NEXT STOP COLLEGE Introduction to personal statements college

NEXT STOP, COLLEGE!! Introduction to personal statements, college essays, and college applications

Important Dates: WRITE THESE DOWN!! u By Monday, September 10 th: Bring in the applications to your TOP 2 college choices. u. Monday, September 10 th: Rough Draft of personal statement DUE u. Friday, September 14 th: Final Drafts of personal statement AND college essay DUE

What is a Personal Statement? u The personal statement is an important part of your application package. u The essay you write provides additional evidence of your academic and personal achievement. u The essay allows the readers of your application to get a feel for you as a person and as a student. u It is your opportunity to essentially share the story behind your academic achievements; define yourself as an individual and student; or explain any obstacles to your academic achievement. u The essay is your opportunity to SELL YOURSELF to the college and/or post-secondary program of your choice.

In general those who will read your essay will be looking for two important things…. �HOW the essay provides evidence of your achievements that isn’t reflected in other parts of your application. �HOW and WHY the events that you describe have shaped your attitude (who you are as an individual), focus (obstacles to achievement), and most of all, your academic achievement.

Why is it necessary? u The personal statement is your opportunity to SELL YOURSELF to the college and/or postsecondary program of your choice. u This is your time to SHINE! u Remember, you are among hundreds, if not thousands of other students applying to the same program: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL? !

What Should Be Included? A GOOD personal statement is: u. Reflective u. Strives for depth, not breadth u. Follows the conventions of good writing u. Transforms blemishes into positives u. Demonstrates your knowledge of the major/college u. Exudes confidence

Be sure that your essay does not include any of the following mistakes: �Repeat any information contained elsewhere in the application �Contain the wrong school name �Contain mechanical errors or errors of usage, clichés, or meaningless prose �Is too long or too short

DO NOT: � Complain about your circumstances. Simply explain them. � Discuss money or a college’s rankings as a motivating factor for applying to a particular major/college. � Make claims in the essay that are not backed up by your application. *As a writer, be sure that you do not portray yourself negatively.

Do I Need A Personal Statement? Many colleges and some trade schools or other post-secondary programs require personal statements. However, even if you do not intend to pursue one of these options, a personal statement is REQUIRED for class.

Possible Personal Statement Prompts: �Obstacles to Academic Achievement �Academic/Personal �Academic �Personal Topics Achievements

As with all writing, your personal statement MUST: �Open with an attention grabber: an interesting anecdote, quote, etc �Present a clear thesis statement �Include specific, vivid supporting details �Include proper grammar and spelling �Be written in standard English (NO SLANG) �Be typed, double-spaced, 1 -inch margins, 12 point font.

Along with the personal statement, you need to turn in: �One �At �A self-review/edit least one peer-review/edit completed college application

NOW FOR THE COLLEGE ESSAY Along with the personal statement, you will be completing a college essay. The college essay prompt is given on a particular schools application as part of their expectations. Every application and prompt is different, therefore it is your responsibility to write the essay that best fits you and the college requirements. This is the THIRD component of your application. You must bring in the applications to your TOP 2 schools in order to start the essay process.

Along with the college essay, you will be turning in: �One �At self-review/edit least one peer-review/edit �The completed college application that your essay is for

Questions, Comments, Concerns?