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Writing Techniques
Open with an engaging hook – Strive for a fresh, narrative quality that sounds like you. Use a
powerful anecdote or vivid memory related to your passion or research topic. Avoid overgeneralized
statements (e.g. “Cultural diversity is important in a globalized society.”).
Stay on-message, be concise, omit non-relevant details – You only have one page. Avoid repeating
details found in other parts of the application unless weaving an accomplishment into a larger narrative.
Highlight most salient aspects of your personal identity or identities – What has shaped you?
Family background, immigration experiences, heritage, multiculturalism, race, gender, sexual
orientation, political beliefs, ability, etc. that relate back to Grant Purpose and motivations to apply.
Avoid listing out accomplishments – This is not a resume. Follow guidelines but avoid doing so
formulaically. Select accomplishments that fit theme(s) conveyed in your Personal Statement.
Identify “A-ha” moments – Illustrate life events that sparked personal transformation, challenged your
way of thinking, or pushed you to develop emotionally, intellectually and socially. How have these
experiences propelled you to take action steps towards positive change?
Develop a chronological or thematic structure – Chart your personal growth over time with an
overall theme that complements your Grant Purpose. For example, an ETA Personal Statement could
include experiences related back to education and a passion for community engagement.
Avoid clichés, stereotypes, platitudes, and overly sentimental language – Share service-oriented
anecdotes without conveying “savior vs. victim” sentiment, i.e. “I felt joy and gratitude seeing smiles on
faces of impoverished children.” Fulbright looks for candidates who can learn from different cultures and
populations. Focus on concrete, substantive experiences you have had facilitating cultural exchange.
Getting Feedback
Engage a competent and trustworthy proofreader – After many drafts, it is nearly impossible to
proofread your own work. Consult with others for both content-related feedback and grammatical errors.
Request feedback on your drafts from a variety of people – Ask mentors, professors, colleagues,
supervisors, and Writing Center consultants. Prepare to receive different (possibly conflicting) advice.
Collect as much feedback as possible, synthesize the information, and tailor it to fit your narrative.
Plan accordingly. Give reviewers plenty of notice – Notify reviewers ahead of time and expect
turnaround time. Respect the time of faculty members and advisors, because they may not be able to
respond right away. These may be the same people from whom you request letters of recommendation.
Be patient – With high-stakes application essays, expect to work through 10-12 drafts before
submitting! The writing process takes a lot of thinking and critiquing to ensure your work is top quality.
Works Cited & Additional Resources
OWU Writing Center on Fulbright Personal Statements: http://tiny.cc/bf33qy
Tips for Fulbright Essays via hope.edu: http://tiny.cc/ih33qy
Personal Statement Best Practices authored by USC Writing Program Instructors Tamara Luqué Black, Elizabeth Durst,
Mandy Hobmeier, and Amy Meyerson
Contact AHF
3601 Trousdale Parkway, STU 300
Tel: 213-740-9116 | Follow: @USCAHF