Turbocharge your personal statement essay
In case you are sick and tired of reading those very looooong articles about personal statement examples/essays, then I have something short for you. (I have read those long ones, they are like tomes). Anyway, the mydailyfind.com blog has a noteworthy article, and this is what it says:
As you brainstorm essay topics, think about your character traits, personal values, and meaningful experiences, and remember these strategies:
* Make sure to answer the question that’s being asked.
* Don’t try to second-guess the admission officer—write about what’s important to you, not just what you think the college wants to hear.
* Keep the focus of the essay on you, even if you’re writing about how someone else has influenced your life.
* Be careful when tacking controversial subjects; the person reading your essay may not share your beliefs. Express your opinions honestly, but avoid displaying an intolerant or offensive attitude.
* Don’t worry if you haven’t overcome major obstacles or endured a tragedy in your brief lifetime. Often the most creative, dynamic, and revealing essays are ones that deal with ordinary small moments in a student’s life.
I will not disagree with any of these, but I have an addition to the fourth point. If it’s a very controversial topic (like the never-ending debates on death penalty), you would do well to do some research. Do not rely on what your stock knowledge alone can give you.
Style Matters
While the content of the college admission essay must be compelling and captivating, grammar and spelling do count, and admission officers respond to well-crafted pieces that follow these classic guidelines:
* Begin your essay with a strong opening sentence that will arouse the reader’s interest.
* Describe why you did something, not simply what you did.
* Show it, don’t tell it! Use vivid descriptions that make the reader see it, smell it, taste it, feel it, and hear it.
* Don’t use fancy words from the thesaurus or SAT prep just to impress the admission officer.
* Don’t write in broad, general terms—use details to make your writing come alive, and include plenty of supporting examples.
I cannot overemphasize the show it don’t tell part. That is why- if you are using your first experience in a foreign country as a theme, you need to make the readers feel, smell and see what you have felt, smelled and seen. A word of caution: if this is the very topic you will be writing on, don’t turn it into a travelogue. You are applying for (college or post-grad) school, not for a spot in the Tourism Department of that particular place.
Final Tips
* If you’re using one essay for several colleges, check to make sure that you haven’t used the name of another college in your essay by mistake.
* Follow each college’s rules about length, headings, etc.
* Don’t get overly creative. The admissions officers at Colorado College advise students to “avoid gimmicks of any kind. Writing on a ball is cute, but it doesn’t fit in your folder!”
The second point includes word counts. Believe me, if the mandated is 500 words, don’t think that giving them 600 will go unnoticed.
The very best personal statement examples are those which managed to do all of the aforementioned pointers. It is not that hard really. Conquer your fears, there is nothing to fear but…a plagiarized essay.
