LARGS ACADEMY Thursday 6TH September 2018

WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT? an extended essay about yourself a key part of the UCAS application a chance to distinguish yourself from other candidates an opportunity to make a real impression an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm, potential and suitability a tool to separate candidates with similar academic achievements

WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT? a test to see if you have done your homework a deal breaker a means to select candidates for interview a guide for interview questions

WHAT TO PUT IN A PERSONAL STATEMENT? Explain your reasons for wanting to study the course Explain how you’re right for the course Say what you have done outside the classroom Say why it’s relevant to your course And relevant to your chosen career

WHAT TO PUT IN A PERSONAL STATEMENT? Demonstrate transferable skills Expand on the most relevant ones Show that you are a critical thinker Mention your longer term goals Keep it positive

OTHER HINTS AND TIPS Use paragraphs Get the balance right (75% academic & course choice vs. 25% extra –curricular dimension) Show lateral thinking Be honest Be enthusiastic Show, don’t tell – always say ‘how’ Say what you want from your course

10 THINGS NOT TO PUT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT Quotations Random lists Over-used clichés Bigging yourself up with sweeping statements or unproven claims Overuse of the word ‘passion’

10 THINGS NOT TO PUT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT Stilted vocabulary Plagiarism, lies or exaggeration Trying to be funny Negative comments or excuses Irrelevant personal information

And there’s more! Incorrect spelling and bad grammar Long sentences Stating the obvious Rhetorical questions and other waffle Talking about ‘when I was young....’ Flattery Names of universities

Remember your ABC Action = Explaining what have you done, achieved, read or experienced Benefit = Reflecting on what have you learned or gained from it, or what you think about it Course relevance = Making sure it's relevant to your suitability (but you don’t necessarily have to spell this out after each point – tutors can read between the lines). Personal Statement - Dos and Don'ts Personal Statements - UCAS TV