Many high school students really struggle with their writing when it comes to the personal statement required by colleges. Part of this is due to time constraints, or not knowing where to begin. Some students get stuck trying to figure out what colleges really want to hear. And almost all students feel an intense pressure to produce something earth shatteringly profound about themselves so that they will be noticed by admissions offices.
If you or someone you know feels this level of pressure about their essay, here are a few bits of advice that may help.
1. Start early
Taking advantage of the summer before senior year to write your essays will help you gain clarity on your topics and give you the added benefit of working in edits before applications are due in the fall. Most colleges will update their essay questions in the spring or early in the summer. So check to see if your colleges have posted theirs and get started!
2. Start with yourself
One of the easiest adjustments most students can make is to refocus their energy on themselves versus the colleges or their peers. Asking the question, “Who am I?” and then writing your essay from your answers will keep your attention on what is most interesting to the colleges… YOU. Look at the questions colleges are asking and see how you can reveal something honest, something meaningful, or something different about yourself in your writing.
3. Write every day
Great novelists, screenwriters and journalists are not necessarily born with an inherent talent for writing amazing stories. Sure, some writers may have more of an aptitude than others. But many a great writer will tell you that they simply sit down at their computers each and every day and write their ideas or “pages” as they think through them. Carving out at least a half hour each day to work on your personal statement may be your first step toward finding your authentic voice. As the Nike ad says: Just do it.
4. Plan to write two or three different essays
Depending on how many colleges you plan to apply to, you may need to have a few distinct essays ready to go before filling out your applications. Having two or three different essays that reflect different elements of your personality will give you a variety of options to choose from. You may choose to write one essay on your role in your family, one on your academic interests, and one on an extracurricular activity you are particularly passionate about. Whatever you choose to write about, think broadly and don’t limit yourself.
5. Have someone edit your work
There is a reason why editors add so much value to their writers. No matter how brilliant you think your essay is, there may be something you left out or simply forgot to incorporate. Be sure you ask at least one other person (but no more than three, trust me) to read your college essay and give you their honest feedback. Be ready to hear what they have to say and take it seriously. In the end, you just may learn something new about yourself and find other ways to improve your story.
