What is a one-sentence summary of the following article?
You may not know what openings are most commonly found on personal statements, but you can easily do an internet search for "personal statements" to get an idea. Reviewers read so many applications that they get bored of reading the same statements over and over again.  Common cliches to avoid include things such as "From a young age, I have always been interested in...", "I have always been a...", defining dictionary terms, opening with a quotation, and using sweeping generalizations such as "Humans have always..."  Avoid things that are overly general and could apply to anyone, such as "I want to become a physician because I want to help people." This says nothing particular about you. Most applications will also ask for a resume or CV that displays your accomplishments. While you should talk about significant experiences in your development, don't use your personal statement to rehash everything on your resume. Instead, try to pick one or two moments that really stick out to you as influencing your decision to apply to this program. You do not know the beliefs and values of the admissions committee reading your personal statement. While you may have strong beliefs about particular things, such as religion or politics, it is best to keep the tone of your personal statement neutral to avoid offending anyone who does not share them.  This does not mean you can't mention things like religion if they are important to you. For example, you could say something like "I have honed my leadership skills by serving as a youth counselor for my church." However, you would probably want to avoid things such as "I know that God's plan is for me to cure cancer," since not everyone may believe in this. Of course, there are always exceptions. For example, if you are writing a personal statement to apply to a seminary program, it would be appropriate to talk about your religious beliefs in detail.

Summary:
Avoid overused openings. Avoid rehashing your resume or CV. Avoid emphasizing personal beliefs.