10 tips for writing a Personal Statement

1. Explain your reasons for wanting to study the course

What motivates you to take this course further at a university level? Mention how your interest
developed, what you have done to pursue it or how youve drawn inspiration from your current
studies. Or, just demonstrate your enthusiasm for it. If you want to get something specific out of it,
provided it's reasonable, say so.

2. Explain how you're right for the course

Provide evidence that you fit the bill to show that not only do you meet the selection criteria; but
also that youve researched the course (or profession) and understand what studying the subject at
university level will involve. Also show that you're prepared for this. Keep on topic and show that
youve really done your research and know why you want to do the course.

3. Say what youve done outside the classroom

If possible, outline how youve pursued your interest in your chosen subject beyond your current
syllabus.
For example, talk about any further reading youve done around the subject and give your critical
views or reflective opinions about it (don't just write a list). This could be from books, quality
newspapers, websites, periodicals or scientific journals or from films, documentaries, blogs, radio
programmes, podcasts, attending public lectures and so on.
Try to avoid mentioning the wider reading that everyone else is doing.

4. Why its relevant to your course...

Reflect on your experiences, explaining what youve learned from them or how theyve helped
develop your interest in the subject it could be work experience, volunteering, a university taster
session or outreach programme, summer schools, museum, gallery or theatre visits, archaeological
digs, visits to the local courts, travel, competitions or a maths challenge.
It doesnt have to be anything fancy!
5. And relevant to your chosen career
Reflecting on relevant experience or observations will be essential for some professional courses
where, in effect, youre applying for the career as well as the course:
Reflect on your experience, dont just describe it. Talk about the skills the profession needs, how
youve noticed this and how youve developed those skills yourself.
Whatever environment youve been in, what did you spot or learn from what happens there, or
what have you observed about how the qualities exhibited by professional staff helped them engage
effectively with patients or service-users?

6. Can you demonstrate transferable skills?

Yes, you can and admissions tutors will want to hear about them!
It could be your ability to work independently, teamwork, good time management, problem-solving,
leadership, listening or organisational skills.

Taken from Which.co.uk

 7. Expand on the most relevant ones
But dont simply list off the skills you think you have think about which ones relate most readily to
the course youre applying to. Then demonstrate how youve developed, used and continued
to strengthen these.
Again, admissions tutors want to hear about specific examples, like:
projects and assignments (what role did you play, what went well?)
positions of responsibility (what did you achieve, how has it improved your self-confidence?)
sport, music or drama (what did you learn from your role, how did you work as a team?)
Young Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh's Award (what was the biggest challenge, how did you
overcome it?)
volunteering or a part-time job (what have you observed, what extra responsibilities have you
taken on, what skills have you demonstrated yourself?).

8. Show that youre a critical thinker

University is all about being able to think independently and analytically so being able to
demonstrate that youre working like this already is a big plus point.

Briefly explaining how one of your A-level subjects, a BTEC assignment or placement, or additional
studies such as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) has made you think more critically could be
a way of doing this.
If youre taking the EPQ, do talk about it, as its the kind of studying youll be doing at uni.

9. Whats the long-term plan?

Mention what your longer term goals are if you can do it in an interesting way and youve got a
specific path in mind. If you do, then try and show a spark of individuality or imagination.
Just saying you want to be a journalist isnt exactly going to stand you out from the crowd.
If youre not sure yet, just talk about what youre looking forward to at uni and what you want to
gain from your course or from university life.
If youre applying for deferred entry, do mention your gap year plans if youve made a firm decision
to take a year out. Most courses are happy for you to take a gap year but they will want to know
how you plan to spend it.

10. Keep it positive

It can be difficult to get started with your personal statement, but dont panic. Start with your
strengths, focus on your enthusiasm for the course and talk positively about yourself.

Taken from Which.co.uk

 Writing your opening paragraph
Getting frustrated because you don't know how to begin your personal statement? Or worse, you're
struggling to write anything at all because you haven't got the start nailed down?
If so, you're not alone.

We spoke to admissions tutors up and down the country, and they all said the same thing: don't get
stressed out trying to think of a killer opening!
The overkill opening
One of the dangers of trying to come up with a great opening is that you can end up overthinking it
and going overboard. As one admissions tutor said: 'Be succinct and draw the reader in, but not with
a gimmick. This isn't the X Factor.'

Even some Oxbridge admissions tutors mentioned this. They emphasised the need for candidates to
engage the reader with your (relevant) perceptions or ideas, not by something flashy.
Tips to write a killer opening
We spoke to a number of admissions tutors to get their number one tip for starting a personal
statement. This is what they said:
'Don't waste time trying to think of a catchy opening; it's often a complete turn-off.'
'Your interest in the course is the biggest thing. Start with why you chose it.'
'The best personal statements get to the point quickly.'
'Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you are interested in studying the
area you are applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it.'
'Go straight in. Why are you excited about studying this course?'
'The opening is your chance to introduce yourself, to explain your motivation for studying the
course and to demonstrate your understanding of it.'
'It's your enthusiasm for the course we want to know about. Start with that.'
'Write what comes naturally.'
'What you want to study and why should be in the first two sentences. What excites you about
the course and why do you want to learn about it more?'
'Be specific from line one.'
'Talk about you and your enthusiasm for the subject from the very start.'
'In your opening paragraph you need to show that you know what you are applying for. Don't
waffle or say you want to study something just because it's interesting. Explain what you find
interesting about it.'
'It's much better to engage us with something interesting, relevant, specific and current in your
opening line, not 'from a young age' or 'I have always wanted to'. Start with what's inspiring you
now, not what inspired you when you were six.'

Maybe don't begin at the start?

Some tutors even suggested you shouldn't even begin at the start...:
'I think the opening line is the hardest one to write, so I often say leave it until last and just try and
get something down on paper.'
'Don't spend too long on the introduction. Concentrate on the main content of your statement
and write the introduction last.'
'I often advise applicants to start with paragraph two, where you get into why you want to study
the course. That's what we're really interested in.'
The best statements tend to be genuine and specific from the very start. So you'll be on the right
track if you explain your enthusiasm for the subject or course, your understanding of it and what you
want to achieve from it.

Taken from Which.co.uk

 Five cliche beginnings to avoid
However, try to avoid the most obvious opening sentences so you stand out from the first line. Every
year Ucas publishes a list of the most common opening lines in personal statements and urges
applicants to avoid using these 'hackneyed' phrases. Last year's top five included:
'From a young age'
'For as long as I can remember
'I am applying for this course because'
'I have always been interested in'
'Throughout my life I have always enjoyed'
At number 11 was a Nelson Mandela quote, which brings us to...
Ditch the quotes
In our guide to what not to put in your personal statement, you'll see that quotations are top of the
list of admissions tutors' pet hates. They particularly dislike it if you put a quotation in right at the
start and it's even worse if you don't actually explain why it's there.

It's your statement, after all. They don't want to know what Nelson Mandela thought; they want to
know what you think!

Taken from Which.co.uk