1. The Personal Statement: Information for parents
Bryanston HE Day Karen Fowler-Watt Associate Dean, The Media School Bournemouth University

2. How important is the Personal Statement?
Highly competitive environment.
Most offers based on ‘paper’ application.
Need to stand out - everyone has the grades.
Shows commitment to the area of study
It is ‘personal’ – make a ‘pitch’.
Shows ‘readiness’ for HE study

3. What are universities looking for?
Curiosity – interesting to teach.
Intellectual rigour – real interest in subject (independent research project/wider reading)
Evidence of commitment – work experience.
A lively mind – global perspective/current affairs – plus the X-Factor!
An ability to write a coherent essay.
Awareness of the entry profile.

4. Make an impact….get an offer.
Why this course?
What sparked interest?
How do A levels support choices? Projects?
School societies/talks etc which are relevant
Wider reading and Current affairs/personal experience.
Must be relevant to ALL courses chosen.

5. 2. What is interesting about the chosen subject area?
Make an impact….get an offer.
2. What is interesting about the chosen subject area?
Expand on interest in current studies/research
If a new subject (e.g. Law) or vocational, must show:
An understanding of what is involved
Specialist lectures/courses attended (taster courses/study days)
Insights gained from relevant work experience
Any career plans?

6. Coping with the demands of HE:
Skills and experience
Motivated, committed, interested in subject – aware of demands of course (no drop outs!)
Independent learner/able to research in-depth
Good team worker/good communicator – much teaching is seminar-based
Problem solving and IT skills

7. Post AS -- Fill in the gaps
Fix any additional work experience
Build up cultural references (art galleries, museums) where relevant
Wider reading and research
Current affairs and global issues
Innovate and explore…keep a blog!
Make notes from visits/Open Days

8. Tips on STYLE & STRUCTURE
Logical, flows for easy reading (at speed!) – evidence of clarity and coherence.
‘Down to earth’ – don’t gush
Carefully check spellings/grammar
Try to avoid starting every paragraph with ‘I’
Show you can write as well as think!
Every word counts – avoid repetition.
Always provide EVIDENCE
MUST be the student’s own work

9. A Survival Guide for Parents
For the UCAS jungle you will need to pack:
An OPEN MIND (hang up your prejudices)
A LISTENING EAR (parents are the best therapists)
ENDLESS PATIENCE (they will change their minds - more than once)
A WILLINGNESS TO BE INVOLVED…but not TOO much! (The Personal Statement MUST be their own work.)
One large BOOT (if needed..)
Your contacts book, a fat wallet and plenty of booze!
GOOD LUCK!