The personal statement is one of the most important components of your application to college, university, or grad school. It is an opportunity to tell your story—who you are, what you are passionate about, and what makes you tick. But crafting an effective personal statement is not easy—in fact, it can be downright daunting. How do you capture your unique voice and convey your passions in just a few short paragraphs? Below, we discuss some tips and tricks on how to write an authentic, emotionally-compelling personal statement that will impress school admissions directors and greatly increase your chances for acceptance.

Planning What to Say

Before sitting down to write, take some time to brainstorm. What are the things that you want admissions directors to know about you? What experiences and accomplishments do you feel best capture who you are as a person? What are you passionate about? What are your goals and dreams? The idea here is to get the creative juices flowing with a few ideas, then narrow it down to one or two things that most define you or set you apart. Remember, you want to stay concise, preferably around 500-700 words—so you will not be able to share everything. Instead, hone in on the most important things.

Make It Personal

By definition, this is a personal statement, not a resume. The school can see your achievements in other parts of your application, so avoid recapping them here. Instead, try focusing on the things you care about, stories that shaped you, etc. Admissions directors want to see that you are more than just a list of accomplishments—they want to see that you are a fully-formed human being with hopes, dreams, and emotions. Take this opportunity to show them who you are as a person. Infuse your essay with passion and personality, and let your unique voice shine through. 

Be Authentic

Being genuine is key to making a good impression with a personal statement. Admissions directors can spot a phony a mile away. Tell your story in your own voice—do not try to imitate someone else or sound like someone you think they want you to be. Avoid exaggeration, inflated language, and cliches. Instead, be real, be raw, and be vulnerable. The most compelling personal statements are the ones that offer an honest glimpse into the "real you."

Proofread!

Typos and grammatical errors can derail an otherwise well-written personal statement because they give off the impression of carelessness. These details are important, so make sure to give your essay a thorough once-over before sending it off. Better yet, have someone with good grammar skills do it for you. (Even the best writers can miss seeing their own typos because they have been over the document too many times.)

Ultimately, crafting a compelling personal statement is not about adhering to a formula. It is more art than science. Remember that your goal is not simply to persuade the admissions directors to let you in (because they will make that decision on their own), but instead to give them context—to pull back the curtain and reveal the person behind the academics and the extracurricular activities. After all, the admissions director will choose a person to bring into the school. Simply by being authentic and personal, you will show them why that person should be you.