The Personal The Personal StatementStatement

Some crucial points to Some crucial points to consider.consider. This is the most important part of your This is the most important part of your

UCAS application.UCAS application. Your opportunity to tell an admissions Your opportunity to tell an admissions

tutor why you are suitable for the tutor why you are suitable for the degree you want to study.degree you want to study.

It must demonstrate enthusiasm and It must demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment. It has to stand out from commitment. It has to stand out from the crowd.the crowd.

Your first draft needs to be completed Your first draft needs to be completed by the first week of September.by the first week of September.

Some questions and Some questions and answers.answers. Is there a maximum length to a Is there a maximum length to a

personal statement?personal statement? Yes – 4000 characters or 47 lines.Yes – 4000 characters or 47 lines. Can it be written in paragraphs?Can it be written in paragraphs? Yes – but no paragraphs is fine Yes – but no paragraphs is fine

too.too.

Questions and Questions and AnswersAnswers Does the UCAS apply software have Does the UCAS apply software have

a spelling and grammar check a spelling and grammar check facility?facility?

No. Type it in a word document and No. Type it in a word document and save it to your documents and then save it to your documents and then paste it in.paste it in.

Can you write a different personal Can you write a different personal statement for each of your choices?statement for each of your choices?

No.No.

Questions and Questions and AnswersAnswers Can you use Can you use boldbold, , italics italics and and

underlinedunderlined characters in the statement? characters in the statement? No.No. Is there a problem using material I have Is there a problem using material I have

found on the web in my personal found on the web in my personal statement?statement?

Yes! This is plagiarism. If plagiarism is Yes! This is plagiarism. If plagiarism is detected your application will be detected your application will be cancelled.cancelled.

Its all about me!Its all about me!

Your opportunity to tell the Your opportunity to tell the institutions about you and about:institutions about you and about:

- Your academic achievementsYour academic achievements- A piece of work you are A piece of work you are

particularly proud ofparticularly proud of- How your current studies link to How your current studies link to

your chosen subject(s)your chosen subject(s)

Its all about me!Its all about me!

- why does your chosen subject - why does your chosen subject area interest you?area interest you?

What do you already know about What do you already know about it?it?

What elements of the subject do What elements of the subject do you particularly enjoy and why?you particularly enjoy and why?

Life after university- where will it Life after university- where will it take you?take you?

Its all about me!Its all about me!

Your statement needs to be Your statement needs to be relevant to all your choicesrelevant to all your choices

Remember that admissions tutors Remember that admissions tutors read on average 200 statements read on average 200 statements a week. Make yours stand out for a week. Make yours stand out for the right reasons!the right reasons!

Write it early – over the summer Write it early – over the summer is ideal.is ideal.

DoDo

Write it early.Write it early. Check spelling and grammar.Check spelling and grammar. Make it applicable to your subject Make it applicable to your subject

choices.choices. Keep it personal.Keep it personal. Reflect.Reflect. Ask for feedback.Ask for feedback. Be enthusiastic.Be enthusiastic. Be prepared to write a few drafts until Be prepared to write a few drafts until

it is perfect.it is perfect.

Don’tDon’t

Use slang, text or email language.Use slang, text or email language. Forget it could be used in an interview.Forget it could be used in an interview. Copy Copy Forget to watch UCAS TVForget to watch UCAS TV Leave it to the last minute!Leave it to the last minute! Plagiarise!!!Plagiarise!!!

Your statement needs Your statement needs to show evidence of….to show evidence of…. Emotional intelligence.Emotional intelligence. That you are flexible.That you are flexible. Have the ability to prioritise work.Have the ability to prioritise work. Have analytical skills.Have analytical skills. Subject specific knowledge and Subject specific knowledge and

experience.experience. Your ability to work under pressure.Your ability to work under pressure.

Your statement needs Your statement needs to show evidence of….to show evidence of…. You are hard working.You are hard working. Have the ability to form opinions.Have the ability to form opinions. Initiative.Initiative. Interpersonal skills.Interpersonal skills. Self awareness.Self awareness.

Your statement needs Your statement needs to show evidence of….to show evidence of…. Why you would make a good student?Why you would make a good student? Hobbies and interestsHobbies and interests Extra curricular activities, work Extra curricular activities, work

experienceexperience Positions of responsibility in and out of Positions of responsibility in and out of

school.school. Any attributes that make you special, Any attributes that make you special,

unique or interesting.unique or interesting. Any future plans you have.Any future plans you have.

Similarity Detection Similarity Detection Service.Service. Personal statements are checked Personal statements are checked

against a library of those already against a library of those already in the system and from a variety in the system and from a variety of websites.of websites.

Each new statement is added to Each new statement is added to the library after processing.the library after processing.

Note on ReferencesNote on References

A level teachers have written a A level teachers have written a subject reference and will give subject reference and will give you a predicated A2 grade.you a predicated A2 grade.

These will be used to write your These will be used to write your final reference along with your final reference along with your personal statement.personal statement.

Reference writers will be Reference writers will be displayed on the UCAS notice displayed on the UCAS notice board in study.board in study.

QuestionsQuestions

Any Questions?Any Questions?