How to Write a Personal Statement

SOS Workshop—Scholarship Writing Workshop

Porscha dela FuenteInstructor, Kahikoluamea

What Will I Cover?

The Scholarship Process—Types & OverviewWhat is a Personal Statement?Determining Purpose & Audience3 Questions to ConsiderKey Elements of the Writing StyleHave a PlanYou Try—Workshop Time!

Scholarship Types

CategoriesInternal (within Kapi’olani CC and UH system)Local (Alu Like, Kamehameha Trust, Hawaii Community

Foundation)National (STEM, discipline related, Service-Learning)

ComponentsMerit—Academic, gradesFinancial Need—FAFSAQualifier—major, ethnicity, high school

The Scholarship Process

Scholarships are the ideal “gifts.”

Some are for 2 or 4 years of college while others are short-term (by semester). Others are just for supplies like books or media/technology.

Therefore, even gifts have requirements.

Review Process

Submit all of your paperwork—includes application, letters of recommendation, FAFSA, personal statement, and transcripts all postmarked by due date.

1st PHASE—ScreeningCommittee checks to makesure paperwork is in order:

SignaturesComplete App. (filled out, components) Writing meets criteria required—length, time

Review Process con’t

2nd PHASE—EliminationCommittee reads through paperwork to ensure candidateis a good match.

Personal Statement becomes the marker of the individual. It is the one element of the application you have creative control over.

Meaning…the Personal Statement is an important factor in this process.

What is a Personal Statement?

A Picture…

of yourself as a person,student, and potentialscholarship recipient.

Who are you?What do you want to be?What kind of contribution can

you make and how?

What is a Personal Statement?

An Invitation…

to get to know you. Abridge between thecommittee and you.Goal is to make thereaders feel welcome.

What are important moments in your life?What is your personal background?Why are you the best candidate?

What is a Personal Statement?

An Indicator…

of your priorities andjudgments.

What are your motivations? What is your education andcareer goals? What you say and how yousay it is crucial.

What is a Personal Statement?

A Story…more precisely, yourstory.

A place to tell yourstory descriptively,authentically andprecisely.

A Personal Statement is NOT

An academic paperA resume in narrative formA journal entryA plea or justification

To avoid these pitfalls, utilize the:1) PURPOSE and

2) AUDIENCEof the scholarship you are applying for.

PURPOSE and AUDIENCE

Purpose: determine the mode of writing. How will I respond to this?

What is the prompt asking you to do?

Describe (#1) Propose Inform Persuade

HINT: 1) Look at past writing assignments. 2) Refer to a writing manual.

Audience: determine the recipient of the writing.

Who will be reading your statement?

What are their values? What do they need to know? What are their expectations?

HINT: 1) Refer to their website for mission & values. 2) Events &/or organizations they support.

Key Elements of the Writing Style

Types of Personal Statements:

1) Open-ended, conventional statementNo formal prompt, looking for creative

approach

2) Specific question/promptScholarship or organization will devise

a question for you to answer.

3 Questions to Consider

WHO?family, background, experiences

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?education & career goals, reasons for attending

college, plans after college, career choice, motivations

WHAT ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?academic achievements, sports, clubs &

organizations, employment, volunteer work, personal

interests

Things to do:

Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences – backpack, journey, steps to a goal

Hook the reader with an intriguing, personal introduction

Share with the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say

Acceptable to use “I” in your writing

Things to do:

Meets the guidelines—length & topic Be yourself, not the “ideal” applicant –

authentic Focus on the affirmative Use readable fonts, typeface, and

conventional spacing and margins, clean copies

Visit the scholarship’s website for additional information

Things NOT to do

Be careful with humorAvoid cliché sayings, repetition/wordiness Do not complain or whine about the

circumstances in your lifeDo not talk about money as a motivatorDo not submit supplemental materials unless

they are requested

Organization Strategies

Personal Statements are not organized around a set model/style. This can be liberating OR maddening.

Therefore follow any of these organizing strategies:

1) Past--Present--Future2) Short term, Long term goals3) Themes: share ideas around your personal,

academic and career goals

Getting Started…Are You Ready?

List all of your qualifiers: age, ethnicity, major, high school, community service

Visit KISC Financial Aid Office to find out about internal scholarships you are eligible for

Start shopping: seek out scholarships you match withChart requirements & due dates for scholarships

Develop Yourself (Personal Marketing) Improve grades Join clubs/organizations, volunteer Make connectionsschool, work, community

Personal Marketing

Give yourself time to develop – relationships & learning

Get involved in projects and causes you care about

Make connections within your major/fieldTalk to others that apply for scholarships

Have a Plan

Read up on your scholarship, what is it asking for? What do you need to provide? Unsure about requirements, call/email & ask

Start planning & drafting your personal statement/essay as soon as possible

Chart due dates, materials required Commit to a calendar or planner system to stay on

track

Have a Plan

If you need a letter of recommendation, consider who knows you & your work best. Give time & notice to faculty/boss/coordinator Provide them with your personal statement &

scholarship requirementsGet feedback on your personal statement

draft, feedback, revise, draft, edit, copy (back-up) Visit a tutor, ask an instructor for feedback, talk about

it with a friend.

Don’t forget!

Visit your scholarship’s requirements for the Personal Statement:

Know Your Deadlines

FAFSA applications are eligible for submission after:

January 1st 2015

More information: Financial Aid Office

Ilima Building, Room 102

Phone: 808.734.9555Fax: 808.734.9896Email: kapinfo@hawaii.edu

Hours of OperationMon - Thurs, 8:00am - 4:00pmFriday, 8:00am - 1:00pmClosed Weekends and State Holidays

Know Your Deadlines

UH System Common Scholarship Application is due:

March 2nd at 4:00 p.m.

More information is located at:http://www.hawaii.edu/finaid/scholarships/system/Make sure your account is set-up.Review the parts of the application.Secure Letters of Recommendation.Stick to your deadlines.

You Try!

Use your scholarship prompt or select a prompt & write for about 10 minutes (brainstorm):

What ideas, books, theories or movements have made a profound impact on you?

Under what conditions do you perform your best, most creative work?

What errors or regrets have taught you something important about yourself?

What experience had a profound effect on your life or worldview?

Good Luck!

Success is the progressive, timely achievement of your stated goals.

~Charles J. Givens