12 replies to this topic

[Ally]

Seeing as most people (including me!) will probably be in the process of writing their personal statements, I thought I would post some advice I've read and received on writing a personal statement. Remember that your personal statement could be the deciding factor whether you get a place at your chosen course(s) so it's vital that you make it pretty decent.

Feel free to post any advice you have aswell.

Your Personal Statement
If you are using UCASapply your personal statement should be a maximum of 47 lines - one word over and it is automatically deleted! Try leaving a line between each of your paragraphs as indenting is not possible. The only editing options which are available are underlining, bold type and italics. UCASapply sets your personal statement to a default size 12 and font Times New Roman.

Remember to ask your teachers, friends and family to look at your personal statement so that they can give you constructive critisicm on it.

Make sure you relate everything you write to your chosen course(s).

What should it include?
Your personal statement might follow the following format:

• Why you want to study your chosen course(s) - most important
• Career aspiration
• Relevant work experience or conferences attended
• Extra-curricular activities (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Award; Young Enterprise etc.)
• School activities which you are involved in (e.g. Head Boy/Girl; Prefect; Commitees etc.)
• Hobbies, interests etc
• Conclusion about why you should be picked

You may also want to include information about your chosen subjects this year, e.g. how experiments in Chemistry have developed you manual dexterity etc.

Things to avoid
Some things you may want to avoid are:

• Quotes from novels.
• The good ol' 'I was interested in [insert course here] from the age of 6' thing.
• Starting sentences with 'I'.
• Giving information which is already on the UCAS form (you don't need to list the subjects you are taking for 6th year).
• Using long, pompous phrases: it just sounds pretentious!
• Lying: you will in one way or another get caught out!
• When writing about your work experience write what you gained from it; not just what you saw.
• Using colloquial language.

Remember the personal statement is about you so avoid irrelevant things. Make it as personal as you can.

Useful Resources

• Studential.com is a fantastic web-site made by an Essex student which offers example personal statements. There is also a secure review section where you can upload your personal statement and ask one of the reviewers to look at it for free - I haven't used it yet so don't know if it is any good. Don't copy any of the example personal statements as you will just get caught and it will lose you a place at University - use them for ideas!
• Another good resource is Completing the Personal Statement by PlanIT Plus, which basically gives you advice on how to go about writing it.
• There is also more example personal statements on the 'Learning Extranet' site which also offers great personal statement advice.
• There is also good advice from UCAS.
• An excellent Personal Statement Writing Guide

I hope that helps you.

Please note that since I am in no way an expert on Personal Statements, the advice given above is opinion and is not fact.

[Discogirl17]

Who are you kidding , u r an expert on everything!
Thanks for the advice but I already did mine!

[Shaun]

Very good advice!

[YIC]

these are actually very useful. Thanks ally!

[dondon]

all youve really got to do is tell everyone all wonderful you are

It worked for me

[YIC]

the biggest problem I am finding is cutting down on characters

[dfx]

Do you think you should try to appeal to the admission tutor's sympathy (if you have genuine circumstances/background). Or let them know atleast, to sort of "put your efforts into perspective."

[werlop]

Do you think you should try to appeal to the admission tutor's sympathy (if you have genuine circumstances/background). Or let them know atleast, to sort of "put your efforts into perspective."

Perhaps you could ask for any things like that to go in your reference.

Some universities have special schemes you can apply through. For example Cambridge has the "Special Access Scheme" where people who are from "non-traditional backgrounds" or who have special circumstances can make these things known and perhaps receive a lower offer.

[dfx]

Ah yes.. I'm thinking of applying through the Special Access scheme. My second choice is Imperial though lol. And Imperial has possibly the toughest degree in the UK. Anyway... I guess I'll just mention it to sort of give a frame of reference.

[TempName123]

had the best line ever in my reference.

"He is confident enough about himself to engage in banter and conversation with staff on any topic."

come on. banter!! pure genius

[bred]

Haha, nice one!

[Pammy]

Here are a few sites i found to do with writing a personal study
Sorry if they have already been mentioned !!

Personal Statement

Personal Statement 2

The 2nd one is the best i think

Hope they can be of some help to someone !!

*~* Pam xxx *~*

[Discogirl17]

Ok, its back to the old stuff for me.... and by that I mean that I'm free to help with personal statements. If you wish me to review a personal statement you have already written feel free to email me. If you need advice on personal statements then please PM me.