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Diversity Fly-in Programs Explained
Many colleges offer programs that subsidize travel for students that are otherwise unable to visit their campuses due to financial constraints. Students who apply and are accepted participate in a visiting weekend on the college campus typically at no cost. Most schools will open up these programs specifically for underrepresented groups (i.e. low-income students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students etc.) to experience life on their campuses.
There are many reasons why you should apply to the fly-in program:
What is a personal statement?
The personal statement essay (also known as a college essay or common application essay) is a relatively short piece of writing (max. 650 words) that you will submit to every college you apply to. This essay has to be about YOU. It needs to provide a window into your life, explain any weaknesses in your academic record, share about who you are as a person, etc. This essay also offers evidence of your writing capabilities.
Personal statement essays should be creative and follow the Show Not Tell rule. That is why, thinking through your life stories that best characterize who you are is the first step to writing a personal statement essay. A personal statement is your introduction to a selection committee. It is the heart of your application. That is why, it needs to be personal, specific, and inspiring.
Remember the goal: grab the reader’s’ interest, and make them want to know you or feel that they know you. Get a sense of the experiences and dreams you wish to share, then examine them for a helpful means of making sense of it all. You will find your story; and if you share it honestly, you will have written a personal statement.
Personal statement writing resources
TIP: do not forget to follow the colleges formatting guidelines (font, line spacing, margins, etc).
TeenSHARP’s 25 Prompts
To help you come up with the most original and meaningful idea, TeenSHARP has developed 25 writing prompts. These prompts help you reflect on your life, pull out most meaningful stories, and identify themes that need to come across in your essay. Please note that the goal here is NOT to just pick one of your responses as your actual personal statement essay. The goal is to brainstorm moments in your life that were meaningful and formative and based on the information offered, give you an opportunity to outline your story. If you are struggling to respond, ask a family member or significant people in your life to help you! Sometimes it is other people who may remember stories that are particularly significant about you.
Use the following checklist to gather all the information you need to begin the application process: