The StudyLink guide to writing your

Personal Statement

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© StudyLink 2010 www.studylink.com
2 Contents

Contents
3. Writing your personal statement

4. Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement

Step 1

5. Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

6. Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

7. Hints and tricks

8. Top ten do’s and don’ts

9. Legal Statement

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Writing your personal statement
A personal statement is often the only
opportunity you have to set yourself apart from
all the other applicants who also want to study
your course.
Many admissions officers use it to make their
final decision. It is a way for them to find out
the reasons behind your application answers.
They also want to know what makes you
unique. What will you bring to your class that is
different?
Your personal statement is even more important
if your grades are borderline. If you know
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Writing your personal statement 3
your marks are basically average, this is your
chance to give that school some justification for
admitting you. Give an honest explanation, or
some proof of your passion for the subject.
You may also need to write a personal
statement for a scholarship application, or for
financial aid. It could all make the difference
between studying… or not studying.
But, don’t panic! Writing a personal statement
is not as hard or scary as it sounds. Just follow
our guide and you’ll have a compelling story in
no time.
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4 Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 1
Step-by-step guide to writing your
personal statement
Step 1: Find your theme
Most personal statements are short documents
– just one or two pages. They are not
autobiographies, or a complete list of every
achievement since you learned to walk.
So, the best statements focus on just one or two
clear themes, and give an in depth explanation
of your abilities or interests in that area.
Examples of personal statement
themes include:
• Overcoming obstacles – how you
overcame problems or adversity in
your life, and what you learned from
that experience
• Who has inspired you in life
– is there one person who has
encouraged you to pursue this
dream?
• Lifelong interest or passion – is
this subject something you’ve had
interest in all your life? Show what
and how you’ve learned about it.
• Motivation to succeed – what are
your goals and what motivates you
to reach them?
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Finding your unique theme
A good personal statement is honest, so there is
no point just reading one of the above examples
and saying, “OK, that will do.” You need to find
your own unique story, the thing that sets you
apart.
This is sometimes hard to do. So start by asking
yourself the following questions:
• What is special or unusual about my life
story? Don’t worry if there isn’t anything –
most people have fairly normal lives!
• What events or people have shaped my
life or influenced my goals?
• Who has inspired me to study this subject
or work in this field?
• When did I first become interested in this
subject? Why do I think I am well-suited to
it?
• How have I learned about this subject?
• What are my career goals? Why?
• Are there any problems with my academic
record that I should explain?
• Have I had to overcome any hardships in
my life? (For example, family, physical or
economic)
• What personal characteristics do I have
that make me suitable for this subject? If
you find it hard to be objective here, ask
some friends for their point of view.
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 Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 2 / Step 3 / Step 4 5

Step 2. Plan your structure Step 4. Don’t tell, show

A good personal statement has a clear structure
– a compelling introduction, between two and
six body paragraphs that give concrete reasons
or explanations, and a strong conclusion.
Your notes on the questions above will give you
a framework for your statement.
In your body copy, you need to demonstrate
some reasons behind your theme. Think of this
as an argument, just as any essay is. You are
trying to persuade them that you are the best
possible student for this class or scholarship. So
don’t just state your achievements, explain what
is behind them.

Now, before you do anything else, read the This is also a good place to mention
instructions. achievements that you were unable to include in
your main application – if they are relevant.
Not all personal statements are the same.
Check what your admissions office requires.
And keep to that format – if they want two
A4 pages double-spaced, then don’t send in Consider:
four pages. If they ask you to answer three
• What did you learn from that
specific questions, make sure you do so clearly.
experience?
Otherwise your statement could be rejected
before it has even been read. • How has it shaped or changed
your attitude or goals?
Step 3. Start at the beginning
• How will that help you perform well
Your introduction needs to grab the reader’s in the course?
attention. It sets the tone for the rest of the
statement. So avoid clichés or long-winded
explanations. Spark their interest and get to the
point – in just one paragraph.

Because the introduction is so important, you

may want to write it last. That’s OK!

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6 Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 5 / Step 6 / Step 7

Step 5. Conclude, but don’t repeat Step 7. Seek feedback

Your conclusion needs to flow from the rest of
the copy. Don’t repeat what you’ve already said
with a statement beginning “So, in conclusion…”
An attention-grabbing sentence at the end will
help give impact to your statement. Make sure
you emphasise your desire to study.
You may wish to include a specific reason for
choosing that university in your conclusion
– some unique feature that ties in with the
points you have outlined on your goals and
experience. It’s a good way to show that you
have researched that school, and that this is not
just a generic statement.
Now you’re ready to show it to some friends and
relatives. Ask them for constructive feedback.
You’d be surprised what an objective point of
view can add to your statement.
If you’re not confident about your English ability,
ask a fluent English speaker to proofread it.
This is critical, as your personal statement
demonstrates your ability to write and
communicate in English when you study. For
many admissions officers, clear English is the
first thing they look for.

Step 6. Edit and review

Whenever possible, leave your statement

overnight and then look at it again with fresh
eyes. Does it flow well? Check it for grammar
and spelling mistakes.

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 Hints and tricks 7

Hints and tricks

What is your reader looking for?

A good writer always thinks about the reader’s
point of view. In this case, the admissions
officer may have only two minutes to review
your statement. He or she may read thousands
during the admissions process. So keep it clear,
simple and to the point.
Your reader needs to know:
“We seek students who are motivated and
passionate about their subject area, and have
the potential to succeed in their studies. You
have to be prepared to take advantage of the
opportunities we offer if you are to succeed.”
De Montford University Admissions Office

• You can communicate well in English

• Your goals and the path you are on
• Why you are excited about this subject
area
• Any supporting evidence or details about
your experience and academic record
Four quick questions to get
you started
1. List the top 10 reasons why you
wish to study at university
2. Who has influenced you most to
study in your subject?

3. What are your future intentions

“At UCLA we say, “we know you have lots of and goals?
extracurricular activities – we want to know how
you differ, what makes you unique? What can 4. Who inspires you most and why?
you bring to the class that’s going to make you
distinctive from the other 99 people already
there?”

M. Rappaport, Dean of Admissions

UCLA School of Law

“Nine out of ten essays leave you with a big

yawn. The common, unoriginal statement
recounts the applicant’s academic interests
and basically repeats what is elsewhere in the
application.”

Dr D Alonso, Dean for Admissions

Cornell University Medical College

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8 Top ten do’s and don’ts

Top ten do’s and don’ts

Do: Don’t:

• Write in clear English • Write a lengthy autobiography

• Answer the questions provided • Go on about details from the distant past,
unless they are truly relevant
• Be positive and enthusiastic
• Beg or brag – quiet confidence is the right tone
• Keep sentences short
to strike
• Capture their interest with a strong opening
• Repeat yourself
paragraph
• Talk about money or rankings as a reason for
• Set out your unique features – experience,
that course or university
abilities, activities, enthusiasm?
• Write a generic statement – you will need
• Focus on three core issues – why this
to re-write it for each and every application,
university, why this subject, and why you will
honestly!
perform well
• Use the wrong school name – be careful
• Explain any circumstances that may have
with that copy and paste if you do use your
affected your results – but focus on the
statement for more than one application!
positive, how you resolved them, rather than
complaining. It’s OK to have flaws, but what • Be boring
have you done about them?
• Use clichés such as or wordy, academic prose
• Be honest – don’t copy someone else’s in an attempt to be clever. It just makes it
statement, it will show harder to read.

• Get friends and family to give feedback • Be gimmicky – don’t be tempted to write your
statement as a poem to make it stand out. It
will only look silly.

Remember, spending some time on your personal statement will not only give
you the best chance of getting into the course you want. It will also help you
work out, in your own mind, why this is important to you. And that could be the
best preparation you could make before you leave for further study.

Good luck!

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 Legal Statement 9

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