Personal Statement Overview Survival tips How much do personal statements count Personal Statement I dea Generator Storyboarding Free Write Asking for feedback Survival Tips YOU must write your essays ID: 644587
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Slide1
The
Personal StatementSlide2
Personal Statement Overview
Survival tips
How much do personal statements count?
Personal Statement Idea GeneratorStoryboardingFree WriteAsking for feedbackSlide3
Survival Tips
YOU must write your essays
L
et your interests and passions shine throughIf the steps here are followed, it will be nearly impossible to plagiarize, even inadvertentlyThere can be NO procrastinationSlide4
How Much Do Personal Statements Count?
Depends on the school
Some schools put a heavy emphasis on personal statements
Some schools focus more on academic recordYour personal statement rarely has a huge effect on your chances of admission, but write the best one you canSlide5
What Not to Do
What not to do
4 common characteristics of abysmal statements:
Being predictable Great GatsbySucking up“Your college is so great…”O
verly sentimental
S
ob story
S
elf-aggrandizing
List of achievements Slide6
The Easiest Way to Get Started
Create a timeline of your life
Begin with a brainstorming activity
Create a timeline of your life from birth to presentTape a couple of 8.5” x 11” pieces of paper togetherDraw a line on the far left side and write down the day and year you were bornDraw a line on the far right side and write today’s dateSlide7
The Easiest Way to Get Started, con’t
Try to think of 25
different significant or interesting events from
your pastSpecial trip or travel experienceWhen
you received a meaningful
object
A memorable
book or
film
A
fun
event
A
challenge that you
encountered
A proud accomplishmentSlide8
The Easiest Way to Get Started, con’t
Develop a list of “hooks” for essays
Grab the
reader’s interest while also revealing something interesting about your characterWhich memories are most interesting?
H
ighlight
what you think are the 5 or 6 most interesting events from your lifeSlide9
Personal Statement Idea Generator
Brainstorm ideas for your personal statement
Write the ideas in one place
Focus on events you consider most memorable or importantBegin by reviewing your timelineSlide10
Personal Statement Idea Generator
Five types
of events or activities
TripsChallengesFun EventsImportant ObjectsAccomplishmentsWhat experiences can you remember based upon the above 5 areas
?
Use your timeline for helpSlide11Slide12
Most Common Prompts
Evaluate
a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and tis impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.Slide13
Most Common Prompts, con’t
Describe
the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?Slide14
Time to Write
It is better to think of the personal statement as a story rather than an essay
Why do we find the
Harry Potter stories fascinating?They focus on a main characterThe setting
is fascinating
The books focus on a
central conflict
There are many
suspenseful moments
There is
resolution
at the endSlide15
Time to Write, con’t
Your goal as you write the first draft of your personal statement is to answer the prompts while also highlighting the 5 features of a good
story
character
setting
conflict
suspense
resolutionSlide16
Storyboarding
Write
down everything you can think of for character, setting, conflict, suspense, and
resolutionYou are the character
The conflict is
the center of the whole
story
Describe setting, suspense, and resolutionSlide17
Storyboarding, con’t
Be as descriptive as possible
Describe physical characteristics and thoughts of people in the story
Take time to reflect on resolution of the incident
Repeat this activity for all the prompts you have to answerSlide18Slide19
Free Write
Free writing is when you write continuously for a period of time
Now that the story board is created, use it to free write
Hints:
Easiest way to begin a free write is to start telling your story in a chronological way
Make sure to write in the first person, “I”
Avoid fancy pants words
Be relaxed and keep writing, don’t stop to fix typosSlide20
First Round Edits
First round edits focus on the big picture
Perform 2 self-editing activities to clean up your personal statement
Use a worksheet to assess how well your essay tells your story, then make changes based on the worksheet entries
Review the grammar and mechanics
Do not get discouraged – you have a plan!Slide21
Asking for Feedback
The second drafts are now completed and it is time to ask for feedback
Who should you ask for help?
English teachers (but don’t ask when they are swamped with grading)Parent or friends (make sure to tell them exactly what you need)When you ask someone to review your essay, use the following checklist. This way they will know what you want them to look for.Slide22
Asking For Feedback Worksheet
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to review my personal statement. I really appreciate it. I have included questions to help you provide me with feedback on my essay and I will use your responses to help guide me through revisions.
1. What are the strengths of the personal statement?
2. What is the central conflict? Describe it in 3 - 4 words.
3. Does the first sentence pull the reader in? If not, how might it be revised?
4. Are any sections irrelevant?
5. Are any sections
repetitive?
6. Does the end of the essay (resolution) link back to the initial conflict? If not, what might strengthen that connection?
7. Are there any missing transitions? If so, please specify.
8. Can the structure of the essay be stronger? If so, please specify.
9. Can the central conflict be better described? If so, how?
10. What did you find most intriguing about this personal statement?
Slide23
Asking for Feedback
Revise your essay in accordance with the feedback suggestions
A trusted ally can tell you objectively if you are losing the reader at some point
At least listen to their advice, even if you choose not to take itSlide24
Final Revisions
Micro Editing
Carefully review each sentence for weak verbs, common misspellings, problematic pronouns, and style.