Finding Your Voice: From Brainstorming to Final Draft—Crafting Your Personal Statement
Writing the personal statement is often the most stressful part of the college application process for students. We encourage writing from a place of honesty and authenticity, but that requires time for self-reflection and creative thinking. With the right tools and approach, students can turn this challenge into an opportunity to tell a meaningful and compelling story.
What Are the Stages of Writing?
Our writing process takes students through four stages, breaking down what would otherwise be a daunting task into manageable segments.
Keep in mind: This is not your ordinary English assignment! Be sure to allow time to move through each stage.
Stage 1: The Madman (1-2 drafts, 1 week)
Brainstorm ideas for possible essay topics. Once you’ve selected a topic, set a timer for 20 minutes and write on a chosen topic. Details, memories, images ... let it all come back and capture it! No structure, punctuation, or grammar required. These details create the color and texture of the story you will ultimately tell.
Stage 2: The Architect (1-2 drafts, 1 week)
Organize the story! Decide on your key thesis/theme, and structure how you will reveal it to your reader.
Stage 3: The Carpenter (2-4 drafts, 2-3 weeks)
Fill in the gaps, integrate helpful details, refine word choices, and edit flow. Does the story make sense? Does it flow naturally?
Stage 4: The Judge (1-2 drafts, 1 week)
Read through the essay with fresh eyes (yours or someone else’s)! Ensure the grammar is correct and that the conclusion ties back to the thesis/theme.
Expert tips for writing an engaging essay:
Use a captivating opening hook to engage the reader. Start in the middle of the story with a detail, or make a bold and direct statement, or reveal a personal fact right off the bat.
Place the reader in the author’s shoes by using specific memories, details, or emotional descriptions in the story telling.
Ensure the thesis/theme is consistent throughout the essay. Note: the thesis/theme does not have to be stated in the opening paragraph; it often comes later in the essay.
Make the language used purposeful in the story. Is the essay about a time the student grew? Add alliterative language like blooming, blossoming, seeds, stretching, expanding, or developing. Is the tone of the essay light and humorous? Ensure the language used reflects the light tone throughout.
Tie the concluding paragraph back to the theme/thesis, ideally re-integrating a concept or metaphor from earlier in the essay.
What’s The Bottom Line?
The essay is most effective when the message is clear, the voice of the author feels authentic and consistent, and story has a relatable quality to it.
In the end, strong essays answer:
What happened?
Why did it matter?
How did it shape you?
If you still don’t know what to write about, check out our blog Finding Your Voice: Crafting an Effective Personal Statement.