PERSONAL STATEMENTS
Beckie Bartle & Rowan Fisher
Schools & Colleges Liaison Team
WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT?
A Personal Statement is an essential part of a
students’ UCAS application.
Why you are
applying
Why you would be
suitable for the
course
BASICS
Between 1,000-4000 characters or 47 lines
Use Word and cut and paste into UCAS
Be careful with spellings, punctuation and grammar!
Use paragraphs where possible
Balance academic/extra curricular
Don’t include grades or qualifications
THEIR UNIVERSITY CHOICES
They can apply to up to 5 courses
Universities cannot see…
WHAT
ELSE
HAVE YOU
APPLIED
FOR
WHICH
UNIVERSITIES
YOU HAVE
APPLIED TO
USE THEMES NOT SPECIFICS
WHAT GOES IN IT?
Why they are interested in the subject
or course
Enthusiasm
Passion
Motivation
What experiences
they’ve had
- subject
- personal development
Their personality, attributes, and why they’d be a
good student
WHAT MAKES A STRONG PERSONAL
STATEMENT?
Enthusiasm
Natural and honest
Personal and genuine interest
Researched courses
Wider reading
Show don’t tell
(reflection and analysis)
Personal
experiences
Relevance
Course specific –
Experience of
the subject:
Analysis of favourite
topics
Why do they like this
subject?
Course content
Career ambitions
Wider reading
A BAD EXAMPLE
Repetitive
Punctuation
Spelling
‘I really really like politic’s it is importent to our world. I am
also very
very good
good at politics as
also
as you
you can
can see
see by my grades!!!’
!!!
Show not tell
Boastful
Punctuation
AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD ACADEMIC
STATEMENT
Politics:
‘This compelled me to research abortion in America where
it has been and remains such a disputed political subject.
The debate is fascinating because both sides are
concerned with protecting human rights, whether it is the
unborn child's right to life or the woman's right to make an
autonomous reproductive choice.’
AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD ACADEMIC
STATEMENT
Evidence of
wider reading
Politics:
‘This compelled me to research abortion in America where
it has been and remains such a disputed political subject.
The debate is fascinating because both sides are
concerned with protecting human rights, whether it is the
unborn child's right to life or the woman's right to make an
autonomous reproductive choice.’
Shows enthusiasm
(and explains why)
Volunteer
work
Activities
outside
of school
Gap year
plans
Evidence of
self-motivation
Extra Information to
include
Hurdles
they’ve
overcome
Sports, hobbies,
interests
Positions of
responsibility
Work
Experience
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SHOW:
EXTRA CURRICULAR
'I spent two weeks working at a department store. I enjoyed
speaking to customers and helping them with their
enquiries'
OR:
'I spent two weeks managing customer enquiries at a
department store. I learnt how to interact with customers
and handle complaints. The experience highlighted the
importance of positive communication between a business
and its customers, and taught me how to manage difficult
enquiries effectively. I would like to develop this skill further
by studying a degree in public relations.’
TOP 5 MOST OVERUSED PERSONAL
STATEMENT OPENING SENTENCES
Most common opening lines from personal statements 2015
From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]
1,779 applicants
For as long as I can remember I have…
1,451 applicants
I am applying for this course because…
1,370 applicants
I have always been interested in…
927 applicants
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…
310 applicants
GOOD EXAMPLES
Ancient History
‘Modern society can learn a lot from ancient civilizations
as, despite the gap of numerous centuries, there are many
parallels between now and then.’
Physics
‘The intricacies of the universe can be described through
the application of mathematical theories and scientific
experimentation. This has been the most fascinating
discovery of my education to date.’
GENERAL POINTS
DO
…Plan it first
DON’T
…Leave it to the last minute
GENERAL POINTS
DO
DON’T
…Plan it first
…Leave it to the last minute
…Sell yourself
…Sound boastful
GENERAL POINTS
DO
DON’T
…Plan it first
…Leave it to the last minute
…Sell yourself
…Sound boastful
…Be honest and sound natural
…Try to be funny or
controversial
GENERAL POINTS
DO
DON’T
…Plan it first
…Leave it to the last minute
…Sell yourself
…Sound boastful
…Be honest and sound natural
…Try to be funny or
controversial
…Show self-awareness and
reflection
…Just write lists of what you
have done
GENERAL POINTS
DO
DON’T
…Plan it first
…Leave it to the last minute
…Sell yourself
…Sound boastful
…Be honest and sound natural
…Try to be funny or
controversial
…Show self-awareness and
reflection
…Just write lists of what you
have done
…Proof read and get someone
else to proof read
…Get too many proof readers
– too many cooks spoil the
broth
GENERAL POINTS
DO
DON’T
…Plan it first
…Leave it to the last minute
…Sell yourself
…Sound boastful
…Be honest and sound natural
…Try to be funny or
controversial
…Show self-awareness and
reflection
…Just write lists of what you
have done
…Proof read and get someone
else to proof read
…Get too many proof readers
– too many cooks spoil the
broth
… Make it personal to you
… Plagiarise other statements
TIMELINE
2016
Summer 2016
Write personal statement
Summer 2016
Register with UCAS
September onwards
Apply to UCAS
15th October 2016
Oxford/Cambridge
medicine deadline
2017
15th January 2017
UCAS deadline
January – Easter
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