Personal Statement/Supplemental Guide

The personal statement is a pivotal part of your college application, presenting an opportunity to
showcase a key aspect of your character. It's typically a 500-650 word essay that can
significantly influence your application's success.

1. Deciding on Your Essay Type:

There are various approaches for your personal statement, such as focusing on a key event,
using a metaphorical object to represent your journey, or outlining a timeline of significant
experiences. Selecting the right approach is crucial for setting the tone of your essay.

● Key Event: This essay picks an important life event that occurred in the student's life and
gives insight to why the event was so transformative.
● Metaphorical: This essay picks an important object in the student's life and relates
his/her experiences and transformation of maturity to the object.
● Timeline: This essay picks out multiple key events in the student's life that connect to
one overall theme/event.

2. Picking a Value to Highlight:

To make your essay focused, you need to choose one value you want to highlight about yourself
throughout the essay. Is it your value of community? Family? Autonomy? Compassion?
Teamwork? Equality? There are a lot of values to choose from, and extensive lists can be found
with a simple online search.

3. Creating an Outline:
Your personal statement should include:
● A depiction of your character before a pivotal event.
● The event itself and its immediate consequences.
● How the event transformed you.
● Your future direction, informed by this transformation.

Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring each section
supports the overarching theme and value you've chosen to highlight.
 4. Crafting an Intriguing Introduction:
You need an interesting hook. This, however, is more simple than it seems. When you
brainstorm your hook, ask yourself, "If someone read just my hook, would they be curious to
read more?". A hook may just be a simple statement, a quotation, a vivid description of the
scenery, etc. (pro tip: AVOID USING A POPULAR QUOTE OR TRUTH AS YOUR HOOK)

5. Describing the Main Event:

As you begin your body paragraphs, you want to descriptively lay out the main event that
resulted in your character transformation. This is where you want to use extremely vivid
sentences. In describing the main event, it is good to include the immediate effects of the
consequence. Not all consequences have to be negative. (pro tip: AVOID SIMPLY STATING
WHAT HAPPENED).

6. Illustrating Growth and Future Aspirations:

This is the absolute most important part of your personal statement. You want to describe how
you changed as a person as a result of the main event. Do not just say, "I became more
passionate about service", but show that you became more passionate about service by
describing the homeless shelters you volunteered for or the elderly couple you helped get
groceries for every weekend. Remember that you need to focus this part on only YOU!

7. Conclusion:
Reiterate how the event has shaped you today and how you'll leverage the lessons learned as
you move forward. This is a MUST. It’s your chance to leave a lasting impression on the
admissions committee, highlighting your resilience, growth, and potential for future success.

Step By Step Essay Outline

Theme: [Write your theme]
Value: [Write your value]
Topic: [Summarize your essay in one sentence]
My essay focuses on: Multiple experiences or one key event (underline one)

Hook: [Write your hook]

Introduction: [Write what your introduction will be about]

Body Paragraph 1:
[Write what your body paragraph will be about]
[Note which one(s) it will focus on: Early experiences, Turning Points, Challenges and
Overcoming Diversity, Epiphanies and Lessons Learned]

Body Paragraph 2:
[Write what your body paragraph will be about]
[Note which one(s) it will focus on: Early experiences, Turning Points, Challenges and
Overcoming Diversity, Epiphanies and Lessons Learned]

… continue for the rest of your body paragraphs if you have more

Conclusion:
[Explain how you will incorporate the introduction/body paragraphs of your essay]
[Explain how you will show confidence with moving forward to the future]

Guide to Writing School-Specific, Major of Interest, and Extracurricular Essays

SCHOOL-SPECIFIC ESSAYS

What is it?
Many schools require a 150-300 word essay explaining why you want to apply to that specific
school. The purpose is to demonstrate your interest and fit for the institution.

Research the School

To write an effective school-specific essay, gather detailed information about the school. Use the
school's website and CollegeBoard’s BigFuture college search tool to answer the following
questions:

1. Student Body Size: Is it small, medium, or large?

2. Type of School: Is it public or private?
3. Location: Is it urban, suburban, or rural?
4. Campus Layout: Is it a compact or dispersed campus?
5. Student to Teacher Ratio: What is the ratio?
6. Traditions: What are some fun or unique traditions? (Reddit can be a good source for less
common traditions)
7. Courses/Programs: Which course or program interests you? (Explore department websites)
8. Curriculum Flexibility: Is the curriculum more open or more strict?

Identify at least one unique aspect that sets the school apart from others. For instance, Harvard
offers a Medicine & Society Track that blends science and sociology.
Include a Personal Element
Your essay should stand out by including a personal connection to the school. Reflect on
experiences, beliefs, or values that align with the school’s environment. For example:

● Life Experiences: Did a visit or specific experience influence your desire to attend this
school?
● Beliefs or Faith: Do your personal beliefs align with the school’s values?
● Environment: Does the school’s location or community fit your background or
preferences?
● Programs: Is there a particular program that matches your interests?

An example is using faith as a personal element. If you value balance, like in Buddhism, relate it
to the school's offerings. This shows admissions officers your values and how they align with the
school’s environment.

Connect Personal Experiences to School Elements

Discuss how the school’s specific features relate to your personal experiences. For example, if
you explored a city with your grandparents, mention how attending a nearby university will bring
back those memories. Highlight the school’s location, programs, and opportunities that match
your interests.

Re-emphasize Key Elements

Conclude by reiterating the main elements of the school that resonate with you. Summarize why
these elements make the school a perfect fit for you based on your research and personal
experiences.

MAJOR OF INTEREST ESSAY

What is it?
This essay, usually 150-300 words, asks why you are interested in your chosen major. If
undecided, discuss your various interests and their intersections.

Avoid Overused Words

Avoid using the word "passion" as it is overused and lacks impact. Instead, show your
enthusiasm through your experiences and activities.

Structure and Outline

Answer the following questions to structure your essay:
1. Past Experiences: What experiences sparked your interest in this major? (e.g., helping run a
family business)
2. Related Activities: What extracurriculars or activities have you pursued that relate to this
major?
3. Future Goals: What are your future goals, and how does this college support them?

Introduction
Start with an intriguing hook that highlights a key moment or memory related to your major. For
example, describe a vivid memory that sparked your interest in biology.

Making a Timeline
Show a chronological progression of your interest in the major. Highlight activities from early
experiences to more recent ones. This demonstrates a long-standing interest and dedication.

Pursue Activities Related to Your Major

In the body, describe the activities you engaged in that relate to your major. Include specific
details and avoid simply stating your passion. For instance, discuss how you explored biological
questions through science fairs and research projects.

Relate to Your Future

Discuss how your chosen major will impact your future. Mention potential career paths or goals.
Even if unsure, highlight your strong interest in the field.

Relate to the College

Mention specific resources, courses, or programs at the college that support your major. For
example, a research program or specific classes that will help you achieve your goals.

EXTRACURRICULAR ESSAY

What is it?
This essay, usually 150-300 words, asks you to describe one of your extracurricular activities in
detail.

Introduction
Start with a specific moment or achievement from your extracurricular activity. Use dialogue or a
vivid image to capture attention without immediately stating the activity.

Your Journey
Outline how you became involved in the extracurricular activity. Highlight any challenges and
how you overcame them. Mention any leadership positions and your accomplishments in that
role.

Use Numbers
Be specific and use numbers to quantify your impact. For example, state the number of
members you led or the number of people impacted by your activities.

Conclusion
For the conclusion, you have several options:
● Explain how the college provides opportunities to continue or expand your
extracurricular.
● Describe what you hope to achieve in the future with this activity.
● Reflect on how participating in this extracurricular has changed you.

By following these detailed guidelines, you can create compelling and personalized essays that
showcase your unique fit for each school and major.

While learning this framework will put you ahead, keep in mind that you’re
only a fraction of the way through Creating an Outstanding Application.