Start a Personal Statement for College
Undergraduate and graduate colleges often require personal statements from students who are applying. The personal statement gives applicants the chance to display personal and professional qualities to college admissions counselors. As many college programs are competitive, especially graduate programs, the personal statement can help you stand out from other qualified candidates.
Instructions
1. Review the questions, if any, asked on the college application. Detail the information about your personal life that you want to include in your statement. Organize the information in terms of what is most important for college admissions counselors to know and what is most relevant. Write down obstacles you have overcome and periods of your life when you have matured.
2. Make a bulleted list of the reasons why you should be admitted into the college program. Include any relevant paid or volunteer experience as this shows concrete interest and abilities. List what triggered your interest in your chosen field of study, and when you became interested. Include in this section personal characteristics such as leadership, managerial skills and analytical abilities that may help you while in college and in your future career.
3. Compile a list of what you hope to accomplish after you graduate with a degree in the field. List concrete professional goals and how you will serve the betterment of society with your degree. Also list personal goals and how a degree in your field may satisfy those goals.
4. Clean up each of the bulleted lists and bits of information. Check to see if there is a maximum word count required. Rewrite each of your bulleted lists to make the statements as concise as possible. Eliminate the bullets and begin writing the lists in narrative form. Organize each of your lists from most to least important.
5. Begin typing your statement. Create a compelling opening statement that grabs the reader's attention. Opening sentences set the tone and mood for the rest of the personal statement. Use an interesting or unusual personal fact about yourself near the opening, such as listing an obstacle you've overcome or why you're interested in the college program. Alternatively, use a famous quote near the beginning of your statement and expound on why it is relevant.
6. Transition from the opening of the personal statement to the body and remaining sections. Include information from each of your bulleted lists to create separate paragraphs in the body of the statement. Make your writing as clear and organized as possible, leaving no questions unanswered. Rewrite portions of your statement that need to be simplified or explained more clearly. Don't forget to save the document when finished writing.
Tags: your statement, bulleted lists, each your, personal statement, admissions counselors