How can I start off an essay about me?

Personal essays are great because they generally offer the writer much more creative freedom than a traditional academic paper. Before you begin writing or even planning a personal essay, always keep in mind the saying "Show, don't tell." This means, for example, instead of writing "I love musical theatre," and leaving it at that, you would instead write about the summer you spent putting on a musical at your local theatre. That way, without ever saying how much you love it, the reader learns about your passion through an interesting story. Within the context of the topic you're assigned for your personal essay, try to first think of an experience you've had that makes the point you want to get across to your reader. Jump right into your story the way you might tell it to a friend, while being sure to use language appropriate to the assignment.