🚫 3 Things NOT to Do in Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement isn’t a resumé, a brag sheet, or a performance. It’s your story—and too many students get stuck trying to impress instead of connect.

Here are 3 common mistakes to avoid—and what to do instead:

1️⃣ Don’t Write a Resumé in Paragraph Form

Your essay shouldn’t repeat what’s already in your activities list or honors section.

❌ “I led this club, volunteered here, won this award…”

✅ Instead, zoom in on one story that reveals something deeper about you.

Ask:

What moment challenged or shaped you?
What insight did you gain?
How does it connect to who you are and what you value?

💡 Remember: Your achievements already have a home in the rest of the application. This is where you add dimension to who you are.

2️⃣ Don’t Try to Impress Admissions Officers

Trying to sound impressive usually backfires.

❌ Big words, overly formal tone, or “humble brags”

✅ Instead, write how you actually speak, with clarity and authenticity.

You don’t need a grand story or perfect grammar. The best essays feel human. What matters most is honest reflection and a clear takeaway.

📌 Insight > vocabulary. Authenticity > perfection.

3️⃣ Don’t Be a Robot

If your essay feels polished but flat, you’re missing the mark.

Admissions officers don’t want a polished product—they want a person. Someone with real thoughts, emotions, and growth.

✅ Be reflective. Be imperfect. Be evolving.

✅ Share your thought process, not just what happened.

✅ Show personality—this is your one chance to speak directly to them.

Bonus Tip: If someone else could write your essay, it’s not unique enough yet.

Your goal isn’t to sound perfect. It’s to sound like yourself, at your most thoughtful.

Take a look at the Mock Personal Statements posted over this past weekend—that should give you more insight. I'll make a post soon on how I built those 💜

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