A personal statement essay is a self-contemplation writing where the author introduces him or herself, what drives them, and what s/he would like to accomplish in life. The personal statement, unlike other types of conventional academic papers, is very individual and written in narrative format (Emre et al., 2022). It is supposed to demonstrate personality, intent, strength, and compatibility with an institution or a program.
Personal statements are situational and prompt-based, but they tend to occur in the following scenarios:
- College applications
- Graduate school entry
- Scholarship/fellowship essays
- Applications in the field of professional programs (medicine, law, business)
Elements of Personal Statement Essay
Most effective personal statements have a similar structure:
- Introduction: Start with an appetizer, some hook, something memorable, something important, or something special. This may be an anecdote, an experience, a question or a defining moment. Right at the beginning of the writing, one can focus on attracting attention and establishing a mood.
- Body Paragraphs: These paragraphs contain the core of your statement. It is where you discuss your educational background, career interests, applicable experience, and values—present down-to-earth tales and situations of growth, challenge and aspiration (Emre et al., 2022). Every paragraph is meant to bring you closer to what you are.
- Association with the Institution or Program Connection: Show why you are applying. What makes this an opportunity, course or school a good match? How does your story fit with what they are about or what they have to offer? This part demonstrates that you did your best and that you do not just care about the result.
- Conclusion: Conclude with a statement which puts all together in a positive light about the future. Restate your objectives, emphasize your willingness and impress upon the reader. A great ending must be rewarding as well as optimistic.
Tips to Students and Writers for a Personal Statement
Developing an interesting personal statement is time-consuming and requires editing. The following are some of the key tips for students and writers:
- Early and Reflect: You cannot write an essay in the middle of the night before the due date. Start with coming to mind about the significant experiences, values, and turning points in your life.
- Be You: Admission officials read thousands of essays. Be real and not an attempt to impress. Speak your truth, not what you believe they want to hear.
- Be Specific in Your Examples: Be very straightforward in terms of your examples instead of saying vague things, such as I have always been a person with a great interest in helping other people. Alternatively, demonstrate how your voluntary gig at a homeless shelter has increased your curiosity about social justice.
- Growth Focus: Always talk about lessons learnt or changes regardless of the fact that you are talking about the challenges or the setbacks. Admissions officers are impressed by resilience, maturity and improvement more than being in perfection.
- Make Customized to the Prompt: Do you have several schools or programs that you are applying to? Do not be tempted to use your essay everywhere. Strategize your reaction depending on the values and the programs of each institution.
- Write Like You Are Telling a Story: Your resume and school transcripts have it all already. Add context, personality and voice to those bullet points with the help of the personal statement.
- Get feedback: Show your draft to a mentor, teacher or writing tutor. A second pair of sight will be able to detect ambiguous passages or cliches of which you might be unaware.
Popular Personal Statement Prompts
Students will most of the time be expected to answer questions such as:
- Why have you chosen to do this field?
- Tell me about one big challenge you have conquered.
- What have you learned, and what do you consider as important?
- Why do you want our program or university?
What makes a personal statement unique?
The personal statement should combine these factors: to sparkle, it is necessary to touch upon emotions and think deeper. The most wonderful essays:
- Post your own particular words or experience
- Write in colorful terms and narrate in stories
- Uncover the motivation behind the writer and why he writes.
- Show that you fit in the school or program
The Wrap Up
It is an inevitable piece of writing that determines the future of any writer or student having some ambitions. This is your chance to present a self-advocacy in your form. It allows decision-makers to glimpse your mind, heart and purpose beyond your test scores and transcripts. Therefore, live, think, and write carefully and then rewrite your thoughts. Having a proper approach means that your statement is not going to be read, but it is going to be remembered.