Most undergraduate schools require a personal statement or essay as part of the application. It is perhaps the most important part of the application but also the most difficult and time-consuming. Although the required length varies by college, it is usually about 300 to 500 words. Since the essay can reveal personality, creativity, and values that cannot be revealed by grades and tests alone, it can separate your application from those of other candidates who have similar records. It could be the deciding factor in your acceptance at the school of your choice.
Schools want to get an idea of what kind of person you are and how you think. Evaluations and recommendations give the admissions committee others opinions of you, but the statement or essay is the only place where the selection committee sees your opinion, the only place where they can hear your voice. This added insight gives the committee a more complete picture and shows how well you can express your ideas in writing. One winning asset revealed in your essay can tip the balance in your favor if it is a close contest between you and another student.
Before you begin, try to get to know your audience. You are not writing for a teacher, friend, or relative. Admissions officers or an admission selection committee will read what you have written. They are a busy group of people and have to get through a lot of material in a limited amount of time. You want them to understand and enjoy your essay. They are looking for an impression. That impression is mostly an emotional reaction to you rather than an intellectual analysis of your work. You want them to conclude that they like the student who wrote this essay.
Carefully read the instructions describing what you should write. The college may give you a specific topic or they may have you choose a topic. Some schools want you to write about yourself. You will want to show that you are a focused student with a goal. The following questions may give you some ideas:
What do you hope to achieve in life?
How will your studies prepare you for what you plan to do?
What are you good at or what do you like to do?
Why do you want to study a particular subject or attend a certain school?
What activities and awards represent your greatest achievement?
How much time do you invest in those activities?
Have you participated or held offices in organizations? How long?
Have you participated in high school athletics? Did you letter?
Have you been involved in community activities such as scouting, volunteer work, religious youth groups, cultural organizations, or tutoring programs?
Do you have hobbies or creative interests that have required a substantial investment of time and in which you have achieved a reasonable degree of mastery?
Have you received prizes, honors, or special recognition in athletics, art, music, or literature?
Have you had special trips or other experiences that have been especially rewarding or enlightening?
If you are instructed to select your own topic, pick one that will reveal you. Limit your topic; stay away from huge ideas like global warming. Write about what you know, something about which you have a passion. Try to make your essay personal, unique, interesting and as original as possible. Your writing should reflect who you areyour values and what you consider important. It should reveal something about your personality. Show that you are special, not typical.
Before you select a topic, brainstorm to collect your thoughts.
Make a list of everything important to you. Examine what you have written. Can you group any of your ideas?
Did you learn any valuable lessons from the things that you recorded?
Think about your character, experiences, or other aspects of your life. For each thought, describe the event and feelings you had.
Get ideas from parents, friends, and teachers. They can help you remember special things you have done that may seem insignificant to you, they can remind you how you have changed, or they can point out patterns of activities that define your personality.
Whether you are given a topic or choose your own topic
A good essay requires a lot of thought and reflection. Allow a sufficient amount of time to think, discuss, plan, write, and revise. You want to write a concise meaningful piece that will make a positive impression. As you write, you may find the following tips helpful:
Read the instructions again
Be yourself
Be honest
Be clear
Do your best
Do not be modest. If you won a special award, say so. It is more significant to have been the only one who received a special recognition than to have been one of many.
Stick to the space limits. They are not meant to restrict what you say but to see if you can get to the point quickly.
Make sure your essay has a clearly defined beginning, middle, and ending.
Instead of just telling what someone said in your narrative, use quotes and humorous anecdotes if possible. Use images and stories to evoke a picture of what you are saying. Avoid too many facts; concentrate on providing observations, reactions, opinions, perceptions, and reflections. Stick to the
main point; dont drift. Use active not passive voice. Favor specific rather than general statements, and be concise. Do not be negative, vulgar or tasteless. Avoid using slang and sounding angry, cynical, silly, sarcastic, or confused.
Write several drafts; it will help you develop your thoughts. Add more of your own personal style and better organize what you have written. Carelessness does not leave a good impression. Always check for spelling, grammar, and typing mistakes. Are your thoughts organized? Have someone check your work. Get other opinions, comments, and suggestions. Revise, rewrite, and make the final draft as neat as possible.