1. Personal statement preparation
Rational: This is an opportunity to share an important aspect of your schooling or your life . ANALYSIS AND REFLECTION ARE KEY!

2. Take some time to explain the following. Don’t worry about
My World
Take some time to explain the following. Don’t worry about
paragraphing, or complete sentences, just get your ideas down.
Description of my family:
2. Description of my community:
3. Description of my school or school experience (include opportunities that were or were not available at your school):

3. My World (continued…) 4. Explanation of my dreams or aspirations:
5. What talent best expresses my character?
6. What experience best expresses my character?
7. What contribution best expresses my character?
8. What personal quality best expresses my character?

4. 9 (a) What about ME deserves further explanation?
(b) How does it define my ability to contribute?
10. Personal circumstances that have had an impact on who I am:
11. Family experiences that have had an impact on who I am:

5. Some areas to explore/brainstorm:
Sports activities and accomplishments or one significant sporting event
Music – For example, why is performing or writing music important to you? Why is it your passion?
Theater – Do you have a passion for the theater? Film, any of the arts?
Do you come from an unusual background? Do you speak other languages? Or are in any way responsible for any of your family members?
Traveling – Is there a travel experience that is especially meaningful to you? Has this affected your life in any way?

6. Some areas to explore/brainstorm, continued:
6. Are you involved in any aspect of community service? How has this influenced you?
7. Have you had to overcome a hardship that you are comfortable talking about?
8. Are you involved with or been involved with an unusual activity, such as the Y Circus, extreme sports, The Explorer Program, etc.
9. Do you love animals? Are they an important part of your life? How so?
10. Are you a writer? What do you write and why do you write?
11. Are you an artist? What is your medium? Who influenced you?