PERSONAL STATEMENTS
  
Every graduate school application requires a statement that asks, in one way or another, for the candidate to describe their academic or other interests. This personal statement is your introduction to the selection committee. Read below to find out more about what a personal statement is and how to write it effectively.


Personal Statements for Undergraduates | Personal Statements for Postgraduates
 
 


Personal Statements (Undergraduate)

The information below mainly focuses on writing a personal statement for UCAS (i.e. the undergraduate application for applying to schools in the UK). However, it will be helpul for those writing personal statements for applications to any of our partner institutions as well.

The personal statement is an extremely important piece of your application because it tells the university or college about yourself, in your own words. It is key to the selection process, so you should do your best to complete it effectively.

  • What you say is important.
  • How you organize the layout is important.

The whole statement reflects not only your knowledge of spelling and grammar, but also your ability to express ideas and information clearly and concisely. Your choice of words can also indicate your general maturity and competence.

  • For the electronic UCAS application form you have 47 lines on the page which you should complete in 12 point script.

This means that you will probably not be able to say all you would like to, so you need to select the information which is most significant. At the end of this article there are examples of personal statements such as might be used in the space available.

How do I set about writing a personal statement?

  • You might like to think of it as writing a brief essay about yourself! It is not difficult, but you want to get it right.
  • A good starting point is to take a couple of pieces of paper and jot down all the things you feel you might like to include.
  • To start with, you could note these simply in the order they come into your head - you can group them later on.
  • Do not expect to complete either the list or the personal statement quickly - take your time, draft out ideas, think about it, perhaps discuss it with others and come back to it.

What sort of things should I include?

They could be things you have done

  • at school
  • in part time work, on work experience or through voluntary work
  • with youth groups or sports clubs
  • with friends or on your own

Try to include any activities which relate to the course you hope to take and to the career plan you may have. Think also of tasks which show that you have a sense of responsibility, or are a good organizer, or tasks which have led you into interesting situations.

Admissions tutors are looking for people who can bring together experiences from different parts of their lives, give clear reasons for wanting to do a particular course and relate it to their plans for the future.

The UCAS booklet 'How to Apply' suggests that you include points relating to:

  • Your reasons for choosing the course (this can be more difficult if you have selected a range of subjects - but see below)
  • Reasons for your interest in the subject Areas of particular interest within your present studies
  • Any work experience, placement or voluntary work information on your core skills - communication, mathematics, information technology, problem solving and working with others - which are all transferable skills.
  • Other achievements, such as awards or student leadership positions
  • Any subjects you are studying for which there is no exam
  • Sponsorships you have gained or applied for
  • Your plans for the future if you plan to take a year out, your reasons why (and how you intend to use the time)
  • Your social, sports or leisure interests

You want to make a good impression - to stand out from the crowd

  • So research the course you want to take - read prospectuses and course leaflets, look at Web sites. Try to identify any particular requirements and, if you can, point out how you fulfill them.
  • Organize your material - draft, re-draft, re-draft again, until you get it the way you want it - we recommend doing this on a word processor. This will also make it easier to cut and paste into the electronic application on-line.
  • Don't repeat material already on the application form - try to avoid listing the subjects you are currently studying as this just takes up space and doesn't give any new information.
  • Take care with the layout - make the most of what you've got. Organize it into paragraphs which flow logically. Include only what you could talk about with confidence at an interview.
  • Do not start every sentence or paragraph with 'I'.
  • Don't finish up with a long list of unrelated hobbies.
  • Be positive and enthusiastic.
  • Don't ramble , or pad it out - and never say you can do something you cannot - you will be found out!
  • Make sure it will fit into the allotted space of 47 lines (12 point size font)
  • Take care with your sentence structure and check your spelling and grammar - get someone else to check it too, just to make sure.

Possible outline of a personal statement (This is just one suggestion - it's not the only approach)

  • Justify your choice of course.
  • Say why you want to do that course.
  • If you can, indicate what you want to do after it.
  • If you have selected seemingly unrelated courses, try to identify a common thread, perhaps such as caring for people or working in a scientific field.
  • Mention any relevant work experience (including voluntary and placement work) - say when and where you worked and for how long.
  • Mention any visits you may have arranged , which are related to your intended course - for instance to hospital departments, schools, legal offices or science laboratories.
  • If you have work experience which is not directly relevant to your proposed course and career, can you identify core (transferable) skills, which you learned or developed there?
  • Include information on your core skills - communication, information technology, problem solving and working with others.
  • For some courses, you should include personal qualities -for instance, to be a caring person, a good communicator and able to work in a team are all very important.
  • Mention any positions of responsibility you hold in school.
  • If you are involved in activities outside school , mention them - especially if you excel or hold positions of responsibility. Even if they do not relate to your chosen subject they add to the impression of you as a person.
  • If you do not take part in activities inside or outside school , ask yourself whether any core skills are developed by what you do in your spare time, or whether your informal interests (including watching TV) are relevant to the subject you are applying for.

Remember

  • If you plan to take a year out and have applied for deferred entry, say what you intend to do with the time - working to build up funds might sound less exciting than going overseas, but it is just as acceptable.
  • It sometimes helps to work with friends and discuss each other's statements. Talking can help you remember vital information - and one of your friends may point out something you have overlooked!
  • Try to sound interesting!

GOOD LUCK!

(revised from information presented by Larkhall Academy http://www.larkhall.s-lanark.sch.uk/careers/ucas_ps.shtml )

Personal Statement Resources for Undergrads

http://www.english.soton.ac.uk/ucasform.htm Gives a good list of what to do and what not to do.

http://www.larkhall.s-lanark.sch.uk/careers/ucas_ps.shtml A more detailed set of tips for the UCAS personal statement also has examples and critiques of sample essays. Great site (from larkhall academy website)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/education/18/ucas_form.shtml info on personal statements for UCAS

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Personal Statements (Postgraduate)

Because personal statements are personal, there is not one format or approach that will work well for everyone. They are also short -- 1,000 words or less -- so you should identify the three or four most important points that you want to develop. Other parts of your application (including letters of recommendation) can present other important information. Use your personal statement to say what only you can say because it is what is most important to you.

The essay is an exercise in self-reflection. To do this well requires many drafts, revisions, and false starts. Think about the questions posed in Making Connections . Start with a shoe box or place to keep random notes for your personal statement. Be ready to jot down ideas at any time. Make an inventory of everything you have done as an undergraduate.  Selected parts of this inventory will be featured in the essay eventually, but try to be inclusive at first. 

For effective writing, avoid binges in which you try to write it all at once in an extended effort before a deadline or meeting with an advisor. Schedule short appointments with yourself for 30 minutes, or an hour, several days a week. If you can make it to practice, rehearsal, meetings, classes, or work, then you can schedule these short blocks of time for yourself, just to reflect and to write. Start to write before you are ready, and in each session stop before you are ready.  The earlier you start this process the better. Be willing to experiment with completely different versions. You will know when a paragraph or section begins to gel.  

Be honest with yourself. Do not try to guess what the committee wants to read. Consider your audience to be intelligent non-specialists for fellowship competitions, or to be professors in your field for graduate school essays. Remember that your essay is a writing sample. The essay will be read for indications of clear, well-organized thinking and effective communication. Personal statements are often read quickly and in bulk, so make yours a pleasure to read.

Grab the readers' attention right away by taking them into the heart of your discussion. Maintain focus with a consistent story line. Consider using one or two anecdotes that can help you focus and give a human face to your discussion. Provide a compelling snapshot of who you are and what contributions you want to make. Indicate what your priorities are and the kind of passion you bring to your work.

The academic proposal required by some competitions and by graduate schools has a similar purpose but a more defined focus. Common elements include a description of your course of study or project, and why you have chosen this particular institution, country, or setting. You should provide evidence that you are qualified to undertake the program you propose, and that it is consistent with your long-range plans. For study abroad project proposals, if possible provide evidence of cooperation of the host institution or individuals with whom you propose to work. For graduate schools admissions essays, discern what is being asked for in each essay and keep the focus on that: speak mainly about your research interests if that is what they are asking you to address. For a plan of research essay, devote considerable effort to your "methods" as you need to demonstrate you have a plan, not just a good idea.  

(source: http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/FS/essays.html accessed 9/4/03 )

Resources for Postgraduate Personal Statements

Research proposals and dissertation proposals: 

(source: http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/FS/essays.html accessed 9/4/03 )

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