Final Tip--Appearance of Personal Essay

The first impression that your essay will make on the reader is its appearance. To start, the paper should be white and at least 20 pound weight. It really isn't necessary to use cotton content nor does it need a watermark.

For an optimum visual impact, implement the following:

1. In the upper right corner of the header, type your name and your student ID#. As a precaution to identity theft, do NOT use your social security number.

2. On the center of the page, type Personal Essay.

3. Set your left and right margins at one inch.

4. Use full justification--it looks neat and visually pleasing.

5. Unless directed to double space, I prefer 1.5 spacing.

6. Keep spacing between paragraphs at 1.5, but indent each paragraph.

7. Use a tailored font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Size 12 or 14 font will work.

8. The average essay is two pages long (about 750 words).

9. Stay within the designated word count. It is better to go under than to exceed.

10. Above all else, follow their directions meticulously.

11. No staples.

12. Double check for punctuation and/or grammatical errors.

13. Your essay should look pristine--no corrections, no smudges no folds nor wrinkles.

14. Mail it along with your other documents in a white 9 X 12 envelope.

15. Allow at least three weeks prior to the deadline to submit.

16. Be sure you have put enough postage on the envelope.

17. Believe that you deserve to win. Good luck!!

Tip Six Personal Statement

Are you satisfied with what you have written? Does the content reflect a true image of who you are? Who or what motivated you to return to college? Any challenges that you have made along the way? What you have learned about yourself? What your career goals are? What your plans are to meet your educational goals? Did you express enthusiasm and motivation? Is your essay interesting? Compelling?

The next step is to check very carefully for grammatical and punctuation errors. Once you are convinced that you have done everything possible to write a winning essay,ask a trusted friend to read it. Take it to the Learning Skills Center and ask someone to critique it.

Now rewrite with all of the corrections. If you are a student at the College of the Desert, please make an appointment with me so that I can give it a final check, Please have it on a flashdrive so that I can make any quick revisions. At that time, I will print out several final copies.

Please allow enough time. I am happy to help you, but realize that my schedule is tight and I want to devote enough time to reading your statement.

Good luck!!

Tip Five Personal Statement

By now, you should have a dynamite first paragraph which engages the reader. It is now time to work on the rest of your personal statement.

The following are some suggestions to get you on your way:
1. Is there something that you accomplished that may have seemed small at the time,
but has had a big impact on your life?

2. What is there about you that makes you special?

3. Have you overcome some challenge? How did it change you?

4. Have you struggled and succeeded?

5. Have you struggled and failed? How did you respond?

6. Was there an event that opened your eyes?

7. How would your friends describe you?

Tip Four Personal Statement

Once you have written and rewritten your first paragraph so that it is powerful, start expanding your main focus. This essay is about you and not about anything or anyone who may have influenced you in your chosen career. Naturally, you want to have some background information on why you decided to return to college, but the reader wants to know who you are.

What are your values? What are your interests? How motivated are you? Are you committed to following through on your formal education? Are you enthusiastic? The way you express yourself is very telling.

Let the scholarship committee know how special you are. It is your job to convince them that you are the one who is deserving of their award.

Tip Three Personal Statement

Your next step is to work exclusively on your first paragraph. How can you make it interesting enough to HOOK the reader? It is important to engage the reader immediately.

Remember, the judges have many other applications to read and your personal statement is the most important part of your application. You want your essay to be read and in order to do that, you must write a compelling statement.

Tip Two for Writing Your Personal Essay

Can't figure out where to start? Try brainstorming. Sit down with a blank sheet of paper and start writing down ideas. Don't judge, don't worry about grammar or punctuation--just try to think about why you are in college and your goals.

Who or what inspired you? What do you plan to do when you complete your education? Have you had any hardships and how were they overcome? What did you learn about yourself? What are your passions?

I think you get the picture. You are trying to focus on presenting a picture of yourself that projects who you really are and why you are deserving of the scholarship being offered.

Tip One for Writing Your Personal Essay

Follow Directions:
This is so important!! Please read the application directions very carefully. Most organizations will tell you precisely what they are looking for in your personal essay. Some donors with whom I have worked over the years have designated not only the number of words but, the size of the font, spacing, format and, of course, the content.

Stay within the word count. It is better to write less rather than more. The average essay is about 750 words which is about two pages of size 12 font. I prefer using 1.5 spacing rather than 2 spaces. However, if the directions indicate two spaces, follow their directions.

I like to use left and right justification because it makes the page look neat and organized. The visual is your first opportunity to make a good impression. White paper (20 pound weight) is fine to use.

Of course, it goes without saying, grammar and punctuation should be perfect.