Beckie Bartle & Rowan Fisher Personal statements Beckie Bartle & Rowan Fisher Schools & Colleges Liaison Team

What is a personal statement? A Personal Statement is an essential part of a students’ UCAS application. Why you are applying Why you would be suitable for the course Why you are applying – your ambitions and what interests you about the subject, course providers and higher education. What makes you suitable – any relevant skills, experience or achievements gained from education, work or other activities. Only opportunity you will get to really sell yourself as the rest of the application is grades etc.

basics Between 1,000-4000 characters or 47 lines Use Word and cut and paste into UCAS Be careful with spellings, punctuation and grammar! Use paragraphs where possible Balance academic/extra curricular Don’t include grades or qualifications 75%/25% balance (academic and extra curricular) depending on course and institution.

THEIr University choices They can apply to up to 5 courses Universities cannot see… WHICH UNIVERSITIES YOU HAVE APPLIED TO WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR Add - Mention not to write specific Universities and course title if you are applying for different courses. USE THEMES NOT SPECIFICS

What goes in it? Why they are interested in the subject or course Enthusiasm Passion Motivation 3 main areas. These will overlap. Are you suited to the course Are you hardworking? Can you work under pressure? Will you be able to adjust to the university environment? What transferable skills can you bring to university? What experiences they’ve had - subject - personal development Their personality, attributes, and why they’d be a good student

What makes a strong personal statement? Enthusiasm Natural and honest Personal and genuine interest Researched courses Wider reading

don’t tell Show (reflection and analysis) Also really important to think about the way which you have written your PS. Universities will be looking for evidence that you are able to reflect and analyse. Make sure you have reflected and analysed the skills and experience you have rather than just listing them.

Why do they like this subject? Personal experiences Relevance Experience of the subject: Analysis of favourite topics Course specific – Why do they like this subject? Relevance – Course relevance to work and current affairs Course content – past and future courses Course content Career ambitions Wider reading

A bad example Repetitive Punctuation Spelling ‘I really really like politic’s it is importent to our world. I am also very good at politics as you can see by my grades!!!’ really politic’s importent also very good as you can see !!! Activity – discuss why it is bad Boastful Show not tell Punctuation

AN example of A GOOD academic STATEMENT Politics: ‘This compelled me to research abortion in America where it has been and remains such a disputed political subject. The debate is fascinating because both sides are concerned with protecting human rights, whether it is the unborn child's right to life or the woman's right to make an autonomous reproductive choice.’ Here is a good example of this. This is someone who applied for a Politics degree.

AN example of A GOOD academic STATEMENT Evidence of wider reading Politics: ‘This compelled me to research abortion in America where it has been and remains such a disputed political subject. The debate is fascinating because both sides are concerned with protecting human rights, whether it is the unborn child's right to life or the woman's right to make an autonomous reproductive choice.’ compelled me to research abortion in America The debate is fascinating because She shows evidence of wider reading. Shows enthusiasm (and explains why)

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

An example of how to show: Extra curricular 'I spent two weeks working at a department store. I enjoyed speaking to customers and helping them with their enquiries' OR: 'I spent two weeks managing customer enquiries at a department store. I learnt how to interact with customers and handle complaints. The experience highlighted the importance of positive communication between a business and its customers, and taught me how to manage difficult enquiries effectively. I would like to develop this skill further by studying a degree in public relations.’ Here is an example of how to use reflection and analytical skills when it comes to your extra curricular skills and experience. This is someone who has applied for a PR course. The first example just mentions what the job entailed but the second reflects on the transferable skills which this person has gained from the job. Activity – Talk with your groups about you extra curricular activities and how you would use this in your personal statement. – applicable for any degree, communication, team work, hard working, time management

Top 5 most overused personal statement opening sentences Most common opening lines from personal statements 2015 From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by] 1,779 applicants For as long as I can remember I have… 1,451 applicants I am applying for this course because… 1,370 applicants I have always been interested in… 927 applicants Throughout my life I have always enjoyed… 310 applicants

Good examples Ancient History ‘Modern society can learn a lot from ancient civilizations as, despite the gap of numerous centuries, there are many parallels between now and then.’ Physics ‘The intricacies of the universe can be described through the application of mathematical theories and scientific experimentation. This has been the most fascinating discovery of my education to date.’ Don’t give dictionary definitions of their subject. Show an awareness. Analysis of subject and why they are interested in it. Authentic, not cliché.

General points DO DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute

DO General points DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute …Sell yourself …Sound boastful

DO General points DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute …Sell yourself …Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny or controversial

DO General points DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute …Sell yourself …Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny or controversial …Show self-awareness and reflection …Just write lists of what you have done

DO General points DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute …Sell yourself …Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny or controversial …Show self-awareness and reflection …Just write lists of what you have done …Proof read and get someone else to proof read …Get too many proof readers – too many cooks spoil the broth

DO General points DON’T …Plan it first …Leave it to the last minute …Sell yourself …Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny or controversial …Show self-awareness and reflection …Just write lists of what you have done …Proof read and get someone else to proof read …Get too many proof readers – too many cooks spoil the broth … Make it personal to you … Plagiarise other statements

Receive offers and choose 2 universities timeline 2016 Summer 2016 Write personal statement Summer 2016 Register with UCAS September onwards Apply to UCAS 2017 15th October 2016 Oxford/Cambridgemedicine deadline There will be internal deadlines for your school, keep to these! Most schools schools will have their own internal deadline between Oct half term and mid Nov. It’s in your best interest and the best interest of your students to give yourselves enough time to write a good reference for each of them. January – Easter Receive offers and choose 2 universities 15th January 2017 UCAS deadline