Writing Assignment #2: Personal Statement

Timeline

by end of class, Tues./Wed. 9/11-12: Choose your essay prompt and brainstorm two possible ways to respond (a half-page typed or neatly handwritten)
due Mon. 9/17: First draft of essay
due Mon. 9/25: Complete draft of essay
Final draft, posted on your graduation portfolio website, has a negotiated deadline between you and the teacher

Details Checklist

Length depends on the instructions of your chosen application, but generally around 1000 words
Final draft submitted on your grad portfolio web site
Academic formatting: double-spaced, 12-point serif font
Carefully proofread
Ready to be read out loud in class

It is an Envision graduation requirement to complete an application to a four-year college. It is also a requirement for passing this year of Language Arts and Project Studio to write a “college essay,” more generally known as a “personal statement.”

Support for this assignment will come in two classes, both Language Arts and Project Studio. Whether you are a junior or senior, the final essay will be published on your graduation portfolio website.

The Prompt

Your personal statement must respond to the prompt of a particular school’s application. Your choices include:

1. Common Application

This is an application accepted by 298 colleges. The essay section of this application allows you to choose one of the following prompts:

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Topic of your choice.

2. University of Calfornia’s Personal Statement

You have 1000 words to answer two questions:

Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

3. An essay prompt from the college of your choice

How It Will Be Assessed

This assignment will be graded according to its readiness for submission in a college application:

4	Essay is ready to submit to a college: engaging, focused, polished, and effective.
3	Essay is almost ready to submit to a college: It is on track to being effective, but needs more focus or polish.
2	Essay has potential but needs significant revision to get there.
1	Essay needs a major rewrite to be effective; its current direction could be a dead-end.

Posted by Justin Wells : 09/08/2007