Rachel Wier Education Outreach Officer PERSONAL STATEMENT Rachel Wier Education Outreach Officer

PERSONAL STATEMENTS

PERSONAL STATEMENTS 47 lines long (4000 characters) Your chance to explain why you are applying Opportunity to personalise your form 1 statement for all 5 choices An important part of the application process

WHAT TO INCLUDE Your reason for choosing the course: Why do you want to study the course? Why are you a good student for this course? Do you understand the course?

WHAT TO INCLUDE Subject related experience: Related qualifications Relevant employment and volunteering Additional reading

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Hobbies, interests, and other experience Transferrable skills Career aspirations and goals These can be general or specific Gap years Should be constructive and purposeful Check spelling, grammar and punctuation

Structure Introduction- Explain your motivation for studying the subject In-school evidence of skills and interest Out of school passion for the subject Wider skills Conclusion

Do… Be prepared Brainstorm your ideas on paper Aim for about 5 paragraphs Produce several drafts Ask people for their feedback Look for spelling and grammar errors Be enthusiastic

Don’t… Use fancy language Waffle on about irrelevant things Try to be funny Lie Copy or plagiarise Leave it to the last minute

Don’t ignore the don’ts The importance of proof-reading: “I'm the sort of person to give up on something if I know I can achieve it.” “I have successfully managed my studies and lied while studying at college.” “Being able to study at University would be a fantastic opportunity but also detrimental to me having a productive future.”

UCAS shares the most frequently-used opening lines in university applicants’ personal statements “From a young age I have (always) been...” was the most popular opening line with university applicants last year, UCAS has revealed. Some 1,770 students (from over 700,000 who applied) started their personal statements that way; and most of these finished the sentence with ‘interested in’ or ‘fascinated by’. “For as long as I can remember I have…” was close behind, followed by “I am applying for this course because…” Over 900 applicants told universities: “I have always been interested in …” with “Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed…” and “Reflecting on my educational experiences…”.

Next was a sentence specific to Nursing – the degree course with the highest number of applications. Over 200 people wrote: “Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course].” “Academically, I have always been…” was another popular pick and equal numbers (160) began with “I have always wanted to pursue a career in…” or “I have always been passionate about…” Just outside the top ten was a quote from former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, chosen by nearly 150 people.

Examples

Example 1

Example 1 Too informal. Do not try to make jokes. Student doesn't identify the course he is applying for (film) Does have some good extra curricular experiences Wastes space with irrelevant information It is good to stand out – but don’t make admissions feel that you are wasting their time

Example 2

Example 2 Very enthusiastic and passionate about Law Good work experiences BUT, includes too much personal information You have limited space

Tips – check your application! Email addresses – Admissions tutors are not impressed by silly ones Check basic elements – name, address, telephone number, D.O.B Check all entry requirements eg/ GCSE Maths and English Spelling Inform UCAS of any changes

WEBSITES: www.essex.ac.uk/outreach/documents/personal-statement-writing-guide.pdf www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-track/writing-personal-statement