Planning, Drafting & Revising the Personal Statement GSEP Writing Support

Overview of Today’s Topics What is a Personal Statement? The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing Prompts to Consider Examples/Discussion Brainstorming

What is a Personal Statement? One of the most important documents considered for admission into a college or university A compelling, anecdotal representation of who you are An analytical document with a clear theme throughout

Why is a Personal Statement Important? Provides evidence of who you say you are Highlights your uniqueness Helps to determine a fit between you and the school Piques committee members’ interest in you (the next best thing to an interview)

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing Do share what makes you unique Help a stranger understand what distinguishes you from other candidates Provide Depth vs. Breadth

Do’s Do tell a story -Write about a specific moment -Include sensory details -Demonstrate your strengths through examples Do revise and edit Use Grammarly & Spellcheck Look up grammar questions

Don’t’s Don’t have them envision you as a child “Since I was in middle school…” “When I was three years old…” Don’t overshare. Avoid the deeply personal. “I was sexually abused by my cousin…” “My mother was a heroin addict and often shot up in front of me and my brother…”

Avoid being flippant, glib, cute or funny. Don’t’s Avoid being flippant, glib, cute or funny. Don’t use cliches. They obscure your unique message. “I’ve always wanted to be a therapist.” “I was always really interested in how the mind worked.”

Don’t’s Don’t use the personal statement to excuse failures or as an opportunity to criticize others Don’t self-promote “I am an intelligent, compassionate and empathic individual” Don’t submit your essay without having someone else proofread it

Pay Close Attention to the Prompts Many people choose Clinical Psychology as a career because they are interested in helping other people. Please tell us additional reasons, other than helping people, why you would like to be a clinical psychologist. Recall a person for whom you had a strong dislike and describe a situation in which you were reactive toward her or him. Next, analyze what within you may have triggered your reactivity toward this person and describe how you might have handled this situation more constructively than you had.

Contact Writing Support for Assistance! Gsep.writingsupport@pepperdine.edu Tutoring and written feedback at My WC Online: https://pepperdine.mywconline.com/