PersonalStatement个人陈述详解Berkeley.doc

Personal Statement 个人陈述详解 Berkeley Writing your personal statement can be one of the most satisfying--or frustrating--writing experiences youll ever have. The personal statement is an important part of your application package. Depending on the topic you choose, the essay you write provides additional evidence of your intellectual and creative achievement. The essay is also the only opportunity for the readers of your application to get a feel for you as a person as well as for you as a student. The essay is also the place where you can put your academic record into the context of your opportunities and obstacles. There is no one correct way to write a personal statement, but in general those who will read your essay are looking for two important things: ? HOW the essay provides evidence of your achievements that isnt reflected in other parts of your application ? HOW and WHY the events that you describe have shaped your attitude, focus, and, most of all, your intellectual vitality. This information will help you think about and craft a personal statement by taking you step by step through a process of brainstorming, drafting and revising. At the end, we hope that you will produce a personal statement that you are proud of and that will provide admissions officers with an accurate portrait of who you are and why a college education is important to you. Characteristics of a Good Personal Statement But before you write a single word, make sure you know what is expected of a successful college essay. A good essay... -Is thoughtful and honest A strong personal statement is reflective; that is, it demonstrates that you have thought about and gained a clear perspective on your experiences and what you want in your future. It does not simply tell a reader what you think he/she wants to know. Instead, it gives the reader a vivid and compelling picture of you--in essence, telling the reader what he or she should know about you. Remember that the focus of the essay is YOU-