<p>Well, I've been confused about what to write about for my personal statements - I know the topics, but I just don't know what to focus on ~</p>
<p>I heard (or read :P) that one should write about events that have shaped character, or affected point of views. </p>
<p>So many things have happened to me, that I don't know what to focus on. </p>
<p>My PCOS has affected me (even tho it's not a big deal like cancer or anything),
Me being the only Non-Christian in a pious Christian school has affected me, and taught me a lot (not in a negative way or anything)...it has exposed me to a different point of view, and taught me a lot about communication & differences...
The difference in my values and the values of my family (in Bangladesh)...
My horrible relationship with my step-mother...and awful home life (not particularly abusive or anything)...
My diversity has affected me (I move around a lot)...& taught me the meaning of understanding many point of views.
My struggles between my attitude and keeping my grades up have affected me. </p>
<p>To me, these events have made a huge difference in who I am today - but, it may not seem like it to other people...How do I convey my feelings correctly?</p>
<p>None of my "stories" have anything to do with Racism or Discrimination...even though the topics suggest otherwise, but I have had experience with these two topics...In the end, I managed to overturn the opinions of many...but, how do I put it in such a way, that it doesn't seem...touchy?</p>
<p>I don't want to write about anything particularly touchy (I don't think it's recommended)...</p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Thanks so much </p>
<p>btw, if you're applying to a UC...can you use that same personal statement/essay to fulfill the essay requirements of another university...or do we have to write a different essay, even with the same topic?</p>
<p>Gosh…i was going over my post and felt stupid. lol. </p>
<p>It sounds as if i wanted to people to give me an idea to write about. </p>
<p>Bleh. IGNORE THIS POST. haha. </p>
<p>I guess all i wanted to know was how would writing about the touchy stuff affect my essay? I know i could totally pull it off in a mature and positive manner.</p>
<p>Well all of those potential topics could make good essays, but it seems to me that you are purposely picking hardships that have affected you. While admission officers think it is great to read an essay that shows overcoming a hardship, it seems as if you are trying too hard to find hardships to write about.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong writing about a hardship, but you have to ask yourself - “am I writing about this topic because of what I learned, or am I writing this topic because it sounds like a good, and MAYBE (not accusing you of anything), I will get a little sympathy.”</p>
<p>Im not going to deny it - used hardships as essay topics just because it gets me a little sympathy, but for college admission essays doing that will often result in a pity essay that fails at conveying what was learned.</p>
<p>Point is - if you are going to write about any of these topics, make sure you are writing about them PURELY because you feel they sculpted you today, and NOT because they make it seem like you had a hard life.</p>
<p>I too have faced hardships - illness, death, etc - all could have made good essays…instead, I wrote about getting into and making a business out of Ebay…much much much more positive.</p>
<p>Picking one of these topics simply because it sounds like a heavy topic will result in a very unclear and unfocused essay, and I hate it to say it but the essay will flounder on all spectrums…UNLESS, you truly believe, that above everything else, this event has changed you the most.</p>
<p>Focus on something positive. Even if you present a hardship, try to draw a positive lesson you have learned from it.</p>
<p>Many of your topics seem a bit too broad to stuff into an essay. Or at least overwhelming, as I’m sure there are several components to each. Try thinking of specific aspects of each of those topics. What made you consider these as topics in the first place? Why are they significant to you? Was there a particular event or image that made you realize it was significant to you? Recognizing how your past made you who you are in the present might help you focus your essays a bit more.</p>
<p>I hope that helps. I know tracing my past certainly helped me with my essay.
(And of course, take my advice with a grain of salt! I’m also applying this year.)</p>
<p>@rbethell76: Thanks soo much! My hardships have influenced me positively! But, i do agree, it’s best to not seem as if I want sympathy. The reason why i want to write about a hardship is because, honestly, none of my hobbies have made me who i am today; im more of a “deep” writer, and i fail to write about simple occurances or goals. I don’t agree with the whole “gaining pity” thing…I just want the admissions officers to know that there is more to my skin than just decent grades, scores, and achievements. I had to fight to win…(well, i haven’t won anything yet…maybe if i got into a UC - it would be winning. XD) </p>
<p>@littlepenguin: Ya i totally agree with you! My topics are slightly broad; I need to be specific…but it’s just so hard. Im so indecisive! Haha! But thanks for your advice! It was really helpful! :D</p>
I don’t agree with the whole “gaining pity” thing…I just want the admissions officers to know that there is more to my skin than just decent grades, scores, and achievements. I had to fight to win…(well, i haven’t won anything yet…maybe if i got into a UC - it would be winning. XD) </p>
Haha! But thanks for your advice! It was really helpful! :D</p>