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How to Write a Personal Statement

March 5, 2025 by sgoodyear

Writing a personal statement can be an overwhelming step in applying to college. Although a strong academic and extracurricular profile is crucial for a student’s application to be considered—especially at top universities with competitive applicant pools—the personal statement is a distinguishing factor in selecting which students are ultimately accepted.

This essay allows students to share their unique stories and show who they are beyond their academic and extracurricular profiles. It can be challenging for students to authentically convey themselves, especially in a high-stakes environment where they need to stand out.

This guide breaks the process down step-by-step to help students craft genuine narratives in an engaging and memorable way.

What Is a Personal Statement?

Before viewing the personal statement from a student’s perspective, zoom out and evaluate the reason universities ask students to write it in the first place.

Simply put, judging a book by its cover isn’t possible—a student’s resume and transcript tell only part of the story. The personal statement allows college admission offices to delve deeper and gain a holistic perspective on:

Who the student is—what they care about and their values
How they will impact the campus community and beyond—how their qualities and skills demonstrate future potential

From the student’s point of view, the personal statement is a chance to get personal. This essay cuts through the minutiae of titles and accolades. It allows students to add an emotional and human element to their applications by writing about the moments and experiences that have shaped them as people. It is also an opportunity for students to engage in self-reflection by highlighting their achievements, experiences, and challenges they have overcome. Most importantly, the personal statement allows the student to paint a picture of who they want to become and how that institution would help them achieve that.

Personal Statements vs. College Essays

Most schools require a personal statement as the primary application essay. It gives the reader a fundamental understanding of an applicant’s character, background, and personality. Depending on the school, the personal statement may be the only essay an applicant is required to submit.

It is common for universities, particularly those that are more selective, to have supplemental essay prompts for students to answer in addition to submitting their personal statements. These prompts vary from school to school, but they are generally more targeted in assessing institutional fit by asking students why they want to attend that particular college and also asking questions like “Tell us more about an extracurricular activity that is important to you.” Colleges will read all of these essays together, and–ideally–the themes and ideas in the personal statement will echo through the supplemental essays.

How to Write a Personal Statement

It is important to remember that this type of writing and task is very new for most students. Normal high school classes usually don’t ask students to write in a reflective personal essay that gets to the same depth and insight that a good personal statement does.

Writing a personal statement is a process. It requires brainstorming, reflection, careful planning, and numerous revisions to produce a compelling and authentic piece.

1. Start With Reflection

The ability to self-reflect is a critical skill colleges want to see in students. It’s also the first step to writing a thoughtful personal statement. Some questions to help generate the reflection process include:

What am I passionate about?
What moments and experiences have shaped who I am?
Why am I applying to college, and what do I hope to achieve?
What challenges have I overcome, and what did I learn?

While working through these questions, start brainstorming a few answers. It’s important to avoid overthinking at this stage. This freewriting is not what will be submitted, so writing can—and honestly should be—unpolished, raw, and disorganized. Instead, focus on writing that is honest and real. It’s also important to do that brainstorming yourself and not fall back on asking ChatGPT to pump out ideas. The specific texture of your life that comes out at this stage of the process is what will ultimately give your personal statement a feeling that is truly personal.

2. Craft a Strong Opening

First impressions are everything. Admissions officers read countless essays on a given day, and a subpar introduction can make them glaze over the rest of the essay. The introduction should make yur reader want more.

Here’s an example of a weak introduction:

“Since I was a child, I have wanted to help others and make a difference in the lives around me by becoming a doctor.”

Cliché: Statements like “Since I was a child…” sound like every other applicant. This type of impersonal writing does not help make the reader feel connected to the student.
Too general: Specificity is key to writing a good essay. Wanting to help others and make a difference could apply to just about any student.

Here’s a strong introduction:

“The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as I struggled to make out my trembling hands covered in ketchup.”

Mysterious: People don’t like spoiled endings for a reason. The more unexpected or unusual something is, the more people are naturally interested. This sentence raises many questions—why is there ketchup on the student’s hands? Where could they be with buzzing fluorescent lights? What’s making the hands tremble? This makes the reader want to keep reading.
Vulnerable: The way the writing starts in the middle of this chaotic moment almost makes it feel like the reader shouldn’t be there. The writer heightens the stakes by infusing emotions and energy into the details, like trembling hands and intense lighting.

Whether a student uses a personal anecdote, shares a fun fact, or reveals a confession—the introduction needs to be personal, engaging, and captivating.

3. Show, Don’t Tell

Sharing stories, moments, and experiences to convey something is far more impactful than just stating it. Students should show, not tell, the reader about their experience.

Telling:

“I’m passionate about science.”

Showing:

“In ninth grade, I spent late nights testing blade designs to ensure the mini wind turbine I built for my science fair project generated the most power possible.”

The second example is far more personal, thoughtful, and engaging. It helps the reader connect to the human behind the writing and see the world for a moment through their eyes. It also helps the student be memorable—an admissions officer is far more likely to remember the kid staying up late at night building his mini wind turbine than someone who is vaguely “passionate” about science.

4. Focus on Growth

It’s easy to get caught up in the plot of the personal statement, but students need to consider the bigger picture: What does all of this say about them as a person?

One way to incorporate growth in the personal statement is to have every “what” be followed by a “why.” Students should always ask themselves why they include this information and what they try to show about themselves.

What: Student writes about overcoming a challenge… Why: Shows how they developed resilience, adaptability, and the ability to advocate for themself
What: A student writes about discovering their passion… Why: Shows how they found a sense of purpose, gained self-confidence, and fostered a deeper sense of self-awareness
What: A student writes about their involvement in a club… Why: Shows how they learned to collaborate, gained leadership skills, and found a sense of belonging

The student needs to connect the dots and reflect on how the moments and experiences they write about molded the person they are.

5. End With Impact

The conclusion is often the hardest part of the personal statement to write. This is the conclusion to a 5-paragraph essay that ends with a restatement of the evidence previously discussed… what could be more boring?

Ideally, the conclusion finds some creative way to twist the ideas from the previous paragraphs in a new way or open up on a new experience. For example, an essay about the challenges a student faced while trying to make a horror film as a fun side project might end with a scene that describes the moment the monster actually emerges on set for the first time. Or an essay about learning how to make the perfect pasta for their grandmother who is sick might end with the student talking about how they apply those same skills of patience on the lacrosse court. Rather than “concluding” the essay, a good conclusion should leave the admissions officer thinking that they want to hear more about the applicant.

6. Revise and Refine

It takes many rounds of writing, rewriting, proofreading, and edits before reaching the final draft.

Students should read their personal statements out loud. Hearing it through spoken word often reveals sentences that don’t make sense or flow.

Take breaks after finishing a draft. Eat a snack, take a walk, or even better—get a good night of sleep—before revisiting it with a clear mind and fresh eyes.

Speaking of eyes, students should get other eyes on it, too. They should share it with parents, teachers, or mentors to get various perspectives and opinions.

Some aspects to consider during revisions include:

Substance—Are there examples and anecdotes to support the topics written about? Does the student’s voice shine through the writing? Does the essay accurately represent the student?
Structure—Are there clear transitions between sentences and paragraphs? Does it sound like a cohesive narrative that flows together, or are there sections that seem disjointed, scattered, or random?
Compelling—Is the content unique and interesting? Can anything be cut that is repetitive or unnecessary?
Grammar/Syntax—Is the writing clear and readable? Are there grammatical/spelling errors?

8 Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

Consider these tips that will help a personal statement stand out:

Stay focused: Quality is better than quantity. While sharing as much information as possible can be tempting, the student should focus on depth over breadth.
Be authentic: Avoid trying too hard or coming across as forced—admissions officers value honesty over complex language. The students’ personalities should shine through their writing. If they naturally have a sense of humor, this is the place to show it! (and if they don’t, this isn’t the place to try out a new jokey personality that doesn’t fit).
Show passion: Students should express their passion through detailed examples. The reader should be able to feel it through the writing!
Be humble and reflective: Research has shown a positive correlation between intelligence and humility. Students should acknowledge those who supported their journey and demonstrate their ability to view mistakes as opportunities to grow and learn.
Use personal stories: This is the best way to “show” rather than “tell” what a student is like. It helps the reader to connect with the student on an emotional level because it makes the applicant feel like a living, breathing human being.
Avoid superlatives: Achievements should speak for themselves. Students should avoid overusing words like “best” or “greatest” at the risk of sounding pretentious and insincere. This goes back to prioritizing authenticity and exercising humility.
Start early: Writing the personal statement is a process. Students should start early and give themselves time to brainstorm, draft, and refine their statements.

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Top College Essay Mistakes Students Make

March 5, 2025 by sgoodyear

With the competitive college admissions landscape, how will a student know when their application is ready? What other factors besides grades and test scores matter?

There are many factors determining college admissions: grades, test scores, geography (in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants), letters of recommendation… the one part of the application that a student has total control over are the essays. This is where students (in a limited word count) can speak in their own voice and make the case for why they should be admitted.

Why Your College Essay Matters

Schools consider far more than SAT and ACT scores when making decisions, and college essays allow applicants to show a different side of themselves. The essays help showcase the college profile that students have been crafting throughout their high school years.

With a massive surge in applications in 2024 and the most selective higher education institutions admitting fewer than 10% of their applicants, college essays are essential. Beyond the sea of similar grades and test scores, colleges want to understand how an individual applicant will grow into a creative and thoughtful leader and community member. Colleges aren’t looking for people who are just good students–they are looking for leaders with self-awareness and a unique voice.

Highly selective colleges have more applicants than space, especially in competitive fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It’s that unique voice that sets the best STEM applicants apart. Maybe a student is thinking about majoring in engineering because they “hate” writing… but the best engineers need to be able to communicate their vision to a variety of stakeholders and muster a team. So even engineering students need to have stellare application essays.

Top 3 College Essay Mistakes

Steering clear of these will help students avoid the common pitfalls of cliché essays.

1. Overused Essay Themes and Cliches

A college essay is meant to make an applicant memorable to an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays. An essay that covers the same topics and uses the same clichés is much more likely to get put into the “rejected” pile. Trying to sound profound or using vague phrases such as “I learned valuable lessons” or “It made me the person I am today” also shows a lack of personal ownership and creativity.

A great college essay is not a cover letter, a rehashed resume, or a typical sports essay! Here are some themes to avoid:

Mental Health

While the conversation around mental health has become more prominent and is a positive step forward, writing about it in a college essay can inadvertently signal a lack of readiness for the demands of college life. The stigma surrounding mental health still exists, and admissions offices are no exception.

Video Games

The topic of video games is overdone and often becomes monotonous, particularly with students interested in computer science. It’s rare for a student to offer a fresh perspective or make the essay personal enough to stand out.

Vulgar/derogatory essays

It may seem obvious, but an essay should not include anything vulgar or derogatory. The goal is to present a positive view of an applicant; topics that hint at questionable values can hurt their chances. This applies to content in any language—keep it classy and focused on the applicant’s best version of themselves!

Focus on parent/grandparent/someone other than the student

College essays should be about the applicant, and focusing too much on someone else can make that hard to achieve. If an applicant writes about their grandmother who has shaped their identity, that essay will almost always fail to recenter its focus on the student.

Parental pressure/expectations

It’s never a good idea to highlight a stressful home life or family dynamic in a college essay. They can easily veer into “trauma dump” territory, and admissions officers aren’t therapists. This is one topic to avoid entirely.

Controversial topics

It’s best to avoid divisive topics like religion or hot-button social issues (abortion, immigration, etc.). Keep essays neutral and focused on what unites, not what divides.

2. Lack of Personal Voice

The human element—and, therefore, the human voice—is crucial in a college application essay. A successful college essay is personal and conversational. Some students resist being vulnerable in their writing, but remember that real people are reading these applications and looking to get to know them through the essays. This means that your college essay is not the time to bust out the thesaurus and try to correctly use the word “perspicacious” correctly for the first time. A student should try to mirror the voice that they might use while talking with a trusted friend about a topic they are passionate about. Contractions, some snappy dialogue, the occasional informal (but not vulgar) expression: all of these tools can help an essay seem to flow out of the particular person who is writing it.

3. Structural and Technical Errors

Admissions officers look carefully at an essay’s structure. They want clarity and correctness so they can focus on the message. Faulty writing mechanics and grammatical errors do not indicate college-ready writing—one of the main things colleges expect from their students. Mistakes such as “they’re”/ “there”/ “their” or using “like” repeatedly are writing red flags.

Another common error is ignoring the prompt or instructions, intentionally or accidentally. Admissions officers may see a “creative decision” as an inability to follow directions.

4 College Essay Writing Techniques That Work

So, what works? What makes a good college essay great?

1. Be Authentic

Readers should be impressed by the applicant’s profile and emotionally invested in the story of who they are as a living, thinking human. Intimacy is built in many ways, such as through writing subject, style, or story pacing. The best technique is to utilize all these without leaning into cliches or inauthentic writing. Be earnest without being excessively dramatic. In a crowded room of applicants, an essay should invite the admissions reader to root for them.

Is it vulnerable? Is it accurate, true, and forthcoming? What’s the one thing students really want to say about themselves? Does this essay communicate that in a supremely awesome, enjoyable, and unforgettable way? If each part of the story feels authentic and sincere, the student’s unique voice is coming through.

2. Differentiate Yourself

When competing with thousands of other applicants, the student should grab the reader’s attention from the first sentence. Choose a statement, thought, or description that captivates and keeps the reader focused. Set the tone for the rest of the essay early.

College admissions officers want to know more than facts, figures, and extracurriculars. Instead of broader generalizations and explanatory detail, use moments and focus on sensory details and narratives. Show, don’t tell.

If a student is writing about their research, they should show what it looks, feels, sounds, or even smells like in the lab—the smell of chemicals, the whirring of machinery, the punishingly bright white (or maybe eye-searingly yellow fluorescent) lights. Put the reader into the lab.

Sensory detail goes a long way in writing. A great way to think about the personal statement is like a film: the reader should feel like they’re watching a movie where the action occasionally (keyword: occasionally) stalls and the protagonist provides a voice-over to contextualize the scene and provide insight into their inner world.

3. Have the Reader in Mind

Admissions readers will typically spend five to eight minutes on any one application and read dozens of them daily throughout the application season. These are real, breathing people reading the writing; they may skim through dry or uninteresting essays. Admissions readers are unlikely to spend extra time engaging with a piece of writing that makes no effort to grab their attention.

This doesn’t mean that an essay needs to be melodramatic, fantastical, or structurally unique; it just means that college essays should be authentic and personable. It should feel like reading a letter from an interesting stranger.

4. Write, Write Again, and Proofread

The first draft is never the final draft. Plan on writing, then rewriting, and rewriting some more. Write the essay and leave it alone for a few days. Pick it up again and reread it. Does it sound alright?

Proofreading is also essential. Tools such as Grammarly can help applicants find errors before submitting applications. Remove repetition and pay attention to the nitty-gritty details, like wordiness, readable fonts, and paragraph breaks.

If the final version of an essay answers YES to these questions, it’s ready for submission.

Is the story true to the student’s experience?
Is the story memorable and engaging?
Is the student likable?

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Building a Strong College Profile

March 5, 2025 by sgoodyear

Each year, the United States’ top higher education institutions receive thousands of applications, and to no surprise, the competition is surging. For instance, Harvard University accepted 3.59% of 54,008 applications for the class of 2028.

If applicants dream of attending an Ivy League or another highly sought-after university, setting their application apart and making a good impression on the admissions committee is imperative. Outstanding academic achievements are no longer a requirement; they are the minimum.

So, how can a student stand out? By building a strong college profile!

What Is a College Profile?

A college profile is a snapshot of a student’s identity. It highlights a student’s strengths, passions, and potential. College Admissions Officers use the information in a college profile to evaluate how well a student fits with their institution’s values and academic environment.

The key elements of a college profile include:

Academics: These showcase intellectual abilities. Including GPA, test scores, and course rigor, such as AP and IB courses. Colleges want to see that their applicants are prepared to engage in rigorous coursework and are willing to challenge themselves.
Extracurriculars: Students should be involved in their school community by participating in sports or clubs and growing into leadership positions outside the classroom. It is particularly important for students to stick with and grow through a few chosen activities rather than constantly starting and stopping things.
Personal projects: Colleges also care what a student does outside of their school. Working a job, engaging in some kind of community volunteer work, taking up a hobby or personal pursuit… Anything that a student gives time, energy, or passion to can be part of a college profile even if it is not attached to an official organization.

A strong college profile sets an applicant apart, especially when applying to the nation’s top schools.

How to Build a College Profile

A well-rounded profile will take time and self-reflection. If you’re unsure where to start, use this guide to help.

1. Identify Strengths

What makes a student an outstanding candidate? Whether a student likes science, art, music, or sports, they should figure out what inspires them.

Colleges love to see a student’s passion for something, so don’t just dabble — commit to honing in on an area of interest or activity. If it’s math, enter competitions. If writing is a strength, publish articles or start a blog.

This is a student’s chance to shine in a way that is true to who they are, so lean into strengths and let them guide activities and achievements.

2. Build Extracurricular Activities

Getting involved outside of class is just as important as excelling inside it. If a school offers activities outside class—clubs, sports teams, or community groups—students should join them if they align with their interests and goals.

Once involved in an activity, don’t just participate—be a leader. Now is the perfect opportunity to aim for a leadership role like team captain or club president. The experience will show colleges that an applicant possesses initiative and responsibility, two highly valued traits. Being a leader will also prepare students for their future in the workforce, where they will often lead and collaborate with others.

Volunteering is another way to stand out. Find causes that personally matter, and dedicate time to making a difference in a community or area of interest. The aim is not to show that students are keeping themselves busy—admission officers want to see the depth and purpose of how they spend their time. Volunteering is about making small-scale change!

3. Gain Relevant Experience

Colleges love applicants who have explored potential career paths. If possible, hands-on experience in an applicant’s area of interest is particularly valuable. Students should leverage internships, part-time jobs, or job shadowing opportunities whenever possible.

For example, a student who is interested in animal welfare should reach out to volunteer at a veterinary clinic. Students with an entrepreneurial spark should try their hand at starting their own business–even if it is something as simple as setting up a lemonade stand.

Alternatively, an excellent way for students to show initiative is by starting or completing a project related to their passions. For instance, coding an app that gives people dog training tips can highlight a passion for animals and an interest in technology. Many colleges will allow students to submit a portfolio or a short video where they can showcase something that they have built or created, whether that is a computer program, an art piece, or even something practical like a hand-built picnic bench. Colleges love to see students who can plan, start, and then finish a project.

4. Build Strong Relationships

Excellent recommendations can make a significant difference and should come from those who know the student best. Students should build strong relationships with their teachers, counselors, coaches, and mentors. Always be kind and respectful, engage in classes, and ask thoughtful questions. Students who show a genuine appreciation for guidance usually get the most detailed and thoughtful recommendation letters. To build that connection, don’t just do the work assigned in class and then run away: take time to talk to teachers about goals and ambitions so that those teachers are invested in your success.

5. Create a Stellar Application

The application is where all the hard work comes together. A student’s personal statement tells their story — who they are, where they come from, what they care about, and how they’ve grown. In the essay, write authentically and focus on pivotal moments or experiences. Students should show the admissions officers reading the personal statement what it feels like to be in their shoes. Teach them something new; make them laugh. Give them a reason to advocate for you.

If a college requires supplemental essays, students should tailor each to reflect why they’re a great fit for that specific institution. Be sure to do research–each college is different!

Before applying, make sure every part is polished and error-free. Have a trusted parent, mentor, teacher, counselor, or friend look it over to ensure a unique voice is captured in each aspect.

How to Improve a College Admissions Profile

An applicant’s profile should make them glimmer and stand apart from their peers — especially if they aim for the top college. Here are some practical tips to help craft a standout application:

Start early: Begin building the profile as early as possible. Start in middle school if possible. By junior year, focus on a few areas where you can excel and show leadership.
Develop a “spike”: Quality over quantity. Instead of trying to be good at everything, aim to become extraordinary in one or two areas — a “spike.” It is this standout quality that can catch admissions officers’ attention. But be careful: no matter what area a student is “spiking” in, they need to show an ability to collaborate and communicate with others.
Craft a personal brand: What’s one thing a student wants admissions officers to remember? Essays and extracurriculars should reinforce a cohesive narrative. An admissions officer should read a student’s profile and be able to come up with a catchy bumper-sticker like “The self-taught slight-of-hand magician who loves mathematical puzzles” or “The computer science student with a poly-sci angle who can talk about international cyber security.”
Document your journey: Keep a journal or digital log of academic and extracurricular achievements starting freshman year. Students can even include personal reflections and lessons learned. Journal writings provide great material for future essays and interviews, especially those “Tell me about a time when…” questions. They can also help assess personal growth over time.
Stay true to yourself: Authenticity is powerful. Students shouldn’t mold themselves into what they think an Ivy League wants or see their friends or classmates doing. Be honest; admissions officers can tell when an application feels forced, so students should let their genuine selves shine through.
Consider college consulting: Need personalized guidance? A college consulting company may help increase a student’s chances of acceptance. These companies provide various services that can extend beyond college profiling assistance.

Zenith Prep Academy Can Help You Stand Out

Building a compelling college profile can seem daunting, especially if you’re a busy high school student aiming for the Ivy League. Wholeheartedly pursuing your area of interest will make all the time and effort more enjoyable. So, start early, take the time for self-reflection, and have fun with this process.

Zenith Prep Academy is here to guide you every step of the way. With our dedicated and experienced team, we’re committed to maximizing your potential. Our proven track record of higher Ivy League and Top 25 University acceptance rates speaks for itself.

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What Is a Personal Statement?

Personal Statements vs. College Essays