📑✍️ PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS - A THREAD ✍️📑
We will be posting some tips to ensure you make the most of your personal statement and avoid those errors 🙅
We will be posting some tips to ensure you make the most of your personal statement and avoid those errors 🙅
1) The same one is sent to all 5 university choices - so don't tailor it just for one university, as the other 4 will read it too!
2) Make sure you test your PS in the UCAS form! 47 lines is not the same on Word as it is in the online form, and the way your paragraphs fall/formatting will also be different. Paste it in and check you're happy with it BEFORE you're about to send it off!
3) Maybe stating the obvious, but your #personalstatement should explain WHY you want to study your subject, and show your enthusiasm and commitment! For most unis, it's the only thing they'll see where you can sell yourself & show why they should give you a place!
3.5) if you have some, express any particular interests in the field. Sometimes have a particular niche or area you're especially interested in can help you to focus and structure your #personalstatement
4) STRUCTURE. It's short but it should be structured just like any other piece of writing. Things should link and it should flow as a whole.
Read it aloud - if it sounds clunky/doesn't flow then it's a sign you need to rework it!
Read it aloud - if it sounds clunky/doesn't flow then it's a sign you need to rework it!
5) PROOF READ. Check, check and check again for grammar and spelling errors. Spellcheck will not find everything - and the UCAS form does not check for spelling errors etc either.
Go through it slowly and carefully. Give it to teachers, friends, family to read.
Go through it slowly and carefully. Give it to teachers, friends, family to read.
6) BALANCE. We recommend that ~75-80% of your #personalstatement should focus on academics/things relating to your subject ('super-curriculars' - see #7). The remaining amount can include extra-curriculars and other things not (as) related to the subject you want to study.
7) Talk about super-curriculars! These are things you've done outside of your compulsory studies to explore your subject. This could be wider reading (books, journals, articles), but also things like podcasts, videos, lectures, online courses, clubs, societies... (1/2)
... residentials and summer schools, essay competitions, Olympiads and challenges, work experience (where relevant), and anything else you might think of or have done! In short: doesn't have to be just books!
8) Be HONEST. Don't write about things you've not done or read (even intend to - u probs won't get to it) - if ur course requires interviews as part of the admissions process, it's v likely you'll be asked something relating to what you've written about on your #personalstatement
9) Relating to the above - DON'T COPY! UCAS uses plagiarism detection software - it will show up if you've copied anything from books, online, or other statements, even if you just change a word!
