Psst! How would you like to know the one thing that admissions committee members really want from applicants?
Here it is: they wish – sometimes they even dream – that applicants would stop writing what they imagine the adcom wants to hear. Instead, they want candidates to just be themselves, presented articulately, of course. We can’t even count the number of times adcom members have told us they want applicants to answer the essay questions directly and reveal what they really want the adcom readers to know about them.
Maybe it sounds simple to say, “Be yourself.” “Be authentic.” “Stand out.” But when you’re facing a blank screen. . . Well, it’s not so easy, right? Don’t worry, it’s not you. Personal statements are challenging to write!
Three ways to stand out by being yourself
How can you let your authentic voice shine through so that the person reading your essay feels as though they’ve met you – and wants to get to know you better?
1. Write about the right experiences.
Choose experiences that are meaningful to you and have influenced your thinking and life path. Don’t try to present yourself as someone you aren’t, in an attempt to impress the adcom. Not only can the adcom smell a fake, but everyone has unique experiences and perspectives that help them stand out. Embrace them!
When you tell your story, explain why it’s significant. Go deeper than just stating the plain facts of what happened. In what way was the experience meaningful? How did it have an impact on you – and perhaps on others, as well? These “others” might include an individual, a team, a group, an employer, or your company. How was the experience important or formative to your development? Going deeper into the significance of your story will enhance the adcom readers’ understanding of you as an individual. Consider how the story you tell will help them visualize you as a potential member of their community – and a future professional and alum.
2. Be truthful.
Don’t exaggerate or falsify anything in your profile. That’s automatically being untruthful, and it’s a ticket to the “rejection” pile.
And this leads us to our final tip. . .
3. Use your authentic voice.
Don’t change your voice for the sake of your essay. As we said at the beginning, falseness is obvious, especially to experienced adcom readers. It’s a huge turnoff. Authenticity is the key to being considered seriously. Some applicants try to use sophisticated vocabulary to dazzle the adcom, but this tactic usually backfires, so we don’t recommend it. If you don’t really know that fancy word you are thinking about using and would never otherwise use it, skip it. Sound like your true self.
Your best bet is to do what some of the world’s most skilled and admired writers do: write in clear, simple, direct language that springs from your heart and true inner core. Along related lines, if you’re not naturally a funny person, your essay is probably not the best time to try to crack jokes.
Does your essay effectively introduce you?
Only you have lived your life and had your unique experiences. The perspectives and goals you have earned on your journey will help you stand out in a crowded field. Convey what is special about you, and you will come across as authentically you.
After you’ve written your essay, how can you tell if it “works”? Does it introduce you in a way that lets you shine, naturally? A surefire way to test the waters is asking someone else to read it. We’ve read thousands of application essays and coached applicants to success. We know which elements of your profile help you stand out for all the right reasons.
Why not get a professional evaluation of your essay and specific advice on how to strengthen it before you submit your application? Let’s make sure your unique voice and story shine through as you apply to your top-choice program.
By Judy Gruen, former Accepted admissions consultant. Judy holds a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. She is also the co-author of Accepted’s first full-length book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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