Winds of Change - College 2016 - 13

What Are Colleges Looking For? Before beginning your personal statement, it's important to understand what colleges want to see from prospective students. First, they want to get to know who you are. They do not want you to simply restate your resume in essay form; when they read this essay, they will already have access to that information. Instead, focus on your personality, values, goals, and personal and academic growth. These can say a great deal about what sort of student you are, and how you might fit into the program you are applying to. They are also looking for a demonstration of your critical-thinking and analytical skills. Colleges want to see that you can combine your thoughts and experiences to create a cohesive, persuasive argument for your admittance. Here's how to do just that. Follow the Prompt Personal statement prompts (the essay questions) are not all identical. Read each school's prompt carefully, and consider each question individually. While some colleges may provide a list of specific, personal questions to choose from, a majority of college essay prompts will ask for a more general overview of who you are and why you are interested in the college. After reading the prompt, copy the question or questions asked and compose a simple one- or two-sentence response - whatever pops into your head when you read the question. It's also important to keep in mind that, while the questions may vary, the purpose is always the same - for the admissions team to get to know you as a person. applying to. Here are a few questions that can help guide you through this process: What attracted you to this college in the first place? Is there a program or research opportunity you're especially excited about? Are there specific faculty members whom you hope to learn from? Admissions officers want to get to know you, but they also want to know why you feel their school is the right one for you. Expressing enthusiasm over the college and demonstrating that you didn't apply on a whim will reflect positively on you. Citing information specific to the school will indicate that you care about your education, and that you are serious about attending the college in question. Find Your Angle The perfect admissions essay needs a powerful opener. Many admissions officers advise against beginning your essay with a quote - this method is overused and doesn't tell the reader as much about who you are as your thoughts and experiences will. Instead, many professionals recommend beginning by talking about something that matters to you. This could be an idea, a career goal, a relationship with a friend or family member, an anecdote, or any number of things, as long as it's something you care about. This is what adds the "personal" to your statement. Consider some of the most defining moments of your life. How have you gotten to where you are today? What is your greatest achievement? What do you value most? What inspired you to pursue your anticipated field of study? And - above all - what makes you unique? A story can grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. However, the most important thing is that you focus on something you are enthusiastic about. Yale University's advice web page for prospective students underscores this point: "It doesn't matter which topics you choose, as long as they are meaningful to you. We have read wonderful essays on common topics and weak essays on highly unusual ones. Your perspective ... is far more important than the specific topic itself." Take that insight to heart. Highlight Your Goals The next step in the planning process requires a degree of self-evaluation. Admissions officers want to see that you are interested in growing, both academically and personally. They also want to know how you might be an asset to the school as a student, researcher, or successful graduate, or in some other capacity. You can demonstrate your potential by describing your goals - both personal and academic - for the next few years. This step shows that you know who you are and where you're going. Put Your Best Foot Forward Pointing out a few of your most positive attributes will also show admissions officers that you are a good fit for their school. Begin by making a comprehensive list of your best traits - and don't be modest. This is a time when it's really OK to promote yourself. You want to be honest, but you also want to paint » Speak to Your Audience When writing your personal statement, it's essential that you research the school you are aises.org 2016-2017 SPECIAL COLLEGE ISSUE * WINDS OF CHANGE 13 http://www.aises.org

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