<p>I'm applying at University of Arizona and just finished writing my personal statement. This is what was posted at U of A's website:</p>
<p>** A personal statement is our best means of getting to know you and your best means of putting your academic performance and activities in the context of your life. There are no “wrong” answers. When you write your personal statement, tell us about those aspects of your life that are not evident from your academic record. Because personal statements are brief, they usually focus on one aspect of a student’s life. For example, you could focus on a character-defining moment, a cultural awareness, a challenge faced, family background or cultural heritage, individual talents, academic commitment, or extracurricular activities. Tell us what you would like us to know about you in considering you for admission and/or scholarships.</p>
<p>Please use the space below to provide your personal statement. If you choose to send additional pages, be sure to put your name and date of birth on the top of the page. Please limit your answer to fewer than 500 words. If you choose not to provide a personal statement, please be advised that we will be lacking important information about you. **</p>
<p>Please proofread my essay and be honest :)! If you can, rate it on a 1-10 scale and tell me if I should just start over or not. Thanks!</p>