There is only so much that anyone can learn about you by looking at your high school transcript. They can see that you took on-level or advanced classes, that you took math all four years or stopped as soon as you could, and that you were an average student or a high-scoring one. Yet, all of these characteristics that your grades imply do not give a glimpse into your personality, background, or attitude. That is why college admissions officers rely heavily on your teacher recommendations, and even more so, on your personal essay to learn about you and determine whether or not you would be a good addition to the university.
Personal essays are just that: personal. The story you tell and the facts you reveal about yourself paints an intimate portrait of who you are as a person, where you came from, and where you see yourself going. Though it may sound simple at first to answer a personal essay prompt – after all, there is no research involved and you only have to talk about yourself, something in which you are an expert. Yet, personal essays are actually one of the most difficult things you must complete on a college application because it requires you to delve into your own personal experiences and search for the best moment that exemplifies your commitment, hardworking spirit, and ingenuity. No matter what the prompt is, it typically leaves itself open for you to use a personal experience example to back up your answer. Using a relevant personal experience tale is a great way to tell the admissions officer more about yourself while also proving a point. You should take advantage of that opportunity.
Choosing the best tale to highlight can be difficult, but think back to all the years of your life, from your childhood to your high school experiences. Choose one where you not only learned something, but also one where you showed leadership skills. By highlighting those incidents, you simultaneously answer the prompt as well as showcase some admirable aspects of your personality. It is important to not include too many personal stories, though, and rather to just stick with one or two examples. Divulging too many stories can become confusing and make your essay look cluttered, which in turn tells the admissions officer that you cannot present your ideas clearly. Your personal essay can be a powerful tool in showing college admissions officers your most positive characteristics and it can also be a great way to put the grades and classes on your transcript into context.
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