The Personal Statement

How important is the Personal Statement?

• Most Admissions Tutors see it as vital• For some courses it is very important• Some may not be read• Due to the increase in applications and

fewer places available, most will probably be read

• THE POINT IS - YOU DO NOT KNOW

What is the Personal Statement used for?

• Selection for an interview• Selection for an offer• Asking questions at an interview • Decisions on conditional offers who don’t

make the grade in August

(Remember to keep a copy of your personal statement so you can read it before the interview)

Where’s MACK ?

• Maturity – indicated through skills and experiences

• Ability – demonstrated through academic and other achievements;

• Commitment – to course/career• Knowledge – of what the course is about

through research

What are Admissions Tutors looking for?

• Interest in and knowledge of the degree course• Someone who has done a lot with their lives• Why you are suitable for the course• Commitment to course• Clearly written statement• Motivated, mature individuals who are enthusiastic• Able to balance studies with non-academic life• Interesting person• Work experience• Broad key skills eg. Teamwork• Future career – knowledge of industry • Explanation of unusual degree combinations

What should you avoid?• Waffle• Swallowing a dictionary• Empty statements about yourself without supporting examples• Very ordinary interests eg. Walking the dog!• Spelling or grammatical errors• Using text speak or slang• Lying (remember the interview)• Making attention grabbing statements – the admissions tutor

may not share your sense of humour!• Quotes – in general they don’t add much to the statement• Rushing – take time and plan• Thinking you can write it without advice• Thinking you can write it whilst watching the TV or chatting

online with your friends!

What kind of information should you give?

• Why you want to do the degree course • Any work experience/current studies that relate to the

course• Responsibilities, achievements and experiences in school• Interests, achievements and experiences out with school• Particularly interests that are special or unique• Reasons why you didn’t do well in exams – illness,

bereavement etc.• Your ambition, why you are suited to the course,

involvement in university life• Should be 75% academic and 25% personal• Mention the course you are applying for!

Structure of statement

The important information should always be at the start of your statement. An ideal

structure would be:1. Motivation behind choosing course

2. Work experience

3. Your interests/hobbies

4. Conclusion including ambition & why they should offer you a place

Unsuccessful personal statements

• Didn’t support desire to study chosen degree

• Didn’t show sufficient understanding, relevance or knowledge about the course

• Lot of competition and personal statement wasn’t as strong as other applicants

• Application didn’t evidence an accurate understanding of or motivation for subject

Warning!

• Increasing use of commercially produced personal statements

• All personal statements run through plagiarism detection software - Copycatch

• Remember your declaration of honesty is a legally binding contract – avoid lying or exaggeration as if caught out this may result in rejection.

E-mail addresses

• Do not use e-mail addresses that may offend an Admissions Tutor

• Eg references to religion, football, sex, race, politics

• Stick to simple e-mail addresses

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