Let Me Introduce Myself  When I was in eighth grade, I couldn’t read.

 Sitting cross-legged on the floor of a Bhimananagar slum dwelling in Bangalore, I ran my fingers across a fresh cut on my forehead.  I have been surfing Lake Michigan since I was threeyears-old.  I have old hands.  As a Mexican- American I am forever bound to the hyphen.

Thinking about Me Hobbies

Accomplishments

An Embarrassment

Bucket List- Something I will do

The Personal Statement  2 Prompts, students must address both  1,000 words total or less  View as personal interview on paper

Click on the “Tips” box

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personalstatement/index.html

The Personal Statement Statement #1: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Statement #2: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? Additional Comments: Use this space to tell us anything else you want us to know about you and your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application. Limit your response to 550 words or less.

The Personal Statement: Final Thoughts • Start early, get feedback, and REVISE!

• Define your motivation/momentum in topics you are passionate about • Decisions are never made on the personal statement alone • Avoid some common mistakes

Personal Statement Topics  The ‘You’ Question

To learn to think is to learn to question. Discuss a matter you once thought you knew ‘for sure’ that you have since learned to question. (Bryn Mawr College) How would you describe yourself as a human being? What quality do you like best in yourself and what do you like least? What quality would you most like to see flourish and which would you like to see wither? (Bates College)

Personal Statement Topics  The ‘Why Us’ Question

Please relate your interest in studying at _________ to your future goals. Why is UVM a good college choice for you? (University of Vermont) We would like to know what experiences have led you to select your professional field and objective? (Boston University)

Personal Statement Topics  The ‘Creative’ Question

You have just completed your 300 page autobiography. Please submit page 217. (University of Pennsylvania) What is your favorite book and why should every college students have read it. Do you believe there’s a generation gap? Describe the differences between your generation and others. (Denison University)

Focus and Detail Not: My month in Paris was incredible.

DO:

Not: Many different speakers came to Victor Valley College in my two years.

DO:

Focus and Detail Not: I have enjoyed every science class from biology to anatomy. DO: Not: A visit to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena has so many beautiful paintings from the ancients to the moderns. DO:

Scholarship Essay Paragraph One:

Introduction: Grab the reader’s attention

Provide basic background information about yourself to the committee

Scholarship Essay Paragraph two

Challenges and Obstacles Share an example of an obstacle you have overcome or a challenge you are currently facing. Give specific and concrete information. What have you learned from the experience? How has the experience affected or changed your life?

Scholarship Essay Paragraph three

Career goals What is your career goal?

Include detailed information about what you want to do and why. Has any volunteer/ leadership experience helped you discover your interest in this career? If you don’t know what career you want, go to paragraph 4.

Scholarship Essay Paragraph four

Educational Goals What is your educational goal?

Include detailed information about what you want to do and why. Has a volunteer or leadership experience led to your interest in this major? You may want to combine career and educational goals.

Scholarship Essay Paragraph five

Conclusion Summarize the main points of your essay.

Why are you the candidate for this scholarship? Remind them why it’s important for you to transfer and earn your degree.

How will you give back to the community? Explain why you need the money.