Personal Statements

The personal statement is an important part of your application. It is your chance to tell universities why they should want you as a student. Although they need to know about your academic achievements, they also want to know what you’re like as a person and why you’re interested in the courses you are applying for. For most courses candidates aren’t interviewed, so this might be your only chance to tell them about yourself in your own words.

You need to think carefully about the information you give and the best way to present it. A good personal statement could help to persuade an admissions officer to offer you a place. A poor one might cost you the chance of going to the university of your choice.

Universities are looking for evidence of:

academic ability and potential
motivation and commitment to the subject
outside interests.

So try to include:

reasons for choosing course
your career plans
relevant skills and experience
other achievements and skills
interests and hobbies.

Don’t:

repeat information that is covered elsewhere in your application
invent hobbies and interests
exaggerate the truth.

Presentation is very important so always check:

spelling
grammar and punctuation
that you’ve not usd ny txt wrds by mstke!

Remember, you must be honest and accurate in what you write. You should take advice and discuss your draft statement with your guidance teacher or careers adviser, but the end result must be your own work - it must be your statement. Your application could be rejected by the universities if it is shown that you have copied from someone else’s statement.

There are lots of sample statements on the web, and while they can be useful in giving you an idea of what to include – don’t copy them. Software is now used to detect paragraphs and phrases which have simply been lifted from other statements. The use of these sample statements could result in your application being thrown out.

Podcast – Personal Statements

The Personal Statements podcast (Mp3 format 5.5MB) gives you hints and tips about writing a personal statement. To listen to the podcasts you will need a media player. Find out more from What are podcasts and vodcasts?

Full details of the application process and further help on personal statements is available on the UCAS website.