Hey there, I'm currently working on my college applications and I'm stuck on prompts that ask me to describe myself. Do you guys have any advice or examples on writing this? I find it hard to summarize myself in a paragraph while showing my unique personality. Thanks for the help!
Absolutely, it can certainly be challenging to succinctly communicate your identity while also capturing your unique character traits in a college application response. Here's a way to approach it:
Firstly, pick the features about yourself that you feel strongly define you, such as values, skills, or experiences. These could be qualities like your curiosity, resilience, or empathy, or experiences like founding a club, taking care of your siblings, or moving to a new city.
Next, try to provide specific examples that illustrate these qualities. For instance, if resilience is a key trait you want to highlight, don't just claim it. Show it. Perhaps you could talk about how you worked part-time jobs throughout high school to support your family, or maybe you dealt with a significant injury during a sports season but still led your team to the championships.Avoid cliches and generic phrases - remember that admissions officers read thousands of applications, you want yours to be memorable and personal.
Also, it's important to remember to communicate your potential for growth and the potential value you could bring to their campus community. Demonstrating how your experiences have prepared you for college can be a really effective way to present yourself.So an example could be something like:"Aspiring environmental scientist, I've spent the last three years dedicated to making my school a more eco-friendly place. My passion for the environment spurred me to establish an environmental club which has now implemented measures such as recycling bins and solar panels in my high school. I am eager to scale my eco-vision into larger efforts at a college level."
Remember, each person has a unique story. The key is to cherish your individuality and let that shine through your narrative. Best of luck with your applications!
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