PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHOP Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement to Advance Your Chances of being Accepted Sue Granger-Dickson, Transfer Center Director

You are unique! The Personal Statement is: An opportunity for you to showcase your uniqueness. Adds clarity, richness and meaning to your application. Provides distinctions between applicants whose academic records are similar. A chance for you to explain obstacles or opportunities that you have taken advantage of outside of college.

The Best Statements: Include a discussion of: ◦Your academic record, accomplishments and activities. ◦Any unusual circumstances, hardships, or challenges you have faced and ways in which you have overcome or responded to them. ◦Your initiative, motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, special potential, and/or substantial experience with other cultures. ◦Your achievements in light of the opportunities available to you.

Special Populations ◦If you are an older or reentry student be sure to mention your life experiences as they relate to your educational plans. ◦Military veterans should describe how their military service has been instrumental in developing their educational plans. The UC is also interested in a family member’s military service as well.

Tips for Success Start early. Be clear, focused and organized. Be careful with humor or clichés. Do not manufacture hardship. Follow instructions. Keep to the word count. Use correct grammar and spelling. Use specific examples. Give yourself plenty of time for revisions.

Brainstorm Topics What is your intended major?

When did your interest in this major develop? Be specific.

Do you have any volunteer, work experience, internships, participation in student organizations or activities related to your major?

Homework Make a list of 4 things that describe you. When you get home ask a family member or friend to do the same thing. In comparing the responses do you see any areas that overlap?

Also consider: What opportunities have been available to you in your community or here at BC? Do any of these opportunities relate to your major? Have any of these opportunities brought out your potential or leadership qualities?

Have you overcome obstacles? Is there a major issue confronting your family, school or community and what has been your role in addressing it?

Remember, relate specifics back to your choice of major! How have you changed as a result of addressing this major issue, and what impact has that change had on your choice of a major, career or dreams and aspirations?

Other things to ask yourself: What classes do I get the best grades in? Why am I interested in my major? How can I use my interest in my major to make a contribution? ◦Use specific, concrete examples from your life. ◦Get right to the point as these are short essays. ◦There is an additional comment box on the application where you can, if you choose, write an additional 550 words (personal statement #3)

Before you paste your statement into your application: Choose the best information about you from your pre-writing process. Write a first draft. Use “I” statements. Get feedback. Revise. Proofread.

Good luck!