My Personal Statement
Writing your personal statement
What is the personal statement?
The personal statement is your chance to demonstrate what an excellent candidate you are for your chosen course/s. The statement cannot be more than 4000 characters including spaces or 47 lines. UCAS use sophisticated antiplagiarism software, so make sure your statement is all your own work, under no circumstances should you be tempted to include cutandpasted material from any source!
How should I structure my personal statement?
The recommended structure is as follows:
● paragraph 1 – explain why you are passionate about your subject and why you are such a good candidate for the course
● paragraph 2 – demonstrate what skills you have already developed from your A level …show more content…
studies and wider experiences
● paragraph 3 – demonstrate what personal qualities you have, and how much of a contribution to university life you can make
The best statements will also start with strong opening and closing sentences, but write the main 3 sections first before you start to worry about these.
Guidelines for each section
Paragraph 1 – academic interest
This should be the largest section of your statement (at least 50%)
The key points for this section are to:
● show real passion and enthusiasm for your chosen subject
● show that you have academic curiosity
This is best achieved by including examples of your wider reading and/or talks you have attended and/or other activities you have taken part in outside of your A level lessons. It is important not to just list what you have done but to use them as examples to show how your understanding and interest has been expanded by them. examples
‘From then I became fascinated with the ancient world, thus I am reading "The Classical World, an Epic
History of Greece and Rome," Robin Lane Fox, introducing me to the lives and impact of key figures from
Homer to Hadrian. The range of topics covered in the book has left me excited to discover why the modern world is captivated by the ancient one.’ E. Redmond (Ancient History & Archaeology, 2011) ‘As an Economics student, I am strongly convinced by the arguments of Pearce, Markandya and Barbier in
Blueprint for the Green Economy that, as most environmental problems originate in the flaws of the economic system, their solutions lie in the correction of those flaws.’ A. Xu (Land Economy, 2011)
Paragraph 2 skills
The key points for this section are to:
● show the skills you have already mastered from your A level studies and/or wider experiences ● show your ability to reflect on your own learning/ experiences
This is best achieved by including examples of the pieces of work you have produced and/or the difficult problems you have solved, and/or the complex concepts you have been able to understand and apply.
If you have completed relevant work experience/ shadowing you should use a few examples of things you have done and/or seen and what you have learnt from them or what insights you have developed about your chosen course/ career. examples
‘At GCSE, I designed and made a garden bench from oak. As this was designed to go outside, I wanted to avoid using glue and so I crafted some very complex mortis and tenon joints to make it stronger and more durable.’ K. Shadbolt (Furniture design, 2011)
‘I can already see how my understanding of certain processes, such as the effects of stress lowering the immune response could allow me to help patients by using my strong interpersonal skills to help reduce their stress levels and so improve their recovery experience.’ G. Wilding (Nursing, 2011)
Paragraph 3 – extracurricular interests
The key points for this section are …show more content…
to:
● show what personal qualities you have
● show that you have a balanced life with interests outside of your studies
● show what contribution you are likely to make to your chosen university
This is best achieved by including the achievements that you are most proud of from your extracurricular interests. Again try not to just list your achievements and interests but use them as examples to show what qualities you have. examples
‘I have enhanced my communication skills whilst working with young children as a Young Rainbows Leader, and in my role as school prefect. As a keen member of the Debating Society, I have also developed my ability to structure arguments and understand the importance of listening to and understanding other points of view.’ N. Warren (Medicine, 2011)
‘I am a senior member of Harpenden Expedition Club and a young leader at a Cub Scout troop. In both roles
I use my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills to help run meetings. I successfully lead a team of
Scouts over a weekend of orienteering and wild camping to come 6th out of 70 teams in the 'Peak Assault' challenge.’ S. Wilcocks (Geography, 2011)
Opening sentence/s
Try to make your opening sentence interesting so that you attract the attention of the admissions tutor and stand out from other applicants. Try to avoid some of the most common openings – they have become clichés. Quotations are used by many students – don’t feel you need to use one, but if you have a really good quote that sums up your passion and interest it may well add to your application.
examples
‘Language is a feature that every community shares, yet the variety and diversity of natural language has fascinated us for millennia.’ J. ManiskiLuke (Linguistics, 2011)
‘Nelson Mandela once said "Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way that little else can".
This sums up how I feel about sport and as a result I wish to study sport and exercise science at university.’ G. Wright (Sports & Exercise Science, 2011)
Closing sentence
Finish by reinforcing how enthusiastic you are about studying your chosen subject, and why you believe you will be successful. example
‘I am confident that my passionate interest in philosophy, combined with the commitment I bring to extracurricular activities, will enable me to make a significant contribution to a Philosophy degree course and to the wider university life and I am eager to begin.’ M. Arnerich (Philosophy, 2011)
FINAL TIPS
It is important that paragraphs 2 and 3 relate back to your passion for your subject. What you are trying to show are the skills and qualities you have that will make you a successful university student of that subject.
Remember that each admissions tutor has to read hundreds of UCAS forms. You are competing against other people for the same place so make sure your statement stands out from the others.
If you are applying for courses that interview, only include information that you are
confident talking about. Anything in your personal statement is fair game for an interviewer, and you will look very foolish if you can’t talk about something you have included.
The more input and advice you can get the better. Show drafts to your subject teachers, form tutors and Heads of Sixth Form. You will not produce an excellent statement in one or two drafts. Be prepared to redraft it many times using feedback from teachers – the best statements often have 5 or more drafts!
What is the personal statement?
The personal statement is your chance to demonstrate what an excellent candidate you are for your chosen course/s. The statement cannot be more than 4000 characters including spaces or 47 lines. UCAS use sophisticated antiplagiarism software, so make sure your statement is all your own work, under no circumstances should you be tempted to include cutandpasted material from any source!
How should I structure my personal statement?
The recommended structure is as follows:
● paragraph 1 – explain why you are passionate about your subject and why you are such a good candidate for the course
● paragraph 2 – demonstrate what skills you have already developed from your A level …show more content…
studies and wider experiences
● paragraph 3 – demonstrate what personal qualities you have, and how much of a contribution to university life you can make
The best statements will also start with strong opening and closing sentences, but write the main 3 sections first before you start to worry about these.
Guidelines for each section
Paragraph 1 – academic interest
This should be the largest section of your statement (at least 50%)
The key points for this section are to:
● show real passion and enthusiasm for your chosen subject
● show that you have academic curiosity
This is best achieved by including examples of your wider reading and/or talks you have attended and/or other activities you have taken part in outside of your A level lessons. It is important not to just list what you have done but to use them as examples to show how your understanding and interest has been expanded by them. examples
‘From then I became fascinated with the ancient world, thus I am reading "The Classical World, an Epic
History of Greece and Rome," Robin Lane Fox, introducing me to the lives and impact of key figures from
Homer to Hadrian. The range of topics covered in the book has left me excited to discover why the modern world is captivated by the ancient one.’ E. Redmond (Ancient History & Archaeology, 2011) ‘As an Economics student, I am strongly convinced by the arguments of Pearce, Markandya and Barbier in
Blueprint for the Green Economy that, as most environmental problems originate in the flaws of the economic system, their solutions lie in the correction of those flaws.’ A. Xu (Land Economy, 2011)
Paragraph 2 skills
The key points for this section are to:
● show the skills you have already mastered from your A level studies and/or wider experiences ● show your ability to reflect on your own learning/ experiences
This is best achieved by including examples of the pieces of work you have produced and/or the difficult problems you have solved, and/or the complex concepts you have been able to understand and apply.
If you have completed relevant work experience/ shadowing you should use a few examples of things you have done and/or seen and what you have learnt from them or what insights you have developed about your chosen course/ career. examples
‘At GCSE, I designed and made a garden bench from oak. As this was designed to go outside, I wanted to avoid using glue and so I crafted some very complex mortis and tenon joints to make it stronger and more durable.’ K. Shadbolt (Furniture design, 2011)
‘I can already see how my understanding of certain processes, such as the effects of stress lowering the immune response could allow me to help patients by using my strong interpersonal skills to help reduce their stress levels and so improve their recovery experience.’ G. Wilding (Nursing, 2011)
Paragraph 3 – extracurricular interests
The key points for this section are …show more content…
to:
● show what personal qualities you have
● show that you have a balanced life with interests outside of your studies
● show what contribution you are likely to make to your chosen university
This is best achieved by including the achievements that you are most proud of from your extracurricular interests. Again try not to just list your achievements and interests but use them as examples to show what qualities you have. examples
‘I have enhanced my communication skills whilst working with young children as a Young Rainbows Leader, and in my role as school prefect. As a keen member of the Debating Society, I have also developed my ability to structure arguments and understand the importance of listening to and understanding other points of view.’ N. Warren (Medicine, 2011)
‘I am a senior member of Harpenden Expedition Club and a young leader at a Cub Scout troop. In both roles
I use my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills to help run meetings. I successfully lead a team of
Scouts over a weekend of orienteering and wild camping to come 6th out of 70 teams in the 'Peak Assault' challenge.’ S. Wilcocks (Geography, 2011)
Opening sentence/s
Try to make your opening sentence interesting so that you attract the attention of the admissions tutor and stand out from other applicants. Try to avoid some of the most common openings – they have become clichés. Quotations are used by many students – don’t feel you need to use one, but if you have a really good quote that sums up your passion and interest it may well add to your application.
examples
‘Language is a feature that every community shares, yet the variety and diversity of natural language has fascinated us for millennia.’ J. ManiskiLuke (Linguistics, 2011)
‘Nelson Mandela once said "Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way that little else can".
This sums up how I feel about sport and as a result I wish to study sport and exercise science at university.’ G. Wright (Sports & Exercise Science, 2011)
Closing sentence
Finish by reinforcing how enthusiastic you are about studying your chosen subject, and why you believe you will be successful. example
‘I am confident that my passionate interest in philosophy, combined with the commitment I bring to extracurricular activities, will enable me to make a significant contribution to a Philosophy degree course and to the wider university life and I am eager to begin.’ M. Arnerich (Philosophy, 2011)
FINAL TIPS
It is important that paragraphs 2 and 3 relate back to your passion for your subject. What you are trying to show are the skills and qualities you have that will make you a successful university student of that subject.
Remember that each admissions tutor has to read hundreds of UCAS forms. You are competing against other people for the same place so make sure your statement stands out from the others.
If you are applying for courses that interview, only include information that you are
confident talking about. Anything in your personal statement is fair game for an interviewer, and you will look very foolish if you can’t talk about something you have included.
The more input and advice you can get the better. Show drafts to your subject teachers, form tutors and Heads of Sixth Form. You will not produce an excellent statement in one or two drafts. Be prepared to redraft it many times using feedback from teachers – the best statements often have 5 or more drafts!