Colleges almost always require applicants to submit Personal Statements. These intimately crafted narratives are an integral opportunity for students to showcase themselves, and authenticity is critical. As the University of Pennsylvania affirms: 'We carefully read each essay you submit, as they can help us get to know you much better than your transcripts and test scores.’ Personal Statements function as essential windows into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Numbers tell what kind of student you are; essays illuminate what sort of person you are.

Grey Eyed Owl’s Personal Statement Process includes:

Incubation - The process begins with quiet reflection—deep conversations and guided prompts to help students uncover the stories, values, and moments that have shaped them.

Brainstorming & Writing Vignettes - Before diving into a full draft, students experiment with imagery, tone, and perspective. These creative snapshots help surface moments of meaning and serve as a reservoir of content from which a larger narrative can grow.

Selecting a Topic & Creating an Outline - Together, we identify the story that wants to be told. Then build a flexible but focused outline to give the essay shape, momentum, and thematic coherence.

Drafting & Editing - Through multiple rounds of writing and revision with personalized support, students refine their voice, clarify their ideas, and shape their essays into narratives that feel both alive and intentional.

Final Essay Review - Once the story is whole, it undergoes a final review with our editorial team and the GEO College Essay Council — ensuring clarity, polish, and a perfect fit for submission.