A personal statement is a style of essay. It’s usually written when applying to a school. In an application essay, you argue why you’d be a good fit. The paper is a standard procedure for college admission. Also called a statement of purpose.
The student must convince the admissions tutors in less than a thousand words. The personal statement is an essential deciding factor in high-demand programs. Getting an interview is the main aim of a statement. Students often use a paper writing service when applying to prestigious institutions. Certain applications may require you to write more than one essay. However, the initial paper is the most important. Writing one is no different from a normal essay. The only different thing is that you’re talking about yourself. You’re arguing through logic about how you’d be a great addition to the school.
Similarly to a regular essay, you’ll use logic and data to prove your points. The final result must be error and plagiarism-free. Also, you should format your paper according to the school’s guidelines.
Let’s look at the four main points your essay should carry before getting into the actual writing tips:
- Commitment and devotion
- Leadership and teamwork
- Research and writing skills
- Other real-life experiences
Admissions tutors are looking for enthusiasm and dedication. It’s vital to convey that you’re eager to learn and bring value to the class. Write a clear and concise report of your skills and experiences. Explain how they’re going to benefit the course. Finally, proofread your work and send it.
General tips for writing a personal statement
Have patience
A personal statement requires at least a few hours to complete. In most cases, it takes days or even weeks. You’ll need sufficient time for research, writing, and proofreading. It’s best to have a break once in a while and come back with fresh eyes. At a minimum, you should dedicate two days — the first one for the draft and the second one for adjustments. You won’t believe how many new ideas come to mind after a good night’s sleep.
Structure it
It’s advised you imagine a basic structure before starting. Bundle up related ideas and organize them in separate sections. You can write a few keywords on the side of the paper. Whether you structure your text before or after writing, it’s vital to arrange the report logically. Otherwise, you’ll lose your readers from the get-go.
The most important thing, however, is to have an intro, body, and end:
- The introduction is the initial part of the text that explains your motives. Introduce yourself, your ambitions, and start the discussion.
- The body should mostly cover your school achievements. Leave some space for any extracurricular activities that might put you in a good light.
- The conclusion is where you express your final ideas.
Draft and edit
Start writing without minding the word counter. Let your ideas flow and create a few generous paragraphs. You’ll most likely write more than the word count, but you’ll trim it down by revising a few times. Cut down the bulk of the text by eliminating redundant info. Generally, it’s easier to write more and edit after than continuing word-per-word as you progress.
Argue your case
Try to convince your readers that you’re worth it. Explain your experience and skills and how you could bring value to the class. Think from their perspective: would you like to have a student such as yourself? What would intrigue and impress teachers about your talents? Keep this in mind about your audience when writing.
Furthermore, always demand respect when defining your skills. Describe your experiences and abilities. Explain how your knowledge can benefit your academic journey. Say you’re an avid tech consumer. Instead of simply stating the obvious, try to expand on the benefits. For instance, you could write, “I’ve gained problem-solving skills by troubleshooting software and hardware issues.”
Lastly, most admission boards will read your document onscreen. Use white spaces to keep a clean and scrollable text.
Make it original
Using other pieces of work to inspire yourself is good. However, it’s called a personal statement for a reason. Try to reflect your personality through your writing. “Acquaint” yourself with the admission teachers through your writing – be original.
Be honest
Don’t try to appear someone you’re not. It’s acceptable to sell yourself a little bit but don’t exaggerate. For example, don’t say you’re fluent in a foreign language if you’re not. Similar lies might impress tutors when reading, but there will be a time when you’ll have to demonstrate your fluency.
Proofread it out loud
You should proofread your final draft a couple of times. Additionally, read it out loud to see if it sounds right. Also, get a friend or two to read it for you. The more input, the better.
Abstract
A personal statement is an essay where the author candidates for a specific post. The writing is argumentative and tries to convince the reader that his skills and experience are suitable for the desired position. Application essays are written for schools, companies, and non-profit organizations. They’re important criteria for admission tutors when conducting the selection process.