Here are some tips to help you create a compelling personal statement:
Engaging introductions capture the reader’s attention. Avoid clichés and try to make a memorable first impression. Engage the reader early by telling them what you love about your chosen field and why you want to study it at degree level.
Be genuine and honest about your experiences, interests, and aspirations. Admissions tutors can tell when a statement is sincere. Don’t show off; there is a delicate balance between telling people what you are good at and actually showing off. An authentic voice will overcome this.
Clearly articulate your passion for the subject you wish to study. Provide specific examples that demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment.
If you have volunteered at a charity or organisation in your field or taken extracurricular sessions related to your chosen field, these are great things to include in a personal statement.
Discuss relevant academic achievements, extracurricular activities, work experiences, or volunteer work and explain how these experiences have prepared you for university study.
You will likely have undertaken some work experience as part of your GCSE or A-level programme; list this in your personal statement, along with what it has taught you about your chosen field. If the experience you had wasn’t directly related to what you are now going on to study, there could still be ways of making this relevant, for example, by explaining how being given responsibility for a task allowed you to work on your ability to work independently and to a deadline.
Highlight skills relevant to your chosen course, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you have developed and used these skills. Extra-curricular activities are a good way to introduce your skills to the conversation and showcase them.
Rather than just listing your achievements, reflect on what you have learned from them and how they have shaped your goals and ambitions. Making your experiences three-dimensional with information about what they have taught you is a great way to add depth to your personal statement.
Show that you have done your homework by mentioning specific aspects of the course and the university that appeal to you and explain why you are a good fit for the programme. Tailoring your personal statement to the university and course of your choice means that the admissions team will know you are serious and not simply just applying to any and all universities that offer that course.
If there is a specific reason you want to study that particular course at that particular university, then be sure to mention it in your personal statement. Perhaps it is a specific lecturer whom you admire, or maybe you have family who attended, or there was simply something that caught your eye during an open day which persuaded you that this was the right fit for you.
Stick to the word limit and ensure your statement is well-organized and easy to read. Use clear and concise language and avoid overly complex vocabulary. If the university has given instructions on word limit, font, text size, and file format, then be sure to stick to it. Not reading and following the instructions does not look good to a prospective university.
Make sure to read through the application form and the section on the personal statement before you begin to write it. If the university has any unique and specific requirements, then make a note of these and be sure to abide by them. They will receive hundreds of applications each year, and not sticking to the requirements specified is a surefire way of your application being dismissed without even being read.
Ask teachers, mentors, or friends to review your personal statement and provide constructive feedback. They can help you identify areas for improvement. Often, you will be unsure of your strengths or missed information about yourself that could be vital in showing how strong a candidate you are for your chosen course. Family, friends, and teachers will know where you excel and can assist you in filling any gaps you may have left.
It is also always a good idea to get someone to look over your personal statement to ensure that it is comprehensive and readable and that you have fully answered the brief of writing about yourself. Sometimes, what is obvious to you is harder for someone else to grasp if you have not explained it fully. For example, you may have a specific term related to your extra-curricular hobby. This may be obscure to some, and it may help if you explain or expand a little to ensure that the admissions team understand the relevance of your mentioning it.
Ensure your statement is free from spelling and grammatical errors. A polished, error-free statement reflects your attention to detail and commitment. Errors are jarring the reader and will affect their ability to read and understand your personal statement.
A good proofread will ensure that you are showing off your best side and that you can write at a high level. No matter how good your personal statement is, if it is filled with spelling mistakes and errors, or if you switch tenses throughout the whole thing, the admissions team will not make it through or be able to take your application seriously.
Your personal statement is your opportunity to sell yourself to the admissions team. Depending on how the university works, it could also reach the head of the department you are applying for. A flat personal statement will not do you any justice. It needs to shine and show off who you are and why you would be an asset to the university.
If you want more hints, tips and advice on making that transition to university then take some time to check out our website today!
For more helpful tips for students read this post on How to Navigate a Virtual Open Day.
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