Personal Statementss

[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 .

[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.