The personal statement component of your application is literally your opportunity to get personal. Most of the application process can feel rigorous and systematic, but let this time to write about yourself and your achievements serve as a refresher.  This is your moment to be open, reflective and expressive.

There are generally two types of personal statements – one offers the writer complete freedom, and the other requires answering a prompt. Most personal statements will be prompt-guided, and in these cases it is most important that you answer the question(s) asked. Take your time mulling over the prompt, but don’t let its specificity keep you from considering the stories that you most want to tell. Sometimes it’s easiest to work backwards: find the stories most important to your personality and growth and then ask yourself how they might relate back to the prompt. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when you are brainstorming ideas:

– What specific events and/or circumstances in your life helped to shape whom you are today and where you see yourself in the future?

– What are some unique hardships or obstacles you have faced and what did you learn from these experiences?

– What do you want college admissions officers to know about you? Why?

– What kind of student are you now, and what kind of student do you want to be at a university? As a student, what can YOU bring to the university?

Keep these questions in mind, but while brainstorming, ALWAYS REFER BACK TO THE PROMPT. Write down reflections that directly relate to and answer the questions asked.

Once you have jotted down numerous ideas for your essay, begin to narrow down your options. Which story is most vital to share with the admissions office? Which story shares the most about who you are?

One caveat to being personal: Be careful with topics that might tip into over-sharing. As a general rule, personal statements should not be confessionals or therapy sessions to write about how much you love to party, or how much you hate a particular politician. You cannot know who is reviewing your essay, so it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid anything that could offend a reader, including law breaking, religious fervor, excessive swearing, or political rants.

But, as long as you keep it classy, don’t be afraid to share who you are – be vulnerable, direct and transparent. Take a risk, dive in and start writing!