Writing a winning Personal Statement

Adrian Dutch Head of International

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is:

- a piece of writing about you - a summary of your academic, personal and career achievements and aims - a marketing tool to advertise your best qualities

Why do I need a personal statement?

• • • • • A chance to sell yourself in a well-ordered way An opportunity to give details in support of your application To justify your course choices To make your application different to others It puts you in control of what the reader knows about you • If done well, it makes a good first impression

Is It Really That Important?

YES!

Admissions staff in universities place high importance on personal statement to: - Sift out candidates - Assess candidates motivation/knowledge/reasons - Evaluate the candidates written communication skills - Decide who may require an interview

The Basics

General good practice guidelines: Ensure that your personal statement has a structure Write enough to fill the space The content should be relevant and current Avoid repetition and try to take an analytical approach Demonstrate a broad awareness of a subject and its implications on the bigger picture Proof read for sense, structure, grammar and spelling Proof read it again And maybe one more time!

Key Questions

• Why am I choosing this course/subject?

• Why am I the right candidate?

• What am I going to do afterwards?

(A) Structure

1.

Why have you applied to study the subject 2.

What you have learnt from your current studies or career 3.

Positions of responsibility held in/out of school/college or in work 4.

Other experiences/skills gained 5.

Interests and activities that you participate in 6.

Possible career aims 7.

What you are particularly looking forward to at Uni

1. Why I chose my subject

• When/how did your interest in this subject come about?

• What proves that you are a genuine enthusiast?

• Have you taken steps to find out more about this subject area? What did you do? Do your research!

• Put the subject into context within society – what are the topical issues at the moment?

Don’t just put, for example, “I have applied for a computing degree, because I like computers”

2. Current Studies/Career

• What knowledge have you gained on your chosen subject through your current/previous studies or through work?

• What relevant projects/assignments/research have you undertaken? • What have you learnt from this?

• What study skills have you developed as a result of your current/previous studies?

• Which aspect of your current/previous studies ,or your experience in industry, have you enjoyed the most and why?

3. Previous responsibilities

• Have you held any positions of responsibility in/out of school or college or in work?

• Are you already working? If so, what is your role? • How do you successfully juggle the demands of work and study?

• What skills have you developed?

• Is the job related to your subject choice? Don’t worry if it is not – still include this experience

4. Other Experiences

• Are you a volunteer?

• Have you ever been in a sports team?

• Have you ever taken a role within a school/college production/event?

• Have you taken part in a charity event? Have you helped organised an event?

5. Other interests

• What are your interests? • Sports, music, gigs/concerts, film, theatre, literature, nature, geology, history, dance, drama, religion, singing, politics, etc.

• The admissions staff will want to find out more about YOU as a person – what makes you different?

• Always provide examples of your interests, e.g, what books have you read and what is your opinion on them?

6. Career Aims

• How does your choice fit into your career aims?

• How do you hope it will help you achieve your aims?

• What do you know about the career/industry that you want to enter?

• What work experience do you have?

• Career aims will vary depending on age and experience and subject choice.

7. Final Paragraph

• Finish your personal statement by highlighting what it is that you are particularly looking forward to at University • Avoid putting ‘going to loads of parties’ or other inappropriate phrases • Instead use ‘meeting people from a variety of backgrounds’ etc • Also mention the subject at some point in the final paragraph

Example 1

“My name is Agnieszka Rybeczko and I was born in Warsaw in 1967. During my studies at college I focused on Management-related subjects and I do really feel very well prepared in order to study a management degree course. I would like to point out that UK Universities are very well known for their good reputation. After my own research on which university to choose and after the recommendation of my college, I must say that I am very happy with my University choices as all those schools are very well known for their academic status.

I hope you will choose me as one of your students and help my dreams to come true.”

What Was Wrong With It?

• Poor use of the English language. Remember this is a formal statement • All subjects equip you with useful study skills. Do not underestimate these • No clear objectives about why the person wants to go to University

Example 2

“Performing is a passion that I realised at a young age. My ultimate goal is to work professionally in the theatre and I hope that by studying drama at university I will gain a rounded understanding of the profession. I would, for example, relish the opportunity to explore directing, film and stage management, as well as further my interest in acting.

Acting is something I love to do and something I find I can never learn enough about or find tiresome. During my Theatre Studies A level course, Stanislavski and the techniques he developed have particularly fascinated me. I feel that I have benefited greatly from using his techniques when approaching my practical performances. For example, I used the “magic if” when developing a character who had to be quite aggressive and intimidating, something I found a challenge. It helped me to really tap my imagination and focus my energy on the role.

My study of Theatre Studies had encouraged my love of the theatre and literature. I really enjoyed reading and exploring Checkov’s The Three Sisters and went to see a production of it. I was surprised that it was performed in the round, something that I thought was quite unusual for a realist piece. However, I thought that this unusual setting really worked well. The details ofthe set were extremely convincing and I felt that the power of the performances and the quality of the play absorbed my attention to such an extent that I was not aware of the audience that could be seen on the other side...”

Example 2 (cont’d)

“...As well as participating in school productions from a young age, I enhanced my talent in the performing arts though ballet classes and music lessons, and then through extra-curricular lessons in both acting and verse and prose as I grew older. I know that I still have much to work on if I am going to succeed in the acting profession, in particular I am looking forward to working hard on movement and mime. My experience of being on stage come both from school and independent productions. I was Gwendolyne in The Importance of Being Earnest and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating my own interpretation of such a well-known character. I have also acted in productions of plays written by friends, a process that I find very exciting. I would very much like to work further with people who are experimenting in their writing.

I also have a love of film, something that I have further explored in my Film Studies A level course. I enjoy analysing films, giving close attention to the details of production that help create the overall effect. I have found studying New Wave cinema extremely exciting and think that A Bout de Souffle directed by Jean Luc Goddard and Y tu mama tambien directed by Cauron are impressive films in the way they demonstrate innovative film techniques. Last year I wrote an extended essay on suspense in The Matrix and this year I am looking forward to writing on Alfred Hitchcock as the master of suspense.

My love for acting and increasing interest in all that surrounds it means that I am eagerly looking forward to fully committing myself to the study of Drama and Theatre Studies at university.”

A Winning Statement?

• Demonstrates a background interest and knowledge of subject area • Discusses skills gained from other subjects • Part time work experience used effectively • Hobby ends the statement on a positive note • Good use of English language

Some other “rules”...

• Don’t make jokes • Don’t mention things that aren’t relevant • Only use words you know and are comfortable with • Don’t use txt spk • Don’t repeat yourself • Don’t lie • Don’t express overly political opinions • Don’t be boring • Don't repeat things already on your UCAS form, e.g. predicted exam grades.

• Don’t forget to check your spelling and grammar • Don’t use the words “esteemed university” (Everyone does!) • DO NOT PLAGIARISE!

And Finally…

Remember: This is

YOUR

personal statement – make it unique To make it interesting and relevant To present it professionally To link it to your degree choice If done well, it will help persuade the University to give you an offer www.ucas.com

www.studential.com/guide/write_personal_statement.htm

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