PERSONAL STATEMENT AND REFERENCE WRITING Ali Chandler Schools and Colleges Liaison

Personal Statements

THE ADMISSIONS TUTOR WILL ASK… Suited to the course? Right qualifications? Hardworking? Work under pressure? Adjust to the university environment? Good communication skills? Genuinely interested in the course and shown they have researched it?

WHAT MAKES A WEAK PERSONAL STATEMENT?  Omits why they want to study that subject/profession  Demonstrates poor understanding of subject  Fails to show qualities/skills for chosen profession  Content irrelevant  Poorly written (spelling/grammar)  Repeats information (e.g. A-levels they are studying)

WHAT MAKES A STRONG PERSONAL STATEMENT?  Enthusiasm  Natural and honest  Personal and genuine interest  Researched courses  Wider reading  Reflection and analysis – ‘It’s not what you’ve done but how you think about what you’ve done’.

How do they start a personal statement?

ASK THEM THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS… Why does the course interest them/Why study it in more depth? What specific topics do they enjoy and why? Do they understand what the course/profession involves? Have they done extra reading and research? What are their career plans? Have they attended any courses/field trips?

PROFESSIONAL BODIES AccountancyAssociation of Chartered Certified Accountants ArchitectureRoyal Institute of British Architects BusinessInstitute of Leadership and Management DramaDrama UK EngineeringEngineering Council JournalismNational Council for the Training of Journalists Nursing/MidwiferyNursing and Midwifery Council PsychologyBritish Psychological Society

4 MAIN STEPS Research course details Decide on course Research course requirements Wider reading around subject

5 COURSES, 1 STATEMENT Different universities cannot see: Use themes, not specifics What else they have applied for Which universities they have applied to

Extra Information to include Hurdles they’ve overcome Work Experience Gap year plans Activities outside of school Volunteer work Evidence of self-motivation Sports, hobbies, interests Positions of responsibility

WORK EXPERIENCE Tutors want to see reflection Analysis of duties Highlight transferable skills

Examples

ADDITIONAL LETTERS  Hardship/illness  Odd course choices  Medicine (biomedical statement)

SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH THEIR PERSONAL STATEMENT  Start early in year 12 -Work experience, voluntary work etc.  Personal Development plans  Give appropriate amount of time  Set deadlines – not too late in term

Reference Writing

REFERENCE WRITING  Subject  Qualities  Contextual information  Hardships  Top tips

SUBJECT  Mention all subjects ( starting with most relevant)  Suitability to degree subject  Predicted grades  Extra-reading or experience beyond curriculum  Academic and practical skills (ability and suitability)

QUALITIES Motivated Independent learner Works hard Meets deadlines Commitment to studies Enthusiastic for the subject Personal Qualities/Attributes (Particularly for professions)

CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION  1- 2 sentence school summary (E.G. % of GCSE attainment A*- C, % Free School Meals)  Comparison to peers and previous cohort  UCAS contextual data  Universities differ on what they look at

HARDSHIPS / SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES  If performance affected (includes unusual academic history)  Supplementary letter (teacher, parent or doctor if medical)  Ask student’s permission  Occurrence after UCAS application submitted

Examples

TOP TIPS! DO NOT…  Use standard reference and change names  Repeat information  Insert reference into wrong application  Mention an institution by name

TOP TIPS! DO …  Read whole application  Write reference to compliment personal statement  Make it personal

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSITY