Foo - College personal statement

I will be finishing up undergrad apps to my 7 schools today (hopefully,) and I need to write out this darn personal statement, since for a few of these schools I barely meet the requirements and this may help. What exactly do I say and shouldn't say? I understand it's a "personal" thing, but what is most effective? I have some ideas such as what I can bring to their school, but what else? Do I basically brag about myself? Thanks for any ideas.

Present yourself in a favorable light without going over the top. Don't tell them for example that you have the cure for Ebola (Unless, of course, you do, and if so, use it ;) )

Do not use me, xPlody or x136 as personal references. probably best not to even mention BF. best of luck

Clean up your MySpace page first.

Then work on the resume.

I think it always helps to cite very specific examples of things that you have accomplished, but then again, don't spend more than 2-3 sentences describing any one thing.

Example (bad): I have been involved in many extracurricular activities, including some that are service related.

Example (better): I have been on my high school's debate team for three years, have been a member of student government for two years, where I helped persuade the school to install vending machines that sell healthy snacks. I assisted with a park clean-up project, and helped tutor two middle school students who were having difficulties with math.

I think it always helps to cite very specific examples of things that you have accomplished, but then again, don't spend more than 2-3 sentences describing any one thing.

Example (bad): I have been involved in many extracurricular activities, including some that are service related.

Example (better): I have been on my high school's debate team for three years, have been a member of student government for two years, where I helped persuade the school to install vending machines that sell healthy snacks. I assisted with a park clean-up project, and helped tutor two middle school students who were having difficulties with math.

Thanks Zorro!

A work colleage asked me to write a 'statement' for him a few years ago when applying for a job. This might help you. Then again, it might not....

Adam Xxxxxxxxx

Adam has worked for XXX Xxxxxxxxx, Hobart, for the last 5 years. In this time he has made a great impression mainly due to his good looks, charisma and sweet sweet smell.

Adam invented the hamster wheel in 2003.

During the summer of 1999 Adam almost completed a climb to the top of Mt Everest. He turned back when he had retrieved his soccer ball that he’d kicked up there from his garden.

The colour ‘Auburn Sunset’ used by Dulux paints is based on Adams leg hairs.

During a long conversation with Albert Einstien, Adam had the idea for E=Mc2. Adam makes no claim over this invention as he is such a nice person.

Adam is employed part-time by Boeng to flight test their latest Jumbo jets.

In his spare time Adam enjoys arse modelling. He is regularly on the catwalks of Paris, Milan, New York and Tipton-on-sea showing off his arse.

Adam invented the new car smell although General Motors bought the rights to it in early 2001 for $20au.

Adam is President of the Cockatoo fanciers association of Hobart.

Adam wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, the popular song by Queen.

Adam invented the cure for cancer in his kitchen sink and is currently trying to patent it.

During full moons Adam likes to play the Tuba.

In 2003 Adam was Knighted by the queen and given a Lordship. He is now 14th Lord of Tewkesbury.

lie. tell them you are on the verge of discovering the theory of everything. tell them you spend your free time scrubbing the corns of orphan monkeys. tell them you invented the smile.

I would honestly embelish things; but don't make them seem like you are lying. Yes it is dishonest, but they are going to forget you as soon as they read about you so if they don't care to remember anything about you why not make yourself seem better than you are; because they will NEVER find out you made something more extraordinary then it really was.

wtf is a "personal statement?" i've been in college for 15 years now (only 13 of that spent actually attending classes), and i never had to write a "personal statement."

I would honestly embelish things; but don't make them seem like you are lying. Yes it is dishonest, but they are going to forget you as soon as they read about you so if they don't care to remember anything about you why not make yourself seem better than you are; because they will NEVER find out you made something more extraordinary then it really was.

How do you know by what criteria the judgement is made? Perhaps they are looking at spelling, grammar and composition, or are trying to find students who have certain interests to help make the student body more diverse, or perhaps they are looking for someone who presents themselves well, is interesting, but who isn't on the National Honor Society, or who didn't make districts in Band, Choir, or anything else. You could actually be hurting your chances by embellishing. :eek: Besides that, it isn't honest. :mad: What's next, cheating on tests?