The Personal Statement
A Guide for Students
The following is taken from an article distributed by University California at Berkeley on writing personal statements.
When applying for scholarships at California State University, Fresno, you will be asked to submit two different personal statements. One statement is to give you an opportunity to tell us important things about yourself that are not addressed or apparent in the application and then a statement regarding your career objectives. Your personal statement is a very important part of your application for scholarships and should be given special time and attention.
Why is a personal statement important?
The purpose of the personal statement is to give you an opportunity to tell us important things about yourself that are not addressed or apparent in the application. In making decisions about scholarships, we want to consider your personal attributes and gain some sense of who you are; your experiences, accomplishments, and a variety of qualities such as motivation, self-discipline, leadership, commitment to others, your intended field of study and your career goals as well as your academic record.
Each year, the Scholarships Office at California State University, Fresno receives applications from many more students than we can award, and the academic records of these students are usually very similar. In order to discover and evaluate the distinctions among these applicants, scholarship selection committees look closely at an individual's entire application. The academic record, information about accomplishments and activities, and personal statements help us gain insight into a student's level of achievement and character. Taken together, these factors enable us to weigh what we can offer the applicant. In some cases, the personal statement can be a critical factor in the selection process.
Mechanics of Writing the Personal Statement
Carefully read the instructions printed in the electronic application, especially the instructions for personal statements. A common mistake applicants make is to skim the instructions contained in the application and rely on information received from others. Take time to read and understand all the instructions so your application is a true and complete reflection of you.
We expect you to write the personal statement yourself; write in your own voice. At the same time, it is probably wise to have a friend, teacher, or parent read the statement to advise you on how well it conveys what you want it to say, and if it reflects who you really are. Remember: the purpose of the personal statement is to help selection committees know you on a personal level.
Recognize both the importance of the personal statement and the difficulty of the task. The statement is not something that should be scribbled just before you send your application. Give yourself enough time to produce a thoughtful and carefully composed personal statement.
What does the University Look for in the Personal Statement?
Your personal statement needs to clearly convey what you think is important for us to know about you. In reading your statement, we look for personal characteristics that include creativity, intellectual curiosity and achievement, personal initiative, motivation, leadership, persistence, exceptional recognition and rare talent, the ability to overcome hardship and get along with others, and service to others. In any case, your statement should clearly convey what you think is important for us to know about you and convey a sense of a full human being behind the GPA and test scores. If you are applying to a specific major, you should discuss your interest in your intended field of study.
What is a good Personal Statement?
There is no single good personal statement. However, successful statements tend to be those that reveal the individuality and appeal of the applicant. Remember that your application will be compared to those of other competitive students, many of whom have shared similar experiences such as activities in student government, travel to other countries, participation in sports, and volunteer activities. Your approach in expressing yourself may be an important factor. What we want to learn about you is how the activity, job, or experience you write about has changed your attitude, solidified a belief, established a goal, sharpened a perception, or heightened an appreciation. We look for definitions of your values and goals, and how they have been demonstrated in your life. We look for meaningful participation, not just a listing of activities.
What the Personal Statement is not
The personal statement should not be a sample of writing skills, although we assume that your presentation will be grammatically correct. It should not be a chronicle of events or an autobiography. The statement is about you, not about events.
Your personal statement should not be predictable and one-dimensional. A statement that tells facts only and never mentions changes in you doesn't add to our understanding of who you are. In deciding what to write about, it is not the subject which is critical. What is important is what you learned, how you changed, how your sense of direction was solidified, how your image of yourself or others changed, and so on.
What should I discuss if I'm a transfer student or a student returning to college after a long absence?
In addition to suggestions cited above, you should discuss your interest in your intended major, describing any related work or volunteer experience and explaining the way your interest in the field developed. In general, your statement should focus on relatively recent activities and experiences, although scholarship selection committees are interested in any special circumstances that may have had a significant impact on you earlier in life. You should define your motivation, achievement, leadership, and commitment.
How do I get more information about Personal Statements?
Your teachers and counselors in your high school or community college are good sources of further information about how to write the personal statement. You may also want to consult other resource materials in your counseling office, career guidance center, or local library.