How To Write A Successful USF Application Essay

Personal Statements are hard to write because the admissions officers ask you to tell them who you are and why you’re worthy into two pages. The key to success when writing a USF personal essay is to engage your audience by writing a brief, clear statement about your traits and how those traits and strengths will enrich their particular program.

DOs AND DON’TS OF WRITING THE USF APPLICATION ESSAY

1. You should not list all of the good grades you got in high school because the admissions officers will see them in your transcript. The personal statement is your chance to show them who you are outside the class. Tell them about your interests, strengths, and how you have extended your academic interests beyond your classroom.  
2. Do not make your application essay to be a resume. Your application should include other interesting things that you would not normally include in the resume.
3. Do not portray yourself in a negative way. Instead, you should write briefly about weaknesses and spin them as quickly as possible in a way that gives you a positive image. For instance, if you had a difficult semester, show how you’ve learned from it in one sentence and move on.
4. Do not lie or try to write what you think the admissions officers want to read.  Instead, be yourself and write sincerely why you want to join the program.
5. Do not overuse big words. You should instead use your own voice. Focus on the message, and give it in a simple and easy to understand language.
6. Do not say that you are going to graduate school because you don’t know what else to do or because you want to please your parents. Instead,  think about a compelling reason why you would want to go to college and write that reason down.

STEPS FOR WRITING A SUCCESSFUL USF ESSAY               

Step 1: Write Your First Draft

Carefully read the question, taking note of the length and types of question and words used. Write your first draft without worrying about grammar and the flow. Since you will be writing multiple drafts of this essay, don’t worry about perfection first time around – just get ideas down on the page

You cannot write a personal essay without writing about yourself. However, you should simply not list all the amazing things you’ve done. A list of your accomplishments will be both exhausting and boring for your reader. Instead, share a specific detail about an event. For example, if you worked at an orphanage in India, take a moment to reflect on your experience with one child; or if you won a prestigious science award, fill your reader in on your research and what you learned from the experience.

Reflection is the key to a successful personal essay. Consider how you have been changed by some of your experiences. Consider how you hope to grow from opportunities. Make it personal and relevant. Consider the people and opportunities that helped you become who you are today. Know that you did not get here alone.

Consider where you want to go, know that you will also need to learn from people and experiences in order to get there. Important Note: Each discipline emphasizes different elements in the application essay. To make sure that you are crafting an appropriate essay, meet with an advisor or professor in your discipline. Good luck! 

Step 2: Revising and Editing

 Be merciless in your editing! Cross out all the paragraphs that don’t work, rearrange ideas so that they make logical sense, watch out for redundancy and delete any sentences that repeat earlier ideas and claims, make sure that your essay is entirely free of mechanical or grammar errors. In addition, 

• Consider your audience – put yourself in the shoes of the admissions committee. This will help you make your essay engaging and unique without being gimmicky.
• Cross off ideas that are too general, common, or cliché
• Stay positive – Turn your struggles into learning experiences. 
• Don’t waste time or limited space by repeating information. You only have two pages to write. Make good use of it!
• Pay attention to the prompt and word count. Pick out any objectives or traits that the program or scholarship has specified. 
• Do not show off or grovel.