Personal Statement: the use of "I"?

[mrmatt]

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I'm using it a lot in my draft, since it's kind of like me telling a story about myself. It's hard then to not use I...

Some think that using the first person "I" multiple times in writing makes it sound too you-focused and repetitive. A personal statement should be all about you, but do you think that one can overuse "I" in it? What could I use instead?

 

[Buttermellow]

I'm using it a lot in my draft, since it's kind of like me telling a story about myself. It's hard then to not use I...

Some think that using the first person "I" multiple times in writing makes it sound too you-focused and repetitive. A personal statement should be all about you, but do you think that one can overuse "I" in it? What could I use instead?

I don't know how you could get around using "I." It is supposed to be all about you. Just try to switch it up so you're not beginning every sentence with "I."

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

I'm using it a lot in my draft, since it's kind of like me telling a story about myself. It's hard then to not use I...

Some think that using the first person "I" multiple times in writing makes it sound too you-focused and repetitive. A personal statement should be all about you, but do you think that one can overuse "I" in it? What could I use instead?

PS aren't thesis papers. Use anything in your literary arsenal to convey the message.

 

[mauberley]

I'm using it a lot in my draft, since it's kind of like me telling a story about myself. It's hard then to not use I...

Some think that using the first person "I" multiple times in writing makes it sound too you-focused and repetitive. A personal statement should be all about you, but do you think that one can overuse "I" in it? What could I use instead?

It is entirely possible to overuse "I," just as it's possible to overuse any particular word. Techniques to avoid the forest of self-centeredness can range from mechanics to content; either by shifting perspective (obvious, since you're moving from first person to third person) or through inserting expository sentences buffering each use of "I."

 

[BHaus9]

And contractions? Be these the work of Belsebub?

 

[mauberley]

And contractions? Be these the work of Belsebub?

*shrug* Eh. I don't think they're bad in moderation. Moderation is the key.

 

[HINKLO]

I'm using it a lot in my draft, since it's kind of like me telling a story about myself. It's hard then to not use I...

Some think that using the first person "I" multiple times in writing makes it sound too you-focused and repetitive. A personal statement should be all about you, but do you think that one can overuse "I" in it? What could I use instead?

Narcissistic much? 😛

 

[StudyShy]

Just don't begin every sentence with "I." Mix it up. 🙂

 

[Web MD]

"I" is informal. It doesn't get much more formal than the royal "We"

 

[gettheleadout]

Overuse of "I" notwithstanding, I think it'd be difficult to make your PERSONAL statement too "you-focused." 😛

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I heard your chances of admission are actually improved if you submit your entire PS in the third person. Bonus points if you refer to yourself as Lord Protector.

In all seriousness, if you think you sound repetitive, you probably do. Just mix up your sentence structure a bit. Have someone else read over your statement to get their opinion.

 

[Andersen]

I feel that in order to distinguish yourself from all the applicants you should refrain from using "I" in your personal statement. Instead use "You" profusively. This will make your essay stand out and give your writing a very unique aspect. Adcoms will appreciate something that is completely out of the ordinary and will surely commend your efforts. In summary, abstain from using "I"; use "You" instead.

 

[FattySlug]

You need to learn how to vary your sentence opening and use more complex sentences in your personal statement; do that and you will see that the dreaded "I" appears a lot less frequent.

I am not native speaker, came here at 17, and was quite a lousy writer, but after buying a writing guide and use http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/, my writing has become much smoother. A few personal statement reader on SDN told me my personal statement is definitely one of the better ones.

Don't worry about it for the draft just get your ideas on paper first and edit sentences later. Good luck.

 

[music2doc]

You are going to have to use "I" some. In mine, I used "I" about 25 times, "me" about 5 times, and "my" nearly 20 times. I also used "we" and "our" about 5 times (total). The fact is that this is about you, so you do, in fact, need to use first person forms fairly often. That said, you do want to create variety. Figure out ways to say things in different ways. You needn't always be the main character of every story told. I often had patients or colleagues sharing my spotlight, for instance.

 

[IHOPness]

It's a personal statement not a term paper or thesis. Use "I" all when it is appropriate.