1. Senior English September 23, 2015

2. Important Notes: ◦ Photo Essay due @ start of class tomorrow!!! ◦ Statement of Authenticity = ticket to turn in work ◦ You will have a TW in class tomorrow! ◦ It will be a personal statement/essay TW ◦ Bring a prompt from a scholarship or application you’re interested in! ◦ If you don’t have a prompt to bring in, that’s ok! I’ll have one for you to use!

3. Personal Statements and Essays ◦ What is the difference? ◦ Look at the prompt - close read! ◦ Generally, personal statements are more open- ended and include reference to why you chose this particular school ◦ While essays have a more focused topic and rely on narratives about your experiences

4. Personal Statements Clearly understand the prompt(!) Be honest in discussing your aspirations, intentions, and interests Berkeley: “Describe the world you come from - for example your family, community, or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations”

5. Essays Clearly understand the prompt (!) Try to avoid “cliche” essay topics - sports, mission trips, summer camp But be genuine about an experience, value, or activity that has been important to you What could you write about?

6. Resources http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ College application websites often have pages about what they’re looking for Have conversations with friends, family, teachers and take notes! Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing strategies

7. Personal Essays and Statements Personal Statements: ◦ A picture. Provide a snapshot of who you are as a person. ◦ An invitation. Your job is to “bridge the assumed distance of strangers.” Invite your reader to get to know you. ◦ An indication of your priorities and judgment. Your selection of material reveals your priorities and ability to discern effectively. ◦ A story, or more precisely, your story. The personal statement allows you room for creative, meaningful self-reflection.

8. The Common App

10. Move and Write ◦ Take one marker per person- this is yours, don’t lose it! ◦ In four corners of the room, and at the front, there are writing prompts. ◦ In your area, take two minutes to brainstorm answers to your prompts with your group. Write significant words/phrases on the paper. ◦ Take three minutes to free write to the prompt anywhere on the poster ◦ Take three minutes to share your pieces of writing with your groups. **Rotate, and repeat!!