1. Tell me something I don’t know already.
PERSONal Statements
Tell me something I don’t know already.

2. I got this year!

3. The Gist ? Should be narrative, not expository
“Undoing” academic writing
Creative Non-Fiction lends itself to personal statements
The Gist ?

4. What are personal statements?
The personal statement generally falls into one of two categories:
1) The general, comprehensive personal statement:
This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.
2. The response to very specific questions:
Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked.
“Writing the Personal Statement” - Purdue
What are personal statements?

5. Consider the following…

6. So…
How do I do that?

7. Basic Guidelines (length differs)
Answer the questions that are asked.
Tell a story.
Be specific.
Find an angle.
Concentrate on your opening paragraph.
Tell what you know.
Don't include some subjects.
Do some research, if needed.
Write well and correctly.
Avoid clichés.
Basic Guidelines (length differs)

8. Starting can be the most challenging part.

9. MORE STUFF (to consider)
What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
MORE STUFF (to consider)

10. Let’s look at the College Essay Guy
OKAY.
Let’s look at the College Essay Guy

11. Go Here: https://www. collegeessayguy
Go Here: e-ten-types-of-movie-and-personal-statement-plots
Get your section.
Read the summary, AND the linked personal statement.
Jot down main points. Get ready to share.
The 10 Types

12. So we probably don’t have time…
1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
So we probably don’t have time…

13. HOMEWORK!
*Continue drafting EITHER the Cover Letter OR the Personal Statement.
*Bring a COMPLETED digital copy. This means done—up to 2 pages, single spaced.
*You are working with peers, myself, and counselor next week to refine.