Application Advice

When crafting your personal statement, it's important to remember that your underlying goal should be to provide admissions officers with insight into who you are as a person beyond your academic achievements and test scores. This is your opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, interests, and values in a compelling and authentic way. The admissions committee is already well aware of "what" you've been able to accomplish thus far through other sections of your application; now, it's time to convey the "why" behind your choices and experiences. 

For example, if you're interested in pursuing engineering, don't just say that you want to be an engineering major because "you've always been interested in engineering." Not only does this sound inauthentic, but it also doesn't tell the admissions committee anything substantial about your underlying motives. Instead, describe the actual moments in your life that lead you to pursue this path and explain how it will ultimately help you achieve your professional goals in the future. 

Additionally, you can also use this space to explain any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your academic performance or to demonstrate why you would be a great fit for the specific academic program that you're applying to. In doing so, this will help the admissions committee develop a better idea of who you are as a person and how you will ultimately leave a positive impact on the university if you're accepted.