Candidate Statements

gongsta

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
3
So I've got a few questions about the candidate statements we've got to write. Should they be more personalized and creative like common app essays, or should they be more straight forward (and for lack of a better term) more business like or analytical?
Any tips, guidelines, do's and dont's and general tips will be much appreciated.
Thanks
 
Be creative, just don't make it seem like a joke. It's good to have a professional leader but leaders also require social skills and humor. Show them something they won't see in others. Express yourself in a way that shows you are committed and really want this but you also aren't just serious. It's all about balance, get your point across in your own unique way. After all, you don't want to just blend with the other 1,000 strictly professional essays.
 
Ok thanks.
What about anecdotes or stories, would that seem "non serious" or would they be ok?
 
When writing your statements (I am doing mine right now) i find that it's easiest just to be yourself. :smile: At least that's what i've been told to do by cadets and officers that i have talked to here (I live at West Point). If you would tell stories in any other statement do so, it can't hurt as long as they're not too wacky, in fact it's good to have examples of what you're talking about. Best of luck and have fun with it.

-Tru3Flight91
Alis Volat Propriis
 
Ok thanks.
What about anecdotes or stories, would that seem "non serious" or would they be ok?

Stories are good as long as they have a point such as something you learned from it or how it inspired you to be a certain way/ do something.

Just let some of your teachers read it. Trust me, you will be able to tell if it's too wacky.
 
Statements

I am in the same boat as you. I guess I would like to post the question of how long they should be?
 
I am in the same boat as you. I guess I would like to post the question of how long they should be?

The instructions should have an recommended size. If it truly doesn't provide a limit then I would go with the standard 5 paragraph essay or just 1 if it is in an additional comments section. You could ask who you're writting it to too.
 
I am working on my candidate statements right now, too, and I feel like I am mostly just writing what I think about things, my philosophy in life, that kind of stuff. Do you think I should include examples of things that I have done, or is the candidate activities record and stuff sufficient?

Is there anyone that would be willing to read my candidate statements and give some input, or is that not allowed/frowned upon?
 
Last edited:
Is there anyone that would be willing to read my candidate statements and give some input, or is that not allowed/frowned upon?

Three things....
  1. It really is not a good idea to post your essay in a public forum because it can result in someone else copying your essay and then YOU might be accused of plagiarism.
  2. People from admissions may be lurking on this forum.
  3. You TRULY don't know the qualifications of the person giving you feedback on an anonymous forum.
The BEST resource would be a favored English teacher, HS counselor, or a military officer, ideally with some knowledge of the service academies. Make sure they are blunt and not "going through the motions" and giving you only positive feedback.

Good luck!
 
They want to see two things; how you answer the questions in terms of substance, and whether you are a decent writer.

I wouldn't overdo it trying to sound sophisticated. Clear and concise is always good, but if you are an outstanding writer this is a good opportunity to show off a bit.

There is a bit of a trick to being able to convey your thoughts, with a bit of style and substance, but using some shorthand to be within the character limits. Drafts and redrafts until you have a response which makes you proud. They will be read.

My son tried to convey his patriotism and desire to lead and serve. He was honest with his feelings, as they ask a few testy questions, but he was comfortable that noone would take offense with anything he submitted. I say this because I suspect that many candidates fill their answers with political correctness, or what they thing admissions wants to hear. Maybe that works, I don't know. But being genuine is important.
 
Hi all!

First, some really good information passing here; kudo's for that! Candidate statements are a big deal at the "big three" SA's; have been for quite a few years and each year I have candidates come to me asking if I'll "proof" their statement. My answer is always: "I'll look for grammar errors and such but that's all...its YOUR statement." And that seems to work well.

Brovol's comment about what the SA's look for is correct. Essentially this is the candidates chance to make an impression. How well you write...that's been debated about how critical that is; personally when I've been at USAFA and had a chance to look at some of these, the folks in admissions weren't as picky about how well they were written (okay, spelling and such obvious no-no's aside) but what where they saying? It's really easy to read one of these and see a "coached response." A "passionate commentary" lets the reader into your head a bit, and gives them some insight into who you are. Again, this is the chance to "say who you are, what you believe, and why you are a good choice." Again, as Brovol said: substance is important here. A rambling essay that really isn't cohesive isn't going to do well, whereas a well thought out response to a query will make a statement.

As I said...GOOD information here!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Back
Top