Introduction to personal statements, college essays, and college applications

WRITE THESE DOWN!!  By Monday, September 10 th : Bring in the applications to your TOP 2 college choices.  Monday, September 10 th : Rough Draft of personal statement DUE  Friday, September 14 th : Final Drafts of personal statement AND college essay DUE

 The personal statement is an important part of your application package.  The essay you write provides additional evidence of your academic and personal achievement.  The essay allows the readers of your application to get a feel for you as a person and as a student.  It is your opportunity to essentially share the story behind your academic achievements; define yourself as an individual and student; or explain any obstacles to your academic achievement.  The essay is your opportunity to SELL YOURSELF to the college and/or post-secondary program of your choice.

 HOW the essay provides evidence of your achievements that isn’t reflected in other parts of your application.  HOW and WHY the events that you describe have shaped your attitude (who you are as an individual), focus (obstacles to achievement), and most of all, your academic achievement.

 The personal statement is your opportunity to SELL YOURSELF to the college and/or post-secondary program of your choice.  This is your time to SHINE!  Remember, you are among hundreds, if not thousands of other students applying to the same program: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL?!

A GOOD personal statement is:  Reflective  Strives for depth, not breadth  Follows the conventions of good writing  Transforms blemishes into positives  Demonstrates your knowledge of the major/college  Exudes confidence

 Repeat any information contained elsewhere in the application  Contain the wrong school name  Contain mechanical errors or errors of usage, clichés, or meaningless prose  Is too long or too short

 Complain about your circumstances. Simply explain them.  Discuss money or a college’s rankings as a motivating factor for applying to a particular major/college.  Make claims in the essay that are not backed up by your application. *As a writer, be sure that you do not portray yourself negatively.

Many colleges and some trade schools or other post-secondary programs require personal statements. However, even if you do not intend to pursue one of these options, a personal statement is REQUIRED for class.

 Obstacles to Academic Achievement  Academic/Personal Achievements  Academic Topics  Personal Topics

 Open with an attention grabber: an interesting anecdote, quote, etc  Present a clear thesis statement  Include specific, vivid supporting details  Include proper grammar and spelling  Be written in standard English (NO SLANG)  Be typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 point font.

 One self-review/edit  At least one peer-review/edit  A completed college application

Along with the personal statement, you will be completing a college essay. The college essay prompt is given on a particular schools application as part of their expectations. Every application and prompt is different, therefore it is your responsibility to write the essay that best fits you and the college requirements. This is the THIRD component of your application. You must bring in the applications to your TOP 2 schools in order to start the essay process.

 One self-review/edit  At least one peer-review/edit  The completed college application that your essay is for

Questions, Comments, Concerns?