1. LARGS ACADEMY
Thursday 6TH September 2018

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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’

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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