Personal Statements
Making a successful university application
Getting It Right
Why Does It Matter?
Getting It Right
Why Does It Matter?
Competition for particular courses and at
certain universities
Your Application
• GCSEs/equivalent results
• AS/equivalent results
• A2/equivalent predictions
• Interviews, Admissions Tests & References
• Personal Statement
• Your Personal Statement is sometimes the integral part of your
submission
• You will need to meet deadlines to maximise your chances of
success
Overview
• Integral part of the UCAS submission
• Provides the first step towards and point of contact
with the university of your choice
• Every statement is read
• 4000 characters for you to explain why you should be
picked to study that particular course
• No single correct way of producing them
You need to communicate
• Why the chosen course is suited to you
• Personal qualities that will benefit you at
You n
university
• What you can bring to the university (extracurricular activities and interests)
• You will need to meet deadlines to maximise
your chances of success
Possible Structure
Your interest in the course/subject
Your skills and achievements
Your hobbies and interests
Your work experience
Write a concluding statement
Your chance to show what YOU can offer and why you’d be an asset to the
University
Why this subject?
Enjoyment of subject
Why is it important to you?
Why is it enjoyable?
Enjoyment of a particular aspect
Which aspect stands out from the rest? Why?
A current subject in more depth,
new subject or dimension
What is of specific interests within the
programme offered?
Link to an element of a current course?
Interest reinforced by work
experience
How did work experience help?
What did you do/learn?
A prerequisite for a chosen career
Which career?
How does the course fit into plans?
Inspiration from a person or event
Lecture, visit, book, programme, event,
experience, film, protest, legal case?
Experiences thus far
• Your education
• Project Work
• Voluntary Work
“The strongest applicants are
those who can link their extracurricular activities to their
proposed course of study”
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Work Experience (e.g. Law, Teaching)
• Books, Newspapers, Journals, Blogs
• TV Programmes and Documentaries
Personality
Sports
achievements
Musical
qualifications
Academic awards
Duke of
Edinburgh
Charity Work
Head boy or girl
Prefect
University
summer schools
Who you are
Developed
excellent
team
working
skills
I learnt
quickly,
adapting
my game
plan
Hobbies and Interests
I want to
continue
playing
rugby at
university
Organisation
and time
management
skills
I am able
to work
effectively
under
pressure
Developed
excellent
communication
skills
Part-time Jobs
Responsibility
Financially
independent
Taking a Gap Year
Make
the most
of it!
Apply before you go away!
Top Tips
• Be original and write with an active, positive tone
• Do not mention individual institutions
• Avoid starting with a quote/humour
• Ensure interests and hobbies mentioned relate to the
programme choices
• They don’t want to see a chronological history of your
education
Be yourself!
Questions?
Substitute Personal
Statement
•
You can submit a substitute personal statement directly to Durham by
uploading a Microsoft Word document which replaces the personal
statement in your UCAS application
•
There is no requirement for an applicant to submit a substitute personal
statement, nor will providing one give any automatic advantage.
•
Same parameters as UCAS statement.
•
submit it using online formd, no later than 3 calendar days after
submitting the UCAS application
Access and Student Recruitment
After the Replies
Supporting students after receiving their replies:
• Just as important as supporting them in deciding where to apply
and helping with their application.
• Deciding between offers – select realistic choices for firm and
insurance whilst maintaining effort to achieve grades (it’s not
over yet!)
• Coping with ‘rejection’ – expectations must be realistic
• All Universities are special so any offer is an achievement!
Access and Student Recruitment