Tip 21 : Language selection
When writing your personal statement, word selection can be the difference between coming across as an expert, or a complete novice. You can't expect to be taken seriously if you perpetually use 'kind of' 'sort of' 'maybe' style language, and you can't afford to waste away your word limit by using four words where one would achieve the same result.
Professional writers will often agonise over language choices for days at a time, and I'm certainly not suggesting you take it that far - You will benefit significantly, though, by giving some extra thought to the language you use and how it might reflect on you.
Tip 22 : Use power words
A personal statement is effectively a personal sales letter, and there are some words that are inherently more powerful than others - Find them, and use them.
Why use very important when you could use vital, essential or imperative?
And you can further improve your writing by including specifics - Improving something significantly is nice, but doubling it or improving it five-fold makes your achievement both more impressive and more credible. If you can provide specific facts and figures to backup your claims, I strongly advise you to do so.
But beware of hyperbole - Even if something is true, certain language can make it seem unbelievable. A word that I often see used in personal statements is exponential or exponentially, which are often used to describe an increase in revenue or profits. Leaving aside the fact that it's usually used incorrectly (exponential growth is typically only possible in very small enterprises), even correct usage can hinder the point you're trying to make rather than help it. A better option is to stick with solid, easily understood figures such as percentages, which provide the credibility you need without calling your integrity into question.