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How Do I Make My Personal Statement `personal`?

Guidance for completing the UCAS personal statement

Date : 20/11/2011

Author Information

Charles

Uploaded by : Charles
Uploaded on : 20/11/2011
Subject : Humanities

The process of applying to university can seem daunting and horribly complicated, strewn with acronyms, and advice coming at you from all directions. It is also a wonderful time when you are really forced to consider your future and imagine yourself, years hence, as a proper grown up! So, all at once stressful and potentially enjoyable, how do you navigate this crucially important hurdle in your life? I think the first stage is the process of imagination that I`ve mentioned - can you think what you would enjoy doing five years from now? Probably not (most people can`t at this stage), but your aim is to do your research, hopefully as much of it through experience as possible, and reach a stage where you can start to imagine what you can see yourself doing. For many, this takes a while, and the short-term aim becomes to keep as many options open as possible. This starts with your GCSE option choices, and then A-level choices, but continues all the way through your life, as you make decisions about the next path to take.

So to keep options open, you should think about which subjects provide you with transferable skills and the `proof` that you can apply your interests and intellect to a wide range of university courses and jobs. `Traditional` academic subjects often do this - they`re traditional for a reason. Some career paths require very specific skills and knowledge however - if you want to study medicine, you know you`re going to need Chemistry A-level. Practical and technical careers are similar (Maths for Engineers, Art and Maths for Architects, etc.). It`s worth finding out directly from universities and employers which subjects they consider most useful for their courses and jobs.

I believe that enjoyment is the key. If you`re not sure you want to plan out your career aged 14, 15 or 16, then choose the subjects you find most interesting and are best at. If you`re going to study something intensively either at A-level or for a degree, you need to find it inherently interesting - even the best teacher can`t inspire you during those tiring hours in the library or on your own in your room. Enjoyment is likely to make you work hard and be successful, and this success is much more useful than a very specific but boring (to you) course which appears to `guarantee` you a job at the end (some sponsored courses do, but there aren`t many of these!).

Once you`ve made your choice of the best place to study that particular course (that you can realistically get into with your grades), how do you persuade them to take you? The qualifications and results are likely to have been decided by other factors (like how hard you worked a long time before putting a UCAS application together...), so your chance to influence the process now is the personal statement (and possibly, later, an interview).

As in all things, it`s wise to remember your audience. If you get your application in early (September, early October), by definition an admissions tutor will have fewer forms to read, and so more time to devote to yours. Tip number one - get your application sorted over the summer in order to simply update in September. Even so, they`re likely to have a few, and you want yours to stand out. Your first sentence therefore needs to be good - try to make it personal to you, but very much related to the course/subject you`ve applied for. You`ll have to re-draft this multiple times, so it`s probably best to get the rest done first and come back to it.

The general principles for the rest of the statement are as follows:

The admissions tutor reading your form has chosen to study this subject as their career - you need to show that you are as interested in it as they are. About two thirds to three quarters should therefore be devoted to the subject and course: what evidence do you have for your interest and ability, i.e. what have you done/read/thought to prove this? Your word for your brilliance probably isn`t enough - how can you demonstrate it with outcomes or what others have said? Don`t tell them what the subject is about - they know. Do tell them what you think about it. Be as specific as possible. Don`t list all the books you`ve read. Do mention two or three and explain what you liked about them. The final section should reveal what makes you an interesting person and why, aside from your academic excellence, you`d be a welcome addition to their university. Finish by linking back to the subject/course, perhaps with reference to future career ideas. Read it over and make sure it sounds like you, rather than a generic exam board specification. Don`t forget that first sentence. Get at least two other people to read it and check it for you. Any mistakes will come across very badly. Above all, enjoy the process - it`s a chance to celebrate and share the best achievements of your life so far and to imagine the future you want for yourself.

Good luck!

This resource was uploaded by: Charles