Personal Statement HELP!

[LaceElaine]

Hello everyone!

I've been trying to think of something to write about myself that will really stand out to admissions. I don't want to write a cookie cutter essay. I finally thought of a route to go, but I'm really iffy on whether or not it's too personal or inappropriate. It goes something like this:

I'd like to write about my life growing up with a single mother, being so poor that we lived without running water and electricity and were even homeless twice. Then go on to say that I'm not telling this story because I want sympathy, but how it has strengthened me and made me a well-rounded individual. Then tie that into wanting to be a nurse and answering their questions.

Of course this is a very dry, watered down version. Hopefully you get the point.

So what do you guys think? Is this an inappropriate topic? I really don't want to sound woe is me or anything because that's not me at all. I simply want to show them that I'm a strong person who would make an excellent nurse.

What did you write about?

[lilgop]

That sounds like a really good letter. I would just make sure you made it more about you triumphing over your trials, than the trials themselves. Good luck!!

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Hello:

I think what the admissions office wants to see is that you are going into nursing because you feel passionate about nursing. If you start with your story it might be perceived, out of context, to mean that you are going into nursing primarily for the money.

If it were me, I would start with why I want to go into nursing and why I am passionate about this profession and then explain why you think you would make a great nurse and make the above exerpt of your life as a support point to you being strong, responsible, able to multi-task etc.

Hope this makes sense.

[LaceElaine]

You're right. I didn't think of it in that way... I'm so glad I asked for advice before I submitted that. I've decided to go in a different direction. I'm thinking maybe that's way too personal and could go very bad. Better safe than sorry I suppose! :)

Thank you INN_777!

[LaceElaine]

Lilgop: good advice! Thank you!

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

So happy you found my comments helpful. Good luck!!!