Remember that the goal of the personal statement is to distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants. The best way to make yourself distinctive is by showcasing your accomplishments. Your essay should be dense with achievements. Avoid purple prose. After all, who you are to the admissions reader is what you've done.
Here's a short blog of mine from 2012 that reminds applicants that highlighting accomplishments does not mean regurgitating a resume (although the highlights of your curriculum vitae absolutely should be covered in your essay).
