Personal Statement Top Editing Tips

Class Location: On the Internet, so the location is wherever you can comfortably log on and learn.

Description: This class is designed to teach the the applicant critical editing skills for his or her personal statements.

Objective: Learn how to polish your personal statement and impress the admissions officers.

The first step to good writing is getting your thoughts on paper. The second step is editing. Though it can be tempting to believe your first work is a masterpiece, all writing improves with editing. Your essay needs to be edited numerous times through two different means. First, for content to make sure all the necessary information is in included and logically structured. Then later you can worry about editing for grammar and spelling, doing that before content editing takes extra time since the writing itself will most likely change quite a bit. Struggling over grammar and spelling during this process can also be a distraction from the writing process. So don't worry about it, you'll proofread later.

Here are some questions you should use to check the content of your essay:

1. Carefully look to see if your essay is answering the question you were asked. If passages are not working to answer the question they are irrelevant and should be deleted.

2. Is the essay revealing your own thoughts? Admissions offices are looking beyond the essay to see how well you think, so it should include original analysis and introspection. Someone reading this should be able to tell that the ideas are uniquely yours and based on your thinking and your background.

3. Does your essay show the school your unique personhood? Will it help them pick you out from the other applicants with equivalent scores?

4. Watch your tone. Ask yourself if it is too formal, too casual, too arrogant or too negative.

5. Cut out the fat. If there is anything in the essay not answering the questions or supporting those answers get rid of it now.

6. Will the reader understand your point? When you write you know exactly what you mean, but will the reader? If there is any information that needs to be added or any unclear words or references clarify them now. Is your order of information correct or would it be helpful to move things around?

7. Get feedback from an impartial source. Having someone else read your essay will allow you to ask them if you answered the question, if there is irrelevant material, and if the essay is logical and understandable.

Now that your content editing is complete and the necessary revisions have been made, it is time to proofread. The best way to check for grammar is to have someone else who is great with grammar proof the essay for you. This is because after looking at your essay and revising it, any mistakes will be nearly invisible to you. Fresh eyes are needed. Professional writers even have trouble proofing their own work because after working on an essay or article you begin reading what you know you mean instead of what is actually there.

Remember, even if a spelling error or a comma splice wouldn't bother you, it is likely to annoy someone reviewing your essay. They might forgive one error, but a pattern of mistakes will make you look bad and likely disqualify you for admission.