The Applicant Statement
Writing Workshop presented by:
Ms. Doucette
Mrs. Fassbender
What is the Applicant Statement?
 This is a required portion of most
college applications
 Some statements are in response to
specific questions
 This is your opportunity to introduce
yourself to the Admissions Office
beyond your test scores and GPA
How Long Should my Statement
Be?
 Write as much as it takes to say what
needs to be said, and then be done.
What should I write about?
 First and foremost, follow the directions given
in the application instructions.
An application may ask you to write about
which activity is most important to you and
why. There is a reason for this type of question
– when you answer it honestly, it tells the
Admissions Office what you value, and what is
important to you. This is a window into you,
and is very valuable information for the
schools; it gives them information that your
GPA and test scores cannot.
What should I write about?
 You should be able to articulate WHY
the school you are applying to is a
good fit for you. Tell them about your
reasons: Is it the size? The location?
The major? Certain extracurricular
opportunities? Did you fall in love
with the campus during a visit? Why
is this the BEST possible school for
you and why are YOU the best
possible student for the school?
Editing Guidelines
 Make sure your statement is wellwritten, spell checked, and proofread.
Do not make any text abbreviations
and be very careful with your
punctuation. Capitalize appropriately.
Conclusions will be drawn about your
academic ability by your statement –
consider this a writing sample.
Words of Caution. . .
 Finally, if you compose your
statement in Word, when you
cut/paste your statement into the
application, it is CRITICAL that you be
sure that the name of school in your
letter matches the school application!
Admissions counselors are very
offended by this type of blunder. To
avoid this, generalize your statement.
For Example…
 This year, the UW-Madison application asks:
Statement One:
Consider something in your life you think goes unnoticed
and write about why it's important to you.
Statement Two:
Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, share with us the
academic, extracurricular, or research opportunities you
would take advantage of as a student. If applicable,
provide details of any circumstance that could have had
an impact on your academic performance and/or
extracurricular involvement.
This year, the UW systems application asks:
 Please tell us about the particular life
experiences, talents, commitments
and/or interests you will bring to our
campus that will enrich our
community.
“Resume” App
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Be cautious
Be inventive
What do you offer to them?
Good example in packet
 I know University of Wisconsin- Madison is right for
me. At a school like University of Wisconsin I can not
only succeed and flourish as a student, but even help
contribute. Wisconsin can also offer me everything
that a serious yet excited student could ask for:
academics and a social life.
 When choosing a college, the first things that came to
my mind were excellence in academic programs and
reputation. Wisconsin offers a wide range of classes
and majors, a distinctive reputation, and it is a place
where I know I can succeed.
Resume app, cont.
 Academics aside, Wisconsin also offers it students an
amazing social life. I am a huge sports fan, and the
Big Ten conference offers some of the best college
sports in the country. I can think of nothing better
then rooting for the Badgers on the field or on the
court; I want to be part of the sea of red.
 Wisconsin is the total package. It has academics that
serious students crave, but is also a place to enjoy
the greatest years of your life. I know Wisconsin can
serve as a vehicle to help provide the most desirable
future available, but without sacrificing the present.
Personal Experience
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Reflective Essay
Impactful event from your life?
Show who you are without telling
Don’t dwell on the negative
Example of Personal Experience
App
Illustration of a Trait
 What trait best defines you?
 What exemplifies this trait?
Social Cause
 A cause you believe strongly in
 How have you supported the cause?
 What does this say about you?
“This is what democracy looks like!” echoed through the high school cafeteria. I, along with 50 other
students, marched out of class to protest the Wisconsin Governor’s budget bill and proceeded outside
into the chilly February air. At this point, those of us who were truly against the bill and not just
interested in skipping class, jumped into cars and made our way to the state capitol.
The streets around the capitol were filled with people from all walks of life: students, teachers, union
workers, and journalists; people who shared a common concern. It was impossible to move once within
the capitol; we were packed like sardines singing “Solidarity.” We held signs, and our voices grew hoarse
within a few hours. Everyone had a story. Teachers’ salaries would be cut, and many would have to
retire early. Funding for the arts would diminish, and Wisconsin would set the stage for nationwide
union-busting. However, whether one supported the bill or not, the February 2011 protests were an
unmatchable experience. I saw people with passion; I saw constituents voicing their opinions and
politicians’ reactions, yet I drew the most not from downtown Madison but from my own home.
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According to the rest of the world, my family was not
normal. My family could not go out to dinner or to a movie
theatre, and if we ventured to a water park we accepted the
disapproving glances from other families. Daily trips to the
hospital or shouting in the house was the norm. My
acceptance of this life gave me a greater understanding of
the world, and without my brother I would not know such
diversity.
Several minutes later, my mom emerged from the hospital
room. I could see the tears streaming down her face. She
silently took my hand, and we left the ward. It wasn’t until
the long elevator ride that I finally spoke, “Mom?”
“Yes, Lily.”
“A sister shouldn’t have to see a brother like that.”
But I did. My brother taught me what it meant to accept
diversity. My brother taught me patience and tolerance.
And he is still teaching me, teaching me how to love.
Creative Approach
Medieval sieges, samurai battles, and caveman clashes - all have
something in common; they are all moments of impact, where the
course of history is altered and change has taken place. They are
also all scenes where Waldo can be found in Martin Handford’s
illustrated Where’s Waldo? books. Waldo, as an entity, can be found
in numerous locations spanning the globe and time. However, he
has an inclination to show up where chaos is ensuing, where
uprising and change are occurring. Waldo is found at the center of
it all.
Laughter matters to me. I love the way it sounds, I love the way it
feels, I love the way it overcomes awkwardness or creates its own.
I love how everyone is entitled to his or hers own laugh. Some
double over, silently shaking. Others cackle, some shout, while
others giggle. A few snort, and there is always a knee-slapper in
the room. I personally am a knee-slapper, silent shaker, and
unfortunately I can be a snorter if you catch me at a moment of
deep breathing.
Laughter brings people together. It can ease sorrowful times and
grief-consumed souls. It fosters and promotes joy, which is at the
essence of happiness. Laughter does not keep the earth moving or
cure diseases. It does not slow down time or prevent divorce. But
it does keep people moving; it helps comfort the suffering. It
makes more out of limited time and aids in recovery. While
laughter matters to all human beings, it has an even more special
place in my heart.
Purdue essay prompt
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Pulling It All Together
As a child, I immersed myself in everything I could. I played a
wide variety of sports, I picked up the trombone, I became
involved in the community, and I worked hard in school. In 8th
grade, one of my favorite classes was technology education, or
tech ed, class. Our major project that year was designing a
wooden car that would roll down a ramp and smash into a wall
without breaking the egg inside. Even though the teacher didn’t
intend it, we spent well over half of the school year working on
that project alone. I used a 3-D modeling software, Autodesk
Inventor, to draw my design, then used the shop to actually build
it. I had a lot of fun, but mine didn’t work after my cobbled
together bumper did absolutely nothing for the impact of my car.
Despite all this, my teacher saw my enthusiasm and skills using
Inventor and approached me one day after class along with a few
others. “Hey guys, I saw all your potential and I’m going to offer
to put you in the Introduction to Engineering Design class as
freshmen next year.”
The Why You Essay
I was in sixth grade, and completely enthralled with a new book I had discovered,
Freakonomics. I raved about it so much, my family bought the audio version so we
could all listen to it on our long car rides. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I sat with
my brother in the back of our family Prius, returning from a long day of soccer. We
began listening to Freakonomics. I remember it hitting me, that if two things as
distant as legalized abortion and crime were connected, anything was possible.
Entranced by Steven D. Levitt’s and Steven J. Dubner’s words from the car speaker
system, my brother and I began to think of the world as we had never before.
Subsequently, we also began talking in ways we’d never talked before
Upon reading more about Levitt, who gave impetus to our new found
curiosity, I also learned about UChicago. It is needless to say what I
discovered about the University of Chicago captivated me. The
classes I have taken, the grades I have received, and the test scores
I have achieved have been in pursuit of the University of Chicago and
the University of Chicago alone. Emerging from my love for
Freakonomics and the new outlook it granted me, I knew early on
that UChicago is where I wanted to be. Aside from the academic
rigor, the cultural opportunities offered by the Core, the amazing
people on campus, and the city of Chicago, I have always had a
special connection to the University of Chicago.
The Introduction
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Short Introduction
Few sentences
Thesis statement
Good place to show voice
= Mom
= Dad
The left-hand limit of f(x) as x approaches me
is equal to Mom. The right-hand limit of f(x) as
x approaches me is equal to Dad.
Although both the limits have a strong affection
for one another, they possess extremely
diverse personality traits. My mom loves
everyone.
Paper. So clean. So simple. It’s boundless, free of limits and versatile. Paper and I are good friends, intertwined,
linked. Blank paper can be terrifying – it requires thought to fill and it can uncover your vulnerabilities. You put
yourself on the line when you partner with a blank sheet of paper. You reveal your innermost thoughts, exposing
your ideas to the world. To me, a blank sheet is an ally, an open gate, an endless opportunity.
Body paragraph(s)
 No designated amount
 Show, don’t tell
During the school year, I work with my team to transform reams of blank newsprint into an award-winning school
newspaper, The Purple Sage.
Throughout the year, ruled pieces of paper allow me to connect with my friends. Although we utilize technology
to text, call and Skype, I believe that real mail (“snail mail” to some) is a treasured means of personal
communication.
Other times, paper is the ultimate stress reliever. After scavenging my house for watercolors, colored pencils and
thin-tipped sharpies, I pop in my Abbey Road vinyl and take a moment for myself.
Conclusion
 Brief
 1-3 sentences at most
 Final line is important
My dad taught me to not believe everything I hear. I
am passionate because of my mother but practical
because of my father. And on the topic of political
ideology, my mom won out on this one.
= Mom = Dad
As x approaches me from the left-hand side, f(x) is
equal to Mom. As x approaches me from the right-hand
side, f(x) is equal to Dad. The left-hand limit is not
equal to the right-hand limit. Therefore, the limit of f(x)
as x approaches me does not exist. Me, that is I, have
no limit.
Paper serves as the primary tool to express myself, connect with those around me and create without
boundaries. With a sheet of paper I can lift up others while simultaneously maintaining my sanity. When I look at
a piece of paper, I do not see emptiness but rather an opportunity to exhibit my potential.
Less can be more
 Many schools limit word count
 If not, be concise anyways!
Brainstorm
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Brainstorm guideline
Traits
Experiences
Values
Draft
 Don’t think, just write
Revise, Revise, Revise!
Some Final Advice
 Consider this as a simple template to begin
writing your personal statement:
Tell the college/university who you
are and how you got to be who you
are. Everyone has a story to tell.
• Mrs. Doucette and I are here to help you
review your drafts and to make
suggestions. Please be sure to give us
enough time to work with you!
College Essay Workshop
 We will be available to look at your
draft copies as needed.
 Doucette– 1A- Mezz, 2A 1413, 1B
1413
 Fassbender- by appointment
Action Plan for Workshop
 Review Process
 Work on Drafts while consulting with
Mrs. Fassbender and Mrs. Doucette
 Help each other with proofreading
while waiting.