Teachers and counselors in your high school or community college are good sources of information about writing your personal statement. You may also want to consult various books or videotapes available in your counseling office, career center, transfer center, or local library. There is also a Personal Statement Web Site developed by UC Berkeley's Office of Academic Preparation and Articulation that you can view. When consulting these materials, however, please keep in mind that different colleges and universities may look for different kinds of information in a personal statement. In addition, many of them have specific topics that they expect you to address.
Important Directions Read the instructions in the application packet carefully.
The most common mistake applicants make is to skim the written instructions or to rely on information received from others. What you do in the classroom defines only a part of who you are. Focus on one activity, two at the most, and discuss what you have gained from your involvement. Also include any other information you would like us to know that is not already revealed or explained sufficiently in your application. The following two topics are relevant for some applicants.