How Do You Write A Great Personal Statement?

"Highlight" your achievements! (har har)

I’m staring at my screen, watching the cursor blink at me as if to say, “come on come on come on” while I feel that paralysis in my bones that comes from not knowing what to say.

There are a hundred things I could say, but I don’t know the right thing to say. The one that ensures my acceptance this fall. The one that means my transfer will happen and I’ll complete what I started. The one that means I didn’t blow it.

The right thing.

Let me put it this way: Depending on who reads my personal statement, the right answer will vary. If the person who reads it finds the Lifetime channel to be the best thing since sliced bread…the answer is to write a fantastic statement highlighting any abuse or trauma and how I, as a strong woman, rose above it. If the person who reads my personal statement is more of a Comedy Central fan then going for the humorous side of life and showing an upbeat and positive attitude will be a sure-fire winner. If they like suspense, I should write it that way.

I’m pretty sure the only thing I don’t want to write is a bland non-fiction piece. They must get a lot of those. A “just the facts ma’am” listing of qualifications and intent. No one wants to read another one of those.

So…how do I put me in my personal statement? You know, without adding comedy, drama, and suspense in one small package – that would just make me sound crazy.

I wish I could just put the link to my blog. That would be convenient and revealing. But I’m a “follow directions” kind of person, so I’ll write it. I mean, how hard can it be? I basically write to you every day

Here are some resources that I’m going to use to help me get a good finished product!

• Purdue OWL: Writing the Personal Statement
• Getting Into College: The Personal Statement
• Lots of example links on About.com
• An example of something that made me, personally, vomit a little in my mouth.