Your personal essay serves several key purposes in your college admissions process. First and foremost it gives colleges an opportunity to learn more about you as an individual. Obviously colleges are looking at your grades and coursework to see how you fit their academic profile, but they are also building a community and therefore want to hear about what is important to you on a personal level. A good college essay will highlight something you value or an aspect of your character that may not be fully developed in other parts of your application.
Click here for our guide to brainstorming the personal essay.