Tips for Writing (and Rewriting) the Personal Statement
High school is a place where growth and change can be found in the most unexpected places! Condensing that change into a few hundred words is not an easy task. In this post, I will share some of my own experiences with the personal statement as well as discuss a few tips and strategies for beginning the process of writing.
For my personal statement, I weighed a few topics and landed on one that best represented my state of being throughout high school--my nightly routine. I wrote about everything from putting my siblings to bed to my appreciation for my minimalist lifestyle, highlighting the importance of gentle music, untethered exploration, and close family ties. More than anything, I saw it as my chance to add perspective and individuality to my college application.
Here are a few things that I’ve learned being both an HSF and an AF about writing a personal statement.
Tips for brainstorming and writing:
1. Express yourself authentically.
This may seem like a no-brainer for a personal statement, but it is all too easy to lose your initial thoughts when there are so many factors in play. Some students read too many sample essays before starting to write their own draft, and others try to write what they think admissions officers will want to read. Neither of these strategies are effective in a personal statement because they cloud your message. When too many voices are in the mix, your ideas will become meddled, resulting in a more fragmentary essay. One way you can be authentic in your message is by asking yourself questions while brainstorming. Some examples include:
What is your favorite childhood memory?
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
What do you value most in yourself/other people?
How do other people see you? How do you see yourself? What are the connections between these two?
What is your favorite memory from high school?
When was a time when you felt a new emotion?
What was the hardest decision you’ve had to make?
Who inspires you?
Asking yourself about your formative experiences is a great way to frame your essay. Try choosing one or a few central events that convey your values.
2. Details, details, details!
When it comes to essays, the magic is in the details! Whatever your style, imagery can be a useful tool to convey the entirety of your thoughts, setting, or development of ideas. Your ideas come to life when you describe them.
3. Be the main character! Be the one who takes action.
Because the essay is about yourself, you’ll surely want to center your experiences. But when our own experiences are shaped by other people, we want to give them the attention we feel they deserve. When integrating someone into your story, give them some detail, but take the space to center yourself and your story. You should be taking action and moving your story forward.
Things you may want to steer clear of:
1. Being vague, ambiguous, or having too broad of a focus.
It can be difficult to choose one instance or a few moments where you can summarize yourself as a person, so attempting to do more than one is a common initial approach. However, it is critical that beyond the brainstorming process, that you choose one or a few ideas that encompass you well. In that way, you can clearly convey your message and also keep your reader in your train of thought.
2. Choosing a topic that feels inauthentic.
There is no such thing as a perfect essay topic. Some students feel comfortable sharing sensitive information, and others prefer to be more lighthearted--both approaches are completely valid. If you’d like to use the personal statement to reflect on a serious aspect of your background, you are welcome to do so. If not, never fear; you don’t have to write about a harrowing experience in order to show growth. Above all, your topic should feel authentic. Reach out to your AF or another trusted person if you are having trouble deciding between options.
3. Beginning with context for your essay rather than a captivating hook.
Admissions officers have many, many essays to read on any given day of the admissions cycle. Since yours is one of them, you want to keep two things in mind: their attention span and the message you want to convey. While 650 words may seem like a sufficient amount of space to express your story, they can go by very quickly if you aren’t being concise.
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Writing a college essay should be an experience that feels true to you and your message. If you have difficult situations that you want to express, such as a significant drop in grades in a year/semester due to a difficult circumstance, or time off, feel free to do so in the “Additional Information” section of your application. Sending the best of luck with your writing!
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