YOUR PERSONAL Statement

1
YOURPERSONALStatement
2
What Is It?

• A piece of continuous prose
• One side of A4 typed in 12pt Times New
• Roman
• A statement summing up your reasons for
• applying and outlining your academic and
• personal qualities

The hardest part of my university
application
3
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

• Mandatory part of your UCAS application
• A useful check that you are applying for a
  suitable course
• Perhaps your only opportunity to sell yourself
• Used to decide on interviews/offers
• Basis for interview questions
• Can lead to a reduced offer

A good Personal Statement can be the difference
between receiving an offer and not receiving one.
4
(No Transcript)
5
Problems
Your Personal Statement may differ from the model
described if

• You are applying for a subject very different
  from
• what youve studied at A-level
• You are applying for a variety of courses
• You are deferring entry/taking a gap year

See your HE adviser
6
What do you want to study why?

• Make it clear what you want to study
• Explain your interest in the course and the
  reasons why you want to study it
• Indicate any related longer term aims/goals
• Dont be afraid youll look like a geek

If you cannot explain your reasons for studying
the course it is likely that you should not be
studying it!
7
Growing up on a farm gave me an understanding of
mans responsibility for the natural world from a
very early age. However, my study of Geography,
Biology and Chemistry has inspired me to look at
the scientific processes behind climate change.
We now face complex and challenging problems if
we are to sustain our own lifestyle, improve
conditions for those in the developing world and
preserve the wonderful diversity of life on our
planet. I am committed to the study of
Environmental Science not only to increase my
understanding of these problems but also in the
hope that I might help solve them in the course
of my working life.
8
Evidence of suitability

• Value of A-level studies
• Specific references to relevant modules/
  topics/work
• Specific examples of personal study/interest
• Any relevant work/voluntary experience

The longest and most important section you are
trying to show that you have the
skills, knowledge and passion
for your chosen degree course.
9
I believe my History studies so far have provided
me with a useful grounding for further study. At
A-level I study a broadly-based course that looks
at significant social, political and economic
events, using the theme of revolution to bind it
together. Consequently I have studied topics as
diverse as the Industrial Revolution and
Mussolinis Italy. I have particularly enjoyed
the work on the Russian Revolution, where the
complexity of events over such a short period of
time provides a fascinating challenge, and the
Henrician Reformation, due to my passion for
medieval and early modern English History.
10
My interest in this particular period stems, from
my longstanding interest in our ancient churches
and castles. I spend a great deal of time
visiting these places, especially our great
Cathedral churches such as York and Norwich.
These places provide a real link with the past
and it excites me to know that I am in a place
recognizable (if sometimes only barely) by a
visitor to the same spot 600 years previously. I
have applied to courses that will allow me to
study this period of History in great depth, and
to prepare myself I have read as widely as
possible.
11
I particularly enjoyed Maurice Keens survey of
late medieval English life, which challenges a
lot of the accepted views about the effects of
the Black Death, and Landers study of the Wars
of the Roses, which demonstrates how careful
explanation can make a very complex set of events
readily understandable. Currently I am reading
Peter Gwyns fascinating biography of Thomas
Wolsey, although I have some concerns that the
author is going too far in his efforts to restore
his subjects reputation. I have also been lucky
enough to do two weeks work experience with the
Northants Archaeological Trust, where I really
saw the value of archaeology in helping us to
understand the past in cases when the written
evidence is sparse.
12
I believe my other A-level subjects will also
help my study of History at university. My
French and German will help me read sources and
texts in the original language, while my study of
English literature both provides cultural context
and strengthens my understanding of the attitudes
and interests of society across time. Given my
interest in medieval and early modern English
History I have particularly enjoyed The
Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare. Indeed, at the
beginning of the Sixth Form I set myself the task
of reading all Shakespeares plays, a goal I
completed during the summer vacation.
13
Personal Qualities Interests

• Leadership
• Time-management
• Self-motivation
• Social and interpersonal skills
• Reliability

• What do you do in/outside school that suggests
  you have desirable personal qualities?

Admissions Tutors will not be impressed by a list
of what you do or have done. They are more
interested in what these things say about you as
a person.
14
In addition to my interest in Media Studies I am
particularly keen on sport and captain my village
under-18 cricket team. As we do not have sixth
form sports teams, I organised a football team
which reached the final of the county schools
competition. Drama is another passion, and I have
played leading parts in several school
productions. In short, I enjoy working in a team
environment, but will take a leading role where
appropriate. A part time job in a local
restaurant has improved my time management skills
and increased my confidence in dealing with all
sorts of people. My role as sixth form mentor,
in which I help younger students with social
issues and improving their academic performance,
has also developed my interpersonal skills.
15
Conclusion

• One or two sentences at most
• Restate enthusiasm for the course and stress that
  this is your reason for applying

Leave the reader with the impression that you are
an enthusiastic and committed student
and not with the idea that a degree course is
simply your way of getting away from home,
accessing cheap beer or getting a good job in
future.
16
Studying Law at university is a long-held
ambition, and one for which I have worked for
many years. It is the pathway to respected and
socially useful career and I cannot wait to
embark upon it.
Studying Law is a real intellectual challenge,
given the complexity and constantly evolving
nature of the subject. It is a challenge that,
if given the opportunity, I would enjoy immensely
17
Style

• Write in continuous prose
• Flawless spelling, punctuation grammar
• Dont start every sentence with I
• Avoid slang/inappropriate language
• Dont use contractions
• Avoid humour
• Dont plagiarise

Give the admissions tutor the clear information
s/he needs in the order s/he expects it.
Make her/his job easier rather than
harder.
18
WHAT TO DO NEXT

• Visit our
• Personal Statements
• web page.

19
Print off this simple guide to writing your
personal statement
20
Print off and read through these documents
21
Familiarise yourself with the system for seeking
further advice and assistance with writing your
Personal Statement
22
Any Questions?