The unexamined life is not worth living. –Socrates
The examined life is no picnic –Robert Fulghum
What, there’s an exam? –International student

Today I begin a series on crafting a compelling personal statement. This is based on a guide I wrote many years ago–and still resonates after years of reviewing essays for college admissions and consulting with colleges about what makes an essay work.

Tell us about yourself…
Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of explaining how great you are? Relax and follow the steps included herein. The purpose of this guide is to help you find things about yourself to say, say it in a way that is meaningful and avoid common pitfalls other students do.

The 3 big things to keep in mind.

1. Make it interesting and meaningful.
2. Have it proof-read.
3. Keep it short.

What is the college essay/personal statement anyway?
This is the part of the application to many of the US universities and colleges that students dread. It is where the college admission officers get a chance to learn something about you through the way you write. Most topics are deliberately vague. If colleges require one, you will find it on the application.

How much is it worth?
Every college that asks for one, reads and takes it seriously. Every college weighs it differently. If you are applying to Harvard and have combined SATs of 800 and a GPA of 2.5 the college essay will probably not make a difference, even if you wrote about the secret to the universe. However, it could make a difference and you are a 3.8 student with a score of 1350.

Consider this: Bates colleges begins their review WITH the essay. Over the past several years, the essay has become MORE important according to the NACAC annual State of College Admission report. 58% of admission offices indicate it is of considerable or moderate importance.

Where to start?
No doubt that you are such a wonderful human being that you have so much to say, you just do not know where to begin. Or, you are probably modest and do not have any idea just how marvelous and interesting you are. Either way the process is the same. Start by taking inventory of yourself. This section of the guide will help you find something to write about. And no, the small space does not mean to write small—please use your own paper, better yet, use a word-processor. With each question we have included commentary (written in italics) about this topic as it applies to your essay.

Note: This is just a suggestion, if you have a better way to approach it, please jump right to the points to ponder section.

Practicing writing in clear, concise sentences in responding to the questions (the lists can be point form).

Books and resource used in writing this guide :
Frank, Zuker, Astor (1995) Kaplan The Road to College.
The Princeton Review
USA Today Guides to College

Homework:
Tomorrow I will ask you a whole bunch of questions that may give you a leap into your essay. But I want you to take this time to discover your strengths. A wonderful, free tool, allows you to do just that:
VIA signature strengths survey
Those of you near a book store may want to order Gallup’s Strengths 2.0.

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