How do I write a personal statement that is relevant but unique?

-First, take some time to free write. This means to write down everything relevant to the personal statement about why you want to pursue a particular university course onto a piece of paper, or a Word document. This will make sure all of your thoughts are down on the page. There's nothing scarier than a blank piece of paper! -Next, read over what you've written. What stands out? If there's a particular moment, a book you read, a teacher you had or class you took, that could be a good place to start. What's most important is that the statement is unique to you and rings true about your personal experience with the topic. -Once you've picked a few of these moments, try to structure them into an outline for the essay. Ideally, your essay will "show, not tell" -- it will use these moments and experiences to describe your commitment to a course, rather than telling the admissions board that you're committed. It will also show that you're a good and thoughtful writer. -Write a draft of it, which we can work on together. It's also useful to show drafts to friends and family. They know you will, and will let you know if it rings sincerely. They might even point out other moments that they noticed you fell in love with a particular topic at school. It's also just a good idea to get as many eyes on an important piece of writing as possible--they'll help you pick out proofreading mistakes you might not have seen! -Rewrite! You might have to scrap entire drafts of the essay and start over sometimes. That's very normal! It's important to take the time to ensure your personal statement is the best representation of you, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the deadline. Don't throw away old drafts, as they might come in handy in the future.