Personal Insight Questions are about the most important component of your application. It's reviewed by both, the scholarships and admissions offices, and is your opportunity to share your story, while making your case for tuition money.
We have a proven 3-step process to help you choose the best questions, and answer in a compelling format.
3-Step Process:
Step 1: Outline and Choose 4 Questions
Step 2: Craft Your Story
Step 3: Tie it All Together
Bonus:
Personal Insight Question Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
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Step 1: Outline and Choose 4 Questions
Use an outline to strategically choose 4 personal insight questions
There are 8 Personal Insight Questions that are provided to you for you to choose from, and you can respond to only 4 of them.
A few things to keep in mind when considering which 4 questions to choose:
- Your goal is to choose the 4 questions that let you demonstrate diverse aspects of your personality, in a complementary manner.
- An outline allows you to efficiently cycle through all 8 questions, making a list of all of the potential stories, experiences, accolades, etc. you have per question
- There is no "right answer" or "perfect essay" - it doesn't exist, period.
Your application is an opportunity to tell your unique story, and building an outline for each question is a great way to pick and choose the stories that flow seamlessly.
Step 2: Craft Your Story
Share compelling and connected stories, designed to engage and impress
Your goal is to highlight the stories that you would share with an admissions counselor in an interview. Each story is your opportunity to show how you are different from your peers, and why that difference is an asset to the university.
Here are a few examples of themes that you can communicate in your essay:
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Self-starter and independent learner (ie. self-taught programmers)
- Inspiring leader with accolades
- Optimism, channeling major setbacks into opportunities
Step 3: Tie it All Together
Tie it all together with one central message
Through your essays, your goal should be to communicate a very clear vision as to what differentiates you from the rest of the applicants.
There are a few common, underlying traits with some of the better personal insight question responses:
- Thought-provoking - share your way of thinking in a unique manner
- Engaging - write like you speak - if you're considered a funny person, showcase that humor with some well-timed wit
- Authentic - try to stay away from embellishing your stories, and stay true to yourself
Make sure to leave enough time to brainstorm, write, explore, and re-write some more, when planning for your college essays.
