One of the most widespread misconceptions about the college essay is that standout essays are those that tell a monumental story.

ABOUT 25 MINUTES AS WELL. THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS IS NEXT MONTH. IT’S JUST DAYS AWAY AND HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ARE WRITING PERSONAL STATEMENTS AND ESSAYS. KCRA 3 IS DEIRDRE ...

Read about each program and related faculty members online. Find personal statement guidelines for each school/program you’re applying to and print out any prompts for quick reference. Using the ...

A wave of updated 2026 personal statement guides is changing how students approach college essays, stressing authenticity, narrative craft, and rhetorical strategies over mere achievement lists.

If you’re seeing your high schooler through the college application process for the first time, you’ll probably find that few aspects of the process fill them with as much dread as penning the ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. As the CEO of Command Education, I write about emotionally intelligent leadership and education. A compelling personal statement ...

Your personal statement is an opportunity for an admissions or review committee to get to know you, the “you” that cannot be captured in a CV or resume. For that reason, it is important to be ...

The personal essay is a critical opportunity for college applicants to showcase their creativity, original perspectives, and unique qualifications for admission. Crafting a dynamic and engaging essay ...

Every year more than a million students use the Common Application, a standardized electronic form accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, to apply to college. And every year since 1976, the Common App, ...

Writing about yourself can be a challenge! Most applicants write 8–10 drafts of their personal statement before finalizing it. The tips below are meant to provide a starting point to help you begin ...

Many applications will include a personal essay, in which you describe "where you're coming from" – your interests, why you want to obtain a graduate degree, career goals, and so on. To personalize ...

The personal statement is a very important part of your professional school application. You will address important issues about yourself, usually related to why you want to enter a particular career.