Higher Education – Personal Statements and References
Claire Galliford, Admissions Manager
International Exeter
How Exeter use the personal statement:
• Support our decision
- Suitability for degree level
study
• Extenuating
circumstances/mitigation
• Borderline applications –
additional information
NOT ALL UNIVERSITIES USE PERSONAL
STATEMENTS IN THE SAME WAY
International Exeter
Personal Statement:
Make an IMPACT!
International Exeter
Stand out from the Crowd!
“60% of the Personal
Statements I read start
with, ‘Ever since the age of
5, I have been passionate
about Drama.’
It’s probably true, but if you
want to stand out, say
something else!”
International Exeter
It’s called a Personal Statement for a reason…
Don’t lie or embellish the truth:
• May form basis of interview
• UCAS use sophisticated software to
detect plagiarism
Don’t be an Average Joe:
• Lists the 20 sports played and 15
positions of responsibility held…
• “In my spare time I like socialising with
friends, reading and films…”
• It’s all about ME…
• 
• Law 4 eva!
International Exeter
International Exeter
Do your research…
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/
https://www.ucas.com/
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/conservatoir
es/apply-and-track/writing-personalstatement
International Exeter
Universities are looking for applicants who…
 Are suited to the course
 Have the qualifications and qualities
to succeed on a particular programme
 Are conscientious, hardworking and
will stay the course
 Are able to work under pressure
 Can adjust to new university
environment
 Have good communication skills
 Show dedication to the course and
have researched well
 Have genuine interest in the subject
AND a desire to learn more…
International Exeter
REMEMBER…!
 You have one chance to get noticed!
 Deadlines are not a target!
 Show your personality and your
passion!
 Be REFLECTIVE not just descriptive!
 Must be articulate and
mistake free!
 Five choices – writing to all (be aware
of nuances in the programmes)
 Make it your own
AUTHENTIC VOICE
International Exeter
What makes a Good Reference
 Academic or employment based
 Cannot be family, friends, partners
 Highlights work ethic, interaction and
suitability for study
 Career goals and work experience
 Predicted grades for pending
qualifications
 Circumstances that have/could affect
academic work
 Unique and individual - UCAS fraud
detection software
 Data protection – right to request your
reference
International Exeter
How do we use the Reference?
Support our decision
 Suitability for degree level study
 Extenuating circumstances/mitigation
 Borderline applications – additional
information
International Exeter
Questions?
www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate
Phone: 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers)
+44 (0)1392 723044 (EU/International callers)
Email: ug.ad@exeter.ac.uk
International Exeter
July 2013
Lauren Murphy
Acting Head International Student Recruitment
International Office
International Exeter