<p>So..what do we say for our personal statements</p>
<p>Whatever comes to you. I dislike the idea behind this question. There’s no formula.</p>
<p>I mean so the topic of personal statements doesn’t have to be academically related?</p>
<p>No, and it probably shouldn’t be anyway, because academics are boring. 
Have you seen the Common App prompts?</p>
<p>Yes, and I know the exact one I like too, but I didn’t know if that rule still applied for regular applications.</p>
<p>@Tiaram,</p>
<p>Academic topics almost always come out weaker, and give the reader the sense that you don’t have all that much going on outside of school. </p>
<p>The admissions staff tends to be an outgoing and sociable crowd, so talking about school and bookish endeavors isn’t the best way to appeal to them.</p>
<p>I’m not saying it can’t work - some people have a knack for making dry topics interesting. But you start with a considerable advantage if you pick a topic that naturally appeals to the average adult reader.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.theappstyle.com%5B/url%5D”>www.theappstyle.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks that helped a lot! My essay is going to be good ( at least i hope!)</p>
<p>The admissions staff can look to your gpa, courses, grades, etc. if they wanted to know about your academics. Use the essay to provide a glimpse into your personality.</p>
<p>So, is the personal statement the same as the essay we are required to write?</p>
<p>Generally, personal statement = Common App essay = required essay. Other essays are called supplement essays.
Schools that don’t use the Common App essay may require a similar essay, and you can just submit the one you used for the Common App, assuming it answers the prompt.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>