Writing a Personal Statement & Catching Appeal
Getting the career you want starts with education. Getting the education you need starts with admission. Everything’s got to start with something. In particular, admissions start as soon as you’re done writing a personal statement.
The personal statement is the simplest method of getting yourself noticed. Take note its ‘noticed;’ not being picked right away. If you were to assume the position of an admissions officer or member of the admission committee, what would make you notice a personal statement?
‘Notice’ here should imply a considerable amount of time spent in reading a statement. Different reading materials appeal to different people. Now, how do you make your reading material appealing?
Below are some proven-effective methods of catching appeal in your personal statement:
- Start with an example of personal statement. These samples are freely accessible online; it is just a matter of careful scanning and background checking, and you’re sure to find a sample for the one your opting make.
- Make a mental survey of the most interesting stuff you possess. As a prospective higher education student, what competencies and experiences do you have? Are they useful in substantiating your qualifications? Are they even interesting? Some may not be really that interesting; hence, it is up to the student writing a personal statement to compose it in an ‘interesting manner.’ This may entail tweaking your writing style.
- Free your personal statement from the typical eyesores. These sores are inclusive of grammar and typographical errors and empty, fancy words or phrases. Though advanced terminology is impressive, admission folks could readily scan the appropriateness of those terms in the personal statement as a whole and can, therefore, tell if students are attempting to pull a trick.
- Writing a personal statement always meant to encapsulate the students’ personality. In filtering these statements, admission folks would always inquire: ‘is this personality fit for the course program, for the institution, or for the academe as a whole?’ Hence, it is perceived that a personal statement has more ’power’ or appeal if it successfully exudes the qualities genuinely present in the student.
Writing pieces like personal statements are a starter’s challenge. It is an initiation rite, done in printed fashion and its function’s vitality has never diminished since. While students may pose a prioritised rank for other parts of the admission process, it’s essential that they keep their personal statement at its best, as first impressions lasts.