<p>Some people say it's fine to use an essay written for another school when asked for a personal statement. Are you also (or instead) supposed to maybe say why that particular school would be great for you to attend or add anything special that you think might help them understand you a person? when do you get to say I want to attend your school... It's a great fit for me because... Type of stuff? I feel like a personal statement should be a little more "personal" than a standard essay. Can anyone point me in the right direction? My last child did only did regular essays.</p>
<p>My kids ‘personal statements’ were their main common app essays - not school specific. They told something about themselves. If a school wants a “why us” essay, they will ask for it in their supplement. Some schools don’t ask those questions.</p>
<p>My older son’s main essay (which was mostly about computer programming) ended with something like “and that’s why I want to go to ___ college.” Since his essay bascially said “I’m a computer nerd take me” and he applied to colleges where it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a decent education in comp sci, he just changed out the name of the college. </p>
<p>Younger son had common application essays he used everywhere and said nothing about colleges at all. But he did tailor the supplements to each school. For several colleges he used the same structure for the “Why ___ college?” question, but with a slightly different list of defects and attributes. It was a funny essay, easily adaptable to each college.</p>
<p>Thanks.
His English teacher told him one of his essays would be fine to use, but that essay was specific to a college (wouldn’t have made sense to insert the other school name) so I wasn’t very confident in her answer. I’ll tell him he can use a general essay but try to get te school name in it somewhere if possible.</p>
<p>I’m concerned my son isn’t addressing the personal statement correctly. It asks him to share info. About his background or experience that may not be readily available from his application or supporting documentation. It also asks to share any Special circumstances or reasons for attending the school. I’m thinking it should address that school specifically, not be a generic essay. Is that correct?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>The personal statement on the common application is generally an essay written in creative non fiction in narrative form that shows often thru memories, images, sounds the applicant in a personal way. Good places to start would be old journals, photos, current journal my or brain storming, a creative non fiction class etc. it is not a “why do you want to attend this school.” Often a small slice of life is better and more appropriate. No epiphanies need to be had. No lessons learned. d wrote about what it was like as a young child in a two working parent household. </p>
<p>Mom, you son is correct, it’s an essay abut him that is usually not tailored to each individual college. Colleges will often have a separate “why us?” Essay.</p>
<p>I disagree, I think Mom is correct. If the prompt is to talk</p>
<p>“About his background or experience that may not be readily available from his application or supporting documentation. It also asks to share any Special circumstances or reasons for attending the school.”, </p>
<p>then you would not submit an essay you used for a different prompt. You need to pay attention, when they are asking for background you give it to them. And when they ask what your reasons are for attending the school, you definitely include that.</p>
<p>Sometimes essays can be used for several schools, like usually you don’t change your Common Application, you just use the same prompt. Or if it fits the prompt at another college, then you can use it again. But if the prompt is different you don’t just ignore it and submit whatever essay you want or just submit your CA essay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification. Is this the new prompt for the common application? I apologize. I was thinking about the common app prompt from 2 years ago.</p>
<p>If it matters, I was summarizing the prompt from Indiana University.
Thanks for the help… Seems like it’s confusing to many people.</p>
<p>I am going to leave it up to my son, but suggest he lean away from other essays and focus on why he is interested in IU.</p>
<p>Yes, it matters a great deal! Of course he should answer the prompt for the specific school in that case. To me, ‘personal statement’ is the generic essay they write for the common app, and with no specifics, that’s how I answered your original question. There is also an IU forum here if you have college specific questions. [Indiana</a> University - Bloomington - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/indiana-university-bloomington/]Indiana”>Indiana University - Bloomington - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>Thanks. I asked a similar question on that forum. He submitted the application tonight. Keep your fingers crossed</p>