Personal Statement

[SeagullEd]

Anyone an expert?

Because I am struggling.

I have written a personal statement but to me it was just boring and too light-hearted comapred to all the amazing ones i've read on the internet full of academia. I then tried to write an academic impressive one but it just came across as pretentious and too-gritty.

I've just written a really honest one that reflects me and part of me thinks that 'well this is me, if I'm not right for the university then who cares' but I'm wary of this attitude because I know its all a big game.

 

[Whitterz]

Sell yourself to them. Be honest and ethical. State what you aspire to do/be, then say what you have to do to achieve that. Put the ball in thier court, express yourself in writing. That is the main thing to concentrate on. It has to be your work, but good luck, im sure your be fine.

 

[Tooting Gull]

If you need 'help' writing a 'personal' statement - then maybe university's not for you.

 

[Whitterz]

You have to use academic facts. (previous grades etc). Dont just list them, explain that you strive to be better and want to achieve what you know you are capable of.

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

I have just submitted mine to the universities, and my main tactic would be to just sell yourself and 'big yourself up'

 

[Whitterz]

I have just submitted mine to the universities, and my main tactic would be to just sell yourself and 'big yourself up'

Without appearing arrogant, or big headed. They hate that.

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

Without appearing arrogant, or big headed. They hate that.

Cracking I f***ing hope its not too late to take it back oh well the personal statement isn't THAT important, the grades are a lot more.

 

[SeagullEd]

Are both of you writing them this year as well?

Because really I'm wanting someone who has been there and done that because I'm getting such conflicting advice.

We've been told not to put any academic info etc in like grades and percentages because that is a waste of space and is on other parts of the form...

To 'Tooting Gull' - how bloody hilarious. Guessing you've not done one?

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

What is the statement for? Uni or for a job?

 

[brighton_girl87]

It was a few years ago since I did mine but yeah dont put down your grades becuase like you said they will see these on a different section of the form. I remember saying what my hobbies were, what my part time job at the time was and how it related to my studies, why I chose the course, what I would lke to do in the future, how I would make the step up to university level and how i was looking forward to moving away from home for a new challenge. I found a few templates on the internet and used them as a guide. You dont want to try and seem too big headed and say how great you are though.

 

[blue and white army]

Make it's slightly eccentric, unconventional in order to attract the reader's eye. Try and list all the postives which make you and ideal candidate, endear yourself to them.

 

[clarkey]

Normally its good if a passion for the course stands out. So anything outside the curriculum is impressive. If youve ever done anything in your life its worth putting in, sport, music, drama, job anything; it can all be phrased in a way that makes it seem as if youre the sort of persont for the course and for the uni.

What course is it for by the way?

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Be honest
Be positive
Be yourself
Be clear and concise about facts
Be prepared to defend whatever you have written, all too often people write BS and get found out, at which point you're history!
Above all, be clear about why you want to attend, what you want to aspire to be or do and show you are "up for it"

Good luck

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

Are both of you writing them this year as well?

Because really I'm wanting someone who has been there and done that because I'm getting such conflicting advice.

We've been told not to put any academic info etc in like grades and percentages because that is a waste of space and is on other parts of the form...

To 'Tooting Gull' - how bloody hilarious. Guessing you've not done one?

I am yeah. I got told to do;
1/4 about your passion for the subject.
1/2 about academic
1/8 about extra curricular activites
1/8 about the course and your future

 

[Normal Rob]

just remember that the stuff that you write about yourself seems more boring than it really is because you know it all already.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

When I was a graduate student, studying social anthropology and linguistics, a group of us found ourselves discussing admissions procedures with one of the senior academics in the department. I remember him saying that the whole process was very arbitrary. He, for example, had made it a matter of principle to reject anyone who said that they were "interested in people".

There was no logic to this, except that it was a fairly straightforward way of whittling down the number of applicants to a manageable number.

I guess these days things are a bit more structured. But maybe not.

 

[Tight shorts]

Get your Mum to write it like my son did!

 

[seagulls4ever]

Go to The Student Room: Student Guides, Help, Advice Community and you can get it reviewed for free.