Feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having to write a brilliant personal statement? Take a hint from the Heath Brothers: What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity.

“If the Rider [your mind] isn’t sure exactly what direction to go, he tends to lead himself in circles.”

Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2010). Switch: How to change things when change is hard. New York: Broadway Books.

Your personal statement is your chance to show you are original and will make a valuable contribution to the already outstanding student body of the College of your choice.   When you read the Common Application prompts, it is normal to be unsure about which to tackle. Remember that in this essay, less is often more. Choose one specific life anecdote or story instead of writing your whole biography. The prompts are open to creative interpretation and leave room for personal expression. Know that your common app essay is not something that will take less than an hour to write. Plan to invest at least 3-4 hours making this piece of your application flawless and unique.

Do not be afraid to brainstorm. Look at each essay prompt and look at what it is really asking. Jot down notes without censoring yourself. What prompt gets you inspired? On which topic do you lack ideas? What story can you tell? What makes you different? After you are done brainstorming, do something else and return to your page of ideas after one day.

Once you revisit your ideas, you will have a clearer view on what prompt to choose. Outline your essay to save time in the long run. Focus on important details and transitions. Break your essay down into parts: an intro, two to three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.

When you begin writing, remember this is your chance to show your best assets and personality, to self-reflect, and to draw a picture of who you are with words. Write a draft and then go back to it to add more details or improve wording. Work on it during several days so that you see your essay with fresh eyes each time and can catch mistakes. When finished, print your essay and read it one final time to make sure it is perfect.

Submit your essay once you reach a version you are proud of. Polish your work and make sure it is a piece of writing that is truly YOU. If you are not sure that your draft is going to accomplish these goals, just reach out to us at info@eplcr.com and we will be thrilled to help you review your work!