Personal Statementss

[alexxxxx]

Who's writing theirs for application this year?

Mine is running a bit thin on the ground aha.

[RandomManJay]

I assuming its for your UCAS University Application?

I wrote mine 2 years ago, don't know if anything's changed with how you're supposed to do it, but you really have to sell yourself, state what got you interested in the course you want to do and why want to take it into higher education, what your interests and hobbies are which will help you with the course and any previous experience you have which connects with your course and how it will help you acheive high grades in it. You have to make the university want you so don't put anything negative in it otherwise it will damage your chances of getting that offer.

[ifuseekamy]

I wrote mine last year, I hated it because it's like those 'About Me' sections on social network profiles where you have to make yourself sound interesting. Make sure you relate everything you write about (hobbies/interests/work experience etc..) to what you're applying for. You just have to sound really enthusiastic about the degree.

[alexxxxx]

i think im hitting the majority of these ideas.

[Immenseman]

i'm trying to write one atm too, they're hard. i'm my biggest critic.

[Fifteen]

I'm currently writting mine

[adaym]

I should probably start writing mine soon, it's harder when you're applying on your own :P

[kk.]

finished my first draft, submitted to year head now. The one i wrote last year was horrible to read back as i too hate writing about myself haha

[alexxxxx]

it's so difficult! i'm not looking forward to my tutor's evaluation of it to be honest.

[RandomManJay]

it's so difficult! i'm not looking forward to my tutor's evaluation of it to be honest.

I went through 5 drafts of it each one my tutor kept finding things to change, that was until with the fifth draft when she changed something and it was exactly as I wrote it in the previous draft so she said she was finished, so I had the head of year look at it with my completed application :P.

[Inseriousity.]

Argh! I hate writing about myself! It's like when you're playing charades. there's loads of films and stuff but your mind goes blank :(

[alexxxxx]

well i guess there is no 'perfect' personal statement.

[RandomManJay]

well i guess there is no 'perfect' personal statement.

If it gets you the offers, its perfect :P.

[N!ck]

Writing a personal statement is tricky, but it's crucial you do it well if you're applying to decent universities.

Some tips:

Don't say you want to do the course because it interests you. This is obvious because you're applying for the course, it wastes precious space where you could be writing other things and they hear the exact same thing in every other personal statement - bored of it.

If you say you're good at something state what you have done that demonstrates it. They don't want a long list of I'm this, this and this. State a few good qualities and explain what you have done that shows that or what you have done that developed it.

Talk about some skills/qualities that they other people might not put down but are still relevant/"behind the scenes".

Be concise, succinct and to the point. You don't have much space and whoever is reading it doesn't want you to go all around the houses explaining something.

If you have qualifications outside of school/college give them a mention and talk about what skills they have given you. Outside of school activities are very important, so have a decent section on them.

If it's the type of subject that you study at school that you're applying for (for instance I applied for Physics) talk about any background reading or research that you've done and specific areas that most interest you.

Avoid cliches. They don't want to hear them and will cringe when reading it. A joke is good if it fits and isn't excessive, but don't force a joke in. Only do it if it leads on nicely.

[alexxxxx]

Writing a personal statement is tricky, but it's crucial you do it well if you're applying to decent universities.

Some tips:

Don't say you want to do the course because it interests you. This is obvious because you're applying for the course, it wastes precious space where you could be writing other things and they hear the exact same thing in every other personal statement - bored of it.

If you say you're good at something state what you have done that demonstrates it. They don't want a long list of I'm this, this and this. State a few good qualities and explain what you have done that shows that or what you have done that developed it.

Talk about some skills/qualities that they other people might not put down but are still relevant/"behind the scenes".

Be concise, succinct and to the point. You don't have much space and whoever is reading it doesn't want you to go all around the houses explaining something.

If you have qualifications outside of school/college give them a mention and talk about what skills they have given you. Outside of school activities are very important, so have a decent section on them.

If it's the type of subject that you study at school that you're applying for (for instance I applied for Physics) talk about any background reading or research that you've done and specific areas that most interest you.

Avoid cliches. They don't want to hear them and will cringe when reading it. A joke is good if it fits and isn't excessive, but don't force a joke in. Only do it if it leads on nicely.

Good help +REP

I've heard some conflicting reports though about why you're interested though, what experience you've had of it etc. I've seen some really good ones on some personal-statements that have been used in the past, but I see where you come from. I guess it also depends on how much you can put, seeing as I want to apply for civil engineering with french, which pretty much makes all my subjects relevant (French, Maths, Physics and Economics). As this isn't a subject that we've studied before I have said why I'm interested in it and tried to link it to the subjects I've done ie, it's a practical use of mathematics which i found in the mechanics module.

I have no qualifications outside of college bar a grade 2 in keyboard. I think could mention a band I was in but really my PS is based on my past experiences linking into why I'm suited to my course. =\

[Immenseman]

mine has to be in tomorrow. really struggling :(

[LuketheDuke]

make yourself sound clever and be a kiss ass, what i was told to do and i got all 5 offers.

[Immenseman]

handed in my first draft now. my tutor read my introductory paragraph and said it was good, hope the rest is alright too.

[kk.]

jake, where are you applying to!

[Immenseman]

not sure on final places yet. i want to go somewhere up north like, york, leeds, manchester. i won't decide until i've visited a few which i'm yet to do.

[kk.]

York. :D

[Immenseman]

is that where u wna go

[kk.]

one where im applying and will likely get an offer. And if no where else offers me one ie lancaster then will be firm. Dont say you aint applying no more D:

[Inseriousity.]

hehe I'm applying for york st john. not exactly york but still in the same place :P

luckily I have more time on my personal statement than you jake! I have no idea!

[Immenseman]

id try and start it now if i were you rather than doing it in one night like me. not good.

[Fifteen]

Almost finished mine :)

My reference from my tutor and teachers isn't finished well it is for the subjects I did last year, I just need a reference from my computing teacher, I asked him today.

[RandomManJay]

Almost finished mine :)

My reference from my tutor and teachers isn't finished well it is for the subjects I did last year, I just need a reference from my computing teacher, I asked him today.

How many references can you have, I was only able to have one which I got off my Sixth Form Head.

[Fifteen]

How many references can you have, I was only able to have one which I got off my Sixth Form Head.


Not sure :S

I have a ref. from my tutor, ICT teacher, Double ICT teacher and Business Studies teacher..

[Xoim]

I done mine last year, we have a subject called PSE (personal and social education) and we do things like pupil profiles ive completed my personal statement mind ;)

[Immenseman]

we have references from all teachers and then tutor.

[Xoim]

So do we but only if jobs require them :]

[alexxxxx]

I srlsy need to get my act together atm. I don't know who to apply for, PS ALMOST finished (not quite) and not sure what to do for some elements of the UCAS ting.

grr.

[Immenseman]

Got my first draft back. Only minor changes. Although, I need to add a paragraph about career aspirations which will be hard. She said it was very impressive though :)

[RandomManJay]

Got my first draft back. Only minor changes. Although, I need to add a paragraph about career aspirations which will be hard. She said it was very impressive though :)

Well done, especially on a first draft :D.

[Immenseman]

thank you, was very happy with it. without being too big-headed i knew it was pretty awesome when i handed it in :P

[RandomManJay]

thank you, was very happy with it. without being too big-headed i knew it was pretty awesome when i handed it in :P

Well you sounded incredibly big headed xD!

[Immenseman]

meh, screw modesty xD

[RandomManJay]

meh, screw modesty xD

**** it, you should be proud anyways, I have to make 5 drafts (I think, it was 2 years ago) before sending mine off xD!

[kk.]

lol, you visited any yet? or decided where you really want to go to yet?

[Immenseman]

no and no. other than the one i had last time i told you. thinking more about york now :l

[kk.]

oo when do you plan on sending your app off then?

[Immenseman]

idk lol when do u have to

[kk.]

so long as its by January 15th the your application will be considered equally :) im hopign to still have mine sent off by next monday tho D: so close lol

[Immenseman]

so early!! probably like november time i will.

[kk.]

i know what its like tho, the longer you leave it the more time youre stressing over it haha

plus, its a weight off your mind so you can focus on work. (and although people say it doesnt matter if you get it in early, places for the course continue to fill up anyway, so, i prefer to get it in early (: )

[RandomManJay]

What degree are you hoping to do?

I can suggest Staffordshire :P, its a good uni, loved my first year, know I'm gonna love my second.

[Immenseman]

i want to do historyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. doesn't pyroka go there? ^

[RandomManJay]

No idea who goes to Staffs on the forum.

[Immenseman]

i think he does, he'll probs reply some time.

[Fifteen]

What degree are you hoping to do?

I can suggest Staffordshire :P, its a good uni, loved my first year, know I'm gonna love my second.

What degree you doing?

[RandomManJay]

What degree you doing?

Psychology BSc (Hons)