Title to be determined…excerpt from forthcoming book about how to write and get into college 

by Joy Turner

Step 1. Before you Start Writing

Chapter 1. From the Top

To explain it in the simplest terms, a personal statement is a priority tool colleges and universities use to assess applicants for admission to college. It essentially serves as a self-manifested demonstration of one’s unique qualifications. The personal statement (also known as the college admissions essay, cover letter, statement of purpose, or personal essay) also provides a glimpse of your writing ability, creativity, and career goals. Admissions committees look to personal statements to gain insight about you as an applicant and understand your motivations as they relate to school and career choices. In addition, your personal statement ideally serves to whet the appetite of the admissions counselor while at the same time diminishing his or her interest in those of others. This statement is your opportunity to distinguish yourself from the plethora of other essays that any given admissions officer reads through every year.  

With few exceptions, the biggest factors for colleges when admitting students  are test scores and transcripts. Universities look to admit students who have succeeded in academically rigorous courses and on standardized tests as a litmus test for their future success in college.

Still for almost every school, there are more students who meet the academic criteria than they can admit. So in most cases, factors apart from academics, like the personal essay, will help set you apart from your peers. Even if a college does NOT require you to submit a personal essay with your application, it may still be a good idea to do so, as it may end up being the factor that gets you admitted, all else being equal.

Personal statements have, for many years, been an important part of a student's college application and are required by most schools. In 2019, a National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Admission Trends Surveys (2007-08 through 2018–19) found that 23% of colleges consider a personal essay or writing sample of “considerable importance” in admissions decisions, with more selective colleges rating the essay/writing sample higher. Personal statements are consistently in the top five factors that influence admissions decisions.

 
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It’s also important to note that the NACAC found that colleges separately consider positive character attributes as another factor in the admissions process, with private colleges rating character traits a more important measure for admissions than public colleges. This may be because private colleges tend to see applicants with very similar test scores and grades, and therefore rely on other factors to make admissions decisions. 

The content of admissions essays, letters of recommendation, and the nature of extracurricular activities is also the means through which most colleges assess character. Outside of academic indicators, like test scores and grades, personal essays, and supplemental writing materials (e.g., letters of recommendation) remain a top factor in the admissions process. 

The Personal Statement is Designed to: 

1. Tell the reader(s) something about you that they cannot learn from reviewing your transcripts, test scores, resume, or other materials.

2. Demonstrate that you can write clearly, coherently and effectively.

3. Articulate character traits used for assessment in the holistic review process.

A successful personal statement should highlight your achievements, goals, background, and special attributes. A good personal statement also addresses who you are, how you got to this point, and where you want to go.

A personal statement is required for more than freshman college applications and is also usually necessary for applications for transfers, graduate school, and professional degree programs like medical school and law school.

  • Personal statement — An essay you write to show a college admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their school. Can be used for graduate school application essays as well.

  • College essay — The same as a personal statement in the admissions context.

  • Statement of purpose — Usually refers to personal essays written for graduate school applications.  

  • Essay prompt — A question or statement that your college essay is meant to address.

  • Diversity statement —  Describes how your past experiences have contributed to your personal and professional growth.

  • Supplemental essay — An extra school or program specific essay beyond the basic personal statement.

Some personal statements can range in length from 350 words to several pages. Most are between 500 and 2000 words, which means you have limited space to describe your experiences, achievements, and goals. 

Generally, Personal Statements Fall into Two Categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement, which allows you maximum flexibility in terms of what you choose to write about. 

2. The response to very specific questions like, “Explain why you’re a good fit for X Program,” that are more frequently used for graduate school statements of purpose and short response essays.