Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose...

[claudia1986]

Hello :)

I am applying to UCLA MECN and am working on my personal statement... I have plenty to say but I want to hear suggestions on just how much to include about my personal life. My GPA is not the strongest (3.3) so I want to make sure I make up for it by explaining my extracurricular activities and work experience... Here is some of what I have done to give an idea:

I have worked as an assistant to a nurse for 2 years (however, not in a bed-side setting, she is a department administrator in a clinic).

I volunteered at a brest center for about 3-4 months.

I have been working with a youth group as a leader for 3 years and have been president of the group for the last year. This is a very hard and time consuming position!!! But I love interacting with my youth and have built strong relationships... My question is, how important are religious organization involvements?

I have been working as a tutor/teacher assistant/mentor pretty much ever since I graduated from high school...

And as much as I would want to devote 100% of my time to my studies, working has always been a necessity and not an option for me, coming from a low-income family of first gen. americans... My parents have not always been able to provide for me, so I have been working ever since I was 16, sometimes up to 3 jobs!!! But I have never quit school for longer than a summer semester.

I have not won or received any formal awards or recognitions... Do extracurricular activities count less if this is so?

Any help is appreciated!!! I really think this personal statement is what will make/break my application since my academic record is far from perfect... Please help!