How to Write a Personal Essay

High school and college students are often required to know how to write a personal essay. These are not the types of essays found on a class syllabus. Personal essays are the types of writing assignments used by colleges and universities to evaluate candidates for admission into a number of programs. There are also many internships and scholarships that are determined by the quality of the personal essay as written by potential recipients.

The purpose of a personal essay is to provide information about a given candidate in competition for enrollment or assistance. Many students who do not know how to write a personal essay make the mistake of simply recounting the information contained on their resume or curriculum vitae. Those who do know how to write a personal essay realize that this is the cardinal mistake made by most applicants! A personal essay is much more than the facts and events of an applicant’s life. When correctly written by a professional writer, a model personal essay will capture the essence of the individual while tying goals and ambitions to the program offerings. Those who know how to write an award-winning personal essay realize that this is often the one chance to make a lasting impression on the selection committee in charge of reviewing what are often hundreds of candidates.

Now that we have explored how not to write a personal essay, let’s consider some useful tips and hints for making that all-important first impression. The first suggestion in how to write a personal essay is to develop what fiction writers call a “hook.” This is the attention-grabbing opening to the personal essay that should read like a short story of an individual’s life. Care must be given to choose opening anecdotes or experiences based on their compatibility with the program or scholarship sought. If, for example, a student is applying for a scholarship for medical school, cleverly tell a story about the first day volunteering in the emergency room. This part of the personal essay should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to know more about the candidate.

The next requirement in how to write an effective personal essay is to thoroughly answer all the required questions. Often, this may be a simple declarative sentence, and others may have requests for details about education, experiences, goals, strengths, and like. Whatever the format for the personal essay, follow it to the letter. Nothing says “unqualified” faster than not following directions! While writing this section of the personal essay, the individual should strive to balance not enough information with too much information. Professional writers can guide the candidate through this section.

Many people who write a personal essay are uncomfortable about describing their strengths and qualifications for admission or scholarship funding. Again, this is a balance that professional writers can assist with to achieve the maximum impression without over-indulging. An individual’s accomplishments can often speak for themselves in demonstrating positive character traits. A model personal essay composed with the assistance of a professional writer will successfully achieve the positive impression needed to influence the selection committee. The guiding principle throughout the processes should be honesty. High school and college students should present themselves, their accomplishments, and their goals in a most favorable light with a professionally written personal essay. When they do, there is no need for embellishment.