10 tips on how to write an outstanding personal statement

For many of us, writing (or talking) about ourselves isn’t always easy. But when one of the most common scholarship interview questions is “What are your strengths?”, it’s something we need to get comfortable with. So, how do you get into the mindset to write a personal statement that’s all about you?

Fortunately, you have more time to prepare and write your personal statement or "elevator pitch". Unlike an interview, you’re not put on the spot here. But sometimes, just figuring out where to start can seem to take forever.

You can do this! Here are 10 tips on how to write a personal statement for college applications or any other personal statement.

1. Stick to any personal statement requirements

Most personal statements will come with a set of requirements. Many schools, scholarships, or positions you are applying for will request that you answer a question or discuss a specific topic in a personal statement or essay. If there are specific requirements, make sure you stick to them. Doing this right away shows how well you follow instructions.

Another common requirement might include a page or word count for the essay (e.g., 500 words max). Depending on the limit, you might have to be quite succinct. Having said that, it’s always important to keep your writing to the point, even if there is no length requirement.

Your personal statement for a job and resume should be a concise three to five sentence summary that gets to the heart of who you are and what you want to accomplish. Think of it as your elevator pitch.

2. Talk to others about your essay

Before you start writing, talk to your close friends and family. Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with a list of your strengths, so have others help you with this. Ask them questions like:

• What do you think sets me apart?
• What strengths do you see in me?
• Are there any stories you remember that show those strengths in action?

Hearing their answers can spark great ideas to write about—plus, it can be a confidence boost!

3. Organize your thoughts BEFORE you start writing

Sit down and outline your personal statement to structure what you want to say before you start to write. Not only will this help keep your thoughts organized, but it will also ensure that your essay flows nicely, stays on topic, and remains within the word count.

Outlining helps you:

• Start with a strong hook that grabs attention
• Stay on topic and avoid rambling
• See how much space you have left to express yourself
• Make room for specific stories that showcase your strengths

4. Be positive and prepared

Even if the topic you’re given, or question you’re asked, is adversarial (like your biggest weakness or a major challenge you’ve faced), make sure you present yourself in a positive light. You want to show how you’ve grown, what you’ve learned, and why you’re a strong candidate. Let the reader know why they should choose you above everyone else.

Don’t be afraid to do a bit of research. For example, essays or scholarships may ask you questions like “why do you want to go to our college?” or “why do you deserve this scholarship?” Learn what makes each program unique and how it connects to your goals. Don’t make things up—the reader will know.

5. Show, don’t tell

Your academic record is responsible for telling everything you’ve accomplished—from your test scores and grades to where you volunteered and completed your internship. Your personal statement is your opportunity to show who you are. Instead of saying, “I’m a hard worker,” describe a moment when you stayed late to finish a group project. Remember this: specific examples stick with the reader.

6. Address inconsistencies in your record

If there is something on your academic records that might raise some questions, this is your opportunity to explain it. For example, if you struggled in your freshman and sophomore years and failed a few classes, you probably don’t have a 4.0 GPA, but you might have a high ACT/SAT score. So, when someone looks through your records (e.g., transcript, test scores, etc.), they might be confused by the discrepancies. Use your personal statement to explain what was going on in your life, your mistakes, what you’ve learned, or how your attitude towards school has evolved.

And while some things are good to explain in a personal statement, there are also topics you should avoid. If you are unsure whether or not something should be included, ask a teacher or mentor. You want to keep things professional, even though it’s personal.

7. Know your audience

Who are you talking to? Make sure your tone and content are based on who will be reading it. For instance, colleges may want to see your passion and willingness to grow, while an employer may be looking for professionalism and characteristics that are a good fit for the company culture. Do your research and plan ahead.

8. Tie it back to your goals

If you are telling a story about your past, don’t just leave it in the past. Always tie it into the bigger picture of where you see yourself in the future. For example, if you write about helping care for a younger sibling, show how that experience shaped your desire to become a teacher or nurse. Your personal statement should always point to why this opportunity is the best next step for you.

9. Proofread your personal statement

Poor grammar and spelling mistakes are a surefire way to have your application tossed without a second glance. It doesn’t matter if you’re competing against three or 3,000 other students—incorrect grammar always looks bad.

If you are short on time or don’t have anyone around to proofread for you, try reading it out loud. You'll likely catch awkward phrasing, missing words, or spots where punctuation is incorrect. You can also use helpful resources like Grammarly. Not only will it proofread for grammar and spelling, but it can also offer suggestions for clarity, tone, and style.

10. Seek feedback

Before submitting your final draft, ask your school counselor, teacher(s), or someone else you trust to not only read over your work, but also to provide feedback. They can help find parts that you should exclude, places to be clearer, or where you need to further explain a few details. Feedback can help you communicate what you’re trying to say more clearly because it is from an outsider’s perspective, rather than your own.

Remember, receiving and working with feedback is something you’ll be doing the rest of your life, so it is good practice now. Constructive critiquing will always benefit you, so just remember that it isn’t a personal attack, it’s simply intended to be helpful.

4 personal statement examples

Here are samples of personal statements for your college applications and why they work:

1. Who am I—a personal overview

Example:

I’m someone who’s always trying to figure things out—whether it’s how to solve a problem, help a friend, or get better at something I care about. I’m curious by nature and tend to dive headfirst into things that interest me. I value hard work, not just for the sake of achievement, but because I believe in growing from the process.

I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I care deeply about the effort I put into everything. I've learned that setbacks aren't the end of my story, but rather they help me reflect, pivot, and keep moving forward. Having this mindset has helped me bounce back from early academic struggles, get involved in my community, and most importantly, stay motivated even in challenging times.

At the end of the day, I want to make a difference. I’m not finished growing—and that’s the point. I want to keep learning and find a path that lets me do something meaningful with the strengths I'm still discovering.

Why It Works: This personal statement is effective because it conveys the student’s growth mindset without relying on vague or overused phrases like “I have potential” or “I’m a hard worker.” Instead, they briefly reflect on how they've adopted a mindset that helps them grow. They keep their tone honest, relatable, and point their statement toward the future, as someone who is eager to keep learning and contributing.

2. What can you tell us about yourself?

Example:

I have always been passionate about computers. Since my early teens, my family and friends have been calling on me to solve software issues, hard drive problems, or even build their computers. However, I also enjoy doing these tasks in my free time! Additionally, I participate in my school’s swim team and enjoy attending our local tech club’s weekly meetings.

Why It Works: This response works as a personal statement because you’re stating you’ve been passionate about something for a long time. You’re even considered the expert among your peers. That shows dedication and know-how, and is especially good if you’re majoring in the discussed subject. You’re also talking about your other interests outside of your primary passion to show you’re a well-rounded person and part of a community.

3. Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses

Example:

One of my biggest strengths is my dedication to a project. Once I start working on an assignment or hobby, I make sure to finish it all the way. However, this strength is also a weakness because I tend to focus too much on the details. While I want the project to be perfect, I sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture. I’m trying to overcome this tendency towards perfectionism by focusing more on the overall objective. This approach has resulted in an improvement in my work.

Why It Works: This response focuses on your dedication and confidence in a project, while also talking about how you are aware you have things to work on. You even mention how you’re going to work to improve on your weakness. Talking about how you’re improving yourself shows the school that you’re aware of your weaknesses, but are actively taking steps to learn and grow.

4. Why do you want to attend this school?

Example:

I have always dreamed of attending ____ University. I have visited the campus several times, and I am always impressed by its meticulous attention to detail and beauty. The kindness exhibited by the staff and students is also noteworthy. However, the most compelling reason for choosing this school is its exceptional biology program. I am confident that this program will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue my career goal of becoming a top ecologist.

Why It Works: This example talks about how attending the university is not just a passing interest by stating it has been on your mind for a while now, but you’ve also visited the campus quite a few times. You compliment the campus, staff, and program while talking about how it can help with your future goals. You’re also displaying that you know exactly what you’d like to do upon graduation, so you show you have a plan.

Before you hit “submit,” make sure your personal statement aligns with the schools you’re applying to. Use College Raptor's College Match tool to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the U.S.—for FREE!