Personal statements are texts in which a student explains why they want to enter a certain program at a particular university. It is an essential part of the whole university application process, and no wonder students often feel stressed out when reminded of this deadline approaching.
Schools put much pressure on the applicants meaning that their expectations and requirements are very high. However, composing a good personal statement is entirely possible. So, do not give up and read on: we will show you how it can be done in less than no time.
8 steps to take when crafting a personal statement
1. Study the instructions.
Teachers typically leave precise instructions on what they expect to see in the text. Thus, they specify the word count, style, and the topic of the text they expect to see in the end. Therefore, you should study these instructions first in order to see the goal clearly. The fact that you followed all the instructions will demonstrate the board members that you respect their rules and stick to them whenever needed. So, begin with this point.
2. Start early.
You do not want to rush into anything or craft a piece of horrible quality. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, start early and leave time to think your every word over. This piece might define whether or not you will get into the university, so you should take the time to think everything through.
3. Define the style.
Depending on what topic you were suggested for the text, consider what style you will write in. It can be a description of your personal strengths or a description of why you think that you are a perfect candidate to study this program. These two texts will differ, so take your time to realize what style you are supposed to write in.
4. Craft a good opening.
An opening paragraph is one of the most important sections of this text. The thing is that the admissions board has a lot of students applying, and thus, they only have a couple of minutes for each essay. So, if you do not grab their attention with the first sentence, you will lose a chance to impress them after all. They will simply drop your essay and move on to the next one. So, think of the introduction very well, and do not rush into anything here.
5. Make it personal.
Do not write about any abstract ideas, but write about particular things which make you special and perfect for the position. Do not create a fake image of who you really are. The board should choose you because they like your personality, not the fake personality you set up with the “right” words. Be real and make this text center around you. Alternatively, describe why you chose this university. Teachers hate it when students pick their colleges just because they are close to their home or other silly reasons. And even if it is the case for you, think of some other things which make this school so special to you. Maybe you like the famous alumni from this college, or you know about the social life on campus and you love it. Think of some deeper reasons and tell the admissions board about them. It will make your application differ from a number of others.
6. Do not lie.
When talking about your strengths, there is always a temptation to say more than there really is. For instance, you can state that you speak four languages, while in reality you only speak English and know a few phrases in French, Italian, and German. Do not do this, as once the truth becomes known, you will regret lying. Instead, focus on your real strengths like love for arts, writing talent, etc. Be honest under all circumstances and never lie!
7. Describe your extra-curricular activities.
Being a real person when expressing yourself in this paper means showing that you had a social life outside the classroom. Avoid talking too much about your academic performance and show them what you did outside the classroom. Did you help your community in some way? Did you go on mission trips? Do you enjoy acting at a local theater? Include these details, as they will help the board see the real you. However, do not talk too much. Even though we have mentioned a lot of things you can talk about in this piece, you do not have to talk about all of them together. Only select the best parts and include them in your application. Remember that “brevity is the sister of talent.” Keep the word count in mind. Most schools establish the maximum, so, bear it in mind.
8. Revise the paper.
When working on a paper, you might make some mistakes just because you think faster than you write. That is why using technological solutions like Grammarly to help you out here is a very good idea. Meanwhile, you can also seek professional assistance with the revision. Ask your friends, parents, or teachers to read what you composed and tell you what to change. It is essential to the quality of your piece.
The personal statement can get you into the college of your dream. However, to make it all happen, you should try your best when working on the personal statement writing. With our tips, you can absolutely do it right!
by Richard Nolan, general blog editor of prowriterscenter.com
