Senior English September 23, 2015

Important Notes: ◦ Photo Essay start of class tomorrow!!! ◦ Statement of Authenticity = ticket to turn in work ◦ You will have a TW in class tomorrow! ◦ It will be a personal statement/essay TW ◦ Bring a prompt from a scholarship or application you’re interested in! ◦ If you don’t have a prompt to bring in, that’s ok! I’ll have one for you to use!

Personal Statements and Essays ◦ What is the difference? ◦ Look at the prompt - close read! ◦ Generally, personal statements are more open- ended and include reference to why you chose this particular school ◦ While essays have a more focused topic and rely on narratives about your experiences

Personal Statements Clearly understand the prompt(!) Be honest in discussing your aspirations, intentions, and interests Berkeley: “Describe the world you come from - for example your family, community, or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations”

Essays Clearly understand the prompt (!) Try to avoid “cliche” essay topics - sports, mission trips, summer camp But be genuine about an experience, value, or activity that has been important to you What could you write about?

Resources College application websites often have pages about what they’re looking for Have conversations with friends, family, teachers and take notes! Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing strategies

Personal Essays and Statements Personal Statements: ◦ A picture. Provide a snapshot of who you are as a person. ◦ An invitation. Your job is to “bridge the assumed distance of strangers.” Invite your reader to get to know you. ◦ An indication of your priorities and judgment. Your selection of material reveals your priorities and ability to discern effectively. ◦ A story, or more precisely, your story. The personal statement allows you room for creative, meaningful self-reflection.

The Common App

Move and Write ◦ Take one marker per person- this is yours, don’t lose it! ◦ In four corners of the room, and at the front, there are writing prompts. ◦ In your area, take two minutes to brainstorm answers to your prompts with your group. Write significant words/phrases on the paper. ◦ Take three minutes to free write to the prompt anywhere on the poster ◦ Take three minutes to share your pieces of writing with your groups. **Rotate, and repeat!!