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Stand out. Get in.
Everyone wants to write the best personal statement for their Common App essay. Here at Prompt, we've worked with thousands of students to do just that. Here are our top 5 tips to help you write the best and most authentic personal statement.
As a Prompt Writing Coach, one of the main concerns I hear from my students is that they’re not “original” or “special” enough. Hey, we get it. You want to stand out, and I want you to also. But I would argue the most important question is not whether the statement is unique; it’s whether the statement is an accurate representation of you and your values.
Admissions readers aren’t looking for students who are unlike any they’ve ever seen before; they are looking for students who will thrive on their campus, which is different. To make sure you match with the right campus for you, make it your mission to be more authentic using these top 5 tips.
The central argument of every admissions essay should be: “My experiences have helped me grow and/or discover my ambitions, and I am prepared for the challenges of higher education.”
Every student has a ton of great stories, but if the stories cannot provide adequate evidence for this argument, they may not be the best choice of story for a college admissions essay. For more information, check out our article on the purpose of college essays.
Every year, videos go viral on YouTube, X, or TikTok about a student who got into a prestigious Ivy League school using an unusual admissions essay format. However, if it’s been seen by hundreds of thousands of people and you’re thinking about trying it, how many other people have the same idea? See what I mean? Don’t be swayed by the influence of influencers.
That said, if you have an approach that you think is a unique spin, I encourage you to bring it up with your Prompt Writing Coach.
When I taught first-year composition classes at universities, I held office hours for students to discuss topics for their final research projects. These important meetings gave me a chance to talk to students about what they really wanted to write about, not what they assumed I wanted to read about. I would much rather read an essay by someone passionate about a subject than an essay trying to guess what I’m passionate about. Your essay should showcase your values!
You could even turn your passion into a passion project and write about it.
Another way you might unwittingly cost yourself some authenticity points is by featuring a story that’s set too far back into the past. I see many first drafts that explore memories from when the student was 5-6 years old, and they’re often very charming and engaging. However, no one is ready for college when they’re that young, so these stories don’t help the students make the argument they need to make.
Childhood stories can provide the necessary background and context for your story, but they shouldn’t be the main focus of your essay. Work with your Prompt Writing Coach on condensing the older stories and focusing on your important present stories.
Showing vulnerability about unpleasant or negative aspects of your past can be compelling; however, you do not owe anyone descriptions of your pain and suffering. On their own, your traumatic experiences do not define who you are. If you’re uncomfortable writing about an experience, I assure you it’s not necessary to do so.
Even if you do feel comfortable, it’s best to summarize the challenge quickly so you have room to feature what you’ve achieved on the other side of the obstacle. You don’t want your painful past to crowd out stories about your potential! If you think you might want to write about something like this, check out our other top 5 tip articles including one where we discuss how to write about painful experiences in our pasts.
Think you might want to work with me or another Prompt Writing Coach on your personal statement? Reach out today.
Happy Writing!
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