It’s no secret: writing a compelling personal statement for your college application is very important. Admissions officers read hundreds (and sometimes thousands!) of personal statements every year. This is your opportunity to tell colleges what is unique about you. We know it’s scary, but writing your personal statement will be a lot easier if you follow our six tips!

1. RELAX. Writing the college essay can be intimidating. In fact, it may be the first time you’ve ever written a personal essay, which is always a little bit scary. But you’re definitely not alone. Try to remember that every high school senior who is applying to college is in the exact same boat as you. And, if you’re near San Francisco, ScholarMatch is here to help! Hopefully that will make the process a little less daunting.

2. Keep an open mind when picking an essay topic. You may be thinking that the only ‘right’ way to write an essay is to share about your most glowing accomplishment. But sometimes, sharing the opposite can be just as powerful. For example, you might write about an activity that you hated and are sure you never want to be involved in again. Something like this may actually make a great essay topic because you learned an important lesson from it. Don’t try to guess what the admissions office is looking for and write to fit their format. They are looking for YOU.

3. Be honest and personal. Honest and personal writing draws the reader in. An admissions officer who reads hundreds of essays a day can almost always tell when an essay is dishonest or sounds like you’re trying to be someone you are not. When all is said and done, you want to be able to read your essay and say, “This sounds like ME.”

4. Be consistent. Your application and essay shouldn’t be the same but they should reflect each other. This tip doesn’t always work out — you may want to write about something that isn’t even mentioned on your application — but don’t contradict yourself by writing an essay about how being captain of the football team changed your life if you don’t list football as one of your activities.

5. Write about WHY not WHAT. Instead of writing about WHAT you did (your application does that), write about WHY you did it. Don’t repeat your application. Expand on it. Tell the college something new.

6. PROOFREAD your final draft. Use the dictionary, spell check, and read your essay aloud to yourself and/or someone you know. If you have time, put your essay away for a few days and come back to it with fresh eyes and ideas.