PS Question

[Trex555]

I want to start my personal statement off with a quote. Anybody got a good one?

 

[LawSchoolGuy]

I want to start my personal statement off with a quote. Anybody got a good one?

 

I know plenty of great quotes, but I have an even better thing for you to start your PS with: NO QUOTE. This is not your 9th grade English paper. You also shouldn't start off with Webster's Dictionary definition of "success."

[Anne]

I want to start my personal statement off with a quote. Anybody got a good one?

 

I know plenty of great quotes, but I have an even better thing for you to start your PS with: NO QUOTE. This is not your 9th grade English paper. You also shouldn't start off with Webster's Dictionary definition of "success."

I won't be as harsh as LSG, but I will definitely agree with the sentiment. Don't start your personal statement with a quote. It's trite, it's hackneyed, it's been used before...and it doesn't impress. The first few sentences of your essay are what will hook a reader in...wasting those sentences on anyone else's words other than your own seems to me an unnecessary (and easily-avoidable) mistake. Ditch the quote and, instead, think about the specific story you'd like to tell in your statement, and focus on creating an impactful, narrative introduction that will have AdComs clamoring for more.

[Alabama Slama]

How about "It was a dark and stormy night"?

[Trex555]

I want to start my personal statement off with a quote. Anybody got a good one?

 

I know plenty of great quotes, but I have an even better thing for you to start your PS with: NO QUOTE. This is not your 9th grade English paper. You also shouldn't start off with Webster's Dictionary definition of "success."

I won't be as harsh as LSG, but I will definitely agree with the sentiment. Don't start your personal statement with a quote. It's trite, it's hackneyed, it's been used before...and it doesn't impress. The first few sentences of your essay are what will hook a reader in...wasting those sentences on anyone else's words other than your own seems to me an unnecessary (and easily-avoidable) mistake. Ditch the quote and, instead, think about the specific story you'd like to tell in your statement, and focus on creating an impactful, narrative introduction that will have AdComs clamoring for more.

Ok, I'll try it. Thanks for the advice Anne!

[Anne]

I want to start my personal statement off with a quote. Anybody got a good one?

 

I know plenty of great quotes, but I have an even better thing for you to start your PS with: NO QUOTE. This is not your 9th grade English paper. You also shouldn't start off with Webster's Dictionary definition of "success."

I won't be as harsh as LSG, but I will definitely agree with the sentiment. Don't start your personal statement with a quote. It's trite, it's hackneyed, it's been used before...and it doesn't impress. The first few sentences of your essay are what will hook a reader in...wasting those sentences on anyone else's words other than your own seems to me an unnecessary (and easily-avoidable) mistake. Ditch the quote and, instead, think about the specific story you'd like to tell in your statement, and focus on creating an impactful, narrative introduction that will have AdComs clamoring for more.

Ok, I'll try it. Thanks for the advice Anne!

No problem! Let us know if you need any advice as you write your essay!