Writing Personal Statements
What Is a Personal Statement?
A personal statement is your opportunity to explain who you are, why you’re applying, and what makes you a strong candidate. It’s not just about academics—it’s about your story, values, goals, and what you'll bring to the college community.
For many nontraditional students, this is the place to highlight life experience, resilience, and motivation. Whether you're returning after military service, raising a family, changing careers, or going to college for the first time later in life, your story matters.
What Admissions Committees Are Looking For?
While each college has its own expectations, most personal statements aim to answer some version of:
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Who are you and what’s shaped your path?
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Why are you applying to this school or program?
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What are your educational and career goals?
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How will this opportunity help you succeed?
You’re not expected to have a perfect resume just an honest, thoughtful explanation of your journey and goals.
Tell Your Story Authentically
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Share what led you to apply now.
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Include challenges you’ve overcome (such as military service, parenting, career shifts, or economic hardship).
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Emphasize growth, reflection, and readiness to succeed in college.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Use specific examples:
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“Working 12-hour shifts while taking night classes taught me how to manage time and stay focused.”
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“After caring for my parents through illness, I realized I wanted a career in healthcare.”
Connect the Dots
Make sure your personal, academic, and professional goals are clearly linked. For example:
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“My time in the Marines taught me discipline and leadership. I now want to apply in a degree program focused on organizational management.”
Explain Gaps or Detours Honestly
If your transcript has gaps, low grades, or a delayed start, explain what happened but focus more on what’s changed and why you’re prepared now.
Maybe you enrolled in college previously and did poorly (or didn't even go). You are not the person then because of the things you have done since.
Formal Writing Tips
Even though your story is personal, your tone should be professional and polished. Keep these writing guidelines in mind:
Structure
Use a clear format:
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Introduction – Catch the reader’s interest and give a preview of your story
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Body paragraphs – Tell your story with examples, challenges, and lessons learned
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Conclusion – Explain why you’re ready and how the college fits your goals
Tone
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Stay positive and focused
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Avoid slang or overly casual language
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Keep the spotlight on growth, reflection, and future plans
Grammar & Mechanics
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Write in complete sentences
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Watch out for run-ons, fragments, or repetition
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Vary your sentence structure for flow
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Proofread carefully or read it out loud to check for awkward phrasing
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Have someone read your letter, anyone and ask them if they understand what you are trying to say.
Where to Get Help with Writing:
Writing doesn’t have to be a solo process. Use these tools and services for grammar help, feedback, and revisions:
Online Tools
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Grammarly – Free tool to catch grammar errors and offer style suggestions
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Hemingway Editor – Helps simplify and clarify writing
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Purdue OWL – Excellent grammar and writing guides, including college writing samples
People & Places to Ask for Feedback
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Campus Writing Center – Most colleges (even community colleges) offer free tutoring or writing help
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Veterans centers or student support services – Often offer writing workshops for adult learners
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Friends, mentors, or trusted coworkers – Ask someone who knows you professionally to review your draft
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Academic advisors or adult learner specialists – They may be willing to give feedback or direct you to support
You Have a Story Worth Telling
As a nontraditional student, your journey is powerful. You’ve overcome challenges, built real-world experience, and made a deliberate choice to pursue higher education. This personal statement is your chance to share that.
You’re not behind—you’re bringing depth and determination to the table. Let your statement reflect that.
Downloadable Resources
We’re preparing free tools to help you write and revise with confidence:
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Personal Statement Brainstorming Worksheet
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Essay Outline Template
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Revision Checklist for Grammar and Style
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Sample Essays with Notes