What Admissions Officers Really Think When They Read Your First Line
In college and graduate school admissions, your personal statement isn’t just another essay, but your first handshake with the admissions committee. And like any introduction, those first few seconds set the tone for everything that follows. But what really goes through an admissions officer’s mind when they read your very first line? Spoiler: it’s not always about grammar or vocabulary. It’s about impact, authenticity, and narrative pull. The “Hook” Factor: Do I Want to Keep Reading? Admissions officers often read dozens, sometimes hundreds, of personal statements in a single week. Your first line is the make-or-break moment. A bland opener like, “I have always wanted to study medicine” will make their mental energy drop instantly. Instead, they’re subconsciously asking: Is this fresh and original? Does it create curiosity or tension? Does it show personality rather than just stating facts? An opener like, “The first time I stitched a cut, it wasn’t on a patient, it was on my brother...