Preparing for University Personal Statements

Remainder of the Sixth Year Start researching – school website, internet, more youtube, more youtube, friends, familyschool websiteinternetyoutube more youtube What will you include in your statement? Sixth year exams Work experience Summer vacation More research University visits Start writing personal statement YEAR SEVEN Oxbridge/Medicine Applications – c.15 th October Other Applications – c.15 th November

Aims of the personal statement What to think about before writing Structure of your Personal Statement DON’T!! DO!! A short video to beginA short video to begin. Aims of the personal statement What to think about before writing Structure of your Personal Statement DON’T!! DO!! A short video to beginA short video to begin.

Is the student suited to the course that they are applying for? Does the student have the necessary qualifications and qualities for the course? Is the student conscientious, hardworking and unlikely to drop out? Can the student work under pressure? What are their communication skills like? Do they have a genuine interest in the subject and a desire to learn more about it? Is the student suited to the course that they are applying for? Does the student have the necessary qualifications and qualities for the course? Is the student conscientious, hardworking and unlikely to drop out? Can the student work under pressure? What are their communication skills like? Do they have a genuine interest in the subject and a desire to learn more about it?

1. Why do you want to study at university and why have you chosen this course? 2. What experiences have you had that show you are a reliable and responsible person? 3. What are your interests and skills? 4. If you are taking a gap year, why are you taking a Gap year?

Structure should have clear paragraphs, for instance: Paragraph 1: Why do you want to study at university and why you have chosen this course Paragraph 2: What have you done related to my subject which will be relevant for the course Paragraph 3: What kind of student / person are you (character profile – contributions to school life and/or the wider community) Paragraph 4: Your interests outside of school (hobbies and posts of responsibilities and what you have gained from them) Paragraph 5: Your goal of going to university, your career intentions, and closing comments.

Don't use vocabulary you don't normally use and just looked up in a dictionary Don't start every sentence with ‘I’ Don't include your hobbies and interests unless they are relevant Don’t lecture the lecturers Don't lie or embellish the truth Don't try to make jokes in your statement Errr..... and DO NOT PLAGIARISE from the internet or anywhere else!!!DO NOT PLAGIARISE Don't use vocabulary you don't normally use and just looked up in a dictionary Don't start every sentence with ‘I’ Don't include your hobbies and interests unless they are relevant Don’t lecture the lecturers Don't lie or embellish the truth Don't try to make jokes in your statement Errr..... and DO NOT PLAGIARISE from the internet or anywhere else!!!DO NOT PLAGIARISE

Start thinking NOW! Understand YOURself Explain WHY you are a SUITABLE candidate EMPHASISE your LANGUAGES REMEMBER to include your skills outside of the classroom (music, theatre, sport etc.) EXPLAIN how your experiences in and out of school are RELEVANT Allow YOUR character to SHINE through Start thinking NOW! Understand YOURself Explain WHY you are a SUITABLE candidate EMPHASISE your LANGUAGES REMEMBER to include your skills outside of the classroom (music, theatre, sport etc.) EXPLAIN how your experiences in and out of school are RELEVANT Allow YOUR character to SHINE through