How To Write A Personal Statement For College Applications

Writing a strong personal statement for college applications can be a great tool to help get accepted. Learn how to write a good personal statement.

A personal statement for college and university applications can be a great addition to your application. In some cases, a strong personal statement can even draw attention away from any negative aspects of your application. Writing about yourself can be tough, but once you get a grasp on how to write a good personal statement, you'll have no problem at all.

The first thing to do is consider a few general points. What kind of school are you applying to, and what kind of program are you applying to within the school, if any? As with any writing project, it's important to consider your audience. If you're looking at a conservative college and applying to their business school, for example, you'll probably want to give your personal statement a more professional, direct tone. If you're applying to the art program at a liberal school, you'll likely have more room to be creative and write something that might be a little more casual in tone. If you're not sure who your audience is, then it's always safe to take a middle-of-the-road approach. Be professional, but let some of your personality through as well.

Some applications might be specific about what they want you to address in your personal statement, but many will be very general about your content. Think about it this way - colleges are asking for personal statements because they want you to tell them why you should be chosen above other students. This is no time to be shy or timid - you want to use your personal statement as a way to really shine. It's the one piece of your application that allows you to get your personality across, and to communicate your passion for education, for the subject you wish to study, your enthusiasm about life, and your long-term goals. In the content of your personal statement, it's also important to talk about the school itself, if only in a few sentences. It's important to show the admissions staff that you're excited about their institution, and to drop a few details about the school that tells them that you've done your research and you're serious about wanting to go there. Even if this statement is for a "safety" school, don't let that come through. No school wants to accept someone who doesn't look like they really want to attend - they'd rather give that slot to someone who really wants it.

The last, and possibly most important detail about your personal statement, is this: Have someone else proofread your final statement! Especially if you've worked on your statement for awhile, it's important to get a pair of fresh eyes to look at it. Even after you spell check, a person can catch errors or details that a computer cannot. Having someone else read your statement is also a good way to get feedback if you're unsure about whether what you wrote is interesting and reflective of you.

So take your time, and make sure that your personality comes through in your personal statement. Good luck!