Personal statement: purpose, structure, and effective writing

College Application for Immigrant

My name is XXXXXXX. I came to the United States two years ago, and spent my first year attending English as Second Language (ESL) courses, in order to improve my English skills. While I still struggle with some of the finer points of writing and speaking English, my vocabulary and understanding of the English language has improved greatly. From this experience, I realized that mastery of the English language is a difficult and time-consuming task, and I continue to patiently practice and learn to speak and write English effectively.

My time at the ESL school gave me a great many exciting and rewarding experiences. My first year in to a new country was a great challenge. I met a great many people who have enriched my life in many ways. Many of these people came from different countries, and I feel that this experience greatly contributed to my personal growth and education. At the same time, I have not forgotten the culture of language of my native land, and continue to be proud of my heritage.

In my second year in the United States, I attended junior college. Like my experiences in ESL school, my time in junior college was also highly rewarding and challenging. In this year, I learned a great deal about the American school systems. I carefully studied the differences between education in my native country, and the educational system in the United States. This experience has given me an excellent background for pursuing further education in the United States.

In junior college, I had the opportunity to meet and get to know a large number of American students. This was a rewarding and interesting experience. It opened my eyes to the many subtle (and not so subtle) cultural differences between American students and students from my culture. Understanding the American student's lifestyle has been a deeply enriching and rewarding experience for me.

My time in junior college has equipped me with many of the skills that I need to succeed in higher education. I learned a great deal about the American educational system, and plan to use this knowledge effectively. Further, I came to better understand the culture of American students, which was a truly rich and rewarding experience.

In general, I feel that I have adapted well to my life in the United States during my two years that I have lived in Boston. I have diligently learned to read and write the English language, an invaluable skill. Further, I have worked hard to understand the American school system, and the larger American culture of American students.

My future goal is to attend the University of Massachusetts to attend a four-year bachelor's degree. I fell that the University of Massachusetts is an excellent choice for me. A wonderful learning environment mirrors the school's excellent academic reputation. The University of Massachusetts is the perfect size; it is large enough to offer a world-class education, but small enough to provide an enriched, personalized learning environment. I feel that the University of Massachusetts is the perfect place for me to continue to pursue my higher education.