Anyone can write a list. I could easily write you a list of my achievements, jobs, anxieties, fears, and much much more. However, it is not a college personal list; it is a college personal essay.
Lists tend to be messy as they are a neat way to spit out your thoughts on paper. This is the last thing an admissions counselor wants to read. You must avoid writing a list at all costs. How do you remedy your list problem? Show, don't tell. Let me give you and example.
I went outside for some air. It was cold. I didn't want to be outside, but I was waiting on my brother. I had instructions to not return inside without my brother.
Compare that to...
Each breath I took shrunk my lungs, and my mouth produced smoke like the chimney on my house. The hair on my body stood on edge. The warmth of my bed called to me, and I resented my parents for taking it away from me. My brother was making trouble somewhere, and it was my responsibility to act like a doting brother who cares.
Now, my highschool English teacher drilled into me, "Show, Don't Tell." This catchphrase can turn your list into amazing stories. That's what I did with the examples above.
The first quote is written in list form. I listed some points I thought would be relevant to my story. It tells a narrative, but it's very dull and lacks sustenance. The second paragraph is an expansion of the first. I take each sentence and give it some life. You should always take advantage of sensory imagery. Immerse your reader in your feelings. There isn't a bunch of exposition; the context is built into the story.
If you struggle with "Show, Don't Tell," then practice copying someone who is good at it. Take section of your personal essay and try to imitate a writer who excels at "Show, Don't Tell." Ernest Hemingway is an author who excels at this skill.
I like this link for it's in-depth explanation and examples: https://www.eadeverell.com/show-dont-tell/
If practicing on your own isn't working, feel free to reach out! You know where to find me.
-Roberto