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- Be prepared to write and revise and write and revise and edit and revise and rewrite and edit and...
- Seek advice; talk with different people, listen to what they say, and then follow what feels right for you.
- Every person is unique. What makes you unique? What can you share from your life that will help a stranger understand why you are different from anyone else that has ever applied to this school or business?
- We are defined by the stories we tell; writing a personal statement is an exercise in story-telling.
- Think details, details, details.
- Better to focus on one or two primary issues/experiences rather than briefly cover many.
- Avoid self-promotions (e.g., it does not help to claim: "I am an intelligent, compassionate, and caring person.")
- Keep your guard up and avoid cliches "like the plague." Cliches obscure your unique message.
- Always avoid phrasing like "I've always wanted to be a _______."
- Always avoid "always."
- Avoid the flippant, glib, or cute.
- Be wary of humor. If you are compelled to be funny, try for the subtle or ironic: attempts at humor often come across as evidence of immaturity (evidence of that quality in this handout?).
- No whining.
- Avoid writing on personal problems or excuses for failure.
- Do not criticize past teachers, other programs, other businesses, or KoCom's CEO.
- Avoid emphasis on monetary reasons for your motivations.
- Be wary of egocentricity; commend yourself without bragging about yourself.
- If asked to describe weaknesses, discuss ones that can be seen as strengths.
- Eliminate sexist language (predicting your future contributions to "the brotherhood of man" will probably not help your cause).
- Avoid unnecessary Capitalizations of Nouns.
- Use language that feels right for you. Look up questionable words in a good dictionary.
- No handwritten submissions.
- Use conventional font choices and sizes: emphasize clarity and readability.
- No speling, gramatical--or typographical erors.
- Look up any questionable grammatical or stylistic constructions in a good reference book (the most widely accepted authority is the Chicago Manual of Style).
- If appropriate, reveal you know something about the company or school to which you are applying.
- Ask at least one skilled, demanding reader to proofread your "final" document. Be prepared to revise your "final" document.
- Perfect personal statement: not too short; not too long.
This web site created and maintained by the
Coe Writing Center. Copyright 2001.
E-mail Dr. Bob Marrs with any questions, comments or suggestions.
E-mail Dr. Bob Marrs with any questions, comments or suggestions.
