Include brief descriptions of your specific achievements.

Give credit to people or books or whatever has inspired you.  Mention the early influences that led you to your goal, if they are interesting or unusual. Remember, to keep the focus on you.

Give readers a taste of your daily life to make a point about yourself (multiple responsibilities, busy schedule, financial hardship, etc.)

Rely on your Letters of Recommendation to supply praise and superlatives.

Identify your long range goals.

Find out as much as possible about your chosen field and explore the merits of particular careers before you write your personal statement.

Acknowledge the support you have received from CCSF, including counselors, faculty, departments, classes, clubs, etc.

Make your opening paragraph as individual as you are! Spend time crafting your first sentence, and each sentence, until you are satisfied with the message and the style.

Make your personal statement easy to read.

Consider format, fonts, margins and line spacing carefully. Ask you friends, tutors and teachers about their preferences.

Show that you have taken time in writing your personal statement.

USE Spellcheck and proofread your statement for missing words, typos and repeated words.

Don't simply list the honors, awards or achievements that you included on your application.

Don't include long narrative passages or take up too much space describing other people.

Don't include details of your daily life that are common to many students at CCSF.

Don't compliment yourself with praise that makes you seem immodest.  Let your readers decide whether you " have and excellent GPA" or "are extremely diligent."

Don't make too many detailed promises about what you intend to do (volunteering, initiating special projects).

Don't promise to figure out your career options at some point in the future.

Don't spend too much time discussing what other people have done for you. Keep the bulk of your personal statement focused on what you have done.

Don't begin with: "Hello, my name is ..."

Don't use fonts that are too small or elaborate. Don't use bold, capitals or underlining to emphasize key points.