2 BIG Tips for an Irresistible Personal Statement

lookingforward
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 13:47:53 +0000

Yes, you want cohesive. And effective. Demonstrating an evolution is good. What a kid describes needs to be relevant to an admit review, not simply that they pick an Aha! moment. I’ve read about too many 1st grade or middle school epiphanies. Or too many times, the kid simply “tells” how this now makes him ready to reach his own goals, not seeming to get what the college is looking for.

When I hit the flowery opener (or the thesis statement,) I quickly wonder if the kid understands the point of the personal statement. That can lead to wondering how the kid thinks and his overall judgment. We’re only skimming the topic here, but my standard advice is to know as much as you can about the colleges you want and what they look for. This isn’t writing for an essay contest.

Some of the most effective (and memorable) essays make small points, show flexibility, curiosity, willingness to stretch a bit. Adcoms can put two and two together, when it’s done well. You don’t have to knock them over the head with your own conclusions. That would be telling, more than showing.