Your Guide to Personal Statements
Emily Butters Education Liaison Officer
Things to remember before you start:
• Have a good idea of what course you want to study. • No right or wrong way of doing it. • This is the only information the university receives about you. • A way to tell you apart from other applicants.
Aims of the Personal Statement
• To answer the following questions for the Admissions Tutor:
• Is the student suited to the course they are applying? • Is the student conscientious, hardworking and unlikely to drop out? • Will the student be able to adjust to their new environment at university? • Are they dedicated to this course and have they researched it well?
• Unfortunately you cannot answer these questions directly, you need to provide evidence.
Notes about yourself
• Use a set of headings and write bullet points how you relate to these:
• Academic Experiences • What you want to study and why • Specific aspects of the courses that interest you • Examples of coursework you have completed • Practical work you have enjoyed • Things you have read related to the subject area • Work experience or voluntary work in this area • Conferences you have attended
Notes about yourself
• Personal Experiences • What made you choose the course and where you hope the subject will lead – career aspirations • Experiences which show you are reliable and a responsible person • Part-time job • Sixth form committee • Helping out a school event/ open day • Young Enterprise, World Challenge, Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Remember to add what you have gained form these experiences
Notes about yourself
• Your Interests and Skills
• • • • Sport and leisure activities Musical instruments Languages Any prizes you have won
• Gap Year
• Why you’re taking one • What you intend to do • How this will relate to your course
You and your subject
• Saying why you want to take your course is the most important part. • Outline the key reasons why you want to take it. • If you want to apply for different courses:
• Not easy • If subjects are similar you may be able to write a general statement that refers to both courses
• Read example statements- to get ideas of how others have written theirs.
Some things to consider
• • • • • • • Don’t make jokes Don’t start every sentence with I Don’t use vocabulary you don’t normally use Don’t repeat things already on your UCAS form Don’t write lists without explanation Don’t lie or embellish the truth Don’t include boring phrases or hobbies which everyone does • Don’t take any political/ religious viewpoints
Language of the statement
• Don’t copy someone else’s- it’s plagiarism! • Use language which makes you sound enthusiastic about your course and an interesting person. • Prospectuses are a good place to look, find your course, see how it is described and see if you can work anything into your statement. • Above all make sure you sound like yourself!
Structure of the statement
• As a guide split the statement 50/50 with: • The course and why you have chosen it • Information about yourself and your abilities • Alternately use the following approach:
• Paragraph 1: Introduction to my subject, the part’s I’m interested in and why • Paragraph 2: What I have done related to my subject which wasn’t on the UCAS Form • Paragraph 3 and 4: Work experience and things I have done in school • Paragraph 5: My interests outside of school • Paragraph 6: My goal of going to university and a closing comment
Structure of the statement
• • • • • • • • Don’t write it as one large block Try using headings Use themed paragraphs Structured sentences Organise your material logically Not too much information Accurate statements Don’t repeat material
• A good start and ending are important!
Writing the statement
• Remember the aims • Don’t worry if 1st drafts are too long- they can easily be trimmed down! • Keep a positive and interesting tone throughout. • You want to write in a way that is informative, interesting and useful. Along with writing what you’ve done, try and explain why you did it, or what you think you learned from it.
After writing the statement
• This is your first of many drafts! • Don’t worry if it sounds disjointed, missed bits out or is the wrong length- these will be fixed later. • Most important thing- to be easy to read and not confusing! • Get parents, teachers and friends to check it and get their opinion.
Any Questions?