Start early
Take your time
and
Get it right!
Writing your personal
statement
Good grammar
and
spelling
Write, edit, rewrite until
you get it right!
Concise and well
structured
Personal statements….What
are they for?
How do Admissions Tutors use the Personal
Statement?
•
•
•
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Help them decide who will be made offers
Decide which candidates to interview
Develop lines of questioning during an interview
Test whether the student understands nature of
the course (if new subject)
Give them what they want!
• Admissions tutors are enthused by their
subject
• They want people who are also extremely
enthusiastic about their subject
• Evidence is more convincing than waffle
The Standard Model
5 Point Plan
Your Choice of Course-Why? Evidence
Your School Experience- Evidence
Your Work Experience-What? Evidence
Your Interests and Experience Outside
School
Your Concluding Statement
There are different approaches!
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•
•
Vocational degree – evidence of
work experience
Degree based on current academic
studies – thoughts about syllabus and
wider reading
Degree based on a new idea –
evidence that you have a realistic
idea
Preparing to write
• Why do you want to study this course?
• What skills have you developed in school
and examples
• What experience have you had – how will
this help you at uni + examples
• Hobbies and interests – what do these tell
about you?
• Future aspirations…. What will you do with
your degree?
Think about….
• Why that course?
• What do you know about
the subject?
• Why do you want to study
it further?
• Any experience?
• Career aspirations?
You also might consider what type of
skills and qualities and ideal student
doing the course will need and try and
include them!
• Are you a member of any
groups/clubs?
• What are your interests
and hobbies?
• Do you have any work
experience?
• What skills and abilities
do you think you have?
• What makes you an
interesting and unique
person?
Writing concise and well thought through
sentences…. Which one will catch the
attention of an admissions officer?
1. Sociology fascinates me, I have enjoyed it
since studying sociology GCSE. I know I could
make a success of studying sociology.
2. Does prison work? Ten years after the Woolf
report has anything changed? What could
stop prisoners re-offending? I hope to look at
these questions through a sociology degree.
But how to start?
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•
•
•
•
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The click moment – Fashion management
My heritage – Economics/Russell Group
The quote – Theology/Russell Group
The dream – Children’s Nursing
The intellectual – English/Oxford
Lust for learning – Chemical Engineering
Being different
The following are EXAMPLES and should not be copied in any form!!
The Click moment
As the lights went down and the runway illuminated there was a
silent yet electric atmosphere in the Raphael Gallery at the V&A
where the 'Kulture2Couture' fashion show was about to begin.
My eager anticipation was finally relieved when a burst of
energetic music was injected into the gallery and I was
overcome by an immense sense of excitement as I was about to
witness my first ever fashion show and find a powerful
inspiration that would lead me to pursue a career in the fashion
industry.
Through this experience I became aware that the fashion
industry is often hidden behind a glamorous facade of beautiful
models and renowned designers and that there is some
ambiguity about the fashion business amongst much of the
public today. It is this very concept that has prompted me to
view fashion in an objective manner, inspiring me to get to know
the fashion business in its complexity and ultimately take a look
at fashion from the inside out.
My heritage
Regular visits to Nigeria initially fuelled my passion for
economics as an area of study. I was keen to understand why
my parents' country of heritage has been plagued economically
by poverty and corruption for many years, with vast supplies of
valuable natural resources at its disposal such as oil, ranking as
one of the world's top ten largest oil producer's. Reading books
such as "Untapped- the Scramble for Africa's Oil" and "The
State of Africa- A History of 50 years Independence" has helped
develop my understanding of various issues of contemporary
African economics and politics. It has also given me further
insight into the multiple causes of poor economic development
in many African countries and the resulting devastating effect
this lack of growth has on the people of these countries.
The Quote
As Socrates once said, "Philosophy begins in wonder"; this very
wonder he talks of is that which has inspired me to ask and
attempt to answer ethical questions that theologians and
philosophers have debated tirelessly, aiming to come to a
conclusion on many of the fundamental issues of humanity. I
acquired a great passion for discussing theological matters upon
studying ethical and philosophical issues this year throughout
my AS Level course, which has allowed me to direct and focus
my curiosity towards the influences religion has on society. By
reading the elegantly constructed, "The God Delusion" by
Richard Dawkins, I gained a valuable understanding of one
man's interpretation of religious scriptures and arguments,
broadening my interest and zest for an atheist's perspective on
how religion has influenced current affairs.
The Dream
Thinking of new bonds, the tears of new life and helping
young children who are unwell, the whole thought of this
physical and mental challenge excites me!
It has always been a childhood dream of mine to work with
children. The whole enthusiasm of young children
encourages me.
This dream continued throughout my educational years.
This is why I decided to start off my college education by
doing a Child Care and Education Diploma. During this year
I did six units and many of the topics were based around
the 1st year of life. The unit that I enjoyed most was
Working With Newborns. This is when I decided that I
wanted to do Child Nursing.
Over the last two years I have enjoyed doing my Double
Applied GCE Award in Health and Social Care, this course
consists of both theory and practical work. I have
particularly enjoyed the units Human Growth and
Development, Positive Care Environments, Public Health,
Investigating Disease and Understanding Human
Behaviour.
The intellectual
English Literature to me is not just an amalgamation
of synonyms, syntax, semantics, or other words
beginning with 's'. It is about "meaning". Not what the
author's meaning is, but rather what it, could or could
not be; which I think is equally important. English has
always been my passion, but it was not until the end
of Year 10 after reading Terry Eagleton's "Literary
Theory" that I was consumed. Eagleton's book made
me realise there was no need for a boyfriend, English
Literature was my very own inamorato. The ideas of
new criticism and other "isms", taught me how
exciting and eclectic English is, incorporating history,
anthropology, philosophy, and theatre, all things I am
interested in.
Lust For Learning
It is fascinating how Engineering plays such a crucial
role in modern life and I have gained a particular
interest in the Chemical Engineering processes used
to satisfy our ever increasing demands. I am drawn to
the 'how it works' nature of Chemistry and am curious
of the science behind everyday objects and functions.
I especially enjoyed the AS 'developing fuels' topic,
studying the adaptation of fuel composition and
engine technology to control how it burns to give
greater fuel economy and greener results. I pursued
my interest in engineering by attending a week-long
residential Headstart Chemical Engineering course at
the University of Nottingham, where I thoroughly
enjoyed developing my knowledge of engineering.
And one that is more down to
earth!
• The moment I realised that I wanted to study
Mental Health Nursing was the day I woke up to
find my father standing at the door listening to
the “voices” that were telling him that if he
ventured out he would die. The next few months
were filled with fear and dread which was
alleviated by the kind, empathetic mental health
professionals that worked with my father. Ever
since that day I have been determined to join the
profession that helped our family start again.
Ending your statement…
• What will you do with your degree?
• What will you gain from university?
• How will the university benefit from
choosing you?
Ending your statement…
•
I feel I am ready to go to university and am excited to meet the next set of
challenges that university will bring. I feel it will give me the foundation,
insight and knowledge to be able to achieve the best career possible. My
ultimate goal is to work in Mental Health so that in the future young people
can be inspired by my professionalism as I was by those I meet through my
Father’s care.
• It would give me great pleasure to play a memorable role in the
growth of many children. I understand that teaching is a taxing and
tiring job, but I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to reach
my goal of becoming a head teacher. I would be thrilled if I was ever
able to achieve this, as I believe I have the personality, confidence,
organisational skills and ability to become a resourceful, dedicated,
appreciated head teacher.
•
Studying Sports Science will require commitment and hard
work, and I am determined to use my time and dedication in
this field as I hope to achieve my career aspirations by studying
sports science, which would hopefully lead me to the direction
of becoming a successful sports therapist.
• I feel university life will give me the opportunity to fully
explore many of the ideas I have only touched the
surface of. Topics such as probability, series, calculus
and complex numbers have been introduced to me
through my A-level studies and books that I have read.
Developing these areas, combined with the challenging,
interesting and rewarding qualities that investigative
mathematics possesses, will make it an experience to
look forward to.
•
I am a self motivated and broad minded. I am looking forward to moving away
from home and gaining more independence. I am eager to meet like-minded
people and I feel that I have the attitude, skills and enthusiasm to be successful
at university and in becoming a professional designer/illustrator.
•
If I am given a place at university, I would like to defer entry by a year, to enable
me to take an Advanced Cricket Course at Brisbane, Australia (at the Australian
Sports Gateway Academy). The purpose of such an extended stay away from
Scotland is not merely to improve my cricket skills, but also to gain life
experience. I feel it will mature me, and better prepare me to take advantage of
everything university has to offer.
•
In the future, I hope to follow a career in teaching and see the study of language
as being an important life skill in the steps towards this. Summer schools at the
University of East Anglia and taster courses with the University of London have
reinforced my wish to study at university and I firmly believe a degree in English
Language and Linguistics will enable me to study an ever developing and integral
part of society.
If you are tempted to copy and
paste…think Copycatch
CFL, which makes detection software Copycatch,
found:
• 370 sentences contained a statement
beginning: "a fascination for how the human
body works..."
• 234 contained a statement relating a dramatic
incident involving "burning a hole in pyjamas
at age eight"
• 175 contained a statement which involved "an
elderly or infirm grandfather".
As the deadline had approached the number of
applications with borrowed material had
increased.
Can you answer YES to these…?
• Are my goals well
articulated?
• Do I explain why I
have selected this
course in particular?
• Do I demonstrate
knowledge about the
course?
• Have I included
interesting details that
prove my claims
about myself?
• Is my tone confident?
Then you are on the
right track!
What to Avoid!
• Waffle
• Swallowing a dictionary – use words that you
would usually use!
• Statements with no evidence
• Very ordinary interests – going to the pub!
• Lying
• Rushing the writing process
• Using offbeat humour – remember not everyone
may share your sense of humour
In summary… What do Admissions Tutors
look for?
• Your reasons for choosing the course
• Relevant background or experience, which may include
work experience, practical activity in music or drama,
Young Enterprise, or further study.
• Any hobbies, interests, sporting activities or part time
work, which may or may not be relevant to the course
but which says something about you as a person.
• Your career aspirations and goals.
• Communication skills: basic spelling, punctuation and
grammar are VERY important!
• Relate your current experiences to your future hopes:
how getting a degree will benefit you.