Before we get into some quick tips on writing your personal statement, let’s make a clear distinction: today, we’re talking US universities. Students around the world looking to apply to US universities typically use the Common App, while those applying to the UK use UCAS. Personal statements on both platforms are very different.
In the US, universities are looking for more story-driven essays that reflect personal character, while in the UK, the tone is more academic, as universities want to know why you’re suited for the field you’re looking to pursue.
So, with that distinction out of the way, let’s get into some tips on writing a US personal statement
Be authentic
It seems completely obvious that one should prioritise honesty within their personal statement. After all, it’s supposed to be a reflection of you. In the age of AI, however, authenticity comes in short supply, and ChatGPT becomes all too easy to use when you’re feeling stuck.
Here’s the truth, though: AI can never replicate who you are as a person. Ignore these digital tools and start writing from the heart. If writing from a place of honesty makes you slightly uncomfortable, then you’re probably on the right track.
Start with a hook
Everyone, whether a journalist or a novelist, always talks about hooks. Something that will capture the reader’s interest from the get-go. But, how do you actually write a good hook? Avoid the cliches such as “when I was young” or “even as a child,” or writing that your grandfather had cancer, and it inspired your medical career,. Instead, try to drop the readers in the middle of a scene, using specific details that only you can recall. Show, don’t just tell. You could even include a dialogue, if it’s unique to the story.
Reflect before you start writing, and draft an outline. Source: Thought Catalog on Unsplash
It doesn’t have to be a trauma dump
You’ve probably read or heard hundreds of personal statements that start with some form of tragedy, and in all honesty, that makes sense. Hardship is often what makes people evolve, and that point of growth makes for riveting personal statements. That said, your essay doesn’t have to be tragic or profound to be good.
In fact, if there’s no true reason behind someone choosing to share their life’s tragedy, then the essay quickly turns into a trauma dump, and you need to remember — you’re writing to an admissions officer, not a therapist. It’s not a diary, but a reflection of growth and personal character.
Follow a theme
Speaking of reason, ensure that your entire essay returns to a single central theme. Perhaps your essay is about building resilience amidst adversity. Maybe it’s about how running an Airbnb with your family taught you the significance of human connection, with strangers from cultures completely foreign to your own. The messiest essays often try to do too much at once, so tighten your angle, first and foremost, by setting an overarching theme.
Show the not-so-obvious details
Don’t be afraid to get into the nitty-gritty details of an event you’re trying to describe. Use your sensory details where fit: what you see, what you can hear, taste, smell, or touch. This, AI cannot replicate too. The details — names of people, locations, actions happening in the background — are what sets each essay apart from one another. You’re writing a story that only you can tell, that only you can remember. Don’t go overboard, though. Always circle back to your theme.
