u/Slamburger9642

Well, I’ve seen several posts here and in other college subreddits asking the same questions about the personal statement, so I wanted to offer some general guidance as you continue working on those essays.

1. How do I come up with the best idea and essay that AOs would like to see?

Firstly, this isn't the right approach for the main personal statement. The primary purpose of the PS is to get to know you beyond your test scores, GPA, and courses. Therefore, you’re not writing to impress the AO, but rather to help them understand the kind of person you are for their school. I keep seeing the ‘how do I select the best topic’ posts, and my response to that is to reflect on yourself.

The best approach I’ve personally used for some of my students is to start writing. You can outline all the topics you’d like to explore and whittle down the unnecessary ones as you go. This should be the first step. The second step should be thinking about your main point. Remember, at the end of the day, you’re still competing with thousands of students worldwide. Therefore, you want to focus on your strengths. This is thus the place to consider the values and general qualities you’d like the Aos to know about you. Keeping the competition in mind, focus only on growth and positives. Thirdly, start working on your drafts before having someone else go over them. Rinse and repeat!

2. Can I use my hardship story?

While the admissions process is holistic, it is not recommended to use your personal statement as a confession for all the things that have ever been wrong in your life. I hate to break it to you, but half the applicants have experienced something relatively traumatic in their lives. In fact, most people, including the Aos, have had something. Therefore, most of the hardship stories you’d assume will offer some wiggle room for your essay (which is supposed to compensate for some of your poor grades lol!) may actually backfire and negatively impact your application. I’d leave the hardships for the additional section unless otherwise. If your situation was too grave for the additional section, and integral for understanding who you’ll be in college, then sure, you can write about that. However, if you decide to go this route, focus on highlighting your strengths rather than your weaknesses. Lastly, don’t go down the rabbit hole of trying to seek sympathy from the reader. Most of the time, this won't work and can even hurt your application. Again, remember that you’re not the only applicant. I think that puts things into perspective.

3. Ending the personal statement

I’ve seen this a lot in past reviews, as well as current posts. You don’t have to tell us that you’ve learnt how to persevere, or become a better listener, etc. We should be able to figure that out ourselves throughout your story. I’ve noticed that most of the students emphasize the hook statements and leave the ending a mess. While this might not directly affect the quality of your application, it makes the PS a mess and disqualifies your writing points. Please make sure your values, or whatever personality you’ve chosen, are ubiquitous throughout your essay. You shouldn’t have to tell us at the end which, funny enough, is usually a disconnect from the main story.

I have so much to say about writing the PS, but in the meantime, use this general advice.

I've seen all the furore on Elise Pham and her service and just have one question, why can't you just hire an essay coach and be done with it? If it's looking for a hook for your application, research about it and engage the parties you're interested in working with, as opposed to someone that'll probably give you generic information. Similarly, just because someone got into an ivy doesn't mean they can replicate the same success for you. I know this is a little iffy, but that goes for former AOs as well. It would be naive to think so, considering the opaque nature of admissions. In fact, in my experience, most of the kids I've seen through top schools including the ivies got in on personal initiative with their ECs, and only sought assistance with their essays, because that's the only aspect within their control, aside from academics obviously. Anyway, I get that everyone wants the best for themselves, but be mindful of all the false information. Try and be realistic as well, as it'll get you a long way from such compromising situations.

With the common app opening dates closing in, here are some of my musings regarding undergrad applications, solely based on my experience in this space.

1. You’re not getting into HPSYM with a 3.2 buddy I’ve seen these posts not only in this sub but on other platforms as well. No matter how impressive your ECs are, they’re not going to outweigh the low GPA. While admissions are relatively holistic, the schools you apply to speak to what kind of student you are. Applying to ultra-reach schools like the Ivies when you know your GPA significantly falls below the 25th percentile of accepted candidates screams that you either don’t know what you’re doing or are completely ignorant. Not to kill anyone’s dreams, but thorough research beforehand could alleviate such horrid decisions. For instance, rather than focusing on ultra-reaches, look into schools where you are at least close to or slightly below the averages, and acceptance rates are not as stringent. I think the best advice here is to start checking out the CDS data of the schools you’re interested in. If things like essays, ECs, or even demonstrated interest rank high, then the possibility of wiggling your way into such reach schools is a sign to have them in your college list. There’s much I’d like to say about this point, but I’ll leave it at that, with my only reminder for international students to do thorough research and not only follow the popularity of some schools.

2. Discuss finances beforehand!! I couldn’t stress this enough. Applying Early Decision is a sure way for universities to secure the bag. After all, this is all still business. I’ve seen so many students fall into this pit. While applying to ED might raise your chances of admission into your preferred school, talking to your financiers first about tuition and everything else is critical to your application. It is painful to get into your dream school, only to realize you can’t afford it. So, as you make that list, please have this at the back of your mind. Use the available school calculators to see where you fit.

3. Utilize the Additional info section You know all those extenuating circumstances that may have led to an overall lower GPA, failed class, missed school, etc., situation; they should all go here. I can attest to how often I’ve seen students write about such situations in their personal essays, rather than in this allocated space. Schools are giving everyone an opportunity to explain various wrinkles in their profile. Therefore, use it! Remember, though, don’t exploit the opportunity by over-detailing your experience as you would in your statements, or by making excuses for your grades, etc. Brief but concise explanations should do.

4. Context is key. Yes, applications are also the result of some concerted effort to tip the odds in your favor. I say that with conviction because everyone has a story, and that story could be the difference between two students with nearly similar profiles, with one getting accepted and the other getting rejected. To that end, provide the admissions team with complete details about your background, socioeconomic status, etc., that you believe might positively affect your chances of admission. For this, I’m speaking to people from underrepresented communities, first-gen students, etc. Willingly offer that information, and it might get you into your dream school.

5. Your essays could land you that school tag! I think by now everyone knows the importance of planning ahead for your essays. However, it seems like some students don’t understand the mechanics behind strategic writing. While the Common App essay is a chance to present who you are, it’s not a confessional space. I’ve seen some students write a lot of unnecessary information about their lives, looking for sympathy. This may seem strategic at the time, but I can assure you it’s not. Everyone carries different emotional baggage. Therefore, trying to use that to buy your way will not work as intended. It is better to be authentic about who you are and reflect on the positive. Remember, at the end of the day, you’re still selling yourself as the best match for whatever school. Therefore, you need to not only highlight your personality but also showcase why you’re more deserving of the available spot over the next candidate. This aspect extends to essays like the why school, where your research on the school and program is evident in your writing. So, to reiterate, don’t have things that would fit in the additional info section in your personal statement.

6. Sometimes things don’t work out. You can have the right ECs, GPA, LORS, SAT/ACT scores, and research experiences, and still not land where you would have wanted. This is not to say that you’re not a great candidate, but different external factors may have made it impossible-something you should understand transcends your control. If that happens, don’t give up, and redirect your aspirations. Trust me, at the end of the day, your efforts as an individual are what determine how far you go in life. No school can do that for you, despite the flashy brand tags.

Hope this helps as you prepare yourselves. If there's any other information anyone would like to contribute, feel free. Goodluck everyone.

With the common app opening dates closing in, here are some of my musings regarding applications, solely based on my experience in this space.

1. You’re not getting into HPSYM with a 3.2 buddy I’ve seen these posts not only in this sub but on other platforms as well. No matter how impressive your ECs are, they’re not going to outweigh the low GPA. While admissions are relatively holistic, the schools you apply to speak to what kind of student you are. Applying to ultra-reach schools like the Ivies when you know your GPA significantly falls below the 25th percentile of accepted candidates screams that you either don’t know what you’re doing or are completely ignorant. Not to kill anyone’s dreams, but thorough research beforehand could alleviate such horrid decisions. For instance, rather than focusing on ultra-reaches, look into schools where you are at least close to or slightly below the averages, and acceptance rates are not as stringent. I think the best advice here is to start checking out the CDS data of the schools you’re interested in. If things like essays, ECs, or even demonstrated interest rank high, then the possibility of wiggling your way into such reach schools is a sign to have them in your college list. There’s much I’d like to say about this point, but I’ll leave it at that, with my only reminder for international students to do thorough research and not only follow the popularity of some schools.

2. Discuss finances beforehand!! I couldn’t stress this enough. Applying Early Decision is a sure way for universities to secure the bag. After all, this is all still business. I’ve seen so many students fall into this pit. While applying to ED might raise your chances of admission into your preferred school, talking to your financiers first about tuition and everything else is critical to your application. It is painful to get into your dream school, only to realize you can’t afford it. So, as you make that list, please have this at the back of your mind. Use the available school calculators to see where you fit.

3. Utilize the Additional info section You know all those extenuating circumstances that may have led to an overall lower GPA, failed class, missed school, etc., situation; they should all go here. I can attest to how often I’ve seen students write about such situations in their personal essays, rather than in this allocated space. Schools are giving everyone an opportunity to explain various wrinkles in their profile. Therefore, use it! Remember, though, don’t exploit the opportunity by over-detailing your experience as you would in your statements, or by making excuses for your grades, etc. Brief but concise explanations should do.

4. Context is key. Yes, applications are also the result of some concerted effort to tip the odds in your favor. I say that with conviction because everyone has a story, and that story could be the difference between two students with nearly similar profiles, with one getting accepted and the other getting rejected. To that end, provide the admissions team with complete details about your background, socioeconomic status, etc., that you believe might positively affect your chances of admission. For this, I’m speaking to people from underrepresented communities, first-gen students, etc. Willingly offer that information, and it might get you into your dream school.

5. Your essays could land you that school tag! I think by now everyone knows the importance of planning ahead for your essays. However, it seems like some students don’t understand the mechanics behind strategic writing. While the Common App essay is a chance to present who you are, it’s not a confessional space. I’ve seen some students write a lot of unnecessary information about their lives, looking for sympathy. This may seem strategic at the time, but I can assure you it’s not. Everyone carries different emotional baggage. Therefore, trying to use that to buy your way will not work as intended. It is better to be authentic about who you are and reflect on the positive. Remember, at the end of the day, you’re still selling yourself as the best match for whatever school. Therefore, you need to not only highlight your personality but also showcase why you’re more deserving of the available spot over the next candidate. This aspect extends to essays like the why school, where your research on the school and program is evident in your writing. So, to reiterate, don’t have things that would fit in the additional info section in your personal statement.

6. Sometimes things don’t work out. You can have the right ECs, GPA, LORS, SAT/ACT scores, and research experiences, and still not land where you would have wanted. This is not to say that you’re not a great candidate, but different external factors may have made it impossible-something you should understand transcends your control. If that happens, don’t give up, and redirect your aspirations. Trust me, at the end of the day, your efforts as an individual are what determine how far you go in life. No school can do that for you, despite the flashy brand tags.

Hope this helps as you prepare yourselves. If there's any other information anyone would like to contribute, feel free. Goodluck everyone.