Writing the Perfect Personal Statement: Taking the Student From a State of Abject Terror to One of Joy
Fall 2022
Let’s be honest: Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of college applicants like sitting down in front of a blank piece of paper (or screen) and churning out the “perfect” personal statement.
If the prospect of writing your personal statement sends you into a panic, you’re not alone! The lion’s share of students that I work with experience a certain level of dread at the mere thought of composing that all-important, “perfect” personal statement that can change your life and land you a spot at the college of your dreams.
Feelings of overwhelm are natural and understandable because, truth be told, there’s a lot of pressure riding on your ability to craft a compelling personal statement that gives the admissions officers a sense of who you are, sums up your hopes and dreams, and also paints a picture of where you’re coming from…all in a mere 650 words!
But take a Deep breath, and know: You can do this.
And I can help.
By breaking down the essay-writing process into small, manageable bites, taking the process slowly, one step at a time—you can compose a personal statement that not only grabs the attention of application readers, but keeps them engaged and engrossed, while making you stand out from the crowd.
Below, please find some simple Do’s and Don’ts--logical, left-brained “rules” that function as guardrails. Then read on for more creative, right-brained prompts and exercises to get you to connect deeply, on a heart-level, with what you want to convey. Remember: the more fun you have writing your prose, the more fun for a reader. Likewise, the more emotionally engaged you are with your subject matter, the more emotionally engaged your reader will be with your work.
Writing with the Left Side of the Brain
Here are a few simple Do’s and Don’ts
Do…
Do start with a “hook” to grab the reader’s attention and entice them to continue reading.
Do be vulnerable. (I know, I know—being “vulnerable” on the page is easier said than done! To help you get started, please see my list of fun writing and brainstorming exercises, below.)
Do make yourself the main character of your essay (not your inspiring teacher, coach, family member).
Don’t…
Don’t write about your family’s harsh immigration story and how it impacts you today.
Don’t write about a 1-2 week international service trip.
Don’t write a cliché-ridden piece about a sports injury or loss.
Writing with the Right Side of the Brain
Below are some fun, thought-provoking exercises to get you brainstorming and generating meaningful ideas. Stay open to discovery; you may learn something about yourself in the process of writing your personal statement that you weren’t aware of before! That’s part and parcel of the creative process.
What’s your greatest hope?
What’s your worst fear?
Tell me about a moment when you felt yourself grow, whether intellectually, emotionally, socially.
What’s an item in your room that represents your past?
What’s an item in your backpack that captures the essence of your mindset in the present?
What’s an item in your closet that somehow encapsulates your hopes and aspirations for the future?
Describe an event that changed the course of your life forever.
Describe a person who changed the way you think about life?
Answering these questions will lead to great ideas, and even help you
connect more deeply with yourself.
Enjoy the process!
One of my favorite assignments not only is fun to do, but it never fails to bear fruit: Go people-watching at a park or café; sit by the window, and simply observe the people walking by. Some students get their best ideas while in motion; consider taking a bus ride, noticing the wide variety of people around you. Study clothing, demeanor, idiosyncrasies, creases on their faces, listen to snatches of conversations. By simply tuning into the world around you, it’s likely you’ll begin to reflect on certain meaningful moments in your own life. And therein lies the key to writing a great personal statement: writing about moments in your own life that carried the weight of meaning, that formed the type of person you are today. Remember, a personal statement is just story about yourself—one you tell not only with your intellect, but with your heart.