As the final year of school comes to an end, we all feel excited about getting enrolled into college. But along with that excitement, there’s also stress. Getting into our dream college or any good college can be tough.
One essential part of the application process is writing a compelling personal statement. It’s a way to tell the college more about ourselves and why we belong there. Many students believe it’s the grades and CGPA that matter. After all, who has the time to go through those tons of personal statements?
But we wish that was true! A good personal statement can be your final key to securing a seat at your dream college. Besides, if the university is giving you an opportunity to introduce yourself in a less formal way, why let that go to waste?
In this guide, we’ll tell you what exactly a personal statement is and share some easy tips to help you write a personal statement that stands out and makes a great impression on the admissions committee. Let’s dive straight in!
Proven Tips For Applicants To Crafted A Personal Statement That No One Can Reject
What Is A Personal Statement?
A personal statement is formatted like an essay, but it’s more like a creative writing project in which you’re supposed to write a story about your personal growth and development. Most of the time, you will get a prompt to write on, but sometimes you need to choose the topic yourself.
Colleges request personal statements from students to gain deeper insights into their personalities beyond academic achievements. By reading your statement, they can assess how well you align with their university’s values and community. This aids them in making informed choices about prospective students who would contribute positively to their institution.
Now that you know what a personal statement is, it’s time to coach you through six effective strategies for writing a personal statement that will wow the college’s admission board!
Unleash Your Creativity
Writing personal statements can be challenging for many students because we are mostly taught to write academic reports. Creative storytelling is not really our forte, right? But since we have no other choice but to jump in at the deep end, let’s do it the right way!
Your personal statement doesn’t have to be like a formal essay. Instead, have fun with it and share something meaningful. If choosing the topic is up to you, pick something that inspires you and makes the writing process enjoyable.
Remember, it’s not an English exam, so you don’t need to worry about proving your academic skills. They have your transcript for that! The main purpose is to showcase your personality. You can talk about a life-changing event and how it shaped the person you are today. The admission committee will enjoy reading your statement the more engaging and meaningful it is!
Additionally, make sure your writing comes across as natural. It should be more polished than a casual conversation with your best friend, but it shouldn’t sound overly formal or forced. Finding this balance can be tricky, but aiming for a tone that would feel comfortable when talking to a respected teacher or a long-time mentor is usually a good approach.
Consider hiring a professional for personal statement proofreading if you’re unsure about the tone and could use some expert advice!
Research The College
Writing about your experiences and personal growth is crucial in your personal statement. However, it’s equally important to include why you chose to apply to this college and why the program interests you. To craft a compelling answer, conduct thorough research on every aspect of the college.
Identify their unique selling points and highlight how they align with your goals and aspirations. Capitalizing on these points can significantly enhance your chances of getting accepted and pave your way into the college of your choice!
Illustrate, Don’t Elaborate
Perhaps one of the major reasons why creative writing is so difficult to take on is because it demands you to be more descriptive than narrative. If readers have trouble picturing your words, it means you haven’t done a good job.
Instead of just describing what you saw, try to capture what you experienced or felt in that moment. This will transport the reader to the scene, allowing them to connect with your experience. If you’re still unsure about how to do it, read a few pages from your favorite fiction novel, and you’ll quickly understand what we mean!
Add Some Dialogues
Let’s be honest – no one cares about monotonous stories with never-ending paragraphs. So, rather than simply stating what someone said, we suggest adding dialogue in order to bring some excitement and action to your story.
Including dialogues can also shorten your paragraphs, making them easier to read. However, once you start doing it, it’s easy to get carried away. So, please don’t go overboard! Remember, there’s only a fine line between a story and a script!
Never Turn The First Draft In
If you’re new to creative storytelling, it’s highly unlikely that you will get it right on the first try. Even if you’re short on time, never submit your first draft immediately. Seek assistance from a professor or consider hiring the best proofreading and editing agency to review your document.
Getting a fresh set of eyes on your statement will help identify and correct any mistakes or gaps in your storytelling. It will also ensure that everything presented appears authentic and showcases you in the best possible light. Taking this extra step can significantly improve the quality of your personal statement!
Don’t Add Unnecessary Quotes
We understand that using popular and relatable quotes in your writing might be tempting, but is it truly necessary? The admission committee isn’t looking to assess your literary or philosophical knowledge; they want to get a glimpse of your personality!
Including quotes in your personal statement can consume valuable word count with unnecessary content, leaving little room for your authentic voice, which is the main focus of the writing. So, it’s best to avoid quotes and let your own thoughts and experiences shine through to make a strong impression!
Get Ready To Write An Impressive Personal Statement
Now that you have some fool-proof tips for writing a compelling personal statement, you can approach this task with confidence. The key is to be your authentic self and express yourself as creatively as possible. Embrace your uniqueness and be unapologetically yourself. Remember, this is the secret gateway to getting into your favorite college! Good luck!
