<p>I'm applying for freshman student for Fall 2013 and wanted to get an idea regarding how a successful personal statement reads. So if anyone feels comfortable posting their own personal statements here or PM me, it would be much appreciated...</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...!</p>
<p>Some general advice:</p>
<p>Prompt 1 for Freshman Applicants</p>
<p>The way Prompt 1 is worded can be a bit misleading. According to what I heard from Berkeley admissions (and Irvine, according to a student who attended a workshop there), application evaluators want you to discuss your dreams and aspirations, and what you have done so far to achieve those dreams and aspirations. You may define your world if it is an important part of your motivation or drive to achieve your dreams/aspirations, but you should NOT use your personal statement to describe your family, school or community.</p>
<p>I recommend approaching the first prompt by figuring out what your dreams/aspirations are and what you have done to work toward achieving those dreams/aspirations.</p>
<p>Your dreams and aspirations can be broad or specific; perhaps you aspire to help people (broad) or maybe your dream is to be a TB specialist serving with Doctors Without Borders in Somalia (specific). Either way, you should discuss how your achievements (academic and/or extracurricular) have helped you move toward achieving those dreams/aspirations. You also want to consider talking about how you plan to continue these achievements in college.</p>
<p>If you choose to discuss your world, focus on how your world has shaped your ambition, motivation, and/or drive, and how it has compelled you to achieve your dreams/aspirations.</p>
<p>Whatever you choose to discuss in this prompt, remember that the main focus should be on YOU; what you have accomplished, what your goals are for the future, and why you will succeed (in college and/or in life).</p>
<p>Prompt 2 for All Applicants</p>
<p>Prompt 2 is a way for you to showcase something about yourself that makes you stand out from your peers. You can do that by discussing a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience (pq/t/a/c/e for short). Make sure you cover 1) why this pq/t/a/c/e is important to you; 2) why you are proud of this pq/t/a/c/e; and 3) what the pq/t/a/c/e says about you as an individual. You may also consider discussing how this pq/t/a/c/e will help you succeed in college.</p>
<p>Again, the main focus of your essay should be on YOU; what makes you different from other applicants, who you are as a person (beyond your grades and test scores), and what interests you have. You can also think of Prompt 2 as a commercial spot for yourself. What would be the theme of the commercial? What clips from your life would be featured in the commercial?</p>