How to Edit Your Personal Statement

The next part of our series regarding the Common Application Personal Statement Essay follows editing your personal statement. No essay is perfectly written the first time. A good and appealing essay will undergo numerous edits with multiple sets of eyes, polishing it to a point that is ready to submit. Join us this week as we walk through some key things to look for when editing your (or someone else’s) personal statement.

1. Take Time Away From Your Essay

After finishing a draft, take a day or two without looking at it. Often after spending a large chunk of time on a piece of writing, we put up blinders to larger edits that are needed. By coming back to your essay with a fresh set of eyes, you set yourself up for the most success in making comprehensive edits.

2. Utilize A.I.

Having A.I point out large flaws in your essay can be a helpful tool. You should NOT use A.I to write your essay. Rather, asking it to give grammar edits, feedback on the flow of your story, and other specific questions can be helpful. Remember that this is not a human and can make mistakes, so use your own judgment when taking feedback.

3. Refer Back to Your Outline

You want to ensure that your essay concretely follows a logical progression of ideas. Checking back with your outline is crucial to make sure that you avoid tangents and rambling. Remember that you want the admissions officer to take away something concrete about you – make sure that this message does not get lost in other details. Highlighting the key parts of your message is a good way to ensure consistency.

4. Ask for Outside Edits

Having a friend, teacher, or parent edit your essay is a great way to get a fresh stet of eyes. Remember that Redwood River Academy is here to help you edit your essay, generate ideas, and work through the admissions process as a whole. At the end of the day, this is your essay. Take feedback with a grain of salt. If you feel strongly about something, stick to it. That being said, make sure to evaluate feedback logically, and consider their point of view.