Getting Personal

Getting Personal is a 20-page interactive guide that teaches students how to write a compelling Common App Personal Statement, a 650-word narrative essay required by more than 1,000 member colleges.

This user-friendly and engaging PDF is designed to help you find your voice and writing style, figure out what your story is, and learn how to frame and shape that story into a strong college essay.

As you read and complete the exercises in the workbook, you will:

• Learn the various elements of an effective narrative essay, including dialogue, voice, scene-setting, and structure;
• Recognize common mistakes on admission essays and learn how to avoid them;
• Read and review successful college essays;
• Understand how to tackle a writing prompt, brainstorm ideas for essays, and organize and focus essays;