We know you’re worried about your personal statements and essays, so here are some top tips from Nilay, Global Director of Country Operations and a Harvard freshman!

University application season is very stressful - and competitive! And between high school grades, extracurriculars and SAT scores, leaving your personal statements and essays behind is easy.

However, personal statements are one of the most important aspects of showing colleges who you truly are and what you believe in. They are a reflection of your story, dreams and aspirations, helping you stand out from the crowd.

So, here are a few top tips from a Harvard student for you to CRUSH your Common App essay!

Choose your topic right

Many wonder how relevant and important your essays are for your college admissions. But with essays accounting for between 10-30% of admission decisions, it is crucial for your essay and its topic to represent a transformation within you or your mindset.

You should brainstorm a mindmap idea of themes, broad topics and experiences that matter to you. While they don’t have to be life-changing events of your life, they can be smaller moments that define YOU.

Be personal

Always remember that your essay is (pretty much) the only qualitative part of your application. It should support all your on-paper talents, achievements and statistics in a way that feels personable.

You must be personal in a sense that presents you as truthful and authentic.

Remember: first impressions are everything here

Your statement is the first impression an admission officer gets of you.

With most good students presenting high grades and a wealth of extracurricular activities, this is your moment to create a label for yourself by showing things that truly matter to you. Let your personality shine through in the best way possible!

Add details

Yes, you have a word limit, but make sure you don’t end up missing the heart of your story. An honest, personable essay must be filled with details - details which may be stories, anecdotes, observations or conversations that are an important factor of what makes you who you are.

Be sure to use examples where you can. It’s one thing to say you have a goal to do something, but it will only add power to your statement if you give details of how you’re progressing towards your goal.

Show, don’t tell

Last but not least, don't tell them your story, show them.

The reader needs to experience your feelings as they go through your statement. You must evoke their emotion by letting them look through your lenses as you show them a glimpse of your experiences.

By using this tool of storytelling, you’ll be able to make your admissions officer envision what you mean by seeing it through their own eyes.

So, ensure your topic represents you, be personal, create a brilliant first impression, add details and show them your story. If you’re considering applying to universities and are apprehensive, scared or just confused - Project Access might be the place for you!

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