1. WELCOME TO SEMINAR

2. Monday, November 3, 2014  Do Now  Write about a challenge that you have overcome. Describe the challenge and the steps you took change.  Daily Target  I will be able to create an effective personal statement. AGENDA 1.Do Now 2.Why do we write personal statements? 3.Draft of a personal statement HOMEWORK/PRACTICE: Study or Read for at least 10 minutes in your area of concern.

3. By December 19 th you need...  Personal Statement  Resume  Cover letter  2 letters of rec  Transcript  Transcript reflections  College/career visit documentation Add this to your planner!

4. UPDATES  Turn in any college fair reflections  Senior personal statements due 24 th  Career center open Wednesday evenings until 7:30 for college applications

5.  It’s a chance to  Show your personality  Demonstrate your ability to write  Affirm your desire to attend college  Set yourself apart  Show off your individuality  Demonstrate why you’re special Adapted from North Seattle Community College

6. Theme = A Unifying Idea Examples: ◦ Overcoming obstacles ◦ Helping others ◦ Taking on great challenges Creates coherence and unity

7. Theme Overcoming obstacles Example: As the first person in my family to attend college, I had to convince my brothers and sisters that higher education was a worthwhile pursuit. Although my brothers made fun of me for attending community college, I never wavered in my dedication to succeed.

8. Tie all your examples and life events in with the central theme of your statement Find natural connections that bridge each part of your essay to the next Hook the reader at the beginning Use concrete details, not vague ideas Check and double check grammar and spelling

9.  Not reading the instructions in the application.  Not writing about recent events.  Reiterating information listed elsewhere in the application.  Listing accomplishments without explanation or detail.  Using gimmicky writing techniques, such as poems.  Using cliches.  Writing more about an inspirational person than yourself (e.g. your mother, favorite uncle, etc).  Rambling, unfocused thoughts.  Being overly humorous, self-deprecating or glorifying. Talking about money as a motivator

10.  Write it yourself.  Write it about yourself.  Provide any relevant information about yourself that you don’t think is captured elsewhere in the application.  Write about experiences, accomplishments, etc. that occurred during or after high school.  Provide specific examples of your accomplishments or activities in which you’ve participated.  Keep your statement focused.  Have your statement checked by a teacher, counselor or other adviser for spelling, grammar and clarity.

11.  Form groups of 3-4 people  Read the Personal Statements Provided  Discuss the Strengths and Weaknesses of each Statement

12.  Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?  Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?  Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?  Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.