SIX-STEP GUIDE
When it comes to writing personal statements for college applications, it's important to de-stress and tap into your creativity. But how do you do that? As a writing coach, I believe it's essential for you to connect to your story.
No one else on the planet shares your background, history, experience, or point of view.
Follow the Six-Step Guide so you can connect to your story
and write essays with impact.
The Six-Step Guide refers to the 2023-24 Common App Essay Prompts.
The Common App Personal Statement (a.k.a. Common App Essay) - This is the main 650-word essay, also known as a personal statement, that is required for students applying to college via the Common Application platform. This essay is not college-specific, which means it is viewed by all colleges.
The Coalition Application - Both public and private colleges use this platform. Students write a personal statement based on its prompts.
Supplemental Essays - These are the college-specific essays students write when they apply to colleges that require them. They generally have a word count between 200-500 words and play an important role in your application.
University of California Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) - Notice that the PIQs are not called essays. They require a specific writing style that sets them apart from traditional personal statements. Students write 350-word responses to four (out of eight) PIQ prompts. They are not university specific.
Note - Some colleges and universities utilize their own application platform and are not part of a shared application platform.