creative answer. I have been helping students gain admission to the T25 schools of their dreams since 2018, when I first started working for CollegeVine as an Applications Consultant, and later, blog writer. Soon after graduating from Georgetown, I started my own company to make college advising my career. I currently mentor students through one-on-one consulting sessions and essay editing.

My Admissions Story: My admissions journey began with a desire to dive into the humanities and have an adventure of self-discovery. I applied to East Coast liberal arts schools that value creativity and specialize in teaching languages, history, and international affairs. One thin deferral letter came in the fall, a thicker envelope came in the spring, and with that, I was accepted to my dream school — Georgetown University!

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