Fifteen Common Mistakes in Personal Statements

Applicants often worry how to write a personal statement. It is not just a school essay about yourself. It is an important document that can affect your destiny.

So, take the writing personal statements responsibly. Firstly, find out: what is a personal statement and what its structure. Don’t forget that selection committee may reject it because of errors. We decided to list the major mistakes that applicants admit in their statements.

1.    Boring introduction

Your work consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Students think that the body makes a significant impression on the selection committee. So they forget about the opening. Indeed, this part always evaluates primarily. So, try to make it interesting and unusual.

2.    Clichés

How to start a personal statement? With any phrase, but without using clichés. It is the most common mistake of applicants. They use personal statement examples for writing the application and forget about its individual character. To avoid this error, write the application without example, and then properly formalize. Here you can find the most overused clichés.

3.    Idioms and quotations

Also in the statement are not welcome idioms and quotations. You should express only your thoughts.

4.    Long sentences.

It worsens the perception of information. Selection committee may get lost in sentences and misunderstand you.

5.    Grammatical errors.

It is not even worth talking about. The presence of grammatical errors will show you as an unlearned student.

6.    Too short statement.

You should use the entire amount of characters for writing the application. Otherwise, the committee may think that you have nothing to write about your achievements.

7.     Plagiarism.

To identify repetition of statements much easier than you think. There are special programs that check the presence of piracy. If you try to use someone else's text, your work will condemn to failure.

8.    Slang

Some students often use slang. They cannot distinguish it from ordinary language. But the selection committee immediately notices the use of such elements in the statement.

9.    Humor

Using jokes in the application is not appropriate. Even if you want to use subtle humor, you can be misunderstood.

10.    Lack of structure

Often students want to write spectacular work and forget about the structure. It is a necessary element, so don’t miss it.

11.    Flattery

If you are applying to university, it means that you rate it highly. So, do not mention it in a statement. Better to write about your benefits. 

12.    Self-criticism

In addition to your positive side, you can specify your weaknesses and how do you fight them. But do not overdo it. Modesty is good, but excessive self-criticism looks strange.

13.    Arrogance

Also, do not overdo with the description of your advantages. If you praise yourself, you will look like a narcissistic person.

14.    Lack of passion for the subject

The main thing that you have to emphasize is your dedication to the chosen profession.

15.    Objectives

Do not forget to write about your plans for the future. Include a description of your career goals and dreams.

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