Creating Compelling Personal Statement Starters

Writing a personal statement is proving to be more challenging than I anticipated, especially coming up with a strong opening. The beginning is so important because it sets the tone and grabs attention.

Does anyone have suggestions for effective ways to start a personal statement? I want something that reflects my personality but also resonates with the reader. Are there examples of first sentences or themes that have worked well for others?

Hello! Beginning a personal statement can indeed be a bit daunting, but with the right approach, it can become an engaging platform to tell your story.

As a first step, we should remember that a compelling opening of a personal statement doesn’t always have to start with an earth-shattering event. Simply starting with a memorable detail can also work wonders. For instance, you might start your statement like, "Every Sunday morning I could hear the soft sizzles and pops of a chemistry experiment from my father's makeshift lab in our garage". This offers the reader an interesting and unique detail about your life without going over the top.

Another effective approach is to start with a relevant quotation or piece of wisdom that has influenced your life. However, we need to ensure that the quote is intimately related to your intended story and isn’t just inserted for the sake of having a quote.

Some students find it effective to start their personal statement with an intriguing question that embodies the theme of their essay, such as: "When is the right time to stand up against a prevailing social norm that everyone else seems perfectly comfortable with?"

Or you could start your essay by jumping right into a significant moment of your story, also known as in medias res, which is Latin for "in the midst of things." This approach would look something like, "As I felt the icy water envelop my body, I realized this swim class was more than just learning to float - it was about conquering fears."

Remember, the key is to create an opening that is unique to you, speaks to your experiences, and beautifully sets up the rest of your story. Your reader should feel an immediate connection to you and want to continue reading. Best of luck with your writing process!