1. Why is the personal statement important?
‘In over-subscribed subjects, admissions tutors are likely to go through personal statements with a fine tooth-comb.’ (Queen Mary, University of London)
‘The personal statement is an applicant’s opportunity to demonstrate their personal commitment to their subject, which can never be shown by examination results.’ (Oxford University)
‘The personal statement is the most important aspect of the UCAS form after the student’s predicted grades.’ (Manchester University)

2. Getting started – make some bullet points
Specific aspects of the course that interest you
Examples of coursework you have completed
Practical work you have enjoyed
Books, articles, etc. you have read related to the subject area
Work experience or voluntary work in this area
Conferences you have attended
Personal experiences that led to the decision to study this subject
Where you hope a degree in this subject will take you in the future

3. Other skills and interests
About 1/3 of the statement can relate your other interests and skills. Make a list of everything important that you have done this year, either at school or outside school, which has not already been mentioned in the previous section:
Work experience or work shadowing
Part time work
Sponsorships or placements you are applying for
Positions of responsibility in school or outside school
Sports teams, drama productions, debating, music, voluntary work, event organising, etc.
In each case, write down what duties you carried out, and talk about the skills you have developed – don’t just write a list!

4. Use your extra-curricular interests
“I play in a local wind band where I lead the flute section. I sing in the school choir and have enjoyed performing in exciting venues around the world”. OR
“Leading the flute section in a local wind band has enabled me to develop my leadership skills, as well as expanding my appreciation of different genres of music. As a member of the school choir I have had to demonstrate commitment and reliability, working as a member of a team with other students and staff to prepare for concerts.”

5. Skills and qualities
What skills and qualities can you demonstrate through the following activities?
Playing in a sports team
Helping at Brownies
Leading a church youth group
Playing in an orchestra
Being a member of School Council
Being a prefect
Working at Waitrose

6. Do...
Create a list of your ideas before attempting to write the real thing
Expect to produce several drafts before being totally happy
Check university and college prospectuses, websites and Entry Profiles (UCAS web-site), as they usually tell you the criteria and qualities that they want their students to demonstrate
Use accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation

7. Do......
Be enthusiastic - if you show your interest in the course, it may help you get a place
Discuss your personal statement with your tutor and other teachers
Only put in things you are prepared to talk about at interview (if you have one)
Show your personal statement to as many people as possible

8. What not to do
Try not to quote books, magazines or publications in a way that makes it sound like you’ve only read them to put them on your statement
Don’t lie!
Don't start every sentence with “I”
Don't use famous quotes in your statement unless they are really appropriate
Don't repeat things already on your UCAS form, e.g. AS grades
Don't include clichés
Don’t adopt an air of self-congratulation ("I am very good at" etc.) It is the school’s job, not yours, to say whether you have worked hard

9. Don’t......
Mention skills and activities without giving examples of when they have been demonstrated or what you learnt from them
Refer to experiences that took place before Year 11 except as anecdotes or if absolutely necessary
Mention interests without being more specific - for reading mention authors or genres, likewise with music or art - mention particular artists
Apply for too many different courses, making it difficult to write a convincing personal statement which supports the application
Write a statement specific to just one institution
Copy and paste the statement from somewhere else!

10. Don’t be pompous "All the way through my educational career..."
" In my long time at Ranelagh School..."
"In my life with the school..."
Other awful airy-fairy phrases include: "Away from school," "I ventured abroad" - (i.e. I have visited...)- and "I have given due consideration to my next course of education.”

11. Don’t go OTT!
Don't say, "I have vastly enjoyed “; just say you enjoyed it, and then go on to say what you learned from it
"Numerous conferences" would have to be really quite a large number, when almost invariably you mean two or perhaps only one

12. I...... “I am captain of the school hockey team....”
“I have played the flute for seven years.....”
“I am interested in aspects of medieval French culture.....”
“I have gained relevant work experience to support my application to study Medicine ”
“I am studying English, History and Geography at A Level...”
“I am particularly interested in how body function and genetics can help to establish the causes of psychological findings”.

13. Format
The application form has enough space for 4,000 characters, but this includes the empty spaces as well as the characters
Write your personal statement as a Word document, using the spell-check facility. Only copy and paste it onto the on-line application form when you are ready
Do not use bold, italics, or underline any words. The UCAS Apply software does not recognise formatting
Use paragraphs to separate out your ideas and structure your statement. Do not indent each paragraph, leave a line space instead
Keep paragraphs concise