Personal Statements

The what, why, when, and how…

What?

• A personal statement is basically an essay you write in which you “sell” yourself to whomever it is reading it.

• You include all the things that make you stand out from everyone else; the things that make you the better choice for the position, award, school admission, etc.

• Simply put, it is a formal way to boast about yourself.

Why?

• There are several reasons that could come up in which you will have to write a type of personal statement:– Academic:

• school admissions essay– bachelors– masters– doctorate

• scholarship application– Career:

• cover letter• letter of interest• request for promotion• proposal

When?

• When it comes to writing personal statements you never want to wait until the last minute. This is your first impression and you need to make sure it is as perfect as possible.

• Now is definitely the time to get started– College application season– Senior project coming up– After graduation job hunting

How?• First, determine what type of personal statement

you need to write– prompt response– letter/open format

• Second, determine your audience. ho are you writing to? What would they most likely want to hear about?– example: Scholarship from PETA, probably want to

talk about community service at the animal shelter instead of your first place award in a fur coat designing contest.

More How…

• Do a littler research. There are many websites with great writing tips and advice for personal statements, whatever type you need to create.

• Be careful which sites you trust!• The OWL from Purdue is fantastic– link is on my teacher page– the following is some of the most helpful

information from the site

Questions to ask yourself before you write:• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?• What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or

influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?

• 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?

• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?

• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?

• What are your career goals?• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but

mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?

• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?

• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?

• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the

profession or field than other applicants?• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in

you?

General advice• Answer the questions that are asked: If you are applying to several

schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.– Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is

important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

• Tell a story: Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

• Be specific: Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

More Advice…• Find an angle: If you're like most people, your life story lacks

drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

• Concentrate on your opening paragraph: The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

• Tell what you know: The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended, or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you're suited to it. Since you will have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgment.

Even More Advice…• Don't include some subjects: There are certain things best left out of

personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

• Do some research, if needed: If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

• Write well and correctly: Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

• Avoid clichés: A medical school applicant who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements.

Advice from the source• This is taken DIRECTLY from the UC website:

– Your personal statement should be exactly that — personal. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself — your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, inspirations. We encourage you to take your time on this assignment. Be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it honestly.

– As you respond to the essay prompts, think about the admissions and scholarship officers who will read your statement and what you want them to understand about you. While your personal statement is only one of many factors we consider when making our admission decision, it helps provide context for the rest of your application.

• There are also tips and techniques listed under the prompts• The link is on my teacher page!

Last Bit of Advice…• Have people lined up to read your statement

when you have finished.– The more people who read it the better, that just

means more feedback.– Do not just ask people who know you well to read it.

The people who can give you the best feedback are people who really don’t know you.• Why? Very simple… the admissions or HR person reading

your statement won’t know you and you need to make sure you have effectively expressed yourself and your ideas to someone who doesn’t already know all about you. If you have someone who doesn’t know you well read it first, they can give you advice from a similar perspective.

• Proofread! Proofread! PROOFREAD!• Get it in on time/as soon as possible

The Prompts• The UC system

– Directions: All applicants must respond to two essay prompts — the general prompt and either the freshman or transfer prompt, depending on your status. Responses to your two prompts must be a maximum of 1,000 words total. Allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250 words.

– Freshman applicant prompt: 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.

– Transfer applicant prompt: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.

– Prompt for all applicants: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

More Prompts• Different schools use different prompts. Here are some different prompts that

have been used over the last few years by a variety of schools:– Tell us how a particular book, play, film, piece of music, dance performance,

scientific theory or experiment or work of art has influenced you. If you choose a novel, film or play, assume we know the plot. (University of Notre Dame)

– Consider the books you have read in the last year or two either for school or for leisure. Please discuss the way in which one of them changed your understanding of the world, other people, or yourself. (Duke University)

– Identity and culture are clearly intertwined. How has your experience of culture influenced the development of your own personal identity? (NYU)

– At Colorado College, diversity is considered an integral component of every student's liberal arts education. Discuss your division of "diversity" and the ways in which you expect it to affect your college experience. (Colorado College)

– If you were to write a book, on what theme or subject matter would it be based, and why? (Stanford)

– Describe your most important academic accomplishment or intellectual experience to date. We don't want to know about test scores or course grades, rather we want to know about your creativity, your willingness to take intellectual risks or your affinity for scholarly endeavors. (MIT)

– Please provide information that you feel will give a more complete and accurate picture of yourself, e.g., background, personal philosophy or traits, goals, etc. Be sure to describe the influence of these factors. Please be concise and limit your response to one or two pages. (Pomona College)

If you want more…

• See the link on my teacher page for college admissions essay topics. It will take you to the list of 100 that I got the prompts on the previous slide from.

• Research the schools you are interested in and see what/if they require some type of statement.

Free Money!

• Scholarships can ask a variety of questions depending on what organization is behind it or what the scholarship is for.

• Do not let the fear or laziness of writing an essay stop you from getting all the free money you can!

• The truth: School loans are helpful, they get you through school, and they are the “good” kind of debt, but paying them back can be hard and, let’s be honest, it just plain stinks! So try to get some scholarships to help you out.

Scholarship Prompts• Your Field of Specialization and Academic Plans

Some scholarship applications will ask you to write about your major or field of study. These questions are used to determine how well you know your area of specialization and why you’re interested in it.– Samples:

• How will your study of _______ contribute to your immediate or long range career plans?

• Why do you want to be a _______?• Explain the importance of (your major) in today’s society.• What do you think the industry of _______ will be like in the next

10 years?• What are the most important issues your field is facing today?

Scholarship Prompts

• Current Events and Social IssuesTo test your skills at problem-solving and check how up to date you are on current issues, many scholarship applications include questions about problems and issues facing society.– Samples:

• What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem? Why?

• If you had the authority to change your school in a positive way, what specific changes would you make?

• Pick a controversial problem on college campuses and suggest a solution.

• What do you see as the greatest threat to the environment today?

Scholarship Prompts• Personal Achievements

Scholarships exist to reward and encourage achievement. So you shouldn’t be surprised to find essay topics that ask you to brag a little.– Samples:

• Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school.

• Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.

• Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your field of study and your future goals.

• Why are you a good candidate to receive this award?

Scholarship Prompts

• Background and InfluencesWho you are is closely tied to where you’ve been and who you’ve known. To learn more about you, some scholarship committees will ask you to write about your background and major influences.– Samples:

• Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.

• Who in your life has been your biggest influence and why?• How has your family background affected the way you see the

world?• How has your education contributed to who you are today?

Scholarship Prompts

• Future Plans and GoalsScholarship sponsors look for applicants with vision and motivation, so they might ask about your goals and aspirations.– Samples:• Briefly describe your long- and short-term goals.• Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?• Why do you want to get a college education?

Scholarship Prompts• Financial Need

Many scholarship providers have a charitable goal: They want to provide money for students who are going to have trouble paying for college. In addition to asking for information about your financial situation, these committees may want a more detailed and personal account of your financial need.– Samples:

• From a financial standpoint, what impact would this scholarship have on your education?

• State any special personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial assistance.

• How have you been financing your college education?

Scholarship Prompts

• Random TopicsSome essay questions don’t seem directly related to your education, but committees use them to test your creativity and get a more well-rounded sense of your personality.– Samples:• Choose a person or persons you admire and explain

why.• Choose a book or books and that have affected you

deeply and explain why.

The Career Statements

• Colleges aren’t the only institution that require a type of statement.

• When applying for jobs/your career you will need to create a letter of interest or a cover letter.

• Once you are in with a company you like/love you could even have to create a statement for open positions, promotions, or a raise.

The Career Statements

• Letter of interest: This is a letter you write to a company inquiring about open positions. Basically you are writing to tell them you are interested in working for them and would like to apply. You include why you want to work for the company and why you feel you would be the perfect fit.

• Cover letter: This letter is sent along with your resume that introduces you to the company you are applying to, it is your first impression before you even get to interview. A good cover letter can be what helps you get the interview over someone else.

Your Turn…

• Look at the list you created.• What type of statement will you need to write?• Create an outline for your statement. (This you

can reuse for multiple statements. Even though you can’t reuse statements, you can have a base to start from every time, which will make it easier!)

• Have a draft of your statement ready for peer editing next class.