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Personal Statements
Personal Statements
This presentation will cover:
• When you need to apply and complete the personal statement
• Who reads your application• Who reads your application
• What should you include and leave out
• Why should you spend a lot of time on your personal statemnt
• How do you complete a winning personal statement
Choosing a Course
• Get an idea of what is available
• Entry Requirements - be realistic!
• Your interests and hobbies
• Which career?
• Stamford Test?• Stamford Test?
• Study Abroad option?
• Course Structure – which
university offers the best
one for you?
• Talk to staff at Open Days
When: UCAS Deadlines
Important dates to remember
•September is the time!
•15 October : Dentistry, Medicine, Oxbridge
15 January : Deadline for applications from UK and EU •15 January : Deadline for applications from UK and EU
students to be guaranteed consideration
•24 March : Deadline for some art and design courses
•31 March : Universities and colleges should aim to have
sent decisions on all applications received by 15
January
Who?
• UCAS process all applications
• UCAS aren’t involved in the decision making
• Form sent to Admissions Staff at all five universities
• Processing takes one day then you will be sent an
application number and bookletapplication number and booklet
• Subject tutors from each university will read
your personal statements
• Remember – they will be looking at
lots of applications.
Make yours stand out!
UCAS CycleImportant dates to remember
1• You need to make up to five choices on your application.
2• UCAS will send your application to each chosen institution.
3
• You will receive a decision for each course. You may be asked to come in for an interview, given a conditional or unconditional offer or be rejected.
4• Respond to UCAS and to confirm your ‘Firm’ and ‘Insurance’ choices.
5
• Wait until your results have been published to see if the entry requirements of the institution have been met.
Why?
Why?Why?
Why?
Why write a good Personal Statement
• It is a compulsory part of the UCAS form
• It is your ‘interview’
• Helps with your CV now and in the future• Helps with your CV now and in the future
• Helps you focus on what you really want
• To stand out over other students with the same grades
• 450,000 applicants and 2.5 million applications to HE
• Competition is tough!
Expand upon your
interests and experiences
• It makes the statement more convincing
• More personal if you give specifics
• Explain why an experience or activity makes you a • Explain why an experience or activity makes you a
good candidate
• Include enough additional information to make it
interesting
• Demonstrate your own interest
Applying to Multiple Courses
• Remember that you only write one
personal statement
• Joint degree - Explain why you are • Joint degree - Explain why you are
interested in both subjects.
• Contrasting Subjects – Try and
identify the common themes.
Real ExamplesReal MistakesReal Mistakes
Introduction Example – English Degree
My Personal Statement. The reason why I want to study for a degree
Is because of the following reasons:
I want to get a higher degree and better qualification,
I want to gain more experience and knowledge,
I want to improve my skills as an educational challenge
and I want to have a good career later.
I finished English literature in my country and got a first degree. I studiedI finished English literature in my country and got a first degree. I studied
English grammar, drama, Shakespeare's plays, comprehension, poems and
critic. So far I know Arabic, Italian, English and some French. I like
learning and speaking different languages especially English because I
feel that communicating with other people in their own language is
better so I could understand them more.
What Not to WriteDon’t be a victim!
• Using slang or poor English
• Underestimating the skills you gain from
part-time work
• Exaggerating
• Assuming that the reader knows about you
• Repeating information that is elsewhere on
the form
• Trying to include too much
• Getting someone else to write it!
• Plagiarism!
Introduction Example – Sports
Understanding the story of Muhammad Ali initiated my interest in
sporting figures. Muhammad Ali has had an immense influence on me and
the bout in Zaire against Foreman was truly inspiring. Ali's mentality in
that fight was immense to control such a fighter of Foreman's calibre. It is
astounding what the individual can achieve when the mind is both
determined and focused. Studying for a degree in sports science would
not only further my understanding of the impact of biological aspects on not only further my understanding of the impact of biological aspects on
performance but will also help me to appreciate the psychological aspects
of performance, which particularly intrigues me. My aspiration is to
become a sports coach and I feel that this degree will help to make my
dream more likely.”
Experiences
• “I worked in a solicitors office for my work experience”
• Provide context and show what you have learnt
• “In July 2007 I spent two weeks on a placement at Elias,
Smith and Jones, a solicitors’ firm in Colchester specialising
A good example
Smith and Jones, a solicitors’ firm in Colchester specialising
in family law and personal injuries. During that time I
shadowed a partner, and attended a child custody hearing,
and also had the opportunity to work closely with a Para-
legal as they prepared a compensation claim. This has given
me an insight into the variety of work in a small firm, and
has emphasised to me the importance of a thorough
grounding in contact law”.
What to WriteYour opportunity to sell yourself
• Make it attention grabbing! Quotes and jokes
• Make the content relevant and current
• Ensure your personal statement has a structure and organise
the material clearly
• Show an awareness of your subject
• Only put in things you are prepared to talk about if called for
interview
• Think about the impression you want to give
• Make it individual – all about you!
• Tell them a story (a true one!)
What to Write: Structure
• Choice of course
– Why have you applied to study?
– Why are you interested in this course?
– Motivation - why this particular course?
– Possible career aims/ ambitions
• Work experience or voluntary work, and skills gained• Work experience or voluntary work, and skills gained
– Communications, IT, numerical
– Personal, e.g decision-making skills, working in a team
– Voluntary work? Positions of responsibility?
• School / College experience
– What have you learnt about from your
current studies? What skills have you developed?
– Additional positions of responsibility?
– How would you describe your college experience?
What to Write: Structure
• Sporting involvement
– Teams /clubs– what have you learned? What skills have you gained?
– Have you recently participated in any events?
– Any positions of responsibility? Any medals/awards?
• Out of school/college activities and interests
– Hobbies and interests; what skills have you gained from these? Any – Hobbies and interests; what skills have you gained from these? Any
rewards or achievements?
– How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths?
– Holidays and travel
• Concluding statement
– What are you looking forward to at University? What can your offer?
– If you plan to defer entry, say what you plan to do and how you feel it
will benefit you
• Apply online at UCAS
• Use Times New Roman/Arial, font 12pt
• Edit for spelling and grammar
How?
• Edit for spelling and grammar
• Write enough to fill the space
• Write in paragraphs or short statements.
• Proof read. Even better, get someone else to read it
• 47 lines or 4,000 characters
Any Questions?
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