<p>Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but what exactly is the personal statement on the Tulane application looking for? I was reading over my Common App essay and thought it would fit the prompt fairly well. My essay is about how l realized that learning is a process, not an instantaneous thing when I went to my first ever debate tournament (it answers the failure prompt).</p>
<p>Do you all think that it would fit the prompt well enough, or should I write something else for the Personal Statement? I've already written my "Why Tulane" essay, so I just need to get this figured out and then I can submit my application.</p>
<p>I’m not steeped in this right now, so maybe somebody else can help you, but i think the personal statement is more of a picture of “who you are.” what are you interested in, what forces have made you what you are, what you value, where are you going, etc. It should be interesting. It can be funny, serious, whatever, but it should give them a sense of who this applying student is. If you have a choice to do it, it’s probably better to do it, assuming it’s a good little essay!</p>
<p>@akacesfan - How does Tulane’s prompt read, exactly?</p>
<p>@hanaviolet @fallenchemist This is how the prompt reads. Does my essay fit this prompt, or should I just write a separate essay for Tulane? My Why Tulane essay is already done, I just need to write the personal statement.</p>
<p>“By using this application, you are not required to submit a formal essay. However, we do ask that you write a personal statement (at least 250 words) – allowing Tulane to get an idea of who you are beyond your grades, classes and test scores. Please use this as an opportunity to tell the admission committee something about yourself that the application hasn’t already covered that we may take into consideration when reviewing your application.”</p>
<p>Yes I think that the Common App essay seems to apply to what Tulane is asking for. They will probably know it is your Common App essay, since they will be familiar with this year’s prompts even though they don’t use the Common App. But that is OK I think. Especially since you wrote a unique Why Tulane essay. But they know students are stressed and strapped for time with all these applications, and writing an entirely new essay when you have already written something original that answers their prompt seems quite unnecessary. </p>
<p>@fallenchemist You’re amazing! Thank you so much for being active on these forums, you’ve been extremely helpful!</p>