Writing College Statement, any tips? Options

[Serhey]

Im trying to get into NIU and im writing my personal statement, i was just wondering if you guys had any tips on what to include and what to keep in mind since im really worried about whether i get in or not and i wanna impress them with this, also should i write it in one big paragraph or split it up? thanks in advance

This post has been edited by Serhey: Jan 10, 2010 - 8:56 PM

[CAMAricer]

Okay, here's the thing about college essays.

Don't be whining and complaining about your hardship life. Everyone's got a sad story. Everyone's had to go through trials and tribulations to get to where they are. Big whoopie doo.

Don't go on and on about some inside, personal story that has special meaning only to you and/or your friends and family. Unless you are Mark Twain or Shakespear, don't bother because no one is going to be able to relive or feel the same emotions that you felt. It's like telling your coworkers about that one time you got a neat birthday present from your grandma on your 13th birthday. Who cares?

So what should you write? Simple, the reader wants to get a feel for who YOU are. What is your personality like? What quirks you have, what makes you tick. What drives you. What motivates you. What are your passions.

But don't just simply list them out. Any idiot can write about the millions of hobbies he has. Instead, remember a specific event in your life that can fully describe and illustrate that particular trait/characteristic you want to share. For example, let's say you want to emphasize your leadership skills. So you could retell them the story about that one camping trip that YOU organized where you lead your friends into the wilderness for a spontaneous adventure, got lost, but through you quick actions, found your way out, but not before having a great time with your buddies. Of course, you embellish the story with humorous jokes, small anecdotes, and witty self-depreciating comments. The goal is to show yourself in a good light, engage the reader, but also take care not to alienate them by sounding too arrogant/cocky/full of yourself.

Honestly, there's so many ways to write a statement, but the best way (IMO) is to be entertaining and informative instead of bland and formulaic.

Im trying to get into NIU and im writing my personal statement, i was just wondering if you guys had any tips on what to include and what to keep in mind since im really worried about whether i get in or not and i wanna impress them with this, also should i write it in one big paragraph or split it up? thanks in advance

[GriffGirl]

Okay, here's the thing about college essays.

Don't be whining and complaining about your hardship life. Everyone's got a sad story. Everyone's had to go through trials and tribulations to get to where they are. Big whoopie doo.

Don't go on and on about some inside, personal story that has special meaning only to you and/or your friends and family. Unless you are Mark Twain or Shakespear, don't bother because no one is going to be able to relive or feel the same emotions that you felt. It's like telling your coworkers about that one time you got a neat birthday present from your grandma on your 13th birthday. Who cares?

So what should you write? Simple, the reader wants to get a feel for who YOU are. What is your personality like? What quirks you have, what makes you tick. What drives you. What motivates you. What are your passions.

But don't just simply list them out. Any idiot can write about the millions of hobbies he has. Instead, remember a specific event in your life that can fully describe and illustrate that particular trait/characteristic you want to share. For example, let's say you want to emphasize your leadership skills. So you could retell them the story about that one camping trip that YOU organized where you lead your friends into the wilderness for a spontaneous adventure, got lost, but through you quick actions, found your way out, but not before having a great time with your buddies. Of course, you embellish the story with humorous jokes, small anecdotes, and witty self-depreciating comments. The goal is to show yourself in a good light, engage the reader, but also take care not to alienate them by sounding too arrogant/cocky/full of yourself.

Honestly, there's so many ways to write a statement, but the best way (IMO) is to be entertaining and informative instead of bland and formulaic.

Im trying to get into NIU and im writing my personal statement, i was just wondering if you guys had any tips on what to include and what to keep in mind since im really worried about whether i get in or not and i wanna impress them with this, also should i write it in one big paragraph or split it up? thanks in advance

That about sums it up, right on the nose. Think of it as a written job interview, in a sense. What do YOU have to offer, and why are you a good fit? How will you make the school look good in the future, and how will you be an asset to the school while you're there? Why is the school a good fit for you? Why do you want to go to that school, and not another? What are your long term goals and how do you plan to attain those goals?