Essays for Admissions and Scholarship Applications - Victor Valley ...

Let Me Introduce Myself When I was in eighth grade, I couldn’t read. Sitting cross-legged on the floor of a Bhimananagarslum dwelling in Bangalore, I ran my fingers across afresh cut on my forehead. I have been surfing Lake Michigan since I was threeyears-old. I have old hands. As a Mexican- American I am forever bound to thehyphen.

The Personal StatementStatement #1:Describe the world you come from — for example, your family,community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped yourdreams and aspirations.Statement #2:Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contributionor experience that is important to you. What about this quality oraccomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to theperson you are?Additional Comments:Use this space to tell us anything else you want us to know aboutyou and your academic record that you have not had the opportunityto describe elsewhere in the application. Limit your response to 550words or less.

The Personal Statement:Final Thoughts• Start early, get feedback, and REVISE!• Define your motivation/momentum in topics you arepassionate about• Decisions are never made on the personal statementalone• Avoid some common mistakes

Personal Statement Topics The ‘You’ QuestionTo learn to think is to learn to question. Discuss amatter you once thought you knew ‘for sure’ that youhave since learned to question. (Bryn Mawr College)How would you describe yourself as a human being?What quality do you like best in yourself and what doyou like least? What quality would you most like to seeflourish and which would you like to see wither? (BatesCollege)

Personal Statement Topics The ‘Why Us’ QuestionPlease relate your interest in studying at _________to your future goals.Why is UVM a good college choice for you?(University of Vermont)We would like to know what experiences have ledyou to select your professional field and objective?(Boston University)

Personal Statement Topics The ‘Creative’ QuestionYou have just completed your 300 pageautobiography. Please submit page 217. (University ofPennsylvania)What is your favorite book and why should everycollege students have read it.Do you believe there’s a generation gap? Describethe differences between your generation and others.(Denison University)

Focus and DetailNot: My month in Paris was incredible.DO:Not: Many different speakers came to Victor ValleyCollege in my two years.DO:

Focus and DetailNot: I have enjoyed every science class from biology toanatomy.DO:Not: A visit to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadenahas so many beautiful paintings from the ancients tothe moderns.DO:

Scholarship EssayParagraph One:Introduction:Grab the reader’s attentionProvide basic background information aboutyourself to the committee

Scholarship EssayParagraph twoChallenges and ObstaclesShare an example of an obstacle you have overcomeor a challenge you are currently facing.Give specific and concrete information.What have you learned from the experience?How has the experience affected or changed yourlife?

Scholarship EssayParagraph threeCareer goalsWhat is your career goal?Include detailed information about what you wantto do and why.Has any volunteer/ leadership experience helpedyou discover your interest in this career?If you don’t know what career you want, go toparagraph 4.

Scholarship EssayParagraph fourEducational GoalsWhat is your educational goal?Include detailed information about what you wantto do and why.Has a volunteer or leadership experience led to yourinterest in this major?You may want to combine career and educationalgoals.