Tips for Writing a Successful Personal Statement
When the Common App “refreshed” last week, it started to accept 2025-26 applications. Though the prompts were announced back in late winter, the August 1 “refresh” often marks the moment when many rising high seniors get serious about writing their college essays. To help them through this process, I’ve compiled my top 3 tips for writing a successful Common App personal statement below.
Common App Personal Statement Tip #1: Answer Only One Question
It seems like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised by how many students come to me with drafts explaining, “Well, it’s kinda Number 1. Also, Number 4. And a little Number 6.” Stop! Students: You’ll need to click a single prompt when you submit your application. If your essay’s answering two or three prompts, it’s not responding well to any of them. I suggest starting a new draft from scratch. This time, print out or hand write the question you’ve picked and place it above your computer (or wherever you’ll write). Make sure every paragraph in your Common App personal statement answers that prompt – and only that prompt.
Photo by @marcel_eberle on Unsplash
Common App Personal Statement Tip #2: Make Sure the Prompt You Pick Aligns with Your North Star.
In this video, I discuss how important it is to clarify which quality about yourself you want to showcase in your Common App personal statement. Choosing one or two primary characteristics doesn’t mean you’re boring. Admissions officers realize that you’re characterized by many different attributes – and you should show them these other qualities elsewhere in your application! But by focusing on one or two adjectives that get to the heart of who you really are, your Common App personal statement will read as sharp and focused, too.
Photo by @mikesetchell on Unsplash
Common App Personal Statement Tip #3: Trust Your Own Voice
Every year, I work with at least one student who’s blessed with an army of supporters. Mom, Dad, the school guidance counselor, and the English teacher weigh in on the Common App personal statement that the student has spent weeks crafting with me. Each adds his or her spin; each deletes something s/he doesn’t like. By the end of this editing-in-the-round process, the essay’s lost one of its most crucial components – the student’s authentic voice.
It doesn't matter if you’re working with an essay coach like me or writing on your own. Remember the adage, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” If you need help, choose a single trusted advisor. Ask parents and your school counselor for their opinions only after the third draft. (You’ll be less attached to your story by then.) Parents: offer holistic, “big picture” advice if you must, but avoid line editing, which may “polish” your child’s voice away.
Conclusion
As I’ve written elsewhere, summer affords the perfect moment for writing the Common App personal statement. Make the most of these last weeks before early application deadlines start rolling in this fall. And if you need assistance in any part of the college application process, feel free to drop me a line!