Essay Topics vs. Personal Statement

Applying to College
1

<p>I am very confused. On this website I see CCers talking about essays and personal statements. Sorry for the naive question... Are these two different written statements that need to be sent in or are these one and the same?</p>

<p>Should my D send in an essay (for example, in response to a Common App prompt) and a personal statement in the "Do you have anything more to tell to Admissions" section. Or does she send in one essay.</p>

<p>I realize that for some applications, such as Villanova's and Techs, they tell you exactly what they want. For others it is not quite clear.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any ideas or opinions on this issue.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Well I know for sure that essays are essays, and I’m sure you understand what those are. It seems the question is what exactly is a personal statement, and I think it depends on the school. I have seen personal statements like what you mentioned, where the app asks “Do you have anything more to tell to Admissions,” and I have seen apps such as University of Wisconsin-Madison who just call their essays personal statements.</p>