The Personal The Personal StatementStatementPearls of Wisdom!Pearls of Wisdom!

Used by Admissions Used by Admissions TutorsTutors

To decide which candidates to interviewTo decide which candidates to interview In conjunction with the confidential In conjunction with the confidential

referencereference To develop lines of questioningTo develop lines of questioning

During an interviewDuring an interview Hence the need to photocopy!Hence the need to photocopy!

To test candidate’s understanding of To test candidate’s understanding of coursecourse Hence need to attend open days Hence need to attend open days

What to IncludeWhat to Include

An idea of An idea of why why you want to do the courseyou want to do the course Evidence of a Evidence of a well roundedwell rounded personality personality

Includes Includes serious interests e.g.serious interests e.g. Playing an instrument proficientlyPlaying an instrument proficiently Sport played regularlySport played regularly

A well written statement A well written statement A useful demonstration of your writing abilityA useful demonstration of your writing ability

A well presented statementA well presented statement Shows evidence of pride in your workShows evidence of pride in your work

What to Include What to Include continuedcontinued

Details of relevant work experienceDetails of relevant work experience A useful way to demonstrate skillsA useful way to demonstrate skills

Such as team work & communicationSuch as team work & communication

Evidence of teamwork & independence skillsEvidence of teamwork & independence skills E.g Duke of Edinburgh’s AwardE.g Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Examples demonstrating your willingness to Examples demonstrating your willingness to workwork And persevere with tasksAnd persevere with tasks

Anything distinctive about your courseAnything distinctive about your course E.g. taking maths to level 3 on health route ! E.g. taking maths to level 3 on health route !

Details of an interesting projectDetails of an interesting project You may be involved with inside or outside You may be involved with inside or outside

collegecollege

What to AvoidWhat to Avoid

WaffleWaffle 150 well-chosen words 150 well-chosen words

More effective than 400 words of irrelevant More effective than 400 words of irrelevant informationinformation

Making assertions about your personal Making assertions about your personal qualitiesqualities WithoutWithout some supportive evidence some supportive evidence

Giving very ordinary interestsGiving very ordinary interests E.g like going to the pub E.g like going to the pub

Writing at length about your courseWriting at length about your course except for issues such as special projectsexcept for issues such as special projects

Discuss only in so far as they show an interest in Discuss only in so far as they show an interest in the course for which you are applyingthe course for which you are applying

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

Having read all the adviceHaving read all the advice It’s over to you to It’s over to you to sell yourselfsell yourself

Start preparing your statement Start preparing your statement earlyearly It can take longer than you think!It can take longer than you think!

Show the draft to your personal tutorShow the draft to your personal tutor Photocopy the end resultPhotocopy the end result

Save a copy on the careerswales websiteSave a copy on the careerswales website Good LuckGood Luck