Personal Reflection
Personal/Reflective Essay
The personal statement is more than just a mandatory part of your college application; it's your one chance to explain to college admissions readers why you are a good fit for their school. This is where you become more than just another name — it's where you become an individual, and where you can share your personality, your goals, your experiences, and where you can explain any opportunities or obstacles that have affected your academic record.
Prompt:
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Writing Format:
The personal statement is a preview to the kind of writing you'll be doing in college and on college placement exams. • Unknown Audience: You will be writing for a community of strangers. • Writer-Determined Topic: You will pick the topic for your response. • Dig Deeper: Analysis and reflection are key.
Answer the writing prompt in a 500-word essay (approximately two full pages). Use Times New Roman, size 12 font, and double-spaced. Pages must have 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right). Your essay must have a title.
Ask Yourself:
• What one word best describes my family, my community, or my school?
• What opportunities have been available to me in my community or at my school?
• What is the major issue confronting my family, school or community and what has been my role in addressing it?
• How have I changed as a result of addressing this major issue, and what impact has that change had on my dreams and aspirations?
• Why did I choose to do what I did to address this issue?
• What personal quality helped me accomplish this?
Exercise:
Look at the prompt, and write down a quick answer to each of the "Ask Yourself" questions. When you are finished, consider your answers. What was the most compelling information you came up with
The personal statement is more than just a mandatory part of your college application; it's your one chance to explain to college admissions readers why you are a good fit for their school. This is where you become more than just another name — it's where you become an individual, and where you can share your personality, your goals, your experiences, and where you can explain any opportunities or obstacles that have affected your academic record.
Prompt:
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Writing Format:
The personal statement is a preview to the kind of writing you'll be doing in college and on college placement exams. • Unknown Audience: You will be writing for a community of strangers. • Writer-Determined Topic: You will pick the topic for your response. • Dig Deeper: Analysis and reflection are key.
Answer the writing prompt in a 500-word essay (approximately two full pages). Use Times New Roman, size 12 font, and double-spaced. Pages must have 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right). Your essay must have a title.
Ask Yourself:
• What one word best describes my family, my community, or my school?
• What opportunities have been available to me in my community or at my school?
• What is the major issue confronting my family, school or community and what has been my role in addressing it?
• How have I changed as a result of addressing this major issue, and what impact has that change had on my dreams and aspirations?
• Why did I choose to do what I did to address this issue?
• What personal quality helped me accomplish this?
Exercise:
Look at the prompt, and write down a quick answer to each of the "Ask Yourself" questions. When you are finished, consider your answers. What was the most compelling information you came up with