WRITING A UCAS

1
WRITING A UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT
2
The UCAS Personal Statement

• Very important part of the application form
• You must
• Sell yourself make yourself stand out from
  other candidates
• Be honest you may need to back up your
  statement at an interview at a later date
• Be concise not repeat information from
  elsewhere in the application form

3
Style and Structure (1)

• As a general rule the first half to two thirds
  should be about why you want to apply for a
  particular course and how your various
  experiences support this choice
• Note form or paragraphs is irrelevant providing
  you appreciate that the need to be articulate is
  a prerequisite for a university education

4
Style and structure (2)

• Should be in your own words
• Use positive and appropriate language
• Structured, either paragraphs or headings
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors (dont
  just use spellcheck on the computer)
• Use font Arial or Times New Roman, point 12

5
Positive Language

• Use a thesaurus to help increase the range of
  words that you use.
• Make sure to use positive language and that the
  statement reads well.
• Good words to use
• Accomplished, enthusiasm, achieved
• Versatile, motivated, demonstrated
• Flexibility, team, contributed

6
What to include

• Reasons for choosing the course evidence?
  Knowledge of course content
• What you hope to gain from the course
  University as a whole career development/personal
  development
• Career aspirations
• Relevant background information or experience
  work experience/relevant studies
• Any other interests that will help to describe
  you as a person e.g hobbies reading,sport,music,
  travel

7
What do you have to offer?

• Positions of responsibility
• Games/sports? Membership of clubs, school teams
  etc
• Duke of Edinburgh / Community Service?

What do you hope to do with your degree?

• Is it a sandwich degree?
• Does it give you the opportunity for a
• year abroad?
• Do you have definite plans for a
• Gap Year and how might this support your
• application?

8
Deferring entry to university

• You can still apply Autumn 2005 if you want to
  start in 2007 (rather than starting Sep 2006)
• You must check with the institutions to which you
  are applying that they accept deferred entry
• You should use the personal statement to explain
  how why you are taking a gap year
• If you wait to apply while in your gap year you
  will not have the same support
• If you accept a place for 2007, you cannot change
  your mind, unless you withdraw from UCAS
  completely.

9
Remember!

• It is the your personal statement and you must be
  happy that it shows yourself off to maximum
  advantage