The personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application package to graduate programs, graduate schools or colleges. Your personal statement may be the one thing that convinces the admissions committee to accept you into their institution. For this reason, it is imperative that you do your best to make an exceptional essay. Here are five mistakes that you should avoid when writing your personal statement.
Lack of proofreading
One of the most basic, yet most common, mistakes made on personal statements are errors of carelessness. Grammar and spelling errors can easily be avoided, but there are still numerous people who forget or refuse to proofread and edit their essays. If you take the time to proofread and edit your work, you will most probably end up with an essay that is free of errors of carelessness. Also, proofreading allows you to get an idea of how your essay sounds, feels and reads.
Passion degenerated into preaching
While it is a good idea to talk about your passions and interests that have led to your growth and development as a person, you should try to avoid preaching to your audience. Be sure to stay focused on your goal, which is to introduce yourself to the institution.
Show rather than tell
When writing your personal statement, you should try to show the reader some of the accomplishments, personal qualities or awards that you are proud of. Some people make the mistake of listing down their achievements and qualities, which can seem boring and lifeless to the reader. Instead, you should try to show the reader how these came about and how they have manifested in you.
Stay away from excuses
Some people make the mistake of giving excuses for unfavorable grades or records. The personal statement should focus on how you have developed, despite any mishaps that may have come your way. Instead of giving excuses, just give mention to these unfavorable marks and focus more on how you have learned from the situation and have improved since.
Losing balance
Another mistake that people commonly make when writing their personal statement is that their essays lack balance. Remember that your personal statement should be a balance of professionalism and personality. If your essay is too professional, it may just sound like a repetition of information that is already in your admissions forms and records. On the other hand, if the essay is too personal, it may come off as a personal story rather than a personal statement.
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