Depending on what you are applying for, the information you include in your personal statement will differ, often significantly. In order to ensure that you address pertinent subjects, you will want to know who you are writing for. You should consider whether your application will be read by a medical or law school review board, or a graduate committee. Is it an application for a scholarship or an internship? Reflecting on your audience will help you determine what life stories to highlight. For example, if you are applying to get into medical school and a graduate program in English somewhere else, you will want to avoid spending a lot of time highlighting your extensive medical knowledge in the English application or your remarkable writing skills in the medical school application. Although a review committee might be impressed that you have such diverse interests, they also want to make sure that you have the requisite knowledge to be in the program. Generally, an application will give you guidelines to follow when writing your personal history. These tend to include things like page length and font size. However, they can also include specific questions that the review committee wants answered. If you are asked specific question, be sure to fully answer them. It is important that the committee sees that you are capable of following directions.   However, this does not mean that your statement should be formulaic or bland. Follow the guidelines, but give your readers something exciting or memorable to take away from your letter. In general medical and law schools ask for a more open-ended personal statement. One the other hand, business and graduate schools tend to ask specific questions. However, each application is different and has it owns guidelines, so be sure to follow those. Think about the overall story that you are trying to tell the people who will read your application. What impression of you do you want them to take away from it? If you want to them to think that you are intelligent and capable, discuss moments in your life that demonstrate your intelligence and capability. Determine what you are trying to convey and stick with it throughout the essay. Avoid going off on tangents. Consider whether or not a certain topic fits in your overall theme. If it does not, do not include it. Depending on what you are applying for, a review committee may receive hundreds of applications a year. You will want your application to stand out, and the best way to do that is by writing a compelling introduction. The initial paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and hold it. One method might be drawing the reader in with an interesting tidbit about yourself that relates to what you are applying for. Find what works for you and feels appropriate for the application.  Briefly introduce yourself and then provide the framework that the rest of the essay will follow. Allude to things you will discuss later, but do not give it all away. Avoid clichés like “my names is Steve and I’m applying to join your program” or “Allow me to introduce myself…” The middle section of the essay is where you detail your interests and experience in the field. Discuss you educational background and any pertinent classes you took. List any practical experience that you have, such as internships, conference attendance or previous employment. These things tell the reviewers that you have the knowledge and the experience necessary to succeed in the field.  For example, if you are applying for medical school, list any experience you have volunteering in a clinic or specific pre-med courses that you found particularly interesting. If you are applying for graduate school, be sure to discuss any relevant scholars you like or books you find particularly interesting. Once you have highlighted all of your important education and experience, wrap up the essay with a strong yet concise conclusion. Tell the reader how all of the events listed in your essay have collectively impacted you and shaped you into a strong candidate for what you are applying for. Avoid clichés like “thank you for taking the time to consider my application” or “It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your school.” Before you send your materials, be sure to give them a final read. Check for any spelling errors or typos. Make sure that you fully answer the questions asked and meet all of the guidelines. A personal statement full of errors will make it appear as if you do not care and are unprofessional. You can also ask someone else to proofread your essay for you. It is often hard for most people to adequately proofread their own writing, so finding someone to read your statement will likely make it better.

Summary: Determine the audience. Follow the guidelines. Develop a theme. Write a strong introduction. Highlight relevant information. Give it a strong conclusion. Proofread.


You are family, though that doesn’t mean you should know everything about each other’s personal lives. Be respectful of personal space, like bedrooms, journals, or cell phones.   Remembering your sibling’s boundaries will show them your love and respect. Don't read their journal or snoop around in their room when they aren't home. When you feel angry or upset, you will likely start a fight. Work on your emotions in healthy ways rather than taking them out on the people close to you.  Try venting to a friend or to your parent about what is on your mind. This will get rid of your feelings so you don't carry them with you next time you talk to your brother. If you’re really angry with your brother, rather than yelling at him, try writing a letter. This is a safe place for you to vocalize your true feelings, without maybe saying harsh things to him right away. After you've written your letter, you'll be able to discuss your feelings calmly. It’s easy to forget your sibling’s friendship if you’re stuck fighting all the time. Show your brother or sister you appreciate them by doing something nice, for no reason. It’s easy to take your family for granted. You can do things like buy them ice cream or a coffee when you are running errands. Also try things like playing their favorite game together, or buy them a new coloring book or magazine. Whether you share a room with your sibling or you live across the country from each other, it’s important to spend time together when you can. Spend time together that is positive and fun, rather than spent arguing. This will strengthen your relationship and you are less likely to fight. Do an activity you both enjoy, like playing golf, walking in the park, or watching a sci-fi movie. If you tell your brother that you will stop teasing him, do it. Be accountable to what you agree upon, and your sibling will start to trust you. Trust is important to maintain healthy relationships and prevent fights.  If you both agree your fights are starting because you want to be the boss, stop ordering around your sibling and let them make decisions. If your sister doesn't trust you because you always shoot her with your Nerf gun, try shooting a stationary target outside instead.
Summary: Respect your sibling’s personal space and privacy. Express your emotions and feelings in healthy ways. Do something nice for your sibling to show you love and care for them. Spend meaningful time together, as often as you can. Build trust by following through with your commitments.