The importance of personal statements should never be taken for granted. When it comes to deciding which student deserves the last slot in a college, law school, medical school, MBA program or graduate school, a persuasive, honest, unique and well-written personal statement can be the final determining factor. The personal statement is an essay that enables admissions committees to learn about the personal side of applicants, how they fit into the diverse student body, and fare in their preferred specializations. So, for you to get accepted into the school of your choice, learn about two mistakes to avoid in writing personal statements.

Mistake 1 – Using highfalutin words

You may think that big, sophisticated words can help you make an educated impression on admissions committees. However, the effect of using highfalutin words is that your readers will think that you are writing to impress than to communicate who you are. Admissions committees prefer personal statements that have a clear and truthful voice and that are an easy read. In addition, because your aim is to persuade the admissions committees to accept you into the school, the language you must apply in your personal statement should be conversational, friendly, and captivating. So, make sure to keep your essay simple and straightforward.

Mistake 2 – Having an idealistic but vague content

Idealism is one good characteristic a personal statement should have. You can write in your essay that your purpose for pursuing an MBA, a college degree, or a post-graduate degree, for example, is to help improve people’s lives or to contribute to society. However, always remember to back up your general claims with specifics. Inform the readers of your personal statement of the precise ways you plan to carry out your goal. Many students fail in the aspect of providing details and end up having vague content in their personal statements. So, to avoid submitting an unsatisfactory personal statement, think about its message and create an outline before writing.