--- title: "The Importance of a Strong Personal Statement Essay: Don't Leave Your Future to Chance" description: Learn about the personal statement essay, its purpose, and how to write an effective one to stand out in college applications. image: https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/hubfs/teen%20girl%20headphones%20writing.png --- [College Essays](https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/blog/topic/college-essays) [College Admissions](https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/blog/topic/college-admissions) [Personal Statement](https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/blog/topic/personal-statement) # The Importance of a Strong Personal Statement Essay: Don't Leave Your Future to Chance By [ Princeton College Consulting ](https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/blog/author/princeton-college-consulting) 1/25/2023 06:27 PM 1 Minute Read ## The personal statement is your chance to shine.   Here's your opportunity to showcase your personality and values to the admissions committee while helping the reader to emotionally connect with your story. Your goal is to give them a sense of who you are as a person beyond your grades and test scores, and to share your unique experiences and perspectives.   > Maya Angelou once said….”I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."   That, in a nutshell, is what the personal statement is all about. Use your personal statement to make a strong and lasting impression on the admissions committee, and to show them why you are a good fit for the college or university. Take a look at the [COSTCO  essay deconstructed ](https://www.princetoncollegeconsulting.net/blog/the-costco-essay-deconstructed)for tips on how to bring this concept into focus. 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