Guiding Principles of Writing a College Personal Statement

A college personal statement offers a greatunderstanding and clarity of purpose regarding
opportunity for a student to secure admission in agrowth prospects in education and career. Simply put,
reputed college or educational institution. From starta college personal statement enables an applicant to
to finish, the statement should be engrossing so asshowcase his/her best traits and prospects.
to impress the admission officer and distinguish theTypically, an admission officer judges the potential of
applicant from a host of others.an applicant by reading the college personal
Common Errors in a College Personal Statementstatement. It offers an overview of the
Some common errors that occur while writing aapplicant’s attitude towards education, career
personal statement are:and future growth. To impress an admission officer,
* Indecision regarding aims and objectivesyour college personal statement must formulate clear
* Inability go gauge one’s strengths andgoals that enable him/her to draw meaningful
weaknessesdeductions from it.
* Careless language errorsShowcasing Your Potential Through a College
* Lack of patience to think seriously about long termPersonal Statement
growth and development objectivesA college personal statement is an opportunity to
* Ineffective or incomplete articulation of key pointsshowcase your potential. In case of a general
in the personal statementstatement, the applicant has the freedom to choose
How to Enhance your College Personal Statementwhat to write. At times, applicants are directed to
Being thorough about your aims, interests and keyrespond to specific questions. This practice is
strengths is the first step to enhancing your collegecommonly followed in business and graduate schools.
personal statement. If you can provide specificIn such cases, the applicant must be specific and
instances or examples of your intellectual andtake care not to stray from the topic.
creative prowess, that too would augment yourA compact and concise college personal statement
description about your key achievements, personalwould keep the admission officer absorbed and
objectives, career aims, interests and hobbies.interested. So, convey your personal goals,
Another factor is to clearly mention the reason fordemonstrate a positive outlook and refrain from
applying for a particular program in a college orhighlighting negative points of any particular situation.
institute. This will demonstrate your sense of