Springboard to the future Personal Statement guidance 2022
Contents 1. The Introduction 2. Specific Areas of Interest 3. Evidence of Passion 4. Skills And Knowledge Learnt From… A Levels Extra-Curricular Activities Work Experience and Other Courses 5. The Conclusion 6. How To Put It All Together Turning it Into Prose Additional advice
DRAFT PERSONAL STATEMENT will be due by the end of the Summer term. They will need to be sent/shared with your tutor. Over the Summer holidays, you will no doubt work on it BUT getting the first draft completed BEFORE the Summer holidays will help you. Good luck and Enjoy!
1.The Introduction You will need to provide a brief but convincing explanation as to why you want to study your subject at university.
Here are some suggestions of how to start your statement, but please do not use all of the suggestions below. Choose one or two that are right for you, or come up with your own. Suggestions
Fill in the boxes relevant to you!
Your Personal Trigger
What was my personal trigger? (if any)
What got you interested in the subject? Was it a book, a museum trip, a documentary, a film, a teacher, a personal circumstance, a visit to a historical site or perhaps a work experience placement?
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Do not say ‘I have always been interested in…’ This is a cliché – nobody was born with a desire to be a doctor, lawyer or engineer! Example: An applicant might explain how their family holiday to the Somme gave them a genuine sense of the importance of history as a ‘real life’ phenomenon, something that exists beyond the pages of a textbook. The Big Picture ● Why is this subject important? ● Is it significant to the progression of society? Or our understanding of natural or human history or the human condition? ● Will your subject lead to the betterment of lives of future generations? Does it shape the world we live in somehow? ● What is going on in the world right now that is related to your subject? ● Why do you want to be part of the academic community researching this subject further?
How does my subject relate to society or current affairs? Why is this particularly important to me? -
Career plans If you have a definite or even a rough idea of what you want to do when you graduate, and your university degree is a stepping stone towards that aspiration, then you may wish to write it here. If you have no ideas, don’t worry as many people don’t!! Remember that you are applying for an academic degree, not a job, so do not focus too much on your career.
What are my career plans? How might academic study further my plans?
2. Specific Areas of Interest Having given a broad account of why you love your subject, now focus on specific areas of interest within it, particularly those you have researched in detail yourself. So if you have explained why you like Philosophy, the academic discipline, now think about particular problems in Philosophy (free will, personal identity, God’s existence) or particular philosophers (Aristotle, Hume, Nietzsche) you have explored further. Similarly, if you have outlined why Chemistry is so important in understanding the natural world, now think about particular chemicals you have researched or particular methods in Chemistry that you find interesting. In what ways will the degree courses you are applying for help develop your interests further? You will need to read the course outlines for all the courses you are applying to in order to write this part fully! :Area 1:
What is it about this topic that I have found so interesting? How will the course I am applying for help me explore it further?
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Area 2:
What is it about this topic that I have found so interesting? How will the course I am applying for help me explore it further?
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What is it about this topic that I have found so interesting? How will the course I am applying for help me explore it further?
Area 3:
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3. Evidence of ‘Passion’ This is by the far the most important part of your statement. Here you can really shine because it is the things you have done in your own time which will show your genuine passion for the subject and show you to be self-motivated. Try to avoid the word ‘passion’ – or use very sparingly! Use your Participation and Progress Review/Log here to help! Write down a list of things you have done, then write down what you have learned from that experience, book, article, documentary, trip, etc. that will directly help your degree course. Make sure you name all authors, directors, places, companies, and so on. You do not necessarily have to complete the boxes below. Remember that the personal statement is largely an academic document and so your reading of books and articles is especially important. Details Reading (This should be the most significant part)
What did you learn?
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Art exhibitions
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Historical sites
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Geographical Click or tap here to Click or tap here to enter text. landmarks or field enter text. trips
Documentaries
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Podcasts and lectures
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Essay Click or tap here to Click or tap here to enter text. competitions and enter text. other prizes
Other
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4. Skills and Knowledge Learnt From… A Levels Do not forget that every one of your fellow candidates is studying A level or equivalent, so therefore just school work is not going to make you stand out, unless you can truly demonstrate your understanding of how your current studies can specifically help your chosen degree course. Tell admissions staff how your current studies have been a springboard for further reading and research. A levels
Relevant skills and knowledge developed
Subject 1: Click or tap here to enter text.
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Subject 2: Click or tap here to enter text.
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Subject 3: Click or tap here to enter text.
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Subject 4/EPQ/ Click or tap here to enter text. Channing project / CT Click or tap here to enter text.
4. Skills and Knowledge Learnt From… Work Experience and Other Courses If you have undertaken any work experience which relates to your subject, then write it down. Did hands-on work reinforce any principles you have only learned in theory? Did you realise the importance of accuracy, trustworthiness, efficiency, collaboration, empathy? Did your experience or course deepen your understanding of the subject? Go beyond generic statements about time-management and communication! Again, use your Participation and Progress Review/Log! No need to re-write here but just reflect on your comments in your personal log. Details
What did you learn?
Work experience
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Voluntary work
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Internships
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Community activities
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Summer schools Click or tap here to enter text.
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Taster courses
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4. Skills and Knowledge Learnt From… Extracurricular Activities This is where you will give an account of your non-academic achievements and the skills you have picked up along the way through your non-academic interests in or out of school. In the real personal statement, avoiding listing activities or skills. You will need to weave them together more subtly. Focus on some key skills or activities and avoid trying to impress the admission tutor by outlining a huge range. Skill
Details of extra-curricular activities that developed these
Communication
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Commitment
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Time management
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Teamwork
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Using initiative
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Adaptability
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Organisation
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Leadership
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Responsibility
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5. Conclusion Simply finish the personal statement with a summary of why you are a suitable candidate, what you hope to get out of and give to the university community. Make sure this sentence convinces the admissions staff of how much you are looking forward to it all! Example: ‘I feel certain that this subject will provide me with the intellectual challenge best suited to my personality and ambition of pursuing an academic career in the social sciences. The prospect of studying such a stimulating and dynamic course truly excites me.’
6. How to Put it All Together Look back at the tables you have filled in – your next step is to choose which points are the most important to include. What are the admissions tutors looking for? Genuine interest in the subject and what you have done to explore this interest further. Skills such as time management and teamwork are great, but secondary to evidence of an informed desire to study a subject. If you can ‘double up’ on skills and talk about things you have learnt and what you have done that demonstrates your interest in the subject at the same time as one of these skills, then great! But ensure that around 75-80% of your personal statement is academic in focus and 20-25% on your extra-curricular achievements and skills. Go back and look at all that you wrote down, then highlight the aspects that you think an admission tutor will find most impressive/interesting and then rewrite them as brief bullet points. Most impressive or interesting points: Click or tap here to enter text.
Turning it into prose Personal statement advice can seem conflicting:
But in the end, you should: ● Transfer the activities you have deemed worthy of your personal statement to a Google document. Don’t worry if you are over the character limit at this stage! ● It doesn’t matter which order you start working on your personal statement (many students find it easier to complete the introduction last) as long as you eventually keep to something along the lines of the structure suggested. (Introduction; subject relevance; work experience; extra curricular activities; conclusion) ● Give enough detail but do not bore them: 2-3 sentences on any topic should be enough ● Illustrate your skills and abilities rather than state them. Avoid saying something like ‘and this shows I have communication skills.’
These phrases may help:
Of particular interest to me
Enable me
Additionally
Used my initiative
As well as
Commitment
Reinforced
Moreover
My pursuits
Taking part in
Creatively
Benefit
Efficiently
In addition
Hard work
I undertook
I aspire to
My interest in
I particularly enjoyed
I continue to develop
To improve
Combining… with…has taught me Thoughtprovoking
This has expanded my knowledge of Learnt to prioritise
Through regularly attending
Challenging
Immensely rewarding
Brought to my attention
Highly competitive
Responsibility
Strengthen
On reflection
Intellectual exploration Thrive under pressure
Furthermore
Skills I have gained through This has furthered my
I learned from
How not to write your personal statement ●
Do not start every sentence with ‘I’.
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Do not include jokes – try not to be flippant or trivial.
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Do not repeat yourself or waste valuable space listing GCSEs or A level topics.
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Do not lie or exaggerate.
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Never include text speak.
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Do not expect universities to understand Channing terminology.
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Do not include pretentious language or say lofty, important-sounding things that deep down you don’t understand!
What universities are looking for: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Interest in the course (most important) No spelling or grammatical mistakes Clearly written statements Motivation Able to balance studies with non-academic life Interesting person Relevant working experience Wider key skills
Advice from previous students:
‘Just do it’ and start early ‘Drafts – it won’t be the first or even the 3rd that will be good. It might be the 5th!’ ‘Only focus on the final details and phraseology at the end; just bang out something first off!’
Word of Warning You will find that there are many useful websites (from which some of this advice is taken) with information about how to write a good Personal Statement, such as www.studential.com/guide/write_personal_statement.htm Many of these websites allow you to look at personal statements written by others. Whilst this can help you to get started and give you some ideas, it is essential that the personal statement is all your own work and really reflects YOU! All personal statements are put through anti-plagiarism software by UCAS who will inform your universities if there is evidence that you have lifted phrases or paragraphs from others. For further details of this, please see www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/filling-your-application/fraud-and-similarit y
Past examples of personal statements Examples of paragraphs to give you an idea of what has been written in the past: 1. General opening paragraph describing what you want to study 2. Description/reflection on your A’ level subjects (starting with the most relevant) and remember to include your Channing project here too! 3. Description/reflection on extra-curricular activities in school 4. Description of outside school activities / work experience 5. Closing paragraph (to get the reader to confirm why you should be given an offer) Sample opening paragraphs:
My zest for performance and other aspects of drama began at a young age and has since been fuelled by the different genres of theatre that I have both seen and been involved in. I have recently been inspired by the RSC's production of 'The Crucible' as well as Stephen Schwartz's 'Wicked'. I feel that a vocational degree in a performance subject would enable me to channel my enthusiasm and flair in this area in order to grow as an actor, in the hope of following this path in the future. I find History absorbing. I enjoy extending my knowledge of individuals and events, as well as trying to weigh up how the world has been shaped by its past. Historical context is
illuminating as societies, like individuals, can rarely shake off their history. In modern history I have been particularly engaged by the revolutionary ideas of Marx and Lenin and their emphasis on the role of class-consciousness as the cornerstone of the historical process, driving the development of social and political change. Sample A level subjects paragraphs:
I love studying Classical Civilisation for A level , as I believe it complements English very well, not only with the language analysis but from a historical and factual point of view. Tragedies are my preferred aspect of the subject and my particular favourite is "Electra" by Sophocles. Economics has helped me improve the quality of rational argument within an essay and allowed me to gain a wider understanding of current affairs. My enjoyment of science subjects stems from the opportunity to apply one's knowledge to solve specific problems. Chemistry, in particular, allows great creativity and satisfaction from reaching a correct solution. I like Maths as it constantly encourages thought and provides an excellent grounding in calculations for other closely related subjects. I have studied Latin because I find the construction of languages interesting and it has helped me to think more logically when faced with a problem. School has given me the opportunity to learn and think independently. Alongside Biology, which has been an introduction to the workings of the human body, studying Chemistry has given me experimental and analytical skills. Maths is a joy to learn, from solving problems to its active role in society. Art at AS level appealed to my creative side and gave me the balance between science and non-science subjects. Maths was possibly a poor choice for A-level as I found it very challenging after GCSE, and perhaps neglected it in favour of those subjects that I enjoyed more. My A levels have been an excellent preparation for the demands of a degree based on media and sociology. I found History A Level enormously satisfying, particularly my personal investigation on the Iranian Revolution. It developed my research skills and my ability to sift through and analyse a huge amount of information in order to extract key points. Sample descriptions of extra-curricular activities in school:
Sport is a large part of my life. I have represented my school in the netball, hockey and rounders teams, and received full colours in netball for my contribution, effort and hard work in the team. I have taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award scheme, completing 12 hours of community service at a local primary school assisting with a Year 2 class. This taught me the importance of patience and responsibility as I helped with reading and writing tasks. I also enjoy playing the piano at Grade 5 level. Following the Tsunami in
2004, I initiated the selling of 300 'WaveOfHope' wristbands of which the proceeds were donated to Tsunami victims via my school. Last year I was awarded a Bronze certificate in the Senior Mathematics Challenge and I have competed in the Hans Woyda Mathematics competition. I represented Channing at the Financial Mathematics day at Barclays Bank, which involved problem solving exercises in groups and attending lectures about the use and importance of mathematics in the financial industry. In Year 12, I completed the Young Enterprise Scheme which showed me how businesses operate and the importance of good organisation and as the Financial Director, I achieved a Credit in the examination. Enrichment courses have been enjoyable whilst broadening my knowledge and skills. I also thrive on taking part in sporting activities, such as hockey, rounders, tennis and I am currently the captain of the senior netball team. In my final year at school I took on the responsibility of being editor of the French magazine 'La Vache Qui Dit'. It was a fantastic opportunity, working with writers of all different ages and abilities.
Sample descriptions of outside school activities / work experience:
My hobbies are playing the cello and singing. I love the outdoors and I now ski competitively appreciating landforms such as corries which I had learned about in glaciology, as much as the sport itself! I also enjoy sailing a topper, for pleasure purposes as well as in regattas in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and this has certainly strengthened my understanding of coastal landscapes and marine processes. For work experience, I spent a week in July 2005 in a jewellery shop where I learned first hand how a company works and how to deal with the public. This was relevant last summer when I worked for six weeks at a tennis club organising children's activities, tennis tournaments as well as family suppers where my people skills were tested with customers. I also teach at a Sunday School and enjoy helping children problem solve and allowing them to explore their capabilities. The latter two experiences have allowed me to interact with children and have fuelled my ambition to become a Geography teacher after leaving university. My other interests are varied; I play the flute and dance has been an enduring passion from an early age. I am currently working towards ballet Grade 8 and tap Grade 6. I am proud of my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards, in which I have been able to exercise my leadership qualities and demonstrate my ability to work in a team. I have carried out voluntary work at Kentish Town City Farm and have contributed greatly to
The British Divers' Marine Life Rescue charity, raising money at both school and public events to support the conservation work they endeavour to carry out. Over the past few years I have accumulated a wide range of work experience relating to animal welfare and management. I have been assisting in consultations and operations at a local small animal veterinary surgery. This has comprised evening surgeries over sixteen months and two one-week stints. During summer 2006 I spent two weeks working in London zoo looking after a variety of mammals ranging from giraffes and okapi to meerkats and marmosets. Other farm related experience includes two weeks on a dairy farm in Staffordshire helping with milking, feeding calves, fixing fences and generally getting my hands dirty; animal care and general maintenance over a six month period at Kentish Town City Farm; a weekend lambing in Milton Keynes and a brief spell helping on a pig farm.
Sample closing paragraphs:
I believe that I am ready for university life and the fresh challenges it will inevitably present, and that with the education I have received to date, my hard work and determination, combined with a good university degree, I will be able to make a positive contribution to society in the near future. I enjoy reading New Scientist magazine, which has increased my knowledge of recent breakthroughs in Science. Its independent stance, such as the unbiased report on MMR vaccines, has developed my enthusiasm for studying further into this field. Science is rapidly advancing and to read Natural Sciences, I am sure, would be an exciting and worthwhile challenge to undertake. I am looking forward to the challenges of university and the rewards that my career will bring.
Dates /deadlines for Year 12 All students: UCAS registrations and first few sections must be completed by the end of the Summer term (we will work on the registrations before the end of term). Personal statement DRAFT must be completed by the end of the Summer term -1st JUly Early applicants: Must have the UCAS form (excluding the personal statement) completed by the first week of the Autumn term. Must liaise with a relevant mentor/department prior to the summer holidays. In many cases, departments will set work for students to complete in preparation for the application process.
