Most colleges are moving away from relying solely on standardized test scores to considering other items like personal statements when determining an applicant’s suitability for selection. You, therefore, have to prioritize your statement as much as you would a recommendation letter, transcripts, resume, or test scores, considering its weight on your application. A personal statement is your opportunity to highlight your desirable qualities and uniqueness to sway the committee’s decision in your favor. To make sure you get it right, we offer a ready-made template you can use to create a convincing personal statement for your college application.
The components of this template are based on what most admissions committees look for when reviewing applications. This personal statement template uses a storytelling approach to help you organize your experiences, ideas, goals, accomplishments, skills, and qualities into a cohesive narrative that highlights your suitability for the specific college you are applying. While the outline offers a structure to follow, you fill it out using your words to tell your story in your own voice.
Additionally, though comprehensive as it is, we acknowledge that different colleges may have unique personal statement requirements or specifications. With that in mind, we made this template highly customizable. We therefore recommend that you review the college’s guidelines first then personalize this template before filling it out.
FAQs
How long should the personal statement be?
Most personal statements will have a 500-650 word count limit. So, if the college has not specified the word limit, keep it within this range. However, if they have a specific word limit, conform to it. Also, confirm if there is an above or below allowance for the word count; typically a 10% allowance is acceptable.
Can I reuse the template for a new application?
Yes. You can reuse the template but not the personal statement. Always modify the content for each new application. This is because uniqueness and originality are key characteristics that selection committees consider in personal statements. Unique personal statements have higher chances of selection.
Which topics should I consider for a college personal statement?
The template guides you to talk about your personal stories. You can choose to focus on your academic journey, upbringing, or travel history. However, when telling your story avoid controversial topics like politically-oriented stories, religion, traumatic and graphic events, illegal activities, and highly polarized issues such as abortion, immigration, or domestic violence.
