Read the essay prompt on the university application and underline certain words or phrases that tell you exactly what the college wants to see in your essay. You will likely find that the university looks for things like your academic background or personal struggles in the essay. The objective of most personal statements provides the college with reasons to select you as a student for their university.
Brainstorm ideas in terms of the structure and content of your essay. Many people typically write their personal statements focusing on their academic achievements as well as the setbacks that challenged them throughout their lives. As Purdue OWL suggests, you should ask yourself questions concerning what is special about your story, why you want to go to college, and what it is about you that makes you a good candidate for the school. As Worcester Polytechnic Institute states, personal statements do not have universal templates or styles, so think about a way of telling your story that will keep your readers entertained.
Create an outline that incorporates headings and bullet points to give you some structure to follow as you write your essay. Like the typical five-paragraph essay, you will need an introduction, a few body paragraphs and a conclusion. Plan out each of the body paragraphs to include a topic suggested in the writing prompt. For instance, the first paragraph can discuss your personal background, while the second can cover your academic achievements and the third can address your goals for college and your career. List certain aspects of your life that you want to include under each respective heading so that you won't leave anything important out of the essay when it comes time to write.
Grab the reader's attention with an intriguing introductory paragraph. The introduction should include the reason you want to go to the respective university and a theme that connects each piece of background you present. Avoid writing "I am applying to your university because I am a good student;" instead, write something more dramatic and dynamic---something that sets you apart from the other applicants, such as "Life is strange. Here I am, applying to college, when I never thought I'd even make it past high school when I was a kid."
Write two to four body paragraphs with the key points the essay prompt asks you to address. Though you may want to write your essay with humor, these points still need attention, so don't forget to talk about your personal background, your academic achievements and your plans for the time you will spend in college, while trying to remain as specific and detailed as possible. Unconventional writing styles grab attention. For instance, focus your essay on an event in your life that characterizes you, or use humor to inject your personality into the essay.
End your essay with a short summary of the reasons you want to go to college and what the university can expect from you as a student. Finish the essay with a last sentence that drives home how passionately you feel about going to the college, and how much it would mean to you to get the opportunity to fulfill your dream. For example, you can use a last sentence like: "I have all the passion and determination in the world; all I need now is the opportunity."