anyone else having trouble getting a personal statement done?

[vixen]

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All I have is a bunch of notes, brainstorming etc, but nothing written yet...i'm such a bad writer, its so hard to figure out where to start...I guess once I get started its easier to work from there, but just when you're first writing, its so difficult, or is it just me? I wish i was one of those people who could just write and write well 🙄 This is my achilles heel 🙄

 

[DesiDentist]

Seema you gotta push yourself. A personal statement is probably the most important part and it all depends on you. You can talk about anything and it lets the ADCOM know a little more about you in a way that your other application (grades, etc.) won't let them see. I knew it would be crucial that's why I started mine in March and it took me at least 30 re-writes/edits to make it flow smoothly. When I look at my first draft and my final draft I am dumfounded on the change. I wrote worse than a 5 graderin my first draft and slowly by refining and editing it it became ideal for me. Good luck.

Make sure you get a ton of people to read it. Every person who read mine gave me some great insight and I ended up changing it even more.

That is what writing is about.

Good luck

DesiDentist

 

[Beagle]

I started to write mine back in early May because I knew I would be stuck. I finished, but believe me, I was stuck just like you. However, once I had an idea of what was important to write, the essay just came naturally.
What about your essay from last year? Are you revising that or using something completly different?

 

[markymark]

vixen,
here is a tip that i've heard from one of my english professors.. usually the first part you get stuck is in your introduction. but don't let that hold you back. if you have trouble conjuring up a spiffy intro, just jump ahead to the body of your essay and then work backward. it may help you get over your writer's block.

hope it helps.

 

[vixen]

thanks guys 🙂 I was planning on writing on spring break, but when my aunt died earlier this year, spring break was dedicated to my little cousins...going to detroit to see them, spend time w/them, they had their communion then etc...so it got held up, then school again w/finals...so you know the deal...luckily I did make some notes and brainstormed back then, so i have a sketch of what to write about, i just have to put it in words...i'm gonna have lots of people proof read it cause i'm not a great writer...so we'll see

desi and beagle, thanks for the advice.

markymark, thanks for the tip!

🙂

 

[groundhog]

One other tip. Make sure the personal statement is still a reflection of the real live you after all of your friends finish with their proof reading. Sometimes proof reading can turn into heavy editing which can make your personal statement well written but impersonal and stuffy.

 

[vixen]

thanks groundhog! You're right, I gotta keep mine original! 🙂

 

[quantumhead]

Hello Vixen,

Still struggling? I second all the above comments and caution you about having people read it. Get their advice and reactions but don't feel like you HAVE to incorporate them into the final draft. Your letter should be your letter. I think I have offered a lot of advice on this in the past but I will reiterate one thing. When you get stuck try free writing. Just write everything without bothering about spelling, grammar, sentence structure...etc. Just write. Don't even hit the return key. You will find a lot of great ideas and sentences and ideas. Cut and paste them into a rough outline. Order them to make them flow. Write a paragraph around each to help the logical flow and feel of the story. Don't be afraid of cutting it all and restarting.

Well that is more than one bit of advice....oh well. Good luck and chin up. If you have any questions you know how to get a hold of me.

 

[vixen]

thanks quantumhead...yes your advice actually has helped me lots already, I really appreciate it. I guess its time to start writing folks!!

 

[sunwoongc]

wow!! I am a bit ashamed to admit that my personal statement took me about 40 minutes to write! Due to personal circumstances, I applied very late, last week of Feb to be exact so I didn't put very much time into my personal statement. Hell, I don't even think I did a second rewrite! Just read it over for grammatical errors, made sure it fit in the given space and sent it out...Well, good luck with your personal statements! I am sure they're gonna turn out great! I should feel lucky I got into USC on my first try looking over some of these threads and reading how devoted they are in teh whole app process! Good luck...

Hell maybe I should post up my personal statement! HAHAHA <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

steve

 

[Beagle]

Vixen
how is the essay going now? Have you started to write it yet? I also did what quantumhead suggested. One day when I was in the mood, I just wrote and wrote. I didn't even have an outline or anything. Whatever came to mind, I just wrote. The next day, I cut and pasted things and removed a ton of junk.
Goodluck...and here's something I learned from writing--try not to make it too flowery. Just get your point down without using a ton of words or words that you stole out of a dictionary. It will begin to sound jumbled and you will easily stray from your point.

 

[EAK27]

I am also STILL having problems with my perosnal statement. I think that I have a beginning but it is just like one of ya said, its like writer's block, but I think that it is stress induced!! 😕

 

[quantumhead]

As for getting rid of flowery language, I agree. A good book is written by Strunk and White called Elements of Style. It is an entire english class in one small book.

Steve, I also wrote my essay in one sitting at 2 AM. This was only after writting and rewritting and getting others to read and suggest and rewritting, then changing and rewritting...etc etc...untill the letter was no longet about me but some mythical student who looked and sounded like every other mythical student, and nothing like me.

It is the most difficult letter I have ever written and I have had a lot of experience writting. Good luck all and keep at it.

 

[Kentucky]

Hey Vixen,
I wanted to know if you were going to use any of last year's essay. I also wondered if anyone thought there was anything wrong with just rewording a previous essay if it seemed to be a really sincere one that just needs updating.

 

[quantumhead]

I did not get in the first year I applied. I decided to write a new letter. I figure that it is one of the most importaint factors in getting an interview and the last years did not cut it. Just my openion.

 

[vixen]

Kentucky, I'm writing a new letter...I think that when reapplying, you're showing that you're improving on all aspects as much as possible, so using the same letter as before would defeat the purpose. 🙂

 

[racemic01]

How are your letters coming? One tip, mentioned before but worth reiterating, is use as few words as possible. If you see yourself using long wordy sentences, see if there are words you can omit to tighten up its structure. Avoid using passive voice. For example: I have had the opportunity to assist... I assisted.., I have read many books... I read.., I like to sculp... I enjoy sculping... Look for the words "have" "had" "to" and "of". Many times these words are just taking up space. Also, make sure you have good transitions from one paragraph to the next and between sentences. The last thing I can think of is to have a thesis to center your paper around. (There I go again... Lastly, center your paper around a thesis.) A central theme or idea that the paper always comes back to.

The personal statement does bite, but after the numbers (GPA/DAT) it's the most important part of your application. I'm sure you'll can do it. Good luck!