Monday, September 15, 2008

The Personal Statement

The most important part of your scholarship application is your personal statment. This is your vehicle to sell yourself--this allows the reader to get to know you.

Paint a picture of who you are. What are your interests, your values, your skills? Why are you in college? Who or what inspired you to follow your particular major? Where are you now and where are you going? What are you going to do after you finish your education?

Remember, that those who read your application are busy people and, for the most part, reading one application after another is rather boring work. It is your job to grab the reader's attention. Your first paragraph should be compelling and "hook" the reader. Make it interesting!!

Plan to initially write a generic personal statement that is two pages long (about 500 words) and try not to go in too many directions. Stay focused.

Over the next few weeks, I will walk you through the process. For now, start brainstorming. Sit with a couple of blank pieces of paper or a blank computer screen and start answering some of the above questions. Begin by asking yourself why you are in college.

Have a good day. I'll be back tomorrow.

No comments: