Writing Personal Statements

What is a personal statement? Varies from college to college Usually changes every few years Essay or series of short responses with a set word limit ( words) Two main kinds: 1. The general, comprehensive statement: -More open-ended -Asks about your life/experiences in general -Essay-length 2. The response to very specific questions: -Focused on a specific topic -ie: UW diversity statement -Series of short responses (WSU)

Why is it important? Your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process Go beyond the transcript/SAT score Express your unique personality, background, and circumstances Make a personal connection Can make a difference between getting in or getting rejected Use an adapted version for other applications, scholarships, cover letters, etc…

How do I get started? Ask yourself a series of questions: 1. What is special, unique, or impressive about you/your life story? 2. How have you overcome the challenges, obstacles, or hardships in your life? 3. What are you passionate about? What matters to you? 4. Why should the college be interested in you? Why should you get in over someone else? 5. What talents, skills, or abilities do you have? What are you good at?

A few more questions Also consider… 6. What personal qualities/characteristics (ie: leadership) do you have? 7. What are your career goals? 8. Why are you choosing this school? Do you have any experience with this college? 9. What extenuating circumstances does college need to know about you? 10. What have you learned during high school ?

What should I include? If possible, mention all/some of the following: Recent awards and accomplishments First generation college student status Extracurricular activities Why you want to go to college/this particular college Hardships/difficulties/challenges Extenuating circumstances Experience being at the school (if any) Career goals Mention the stuff that’s not in your transcript

Tips/Hints 1. Stay Focused: Be sure to directly answer the question being asked Adapt your draft to fit the prompt Everything in your statement should promote yourself and improve your chances of admission Have a list of what you want to include and try to fit a lot of it in Get right to the point: no intro./concluding paragraphs 2. Be specific: Give examples Back up your statements with evidence Know exactly what you want to say You can’t include everything you want to include Focus on the most marketable aspect of yourself

3. Tell a story: Start with a ‘hook’ Focus on a specific moment from your past that sums up/illustrates what your statement is about Include lots of description/imagery (show, not tell) 4. Be honest: It’s okay to ‘spin’ events but don’t outright lie about things Put yourself in a positive light If you struggled, explain the circumstances while making yourself look good

5. Be meticulous: No spelling/grammar mistakes Don’t use contractions Formal language/avoid slang Edit and revise it multiple times over a long period of time Use rich, intelligent-sounding vocabulary 6. Be original but not crazy: Try to have your statement stand out Don’t just say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear Avoid clichés Be extremely careful with humor

Challenges Hard to write about yourself Has to be perfect – editing is super important Discomfort with sharing personal information Choosing what to include and what to leave out Adapting your statement for different prompts/applications This will take a long time and require many drafts Start now and revisit the statement in May prior to OSU early admission deadline

Structure and Organization Section #1: ‘The Hook’ Descriptive Catches reader’s attention Tells a story Section #2: Elaboration Explains who you are in more detail Explains why you are a good candidate Section #3: Justification Explains why you would be successful Gives specific accomplishments

Three Types of Statements 1. The hardship/extenuating circumstances essay: Explains a challenge or difficulty How you overcame/are overcoming this obstacle 2. The learning essay: Describes an important life lesson Explains how this lesson will make you a good candidate 3. The ‘this is what I love’ essay: Describes something you really enjoy/care about Explain how this enthusiasm makes you a good candidate

UW Personal Statement Prompts Choose either A or B. Please do not exceed 650 words. A. Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or presented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals. OR B. Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.