WRITING PERSONAL STATEMENTS
Note: If links on this page are broken, please let me know via my contact page. I’ll check them and make sure they are removed or changed if needed. Sometimes a different browser or machine (phone vs. computer, for example) will lead to different results. If links really don’t work, try searching for articles you want to read using the reference info here. Links often change but titles and publishers shouldn’t.
This sub-page of my college search resources hierarchy includes a number of mostly free pieces on how a wide variety of authors and other experts think you can make your personal statement attractive to admissions officers. None of these articles are by me; my blogs on these topics are linked elsewhere in this hierarchy. I strongly encourage you to read all of these pieces, as there is a wide range of thought from many different kinds of experts included here.
Writing Personal statements
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“5 Strategies To Unlock Your Winning College Essay,” Forbes: May 30, 2024. Note: the author offers useful perspective here—though I would emphasize authenticity over all else.
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“5 Must-Do’s Before Submitting Your College Applications This Year,” Forbes: Dec 27, 2023.
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Note: Lots of wise advice here as you write your applications in any year.
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“Can ChatGPT Essays Get You Into an Ivy League School? We Asked an ex-Harvard Advisor,” Observer: May 11, 2023. Note: An interesting piece that is about my experience. Too many things still get left out by generative AI.
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“Are You Oversharing In Your College Admissions Essay?,” Forbes: May 10, 2023. Note: Wise advice here, sharing is good, too much is … well, too much.
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“Early Decision Deferral? How To Write A Letter Of Continued Interest,” Forbes: Dec 10, 2023. Note: Highly useful advice here.
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“The 7 Most Desirable Traits That Admissions Officers Look For,” Forbes: Nov 20, 2023.
Note: Per the article, these are: prosocial purpose (desire to help others), leadership, learning (curiosity), goal pursuit, intrinsic motivation, teamwork, and perseverance. -
“How Colleges Are Maintaining Diversity After Supreme Court Decision,” Forbes: Nov 12, 2023. Note: Rice, Northwestern, Penn, Hopkins, Wake Forest, and others mentioned in this piece.
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“5 Core Student Qualities That Ivy League Colleges Find Irresistible,” Forbes: Oct 31, 2023.
Note: Definitely useful information as you work on presenting yourself to any college, not just the Ivies. -
“Can ChatGPT Essays Get You Into an Ivy League School? We Asked an ex-Harvard Advisor,” Observer: May 11, 2023.
Note: An interesting piece that is about my experience. Too many things still get left out by generative AI. -
“Are You Oversharing In Your College Admissions Essay?,” Forbes: May 10, 2023.
Note: Wise advice here, sharing is good, too much is … well, too much. -
“College Admission: New Year, Same You,” Forbes: Jan 4, 2022. Note: A great piece surveying many admissions leaders’ views on the importance of authenticity in personal statement writing and the application in general. See the article for links to further resources.
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“How do I fill out a college application? Common App tips in COVID times,” USA Today: Aug 1, 2021.
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“How To Successfully Answer Supplemental Questions On College Applications,”
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How they wrote and rewrote their Harvard Admissions Essays from the Harvard Gazette
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“Parents Disliking Their Kids’ College Essays is a Great Sign,” From Christopher Rim in Forbes.
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Make Your Supplemental Essays Stand Out: Tips from a College Admissions Expert
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Confessions of a former college admissions officer: 5 ways to ace your college application