<p>I am having some serious trouble writing my personal statement. A few of my colleges require one, but I can't seem to do it without feeling like its just a list of traits with a few examples. I don't even know what sorts of things I should write.
Is there any other way to do it? Please help!</p>
<p>It isn't necessarily focused on you as a person (at your most general)--try focusing on a theme of some kind. I found it easiest to write my personal statement after I altered my approach... it might be easier to think of it like any old essay: you have to have a thesis with which to build your arguments around, right? And that is what you're doing, in a sense... arguing your value.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I would also suggest checking out some sample essays to jog your mind and to see how it's done. In general, you want it to be unique and to stand out. You want to avoid cliches. It's better to give detail and explain the significance of one thing than to jump around and briefly touch on several things. Check these sites out:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html</a>
<a href="http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html</a>
<a href="http://www.betteressays.com/samples.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.betteressays.com/samples.php</a></p>