Everything from college applications, university admissions, scholarships, job applications, club applications, and summer program applications will require you to write a personal statement. Crafting a compelling personal statement is a crucial skill for students.
These personal statements can take many different formats; some are open-ended, long-form essays, and some may be short-answer questions. Both require reading between the lines on what the person who will be deciding your admittance is truly looking for. Understanding the underlying expectations is key.
We’re here to debunk that for you with 5 tips on how to approach any application you will ever write!
1. READ THE APPLICATION CAREFULLY
Whatever you’re writing an application for, the reviewers probably have a list of qualities that they’re looking for.
For example, you’ll often see them say, “We’re looking for someone who exhibits leadership abilities and has experience working in teams”. You probably have a lot of great characteristics and experiences to write about, but make sure you highlight and focus on the ones that are about leadership and teamwork.
Moreover, think about what those words really mean to you. The leaders that you look up to - what do you like about them? Is it their ability to inspire and motivate others? Is it how they resolve team conflicts? Is it their logical decision-making abilities? Whatever it might be, highlight how you exemplify those traits. Tailoring your personal statement to the specific qualities sought is essential.
2. SHOW, DON’T TELL
It’s easy for someone just to say, “I have leadership abilities”. What makes it believable is when you can back it up with “proof.” In applications, “proof” is telling stories of what you did and what resulted from your actions. Effective storytelling is more persuasive than simple claims.
For example, perhaps in a group project for school, you took the initiative to get a shyer member of your team to speak up during a brainstorming session. And maybe he or she came up with the project idea your team ended up submitting, and was voted one of the best projects in the class. This example shows that if you had not been there, this successful outcome may not have been reached. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and impact.
3. PICK THE RIGHT EXPERIENCES
You do not need to have won a competition or been the formal leader of a club to have a valuable experience to share. Titles often mean a lot less than real actions. Focus on the substance of your experiences, not just formal roles.
Think outside the box for experiences. Do you have an extra job on the side that shows how you’re able to manage your time well? Do you take initiative by coming up with games to make homework more fun for your siblings when you babysit them? You have demonstrated skills that reviewers are looking for, you just have to look for them. Every day experiences can showcase valuable transferable skills.
4. TALK ABOUT LEARNINGS AND SHOW PROGRESS
At the end of every story you tell, give the reviewer your key takeaways from your experience and how you’re going to use that learning going forward. Highlighting what you learned makes your experiences more impactful.
For example, maybe you learned that everyone has something important to share, and you should never underestimate people. How will this change how you behave in the future? Perhaps you will commit to ensuring everyone on your team has their chance to contribute to group conversations. This shows that you’re introspective and able to think about how you can continue to make a difference. Showing self-awareness and a commitment to growth is impressive to reviewers.
5. BE CONCISE
Reviewers have a lot of applications to read, so be concise. Do not go over the word limit. Cut out any fluffy language and unnecessary adjectives. If you can say something in fewer words or in a more direct way, then do that. Clear and concise writing is crucial for a strong personal statement.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s important to look at the application from the reviewer’s perspective. Most of the time, it’s not about how many amazing qualities you can show them about yourself, but instead digging deep into what they might be looking for and how you best exemplify that person. Focus on aligning your strengths with what the application is seeking for the best results.
