The personal essay follows a format similar to an academic essay: traditionally four to five paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion. All paragraphs include topic, support and concluding sentences. What makes the essay personal creates the deviance from the academic essay. The personal essay represents what the writer thinks and feels about a given topic. It should tell the reader something about the writer's beliefs and character, which is what readers seek. The writer does not try to objectify or conceal his thoughts as in the academic essay but rather uses the personal essay as a device of self-expression.
Most people enjoy talking about their own thoughts and feelings, so students writing personal essays often ramble about themselves in a story-telling manner and, thus, lose sight of the writing prompt. The writer must be careful to address the directive and answer the question, if it is in question format. The essay must have a point, and that point must go back to the prompt. Personal information is, of course, included, but the message should be clear as well. With few time constraints, the writer can critically edit his essay for focus and even mechanics.
Personal essay topics have strong connections to the writer. Some topics specifically direct the writer to discuss her background, life, educational and extracurricular experiences, accomplishments and goals. Examples include, "Describe your vocational objectives and goals" and "Identify an obstacle you have overcome and what you learned from it." Other topics direct the writer to share information about an idea/event and relate it to her life or beliefs. Examples include, "Discuss some local, national or international concern and its importance to you" and "Describe a person whom you admire and how she has influenced you."
The Common Application website provides both online and print versions of college applications that students may submit to more than 400 higher education institutions in the United States as well as two international institutions. These schools include public and private, large and small and highly selective and modestly selective. The applications provided on the website include one personal essay, chosen from several topic choices. If schools require additional essays, the program contacts the student with further instructions.