PERSONAL STATEMENT

GUIDANCE 2021/22

Why Personal Statements are important. How to write a winning statement. Things to avoid saying. Exemplars

SXJ – June 2020

Writing your Personal StatementThe UCAS Personal Statement is your opportunity to tell universities about your suitability for the course/s that you have decided to study. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and above all ensure that you stand out from the crowd. Remember that the admissions selector reading your statement is an academic in your chosen area of interest and will therefore want to know the reasons why you connect with the subject.Why does it matter?It is impossible to overestimate the importance of writing a clear and convincing personal statement. More than 99% of the 55,000 courses available in British universities do not require applicants to take aptitude tests or undergo interviews, making the personal statement the only bit of “you” that admissions tutors get to see. Your personal statement is therefore your only opportunity to demonstrate your genuine interest in and passion for the subject you wish to pursue. Competitive universities will receive hundreds of applications from high-achieving pupils armed with a fistful of A and A* grades. Your academic grades will obviously catch an admissions tutor’s eye but the personal statement will convince them of your motivation, potential and ability for further study.What is its purpose?Your personal statement should aim to explain three key ideas: why you want to study a particular course; why you will excel at that course; and (where possible) how your other interests support and complement your studies. This last section is particularly important for practical courses, such as medicine and engineering, as you need to convince tutors that you really have gone out of your way to find out what your chosen career entails in practice as well as in theory. You must also use the personal statement to reflect on how these placements developed your skills in a particular way that is of direct relevance to the course for which you are applying.For less practical courses, the emphasis must be on proving that your intellectual curiosity extends beyond the A-level syllabus. Talk about the books and journals you enjoy reading, think about which articles have influenced you and discuss which recent scientific breakthrough or seminal contributions to a particular field have intrigues and challenged you.It is more difficult if you are applying for a joint course where you will be required to address two distinct disciplines, such as philosophy and modern languages. In this instance your aim is to explain why you wish to study both subjects and, importantly, to reflect on how these subjects relate to each other.Unlike the hard facts found elsewhere on your UCAS application, the personal statement also allows you to mention your extra-curricular activities and interests, from community service projects to captaining your school rugby team to victory. While this information undoubtedly offers admission tutors a glimpse of your life beyond lessons and can provide evidence of a responsible and committed attitude, it

should not constitute more than 30% of the statement. Bear in mind that an admissions tutor will be wary of offering a place to anyone whose personal statement suggests that they will spend most of their time on the rugby field or the stage.This is particularly important if you are applying to the most competitive universities (such as Oxbridge, Imperial or LSE) and my advice would be to reduce the proportion of time you spend on extra-curricular interests to about 15%. Whereas most employers would be interested in the fact you have been Head Girl, most Oxbridge dons are supremely uninterested.Five Top Tips

1. Devote plenty of time to tweaking, rethinking and, on occasion, rewriting whole sections of your statement. By revisiting it frequently you will ensure a coherent and up-to-date account of your interests.

2. Be original. The key lies in the word “personal”. Avoid clichéd statements and quotations and, where possible, don’t shower your statement with superlatives, which can sound artificial. A natural tone will be far more effective and convincing than overblown accounts of “passion” and “life-changing” experiences.

3. Be specific. Back up your statements with precise examples of books your have read or work experience you have carried out.

4. Check you spelling, grammar and punctuation. Enlist the help of teachers and parents to read through your statement and check that it flows well. Also, remember to keep to the strict limit of 4,000 characters.

5. Make sure you do or have done everything mentioned in your personal statement. This is important when applying for universities, which may call you for interview. A tutor is unlikely to be impressed if you claim to be a faithful reader of The Economist when in reality you have only glanced through one edition. Also, read around the interests mentioned in your statement to prove your enthusiasm is not limited to the few months leading up to the UCAS deadline.

Aims of the Personal StatementThe personal statement is your opportunity to tell universities and colleges about your suitability for the course(s) that you hope to study. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that you stand out from the crowd.Many students have difficulties knowing where to start; many of the personal statements begin with reasons for choosing the course, then continue with extra-curricular activities, and end by returning to the chosen course. Although this is not a set structure for a personal statement, it may be a useful starting point with which to begin constructing yours. Even the best personal statements have some weak points; no one is expecting perfection. Remember that universities are mainly interested in your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for and your potential to do well on that course. Therefore, you should try to display this in your personal statement as strongly as you can.When the admissions and subject tutors look at your personal statement, they are likely to be asking two main questions:

1. Do we want this student on this course?2. Do we want this student at this university?

These can be broken down into a number of easier to answer questions, which you need to provide evidence for:

Is the student suited to the course they are applying for? Does the student have the necessary qualifications and qualities for the course? Is the student conscientious, hardworking and unlikely to drop out? Will the student do their best and cope with the demands of the course? Can the student work under pressure? Will the student be able to adjust to a new environment at uni? What are their communication skills like? Are they dedicated to this course and have researched it well? Do they have a genuine interest in the subject and a desire to learn more about

it?Size and PresentationStructure and Format

Think about the structure of your statement – it needs to look and sound good. A bad statement can say a lot, so make sure you check spelling and grammar as well.

A representative from Ulster Business School says:“The presentation of the personal statement is of critical importance to demonstrate use of English language and grammar at a standard suitable for entry to higher education.”

There are examples on the UCAS website to help you plan your statement, but the formats they used and that appear further on are just suggestions; it’s more important that the university sees your writing style than someone else’s.

How to provide your personal statement You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes spaces) or 47 lines of text

(this includes blank lines), whichever comes first. You do not have to use all the space provided. When you save text, the system will tell you how many characters are still available or if you have used too many characters. You can preview your statement after you have saved it.

Please note that you cannot use italics, bold or underlining in your personal statement – the system will automatically remove these when saved. This will not disadvantage your application.

We recommend that you prepare your personal statement offline using a word-processing package and copy and paste it into the Apply system. Whether you are typing your statement directly into the box, or amending a statement that you pasted in, you should click ‘save’ regularly because Apply will time-out after 35 minutes of inactivity. The countdown on the screen displays how much time you have left before it times out.

The character and line count in Apply may be different to a word-processing package, such as Microsoft Word – this is because formatting characters, such as paragraphs and tabs, are counted in Apply but may be ignored in Word. Please use the size as specified in the Apply as the guide.

Getting StartedWriting about yourself is not something that you do often, so you may need to practice writing in this particular style. It is a good idea to list your hobbies and achievements, then you can decide which ones demonstrate your strongest skills and personality.

SEE APPENDIX 1 FOR CHECKLISTS THAT WILL HELP YOU TO GET STARTED

Is a difficult piece of writing, maybe the most difficult piece of writing you will ever do, and therefore you have to do it very carefully. It is an opportunity for you to give a picture of yourself. It may take a great deal of time and energy but you will have written something you are proud of, which says something important about you.

ALL STUDENTS WHETHER YOU PLAN TO APPLY FOR UNIVERSITY OR NOT MUST SUBMIT A PERSONAL STATEMENT.

Although your statement should be tailored to the particular subject area you want to study, there are certain points that every statement should include:

Why you have chosen the course/s that you have selected; The reasons why that subject area interests you; Aspects of your current studies related to the course/s that you have chosen; Why you think you would be a good student; Details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work which you have

undertaken, particularly if it has relevance to your chosen field; Hobbies, interests and social activities that demonstrate you are a well-rounded

person; Non-accredited qualifications, like the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme or

Young Enterprise; Any other achievements that you are proud of, e.g. reaching grade three piano

or being selected for the county cricket team; Positions of responsibility that you hold both in and out of school, e.g. form

prefect or representative for a local charity; Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique; Whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and

experience that you gain.Remember that you only write one personal statement, which should be relevant to all your university choices. Therefore, try to allow some consistency in your course choices. If you are applying for a joint course, you will need to explain why you are interested in both aspects of this joint programme.Writing about your SkillsAll skills (and knowledge) are potentially transferable from the situation in which they were acquired or developed, to other situations; these can be broken into key categories. The list of skills below has been adapted from a number of different sources, and should help you identify your skills. Try this:

1. Think about ALL of your activities since about age 16 i.e. education, work, spare time, travel and write then down – don’t at this stage judge their importance or relevance: write down everything;

2. Take a break, and then review the list, adding details/descriptions;3. Now think about specific events which occurred in each activity and make brief

notes;4. The identify, using the list below, the skills which you have used and developed.

Self-AwarenessThe ability to understand what you don’t know is as important as recognising the skills you do have. The ability to know what you still have to learn, how you may be able to improve your skills.

Motivation and EnthusiasmShow that you have an interest in a course (future career) an enthusiasm for making your path and interested in developing your knowledge in this area.

Initiative/ ResourcefulnessThe ability to think for yourself, make your own decisions and have confidence in them. Think of examples from coursework, personal life and work experience.

LeadershipThe ability to take responsibility for a situation and to lead by enabling others to have the skills to follow. This is about having the initiative and skills to move forward, taking others with you.

TeamworkDemonstration of your ability to work with others. They key here is to recognise when you’ve worked in a team and to identify examples where you’ve motivated others in the team.

CommunicationThat you are confident to communicate with others in groups, individually, and happy to present to others. Influencing/ Negotiating is a demonstration of your ability to talk to all levels; ask the right questions, listen to the answers and make your mark with the other person in a positive, non-arrogant way.

Flexibility/AdaptabilityThis skill also covers the willingness to try new tasks and be flexible in methods of learning e.g. seminars, lectures, managing own independent learning.

Problem SolvingOften work experience which has involved dealing with the public will provide examples. Problem solving is not about ‘being able to get your own way’, but looking for a solution to best suit the circumstances.

Planning/ Self-ManagementThe skill of recognising priorities and planning time available so all tasks can be completed. This may include working on your own initiative in work situations or setting up relevant experiences for yourself.

What to includeWhy you are interested in HE

Why you want to go to university or college. What would going to university mean for your future (mention long term goals). An introduction to why you feel compelled to study your subject – why it inspires

you and why you would want to spend 3 or 4 years studying it. Show that you have researched your chosen course.

Why are you applying for the course(s) This is particularly important when you are applying for a subject that you have

not studied before. Tell the university the reasons why that subject interests you, and include evidence that you understand what is required to study the course.

How your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen.

Any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s).How your skills and achievements make you a suitable candidate

Why you are suitable for the course: tell the university the skills and experience you have that will help you to succeed.

Universities like to know the types of skills you have that will help you on the course. They also like to see if you have been involved in any non-accredited achievements.

Any other achievements that you are proud of, e.g. reaching grade 3 piano or being selected for the county cricket team that you have achieved since being over 16 years old.

Positions of responsibility that you hold/have held both in and out of school. Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique. Do not just list activities but also explain their relevance and how they have

confirmed your choice of course/career. You could mention how your other subjects are connected and useful skills gained.

How experience outside school show suitability for HE. Think about how your hobbies, interests and social activities demonstrate your

skills and abilities. If there’s anything that relates to your course or to the skills needed to complete a higher education course, include it – the more evidence the better.

Your statement will be more convincing and personal if you write about why an experience, activity or interest makes you a good candidate. Include enough additional information to make it interesting.

Career Experiences Include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work,

particularly if it is relevant. Do not worry if due to the current situation you are unable to secure a work placement – all students will be in the same position and universities will understand why you can’t evidence this.

You need to mention the skills and knowledge you have gained and the way in which you have and will apply these in the future.

How a gap year will enhance your application (if appropriate) Include details of where you are visiting, what you are planning to do. If it’s

working (saving up for university) mention which job or occupational area. If there are legitimate reasons you need a ‘break’ from study, which are, health

related then you can mention it but ensure you make it sound likes it’s not going to adversely affect your ability to study at university.

ConclusionsWrite a clear, persuasive and succinct conclusion. State what you would like to gain from higher education. You have lots to offer, so ensure that you tease out the right points to make them count!

Highlight any particular strengths. Future plans once you are accepted. Life goals connected to your chosen course/pathway.

Other things Your statement can be used to explain any irregularities, where your may have

transferred from one school to another or where extenuating circumstances may have had an effect on your studies are relevant.

It might be that you want your tutor to include these within our school reference rather than in your personal statement, please discuss with your tutor if you have any of these issues.

Insure that you have checked you’re spelling, punctuation and grammar!Do not write

I am Captain of the Hockey TeamI enjoy playing sportI am studying A Levels inI have taken part inI have gained a number of skills in

Instead write

Being Captain of the Hockey TeamHaving enjoyed playing footballMy A Level subjects haveTaking part inThe skills I have gained from

EXEMPLARS: UCAS have provided lots of subject specific exemplar to support students with writing personal statements and we would strongly advise you to read these: https://web.ucas.com/personal-statement-guidesWhat not to write: personal statement weaknessesPersonal Statement for Business Management.For a number of years I have been keen to apply university, as I believe having a degree will help me find better employment in later life. After much consideration, I have decided that Business Management is the right degree for me as I would like to learn the skills to help me become successful in business, and I am interested in

finding out how businesses work. My father runs his own business and I have learned a lot from watching him work and hearing about the ups and downs of being a small businessman. I would now like to learn more about the theoretical side of business management.I do not currently take AS-level Business Studies. This is not because of any lack of interest or motivation on my part, but because I suffered a major personality clash with the Business Studies teacher at my school. I am currently studying Maths, IT and History, I also took AS-level Further Maths but decided to not to continue it at A2 level, when I decided that although I enjoy Mathematics, I did not want to do a Maths degree at university. I enjoy all the A2 subjects I am taking, as I believe they complement each other well, but they also differ. I really enjoy the class discussions, especially in History. I am quite a confident person so I like debating points and challenging the opinions of others in the class. It is a shame that there is not a debating club at my school as I would definitely have been an active member, but I look forward to perhaps getting involved with one at university.Outside of the classroom I like to relax by playing football (I am a member of my school team and a local 5 a side team) and by boxing. I love boxing as it keeps me fit and helps me release my anger. I am also a keep supporter of Crystal Palace FC. I have supported them since I was 5 and have stuck with Crystal Palace through thick and thin, which I think displays my commitment and loyalty, qualities that I value very highly in a person. I also have a part-time job at my local Sainsbury’s store. At times this can be very demanding as I work on the delicatessen and some customers can be very picky about how thickly you cut their ham or how well you wrap it, but I feel my part-time job has taught me valuable lessons in patience and also in dealing with members of the public.I think my enthusiasm for going to university is perhaps displayed by the fact that I have carefully chosen which universities to apply to and researched each one thoroughly. I believe I have the motivation and commitment to be a good and successful student, and I hope that gaining a degree will help me reach my ultimate goal of running my own business.Where did they go wrong?This personal statement does have some good points, as the student displays their interest in Business Management and touches upon future career plans. However, many parts are negative and should have been left out:

A ‘personality clash’ with a teacher: NEVER mention a dislike or lack of respect towards one of your teachers or employers.

The part about not ‘wanting’ to study maths at university is negative and not relevant (also some business management degrees will have mathematical elements).

It’s good to talk about the benefits of certain hobbies but saying that boxing helps you release your anger makes this student sound a little scary!

The comments about the lack of a debating club are also negative. Admissions tutors might wonder why the student could not start a debating club at the school by themselves.

There is too much detail about the part-time job in Sainsbury’s and again it paints a negative picture of the student.

Overall, this example shows how important it is to always be positive in the personal statement and to always portray yourself in the best possible light. Even a flippant comment or observation might give a bad impression of you, however unintentional. The best way to avoid this is to get someone else to read your personal statement carefully and for you to be prepared to take others’ advice and, possibly, change what you have written.What makes an unsuccessful personal statement?

Your personal statement does not strongly support your desire to study your chosen degree.

Your personal statement did not show sufficient understanding, relevance or knowledge about the course you are applying for.

You failed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and interest in your personal statement.

There is a lot of competition for places on this course and your personal statement and experience was not as strong as other applicants this year.

Application form (including personal statement, reference and predicated grades) does not evidence accurate understanding of or motivation for subject.

Not expressed a strong enough interest in the subject.

PERSONAL STATEMENT – EXEMPLARSSuccess criteria for personal statement writingEnglishEver since I have had the ability to understand it, I have been fascinated by the English Language. As a child, I would either be writing, reading or telling stories and ever since then, have read a wide variety of both fiction and non-fiction texts from a variety of genres and eras.This passion for language has led me to many different extra-curricular activities. For the past four years, I have attended a Youth Theatre each week we concentrate very much on both improvised and scripted drama but also have done work on stage management, stage make-up, singing and signed singing (an interest which begun with my learning of both violin and double bass to grade 4 standard).With the same organisation, I have volunteered for the past three years at one of the children’s groups where I work helping with drama, music and art. It was with this same organisation that I decided to learn Sign Language.I have recently gained my British Sign Language Level 1 certificate and am now beginning a Level 2 course. I began learning Sign Language at the same time as starting my A-level in English Language and Literature, a course I have found extremely interesting. Taking these two courses concurrently was very exciting for me as learning more about the linguistics of the English Language enabled me to make comparisons between the two languages.These interests have led me to this course, which I not only feel suits my needs and interest aptly, but also excites me in its course content. Although I have enjoyed all of my A-level English Language and Literature, course but have found a few parts of it

particularly interesting. I specifically enjoyed our coursework tasks for our AS level as it included writing a piece of original fiction, an aspect of English, which I have always enjoyed. I also enjoyed the task of performing a monologue, as I have missed not being able to study drama as a subject.I try to follow my interests outside of school and so attend a wide variety of theatre productions, art exhibitions, musical performances and subject related lectures. When studying psychology last year, I attended a large psychology conference with a variety of speakers which as both helpful and interesting. Last year I also attended an ‘art master class’ organised with Middlesex University and with nine other students, it gave more opportunity for more detailed and involved discussions. I have not yet had the opportunity to attend an English related lecture but look forward to a study day in March which will aid me with my study of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.Alongside this and my voluntary work with the drama organisation, I have worked a variety of jobs which have helped to develop my sense of responsibility as they were dependant on both team work and co-operation but also my use of initiative.I have chosen to defer my entry to 2005 as I plan to complete a voluntary teaching placement in Africa. The prospect of this placement excites me as it will give me the opportunity to travel, to meet new people, to experience new cultures, and, above all, help out where much help is needed. I feel that taking a gap year is going to benefit me greatly as it will enable me to gain valuable life skills that will benefit me both at university but also in whatever I choose to do following university whether it be a postgraduate course or work.English Language and Psychology Personal StatementI hold a rooted enthusiasm for English Language; it’s history, its functions within society and its cultural influences, and I am happy to see that the course provides many of these aspects and there interconnectedness. I am also intrigues in the multimodal aspects of language in the course and it’s prevalence in the media. I am an effective analyst of texts as it is the predominant skill required to succeed in the A-level English Language course. I would be presented with several texts and expected to explicitly analyse them, picking out distinctive characteristics within the fundamental framework of the English language (semantics, pragmatics, lexis etc.) and then intertwining them with relevant theories. I would also have to recognise and identify reflections of the particular culture a text was written in and relate them to significant moments in the history of English. There are areas that your course explores that are novel and attractive but I feel I am equipped with the essential tools and knowledge to excel in the course as I already have substantial understanding from previous Language explorations.I also hold a deep interest in Psychology and there is no surprise that it was one of the most popular chosen courses at A-level. From this course I learnt the importance and value of objectivity and impartiality as well as open mindedness. One has to disregard existing beliefs and leniencies in order to effectively evaluate psychological studies and theories. It’s not beneficial to hold convicted opinions on a subject you are not knowledgeable in. Aptly, sticking to the theme of psychology, I had the experience of learning the processes of NLP through a specialist. I had never heard of it before this point and when told what it stood for (neuro-linguistic programming) and briefly what it entailed I was excited and made the abrupt assumption that it was developed from

a sound, scientific basis. I only discovered it to be otherwise while attending the sessions and learning that it is a new-age pseudo-science. Nonetheless, I retained an open mind throughout and found some aspects incredibly useful and I now apply some of what I learnt in everyday life.I already have good interpersonal skills, I am charismatic, considerate, and open minded, and willing. My communicational skills have developed substantially throughout my time at college and I believe it is my strongest trait. I have received praise from several teachers who comment on my ‘projective voice’ and how I speak with ‘clarity’. I also apply what I learn from lessons in English Language to better my speech and improve it grammatically, keeping to the ‘language rules’ (avoiding double negatives etc.). However, with this said, I am not an advocate for pedantry and would never seek to ‘correct’ another individual’s way of speaking.Another skill I have is adaptability to work in new roles and environments. For a year I work on the manufacturing level of a Computer Hardware Company, assembling various components of P.C’s ad helped to package them for dispatch. This “hand’s on” position is one I never thought myself to be in but nonetheless I enjoyed it and I was commended for my “effectiveness” in working in a team. For Work Experience Week at school, I worked as A Teaching assistant in Seaford Head secondary school. I worked with several departments across the campus supporting the teaching staff. I had to follow instructions and also use my initiative on a daily basis, my assistance was valued and I was accepted as part of the teaching team.I still feel a purist attraction to learning subjects in-depth and comprehensibly and feel a deep resonance for the subjects I have chosen in particular and believe this university can provide the satisfaction I’m looking for and I, in turn, will bring appreciation and humility with me.Accounting Personal Statement‘Accounting is like Art’. You have to analyse every aspect before making a just decision.A teacher of mine once told me that is you were good at art, you would be good at accounts. It was hard to find his logic at first, but having spent two years doing GCSE Art and a further two on Accounts A-level, it all began to make sense. You need logic; everything has a set order and method. Each piece is paced carefully and has a high significance amongst its environment. You need analytical skills. Take apart every piece of information and use it to make your own decisions.Having excelled in both these exams, I can proudly say that I possess the skills that will lead me to university. I have developed an interest in studying accounts or and would therefore like to continue doing so at university. The course that I would like to do at university is Business Accounts or Accounts and Finance. I feel that the two subjects combine well with one another and on many occasions I have founds that my knowledge of one has helped me with the other.Studying Maths and Business has also provided me with logic and a greater understanding of various concepts and methods. I have become more flexible in identifying what concepts need to be used and when, thus, helping me achieve the greatest results possible. I have the ability to pick up skills and knowledge quickly and am independent enough to conduct my own study and research. On many occasions

at college I have taught myself various chapters in maths in order to remain ahead of the class.My main ambition for the future is to become an Accountant Executive or a Financial Advisor. I am hoping university will provide me with an understanding of the business world as well as offering me a wide range of choices and connections after my course. However, I have also helped to teach mathematics. I have taken part in a project at school where we taught younger pupils the basics of maths. I also helped to tutor many of my classmates in preparations for exams, which they found helpful. I enjoyed teaching and so this will be my third choice of career.Outside of studying, one of my many passions is Art. I enjoy visiting art galleries and studying art in depth. My favourite type of art is symbolism and surrealism and my favourite artist are Dali and Escher as they both deal with ‘double possibilities’. Recently, however, I have developed a new interest in contemporary art, of which I have done a number of paintings on canvas on commission for friends and family who have all been pleased with my work.Most of my spare time on the weekend is taken up by my part time job as a sales associate at Skechers USA, Bullring, Birmingham. I have been working at Skechers since the opening of the store in September 2003 and am one of only two of the original members of staff left. This is an advantage for me as I can offer the highest level of customer service and have a good knowledge of the overall running of the store, which makes me committed, reliable and adaptable as I have found that I need to adjust myself to the many changes that have occurred over the year. My job has also taught me to be more tolerable and patient with others.I have thoroughly enjoyed college and believe that university is the next step for me. College and my part time job have changed me as a person. They have given me a greater sense of independence and success. I feel that college has really made me grow and has introduced me to a wider range of people. I have opened up to people more and am now a better team player as I have learnt to listen to others and take in their opinions. I have become accepting to other cultures and beliefs and feel that I am much more open minded.I hope that you have analysed this piece carefully enough to offer me a place at your university, and trust that you have yet to see the bigger picture of me.

Dos and Don’ts when constructing your Personal Statement Do brainstorm your ideas on paper before attempting to write anything. Do aim to use about five paragraphs, making sure that each one flows in a

logical way. Do expect to produce several drafts before being totally happy. Do ask people you trust for their feedback. Do ensure that you use your best English and don’t let silly spelling and

grammar mistakes spoil your statement.

Do be enthusiastic – you can have perfect grades, hundreds of extra-curricular activities and be a really great person but if admissions selectors feel you aren’t passionate about your course, you won’t get a place.

Don’t feel that you need to use fancy language. If you try too hard to impress with long words that you are not confident using, the focus of your writing may be lost.

Don’t waffle on about things which aren’t relevant – admissions selectors will fall asleep! If you feel you are starting to ramble, take a break and return to your statement when you are feeling more focused.

Don’t try to be funny as admissions tutors may not share your sense of humor. Don’t lie – if you stretch the truth you may fall down at interview when you are

asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement. It is also an offence to lie on your UCAS application.

Don’t copy someone else’s personal statement or ‘borrow’ chunks from existing personal statements. UCAS uses anti-plagarism software which can detect when a personal statement is not someone’s own work, and your application will be returned to you is this is the case.

Don’t reply on spellchecker – proof read as many times as possible. Don’t leave it to the last minute 0 you’ll kick yourself! Don’t expect to be able to write your personal statement whilst watching TV –

this is your future, you only get one chance, and it’s down to you! Don’t just tell tutors all the things they already know, avoid all the obvious

things to say about their subject; they already think their subject is interesting. Don’t use clichés statements; such as, from a young age I have always been

interested in… or I have been interested in philosophy all my life (all???), I feel global warming is a really important issue (which aspects?) You need team work and communication skills and I have got them (where is the evidence?) finally Maths is important for helping us understand all sorts of things (give examples).

LanguageIt is best use “action words” in sentences when describing what you have done or doing:AccomplishedExplainedConsultedCounselledCultivatedApprovedAssayedAssembledDefinedDeliveredGuardedDeterminedDiagnosedImplementedCalibratedIndexedChaired

ConductedAcquiredExtractedAnalysedFinalisedForecastDebatedDecidedAssistedGeneratedAuthorisedDevelopedBuiltCalculatedIncreasedCatalysedEmpowered

ExpeditedConstructedAdjustedCreatedAppraisedArrangedFormulatedFosteredDelegatedAugmentedDesignedHeadedDirectedDiscoveredCataloguedEliminatedInformed

AchievedExtendedControlledFacilitatedAttainedDealt withModifiedAssignedMeasuredDemonstratedGuidedDevisedReducedImprovedEditedInfluencedClassified

ConsolidatedActivatedAdministeredAppliedRaisedMergedTestedTrainedManipulatedPositionedMonitoredSupervisedMaintainedPresentedUtilisedMotivatedProcessed

EncouragedInspectedCollaboratedEstablishedInstructedCompletedExceededIntroducedInnovatedOrganised

InitiatedCoachedEnsuredInstitutedCompiledExaminedInterviewedConceivedInvestigatedRelated

Co-ordinatedEnlistedInstigatedComparedEvaluatedInterpretedComputerisedExpandedJudgeRedesigned

EnhancedInstalledCommunicatedEstimatedInteractedComposedExecutedInventedNegotiatedVisualised

ProvidedMaximisedMediatedSpecifiedPlannedListenedSourcedLearnedSolvedLed

Useful Words to describe yourself:PreciseCreativePersonableAdeptIndependentStableEnergeticOpen mindedProactive

EnthusiasticVisionaryLikes changeLevel headedSincereLivelyMethodicalAstuteForceful

OptimisticFlexibleTrustworthyQuick thinkingWell informedSupportiveInfluentialPersistentCalm

ResultsDecisiveIntuitiveFun lovingCaringConsciousAssertiveFair mindedDiplomatic

DrivenReliableInspirationalSensitiveCompetentConsistentResourcefulPersuasiveRational

Similarity DetectionAll personal statements sent to UCAS are tested for similarity. There are some example personal statements on the internet that have been used by applicants, in some cases word for word. The service UCAS use, called Copycatch, finds statements that show similarities, works out how much of the statement may have been copied, and reports the findings. It helps admission staff at universities and colleges judge applications, and it is the institutions who decide what action, if any, to take regarding notified cases.Research has shown that the majority of UCAS applicants do write their own personal statements. However, the number making use of other people’s material was high enough to justify the introduction of the Similarity Detection Service. Each personal statement is checked against:

A library of personal statements previously submitted to UCAS Sample statements collected from a variety of websites Other sources including paper publications

Each personal statement received at UCAS is added to the library of statements after it has been processed. If Copycatch finds a number of identical or similar sentences in a personal statement and a file held in the library, then a similarity report is generated and sent to universities and emailed to you.What happed is a personal statement has similarities?

Any statements showing a level of similarity of 10% or more are reviewed by members of the UCAS Similarity Detection Service Team.

Applicants, universities and colleges are notified at the same time by email when an application has similarities confirmed.

Admissions tutors at individual universities and colleges decide what action, if any, to take regarding reported cases. In some cases the universities will contact you directly and ask about it or will just reject your application.

PLEASE be mindful that is you use information provided here or sources elsewhere make work your own and do not ‘lift’ sentences and information directly as it could ultimately end your application.Frequently asked Questions about personal statements

How strict is the word limit?UCAS Apply limits the text to 47 lines and students are not permitted to write more than this. The limit is there for a reason and a key test of the process is to check whether you are able to convey your reasons for wanting to study in a clear and succinct way. All the examples in this guide fall within this limit.

Should I mention my planned gap year?Yes, you should explain why you are taking a gap year and what you plan to do. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and initiative, and highlight how the activity may relate to your course. The humanities personal statement in this guide is written by a student on a gap year.

How should I end my personal statement?Don’t just let it fizzle out; this is your final chance to impress. Avoid being too general by writing something like “I am looking forward to becoming a psychologist”; be much more specific and end on a very positive note by closing your statement with something like “I am passionate about working with young children in the future and therefore am highly determined to make the most of my degree and achieve my ambition to become a developmental psychologist.”

I’m not interesting or unique… what should I do?Everyone has aspects to their personality that make them interesting, it’s just a case of putting them into words. You may find it helpful to ask someone close to you like a friend, relative or teacher.

How far back should I go when mentioning my hobbies and interests?Only mention things that help support your application; a long list of everything you’ve done is much less impressive than picking one or two things and writing about the skills you have learned through them. Activities undertaken recently will certainly carry more weight than those you did in junior school.

I want to apply for two different subjects how do I write this in my statement?Remember that you only write one statement which should be relevant to all your choices. Therefore try to allow some consistency in your course choices. If you are applying for a joint course you will need to explain why you are interested in both aspects of this joint programme.

I have not decided exactly the courses I’m applying for but want to start writing, is this ok?You should really have a very clear idea about what and where you are applying before you start writing. If you are in this situation then I would encourage you to spend more time focusing on your course choice. It is quite often tricky writing your statement before knowing where you’re heading.

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