Read the applications to understand each college's expectations for your personal essay.
Begin to brainstorm your essay. It is vital to make yourself distinguishable from other aspiring students. Things to consider while brainstorming: Why do you want to go to this specific university? What is something unique about you as a person? Where do you see yourself in the future?
Begin formatting your essay. You will probably have a bit of freedom in doing this, but traditionally an essay should have an introduction, three to four body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Write a topic sentence for each of the body paragraphs. These will serve as your essay's outline. For example, you may dedicate one paragraph to discussing why you want to go to that specific university and another paragraph about your personal history. Organization is key in any essay, and it is something that colleges will need to see within your statement.
Ask a friend, family member or teacher to review your essay after you finish. Make sure to choose someone who has a good understanding of writing and possesses excellent editing skills. Do not be discouraged if there are numerous errors you overlooked, it is often helpful to have another set of eyes review work, because others can catch different things.