Personal statements What is a personal statement? What makes a good personal statement? Getting started What to include

What is a personal statement? A 47 line / 4000 character supplementary written piece submitted with your application Explains your motivations A chance for your personality to come through

The admissions tutor will want to know… 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? Are you genuinely interested in the course and have you shown you have researched it?

What makes a good personal statement? Try to demonstrate… ‘Enthusiasm… passion.. ’ ‘Careful research ... individuals who understand and show motivation for the course of their choice’ ‘An element of reflection and analysis really makes the difference to the application. It’s not what you’ve done but how you think about what you have done.’

Preparation… Decide on course Research course details Research Research course requirements Research up-to-date information Read some examples of good personal statements

Self reflection… Why does the course interest me/Why study it in more depth? What specific topics do I enjoy and why? Do I understand what the course/profession involves? Have I done extra reading and research? What are my career plans? What kind of extra-curricular experience and skills do I have which could be relevant?

Extra-curricular info What do I include? Roughly 70% - 30% split in content Course specific Extra-curricular info

Mind Map Experience of Personal experiences the subject Course specific Mind Map Experience of the subject Personal experiences Course specific Course content – themes not specifics Relevant skills Career ambitions Wider reading

Extra-curricular info MIND MAP Evidence of self-motivation Volunteer work Sports, hobbies, interests Extra-curricular information to include Personal achievements Positions of responsibility Gap year plans Work Experience Hurdles they’ve overcome

Writing about extra- curricular activities Extra-curricular info Writing about extra- curricular activities Tutors want to see reflection Analysis of what you did Highlight transferable skills

Reflection and analysis '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.

Remember to relate the skills to your course and university life! YOUR SKILLS PERSONAL EXAMPLES Communication Dealing with customers face-to-face in my retail job. Difficult customers can be a challenge, but I have learnt techniques to manage these situations. These techniques are….. Organisational Working as part of a team Leadership Information Technology Creativity Problem-solving Other languages Negotiation Remember to relate the skills to your course and university life!

Extra-curricular info Course specific Extra-curricular info NEXT STEPS… Structure the statement so that it has a rough split of 70% course-specific content and 30% extra-curricular content. Begin to link the text together so that it follows a logical structure and reads and flows nicely. Check the character count on your word processing software and begin to cut it down (or add to it!) Leave it for a few days and come back to it with fresh eyes Ask a parent or friend to proofread it. Ask a teacher or careers adviser to proofread it.

DO General points DON’T …Give yourself plenty of time …Start with ‘I’ve always wanted to . . study…’ …Sell yourself …Sound boastful …Be honest and sound natural …Try to be funny, controversial or . . pretentious …Look at example personal statements and get outside help …Use quotes or copy anything …Proof read and get someone else to proof read …Leave it to the last minute

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timeline 2013 2014 Summer 2013 September onwards October 2013 January – Easter Register with UCAS Write personal statement Apply to UCAS Oxford/Cambridge/ medicine deadline Receive offers and choose 2 universities 2014 15 January UCAS Deadline 15 Oct medicine, dentistry, Oxbridge.