When it comes to writing your Common Application essay, the UC Personal Insight Questions, or supplemental essays, the idea of distilling a story to convey to an admissions office team may feel daunting (understandably). If you feel you could benefit from working with a college essay tutor, feel free to connect with us.

But first, here are some reasons behind the confusion:

1. The college personal statement is a form of writing that high school students have not had much practice with. The high school English curriculum is typically composed of mostly literature analysis essays, the occasional research paper, and maybe even a few creative writing assignments.

2. You may have a few topics you are considering, but how do you construct it into a compelling story?

3. How do you communicate what you want to say into 650 words?

4. What ingredients make a personal statement “stand out”?

With this mind, I want to share two areas that students should try to avoid in their personal statements.

The first is to avoid broad generalizations. Examples include: “Love conquers all” or “Education is the key to success.” Oversimplifying and relying on generalizations fails to make a story compelling because the essay comes off as undeveloped. Instead of broad generalizations, focus on details and nuance. By focusing on these two elements, an applicant is able to draw insights, which ultimately makes your essay “stand out” because it shares perspectives that are uniquely your own (as well as showcase a person’s ability to think critically).

The second is to avoid an autobiography. Instead, focus on a moment and explain the insight behind that moment. When considering what to write about, many students have rich and promising topics that bit off more than they can chew, alluding to multiple experiences in a span of 650 words. The strongest essays focus on one hobby, interest, talent, experience, or story. Writing about something small and manageable while also poignant will allow you to write a better personal statement overall.

As you are working through your personal statement, feel free to connect with a college essay tutor if you are hitting a small roadblock. We can help by providing personalized feedback on topic selection, structure and organization, and editing.

Millennial Prep – College Admission By Former Admission Evaluator