College Essays & Personal Statements

Interesting Statistic “Each year, Illinois receives nearly 30,000 applications for its freshman class, which means there are more qualified applicants than can be admitted.” (University of Illinois Website)

The personal statement... Offers us an understanding of you as a unique individual within the context of your family, school, community, and the world. Adds clarity, richness, and meaning to the information collected in other parts of your application. Provides us with information that may not be evident in other parts of your application. Allows you to make your best case for why you should be admitted to UCLA. Clarifies the distinctions between applicants whose academic records appear to be quite similar. Is a forum for you to explain how factors outside of your school environment have enhanced or impeded your ability to maximize available academic and intellectual opportunities from the UCLA website

The most compelling personal statements often include discussion of… Your academic record, accomplishments, and activities. Any unusual circumstances, challenges, or hardships you have faced and the ways in which you have overcome or responded to them. Your initiative, motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, special potential, and/or substantial experience with other cultures. Your achievements in light of the opportunities available to you. from the UCLA website

Sample Prompt Students are asked to write two essays: – How have your past circumstances and experiences (such as your upbringing, community, and/or activities) impacted who you are, your future goals, and your choice of major? If you haven't decided on a college or major yet, briefly explain your intentions and aspirations for your first year at Illinois. Please limit your response to approximately 300 words. – In no more than 300 words, tell us something about yourself that isn't covered elsewhere in this application, some interest or experience of yours that you think the University of Illinois should know about as part of the admissions review.

Continued Important factors considered by the review committee when evaluating the essays are: – How the applicant ties his or her academic interest to the desired major or, if applying to the Division of General Studies, how the applicant explains his or her varied interests and need for exploration. – How the applicant showcases his or her passion through chosen activities, work experience, research, or course selection in high school. – How the essay reveals maturity and growth through past experiences, evidence of character development, cultural insight, community awareness, and/or leadership. Strength of writing is carefully considered throughout all the application essays.

Sample Prompt Academic personal statement that is approximately 500 words and addresses the following: – State why you feel Illinois State University is a good fit for your educational goals. – Identify and explain your academic strengths and weaknesses. – Explain any circumstances which affected your high school academic performance, if applicable.

A Little Something Different The University of Chicago has long been renowned for its provocative essay questions. We think of them as an opportunity for students to tell us about themselves, their tastes, and their ambitions. They can be approached with utter seriousness, complete fancy, or something in between.

Sample Prompts Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, “Between living and dreaming there is a third thing. Guess it.” Give us your guess. In the spirit of adventurous inquiry, pose a question of your own. If your prompt is original and thoughtful, then you should have little trouble writing a great essay. Draw on your best qualities as a writer, thinker, visionary, social critic, sage, citizen of the world, or future citizen of the University of Chicago; take a little risk, and have fun.