1. Writing your Personal Statement

2. What do you want to study? You should have a good idea what you want to study by the time you come to writing your personal statement

3. Personal means about you! It is often difficult to sell yourself. Universities want to know: WHY you are applying WHY they should want you as a student WHY you have chosen a particular course/subject

4. What is the value of the Personal Statement? Importance: Most courses at most universities don’t interview Those that do interview will often base their questions on the statement Often the only chance the student has to differentiate themselves and impress the admissions tutor

5. What the Admissions Tutors are looking for Content: Commitment, interest and enthusiasm! Analytical and reflective, not merely descriptive Relevant (and transferable) skills and abilities Work experience Understanding of the course applied for! 1) Do we want this student on this course? 2)Do we want this student at this university?

6. What the Admissions Tutors are looking for ctd. Examples of activities/experiences to include: Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Leadership, commitment, teamwork) Young Enterprise (Management, workload balance, imagination) Volunteering and community engagement (Drive, communication, passion) Part time work (Workload balance, reliability, enthusiasm)

7. What the Admissions Tutors are looking for ctd. Is the student suited for the course they are aplying for? Does the student have the necessary qualifications and qualities for the course?

8. Structure Style and appearance: It is a formal application There are 4,000 characters and 47 lines Paragraphs are important! Write in word processing software then cut and paste into Apply Spelling, grammar and punctuation should be perfect! Plagiarism Detection Software system – you won’t know; but they will!

9. Personal Statement Questions to ask List any prizes you have won – either inside or outside School What would you say has been your biggest achievement and why? Has anyone motivated you? If so, who and why? Do you have a favourite book, film, hobby? How have they influenced you? Have you faced any difficulties in your life? Did they change you? Have you worked hard for something and finally achieved your goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

10. What advice does UCAS give? Why this particular course? What interests you about the subject? What are your interests in your current studies? Work experience/voluntary work (particularly if it is relevant to your subject) Other achievements or skillls Future plans GAP year plans Social, sports, leisure interests

11. Do‘s and Don‘ts Do: Mention your leadership qualities Mention you are a team player Mention work expereience Don‘t: Lie! Plagiarise Try to be funny or make jokes Start every sentence with I Include boring phases or hobbies that everyone does Take a political standpoint

12. Structure of the statement Paragraph 1: Introduction to my subject – the parts I am interested in and why Paragraph 2: What I have done related to my subject that isn‘t already on the form Paragraphs 3 and 4: work experience and things I have done in school Paragraph 5: My interests outside school Paragraph 6: My goal in going to university and closing comment