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

• Ability

• Commitment

• Knowledge

What are Admissions Tutors looking for?

• Interest in and knowledge of the degree course• 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• Explanation of unusual degree combinations

What should you avoid?• Waffle• Swallowing a dictionary• Empty statements about yourself• 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 outwith 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 analytical and reflective, not just descriptive• 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 experience3. 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

Common openings……

• I am currently studying…..• From a young/early age I have always been interested

in……• Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career……• For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated

in…..• Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only…….• Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with…..• For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in….• Academically I have always been a very determined…..

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

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

A successful student will…..

• Have had aspirations from early life• Be able to imagine themselves realistically as a student• Have a good support system for their application at home

and school• Have one to one encouragement from parent/school staff• Have access to university before application• Have access to a range of pre-university events • Experience university induction activities that encourage a

sense of community and belonging• Have sustained interaction with staff during 1st year• Have help in developing independent learning skills pre

and post entry

Remember you are one of many, so you have to shine as brightly as you can!