One kind of personal statement that has an affect on the reader is the goal-oriented story. This sort of essay reveals the applicant's goals and dreams, what he has done to achieve them and what his future goals may be. The candidate can start the statement by letting the reader know what their goal is. For instance, the writer could open with, "I used to dream of saving lives as a child while watching emergency room shows with my mother." She could expound on this by describing the things she has done to realize her dreams. For example, the applicant could mention her medical clubs, internships, and hospital volunteer work. Then, she could go on to describe how getting into college can further help her.
Describing a challenging circumstance or event is a method many college applicants employ. The key is to show the reader that the writer has overcame a major hardship in order to push forward. In this case, the writing is pushing forward to college. A hard circumstance could be a sickness, a family problem or depression. According to Sample Essays About Myself, it is important to be honest and direct about the problem when writing. However, the writer should not make themselves look victimized or write too dramatically. The essay should not be a series of complaints, but a positive, straightforward look at what has been overcome in order to succeed.
Writing about your academic experience is a straightforward approach that can be useful when applying to a more formal program, like business or finance. The writer can focus on a club membership or leadership position and expound on why he believes this would make him a good college candidate. It is important not to rehash the entire resume but to present a clear and detailed look at one or two points of experience. For instance, when applying to a finance program, a writer can discuss her role as treasurer for a school club. She can then detail her passion for finances and discuss what she's learned.