Transcript Welcome to Amery Hill School

Writing your Personal
Statement
Rosie Brown
Education Liaison Officer
Thursday 7th July 2011
Totton College
What is the Personal Statement?
• Your opportunity to tell your University
choices;
• why you’re applying for your chosen subject
• why they want you as a student
• why you’re suitable for your chosen subject
• It’s your opportunity to make a good
impression
• An opportunity to stand out from the
crowd!
How important is the Personal
Statement?
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It might be their only impression of you
It could lead to an interview
It could prompt questions in an interview
It explains your relevant work experience
It could persuade a university to accept
you if you narrowly miss your offer
What are the Admissions tutors looking
for?
• A genuine interest in the subject and a
desire to learn more about it
• Research into your chosen subject and an
understanding of what it involves
• Qualities and skills that make you suitable
for your chosen course and for Higher
Education Study
What should I include?
How should I structure it?
Powerful introduction
What do you want to study? Why?
How is your current study preparing you for your chosen
course?
Work experience that’s relevant to your course choice
Other activities that show your qualities and skills
Activities that demonstrate your interest in your course
Memorable closing statement
Where you hope a degree in this subject will lead
Underline your desire to study
What makes a good opening and
closing statement?
Opening Statement
JK Rowling had her midnight cafes; Roald
Dahl's garden shed has produced
wheelbarrows of children's literature and
the Bronte sisters roamed the vast
expanse of the Yorkshire moors. I
personally retreat to a caravan at the
bottom of my garden where I find the
creative stimulus required to write
prizewinning poetry and biology essays
alike.
Opening Statement
From an early age I have been interested
in reading and in the English language.
Through the GCSE and A-level literature
courses, I have been able to refine this
interest into an analytical approach. I am
fascinated by the way literature has both
influenced and been influenced by the
history and culture of society. I particularly
enjoy 20th century prose, for example the
novels of E.M. Forster.
Closing Statement
Although some would argue the study for an
English degree is not vocational I see the next
few years of my life as the opportunity to
become immersed in a subject I love. To develop
my potential as a writer, I need to analyse and
understand the work of those who inhabit library
shelves. This course offers me the chance to
explore the depths of Shakespeare, unravel the
mysteries of Byron and grow in confidence as a
literacy critic and person.
Closing Statement
On the whole, I believe myself to be a
generally sociable, dedicated and selfdisciplined student, although I can be
overly competitive at times. I have
enjoyed my A Level studies so far, have
gained a great deal from them, and
believe that I have the determination and
ability to enjoy a successful university
career.
What if I’m applying to study more than
one subject?
• You only write one personal statement
which is sent to all your choices
• What if I’m applying for;
• combined honours?
• different subjects?
• subjects that aren’t linked by a theme?
What happens after I’ve sent it?
Application is sent to UCAS
UCAS checks for plagiarism using Similarity
Detection service
UCAS sends your application and Personal
Statement to each university
Read by admissions tutors/faculty staff
A decision is made and
sent back to UCAS
Similarity Detection
• All personal statements are checked by
Copycatch
• Any statements showing a level of similarity of
10% or greater will be reviewed by members of
the UCAS Similarity Detection Service team
• The universities are then informed by UCAS and
they will decide how to deal with it
Tips from the Admissions tutors
“Be positive and enthusiastic, especially about the course
you’re applying to.”
“Write in clear English. Don’t make it over complicated.”
“Don’t repeat information that is already in your
application. Keep it relevant – tell us what skills you’ve
gained from your experiences.”
“Make sure that the grammar, spelling and punctuation
are right. Proof read your personal statement and ask
others to proof read it for you – ask them for feedback on
it.”
Any Questions…?
[email protected]