Guide to Personal Statements

Transcription

1 Guideto PersonalStatements

2 Howtousethisguide: TheUCASPersonalstatementisyouropportunitytotelluniversitiesaboutyoursuitability forthecourse/sthatyouhavedecidedtostudy.youneedtodemonstrateyourenthusiasm andcommitment,andaboveall,ensurethatyoustandoutfromthecrowd.rememberthat theadmissionsselectorreadingyourstatementisanacademicinyourchosenareaof interestandwillthereforewanttoknowthereasonswhyyouconnectwiththesubject. Thisguidehasbeenwrittenwiththehelpofadmissionsselectorsatseveraltopuniversities thesearethepeoplewhomakethedecisions.aswellasusefultipsandgeneraladvice,a samplepersonalstatementhasbeenwrittenforsomepopularsubjectareas.thesearenot modalanswersastheyallhaveparticularstrengthsandweaknesses.theaimisthatyouwill becomefamiliarwitthetypicalcontentandlookofapersonalstatement. Manystudentshavedifficultiesknowingwheretostart;manyofthepersonalstatementsin thisguidebeginwithreasonsforchoosingthecourse,thencontinuewithextra curricular activities,andendbyreturningtothechosencourse.althoughthisisnotasetstructurefor apersonalstatement,itmaybeausefulstartingpointwithhitchtobeginconstructing yours. Eventhebestpersonalstatementsinthisbookhavesomeweakpoints;nooneisexpecting perfection.rememberthatuniversitiesaremainlyinterestedinyourenthusiasmforthe courseyouareapplyingforandyourpotentialtodowellonthatcourse.therefore,you shouldtrytodisplaythisinyourpersonalstatementasstronglyasyoucan. GettingStarted: Writingaboutyourselfisnotsomethingthatyoudooften,soyoumayneedtopractise writinginthisparticularstyle.itisagoodideatolistyourhobbiesandachievements,then youcandecidewhichonesdemonstrateyourstrongestskillsandpersonality. Althoughyourstatementshouldbetailoredtotheparticularsubjectareayouwantto study,therearecertainpointsthateverystatementshouldinclude: Whyyouhavechosenthecourse/sthatyouhaveselected Thereasonswhythatsubjectareainterestsyou Aspectsofyoucurrentstudiesrelatedtothecourse/sthatyouhavechosen Whyyouthinkyouwouldbeagoodstudent Detailsofjobs,placements,workexperienceorvoluntaryworkwhichyouhave undertaken,particularlyifithasrelevancetoyourchosenfield Hobbies,interestsandsocialactivitiesthatdemonstrateyouareawellrounded person Non accreditedqualifications,likethedukeofedinburghawardschemeoryoung Enterprise. Anyotherachievementsthatyouareproudof Positionsofresponsibilitythatyouholdbothinandoutofschool Attributesthatmakeyouinteresting,specialorunique

3 Whetheryouhaveanyfutureplansofhowyouwanttousetheknowledgeand experiencethatyougain Rememberthatyouonlywriteonepersonalstatementwhichshouldberelevanttoallyour universitychoices.therefore,trytoallowsomeconsistencyinyourcoursechoices.ifyou areapplyingforajointcourseyouwillneedtoexplainwhyyouareinterestedinboth aspectsofthejointprogramme.therearesomeexamplesinthisguidewhichshowyou howtoachievethis. DosandDon ts: Dobrainstormyouideasonpaperbeforeattemptingtowriteanything. Doaimtouseaboutfiveparagraphs,makingsurethateachoneflowsinalogicalway. Doexpecttoproduceseveraldraftsbeforebeingtotallyhappy. Doaskpeopleyoutrustforfeedback. DoensurethatyouuseyourbestEnglishanddon tletsillyspellingmistakesandpoor grammarspoilyourstatement. Dobeenthusiastic youcanhaveperfectgrades,hundredsofextracurricularactivitiesand beareallygreatpersonbutifadmissionsselectorsfeelyouaren tpassionateaboutyour course,youwon tgetaplace. Don tfeelthatyouneedtousefancylanguage.ifyoutrytoohardtoimpresswithlong wordsthatyou renotconfidentusing,thefocusofyourwritingmaybelost. Don twaffleonaboutthingswhicharen trelevant admissionsselectorswillfallasleep!if youfeelyouarestartingtoramble,takeabreakandreturntoyourstatementwhenyouare feelingmorefocused. Don ttrytobefunnyasadmissionsselectorsmaynotshareyoursenseofhumour. Don tlie ifyoustretchthetruthyoumayfalldownatinterviewwhenyouareaskedto elaborateonaninterestingachievement.itisalsoanoffencetolieonyourucas application. Don tcopysomeelse spersonalstatementor borrow chunksfromexistingpersonal statements.ucasusesanti plagiarismsoftwarewhichcandetectwhenapersonal statementisnotsomeone sownwork,andyourapplicationwillbereturnedtoyouifthisis thecase. Don trelyonspellchecker proofreadasmanytimesaspossible Don tleaveittothelastminute you llkickyourself! Don taddresssentencesdirectlytotheadmissionstutori.e. Ihopeyouwillconsidermy application etc.yourpersonalstatementisnotaletter. Don texpecttobeabletowriteyourpersonalstatementwhilstwatchingtv thisisyour future,youonlygetonechance,andit sdowntoyou! Somecommonquestions: Howstrictisthewordlimit? UCASApplylimitsthetextto47linesandstudentsarenotpermittedtowritemorethat this.thelimitisthereforareasonandakeytestoftheprocessistocheckwhetheryouare abletoconveyyourreasonsforwantingtostudyinaclearandsuccinctway.allthe examplesinthisguidefallwithinthislimit.

4 ShouldImentionanythingaboutmygapyear? Yes!Youshouldexplainwhyyouaretakingagapyearandwhatyouplantodo. Demonstrateyourenthusiasmandinitiativeandhighlighthowtheactivitymayrelateto yourcourse. HowfarbackshouldIgowhenmentioningmyhobbiesandinterests? Onlymentionthingswhichhelpsupportyourapplication;alonglistofeverythingyou ve doneismuchlessimpressivethanpickingoneortwothingsandwritingabouttheskillsyou havelearnedthroughthem.activitiesundertakenrecentlywillcertainlycarrymoreweight thanthoseyoudidatschoolorasateenager. I mnotinterestingorunique whatshouldido? Everyonehasaspectstotheirpersonalitythatmaketheminteresting,it sjustacaseof puttingthemintowords.youmayfindithelpfultoasksomeoneclosetoyoulikeafriend, relativeortutor. HowshouldIendmypersonalstatement? Don tjustletitfizzleout;thisisyourfinalchancetoimpress.avoidbeingtoogeneralby writingsomethinglike Iamlookingforwardtobecomingapsychologise ;bemuchmore specificandendonaverypositivenotebyclosingyourstatementwithsomethinglike Iam passionateaboutworkingwithyoungchildreninthefutureandthereforeamhighly determinedtomakethemostofmydegreeandachievemyambitiontobecomea developmentalpsychologist.

5 Subjectspecificguides: Asignificantproportionofyourstatementwillrequireyoutodemonstrateyourinterestand suitabilityforthecoursethatyouhaveselected.thissectioncontainsanexamplestatement forkeysubjectareas.rememberthatthesearenotmodalanswersandallhaveparticular strengthsandweaknesses.whereyouseeawordorstatementunderlined,thisindicatesa mistakeorweakness. AccountingandFinance Biologyandrelatedprogrammes BusinessManagement ComputerScienceandrelatedprogrammes DramaandTheatre Economics Englishlanguageandlinguistics Entrepreneurshipandrelatedprogrammes EuropeanStudiesandPolitics(exampleofajointhonoursstatement) FilmStudies HealthandHumanSicences History Humanities LawandHumanRights Literature Nursing Psychology Whatnottowrite!

6 AccountingandFinance: IamapplyingforadegreeinAccountingasIbelievethisdegreewillsetmeingoodsteadformy futurecareer.inrecentyearsihavebecomeinterestedintheworldofcommerceandindustryandi believethatstudyingthissubjectatuniversitylevelwillhelpmereachmygoalofbecomingan accountant.ihaveresearchedthiscareerandbelievethatihavethenecessaryskillstosucceed. Atmycollege,allstudentsareencouragedtofindatwoweekworkexperienceplacement.I arrangedforminetobeatphillipsandwoodstock,asmallaccountancyfirminmylocaltown. DuringthisweekIlearnedthatthereareseveralelementsoftheaccountancyprofessionandthat thecareerisverydiverse.phillipsandwoodstockspecialiseinhelpingsmallbusinesseswiththeir taxassessments,andasaresultihavebecomeparticularlyinterestedinthebusinessconsultancy sideofaccounting.themd,mrphillips,wasimpressedwithmyworkandcommitmentandhas invitedmetoworkatthefirmpart timeinmysummerholidays.iamlookingforwardtothe opportunitytogainmoreexperienceinmychosencareer. IamcurrentlystudyingtowardsanAccesstoHigherEducationDiplomainBusinessandFinance.The modulesihavemostenjoyedare ManagingInformation and ManagingaBusinessProjectorand Event.ForthelattermodulemyprojectwasbasedonatenderbyaconstructioncompanywhereI tooktheroleofestimatorandtriedtowriteacompetitivetenderproposal.thiswasachallenging andinterestingtask,andonewhichtaughtmetheimportanceofexpertiseinachosenfield. However,itwastheunit IntroductiontoAccounting whichimostenjoyedandwhich,inretrospect, firstsparkedmyinterestinaccounting. Ihaveapart timejobinaroadsiderestaurantneartomyhome.althoughthejobcanberepetitive, ithasbeenanimportantexerciseinself disciplineasistartworkat7amonsaturdays!ihavealso metmanynewpeopleandbecomefriendswithsomeoftheregulars.itrytosavethemoneyiearn fromthisjob:universityhasbeenmylong termgoalforthelastyearandmysavingsshouldhelp withthecostsofstudying. Iamreallylookingforwardtogoingtouniversity:partlyforthesocialexperience,butmost importantlytofurthermystudiesinaccounting.ibelievethatuniversitywillhelpmeachievemyaim ofqualifyingasanaccountantandperhapsonedayrunningmyownbusiness,likemrphillips,ormy all timehero,siralansugar.iwouldhope,however,nevertobefired! Strengths: Thefirstsentencegoesstraighttothepoint.Thisimpliesdecisivenessand commitment,andthepersonalstatementistooshortforalengthyintroduction. Thestudentgoesintoalotofdetailabouttheworkexperience,whichisgoodasitis relevanttohischosensubjectandhelpedshapehiscareerplans. Weaknesses: Itisashamethatthestudentdidnotgointomoredetailaboutthe Introductionto Accounting module,andexplainhowitsparkedtheirinterestinaccounting,asthis wouldbeveryrelevanttohisuniversityapplication. Theendingwouldhavehadmoreimpactwithouttheclosingcomment.Terytoavoid flippantcommentsorculturalreferences,asadmissionstutorsmaynotunderstand themorshareyourinterestinthem.

7 Biologyandrelatedprogrammes: FromanearlyageIhavebeenfascinatedbybiology.Icanclearlyrecallspendingtimeinthegarden withmygrandfatherlookingatbugsandcreepycrawlies.asigrewupmyaffinitywiththenatural worlddevelopedandstudyingbiologyatuniversityisthenextsteponmyjourney. IhavehadthemostamazinggapyearexperienceprotectingtheLoraturtlesofCostaRicafrom humanpoachersandbeacherosion.asavolunteerontheprogrammeiwasabletohelpwith researchandconservationworksuchasnightpatrolling,workinginthehatcheries,collectingeggs, rescuingandtaggingturtlesandhelpingthebabyturtlesgettothesea!thisopportunityhas enabledmetogrowasapersoninmanyways.itcertainlyhasbeenthebestpreparationpossiblefor universitylife,asihaveacquiredallkingsofskillsthatwillbeessentialforanewlifeawayfrom friendsandfamily. A LevelbiologyhascertainlyprovidedmewithanexcellentgroundingandIamconfidentthatIhave arealaptitudeforthischallengingdiscipline.ihaveenjoyedallofthemodulestakensofar, especiallyecosystemsaswehadtoconsiderthedynamicsofsuchsystemsandlookintohuman activitiesthatimpactonthem.iparticularlylikedoingpracticalworkandlookforwardtobeingable togainexperiencewithmoredevelopedpiecesofapparatusatuniversity Ihaveheldseveralpositionsofresponsibility.DuringmyfinalyearatschoolIwasappointedtothe positionofseniorprefect.thiswasagreathonourandilearntmanynewskills,includingpublic speaking.atcollegeicontinuedthistypeofresponsibilitybybeingnominatedstudentvoicerep. Thispositionrequiredmetoattendvariousmeetingswithdifferenttypesofpeopleincludingthe BoardofGovernors.Iwasthevoiceforall2,000studentsatourcollege. Iamaneagertabletennisplayerandregularlycompeteatcountylevel.Ifindittobeanexcellent formofexerciseforthebodyandmind!iamkeentotryoutdifferentsportswhenireachuniversity becauseitwillbetheperfectwaytomakenewfriendsandstayhealthy.thedukeofedinburgh AwardSchemeisalsosomethingthatIaminvolvedinandhavecompletedbronze,silverandgold awards.iamhopingtobeinvolvedinpromotingtheawardschemetoyoungpeopleinthefutureas Ihavereallybenefitedfromitandwouldliketobeabletosharemyexperiencewithothers. Strengths: Itcanbegoodtotalkaboutpastexperiencesthathavesparkedinterestinthesubject. Howeverbecarefulnottogooffonatangentandwritemorethanisnecessary. Thegapyearexperienceisveryrelevanthereandthestudent senthusiasmisobvious: enthusiasmforasubjectisveryimportant. Weaknesses: Thisstatementhasastrongbeginningandmiddlebutconcludesfartoabruptly;youshould alwaysfinishyourstatementwithandenthusiasticandmemorableending. ThisstudentendsbytalkingabouthisDukeofEdinburghachievements,whichthough interesting,probablyisn tthemainreasonwhytheyareapplyingtouniversity.itis preferabletoconcludeyourpersonalstatementbytalkingaboutyourchosensubject and/oryoureagernesstogotouniversity.

8 BusinessManagement: Ihavealwaysbeenaveryacademicallydeterminedandstudiousindividual,hencewhyIknewthata degreeatuniversitywouldbemydefinitenextstep.ihaveabroadinterestinmanysubjectareas butfeeldrawntowardsabusinessorientateddegree.comingfromabackgroundofasmallfamily business,ihavebeeninspiredbymyparentsandamkeentogaintheessentialskillstoexpandour growingempire!iamveryawarethattoday sbusinessrequiresnotjustbalancingthebooks;itis abouttheinvestmentandthemanagementofassets,people,opportunitiesandrisk.iamconfident thatstudyingabusinessdegreeatuniversitylevelwillpreparemewellformyfutureahead. AccesstoBusinessstudieshasdefinitelyprovidedmewithasolidfoundationwhichIameagerto develop. Management,CultureandCommunication isthemodulethatinterestedmethemostthis yearandihaveundertakenextensivefurtherreadinginmyowntime.wheninromeorrioof Riyadh..:CulturalQ7A sforsuccessfulbusinessbehaviouraroundtheworldbygwynetholoffson,is anexcellentread.iparticularlyenjoyedherviewsonmannersandgiftgivingacrosstheworld. StudyingA levelpsychologyhasalsogivenmeaninsightintothehumaninfluencesonorganisational behaviourthroughlookingatmotivationaltheories,suchasthehierarchyofneedsmodelproposed bymasow.thecourseworkelementhasdevelopedmyskillsincollectingandanalysingdatainorder toestablishtrendsanddrawconclusions.mycourseshavealsoenabledmetodevelopanabilityto expressmyideasclearlyandconcisely. Ihaveawidecircleoffriendsandweoftenmeetinourvillagepubtocompeteinthequiz.Ialso enjoyplayingfootballwithfriendsandhopetojoinateamwheniarriveatuniversity.ourfamily businessisveryimportanttomeandiworkmostweekendsatourshop,oftenshadowingmyfather atmeetingswithsuppliers.itakeworkveryseriouslyandfeelthatmyconscientiousapproachwill standmeingoodsteadforuniversitystudy. IrecentlyattendedatwodayChallengeofManagementconferenceatmylocaluniversity.Ialsohad thechancetogoonatourgivenbyacurrentstudentandthismademerealisethatacampusstyle universityisdefinitelysuitedtome.iamcertainlygoingtotakeadvantageofalltheopportunities thatuniversitiesprovidetowidenyourknowledgelikeclubsandsocieties. Strengths: Itisgoodtoexplainwhyacertainbookappealstoyoubecausethisdemonstrates youranalyticalskillsandshowsthatyoureadaroundyoursubject Mentioningresearchintouniversitiesshowsthatyouarededicatedandfocused Weaknesses: TheChallengeofManagementconferencethatthisstudentattendedisveryrelevant andshouldhavebeenexpandedupon;alwaysgivedetailsaboutspecificexperiences likethis. Ifyoumentionthatcampusuniversitiesareyourpreferredchoice,asthisstudent does,makesurethatalltheuniversitiesyouareapplyingtoprovidecampuses!

9 ComputerScienceandrelatedprogrammes: Iamfascinatedbythewaydevelopmentsincomputersciencehavechangedourlivesandwork.The world widecomputingindustryissettocontinueevolvingandiamdeterminedtobepartofthis. SinceaveryearlyageIenjoyedplayingwithcomputersandnowthatIamatcollegeIspendalotof timesworkingwiththem.aswellascomputing,iamtakinga levelsinphysicsandmathematics.i believethatthesedisciplinescomplimenteachotherbrilliantlyandwillpreparemewellfor undergraduatestudy. AmajorrecentachievementhasbeenaGCSEPhysicsrevisionsitewhichIdesignedforthestudents atmyschool.icarriedoutasignificantamountofresearchpriortodesigningthesiteandthiswas definitelyaworthwhileactivity.thismademerealisehowimportantcommunicationiswhen producingproducts.mymaingoalistobepartofateamthatcreatesefficientandusefulsoftware forconsumers. Myinterestincomputinghasnotonlybeenrestrictedtoschool.WiththehelpofmyDad,Ihave usedallofmyknowledgeandskilltosetupmyowncomputer relatedbusiness.thischallengehas givenmeatotallynewperspectiveonhowitbusinessesoperate.ihadtowriteabusinessplan whichwasatotallyalienexperienceforme,butoncecompletedandimplementediwasrewarded withthesatisfactionfknowingthatihadachievedsomethingthatmostpeoplewouldneverhave thechancetodo,especiallyatmyage. AlthoughcomputersaremypassionIstillenjoyotheractivities,particularlyreading.Sciencefiction authortheodoresturgeonwrote, agoodsciencefictionstoryisastoryabouthumanbeings,witha humanproblem,andahumansolution,thatwouldnothavehappenedatallwithoutitsscience content ;sciencefictioniscertainlythegenreilikemostprobablybecauseofthelinkbetween scienceandreallife. WhenI mnotreadingicanusuallybefoundattheswimmingpool.ihaveswumcompetitivelysince theageofnine.ihopetocontinueswimmingatuniversityandintendtostartwaterpolo,asthisis somethingwhichitriedatarecentsummerschoolandloved. Ilookforwardtoextendingmyknowledgeofcomputersandbelievethatuniversitywillenhancethe opportunitiesthatihaveaheadofme. Strengths: Thispersonalstatementopenswithanexcellentconcisesummaryofwhatprompted initialinterestinthesubject. Thisstudentdemonstratesthathisinterestinhischosensubjectgoesbeyondthe classroom,whichproveshisinterestinthesubjectandwillstrengthenhis application. Weaknesses: Quotesaregodbutkeepthemshortandonlyusethemiftheyarerelevanttoyour application Theclosingparagraphisveryshortandreadsabruptly;remembertomakeuseof thislastchancetoimpresstheadmissionsselector Thisstudentcouldhaveprovidedmoreinformationonhebusinesshehassetup

10 DramaandTheatre: FromanearlyageIhavealwaysbeenfascinatedbythestage.Farfrombeingmereentertainment,I believethatatheatricalproductioncanconveysomuchinformationandemotiontotheaudience. Althoughmymainexperienceintheatretodateisthroughacting,Iamalsoveryinterestedinother aspectsofproductionssuchaslightingandsetdesign,andiamkeentolearnmoreaboutthisina universitydegree. FormyGCSEDramafinalproduction,agroupofusproducedaplaybasedonashortstorybyAL Kennedy.Becausetherewereonlysixofusinthegroup,wesharedalotofresponsibility.Iplayed oneofthemaincharactersandwasalsoinchargeofobtainedthepropsweneeded.thesetasks wereenjoyablebutthemostchallengingpartoftheproductionwastoadaptthestoryforthestage, andproduceascriptasclosetotheoriginalstoryaspossible.thiswasademandingbutenjoyable jobandreallyopenedmyeyestothecomplexityofadaptingstoriestothestage. AswellasTheatreStudies,myotherAS levelsareinenglishliterature,sociologyandbiology.in EnglishLiteraturewehavejustcompletedamoduleonplaysinwhichwestudiedDeathofa SalesmanbyArthurMillerandShakespeare shenryv.igotothetheatreasoftenasican,andhave seenmanyamateurandprofessionalproductions.myfavouriteplaywrightiswillyrussell.ithinkall hisplaysprovideaninterestingsocialcommentary,andsuccessfullyblendcomedyandtragedy.i haveseenmanymusicals,butbloodbrothersisbyfarmyfavourite;ihavenowseenitfourtimes!i amlookingforwardtodiscoveringmoreplaywrightswhileatuniversity. Myinterestindramaandthetheatretakesupalotofmysociallife.Ihavetakenpartinallmy school sproductionsandamalsoinvolvedinalocaldramgroup TheBournmouthandBoscombe LightOperaticClub BBLOCforshort.Everyyearweholdamajorproduction,themostrecentbeing OhWhataLovelyWar.IvaluetheexperienceofbeingpartofthisgroupasIgettoworkwithpeople ofalldifferentages.ialsohaveapart timejobinalocalbeefeaterrestaurant.thisjobhastaught methevalueofbeingabletoworkaspartofateam,andithinkhelpsmeimprovemyperformance withinbblocandatschool,asgoodteamworkiscrucialtoasuccessfulperformance. Iamlookingforwardtojoiningadramasocietyatuniversity,andalsopossiblyafilmsociety,asthe cinemaandfilmsareanotherofmypassions.ifeelihavealottocontributetouniversitylifeand hopeyouwillconsidermeforaplaceatyouruniversity. Strengths: Showingenthusiasmaboutjoiningclubsandsocietiesatuniversitywillimpress; universitieslikestudentswhogetinvolved. Thisstatementshowsawarenessofdifferentelementsofdramabeyondacting Weaknesses: Thisstatementisverynarrowlyfocussedondrama;itisgoodtoshowthatyouhave interestsoutsideyourchosensubjectarea. Thefinalsentenceisaddresseddirectlytotheadmissionsselector;thisisnot advisable.thepersonalstatementisnotaletter

11 Economics: SincestartingmyAS levelstudiesineconomics,ihavebeeneagertocontinuetoahigherlevel.iam particularlyinterestedinthebehaviouroffirmsandorganisationsfromandeconomicpointofview andihavefocusedmycourseworkinthisfield.iregularlyreadnewspapersandeconomic publicationssuchastheeconomisttokeepup to datewithdevelopmentsinthefield,andfindit easytousemymathematicalandanalyticalskillstoapplydifferenteconomictheoriestoarangeof real lifeeconomicsituations.ialsotakemathsandpoliticsas levelandknowthattheskillsiam acquiringfromthesewillpreparemewellforuniversity levelstudy.irecentlyenjoyedthechanceto putsomeofmybusinesseconomictheoryintopracticewhenitookpartinaneconomicsand businessprojectcalledyoungenterprise.withagroupofpeersisetupasmallcompanyandsold stationarypackstostudentsatourschool.itwasanexcellentexperienceandiwasabletoenhance mymanagement,communicationandteamworkskills.ialsoachievedadistinctionintheassociated exam. Iwouldconsidermyselftobeaveryhardworkerbothinandoutofschool.Sincetheageof16I haveworkedpart timeattescosandhaveenjoyedpositionsofincreasingresponsibility.inowcoordinateasmallgroupofstaffontheshopfloorandhaveleantalotaboutthewaybusinesses operateintherealworld.iwouldbekeentocontinueworkingpart timewithinthiscompanywhile atuniversity,asiknowiwouldbeabletomanagemytimesuccessfullyandwouldenjoybeingself sufficient.ihavearealpassionforallkindsofsportandregularlyrepresentmyschoolinvarious activitiesrangingfromtennistofootball.ihaveplayedtennisatcountylevelfortwoyearsnowand amlookingforwardtotryingnewsportsatuniversity.musicisalsoveryimportanttomeandiama memberofthesixthformrockband Chaos.Iamthrilledattheprospectoffacingnewchallenges, includingworkingandlivingindependently.ialsobelievethatiwillgainahighlymarketablesetof skillsfromthestudyofeconomicsatuniversity,whichwillpreparemewellfortheexcitingfuture ahead. Strengths: Thestronginvolvementinsportandmusicdemonstratesdedication Thisstudenthassucceededinconveyingenthusiasmwithoutgoingoverboard. Weaknesses: Attentionneedstobepaidtostyle;theparagraphsarefartoolongandcouldbe brokendownintoatleastfourseparateones. Thereareafewtypingerrorsandmissinglettersinthispersonalstatement. Thisstudentdoesnotmentionanycurrenteconomicissuessuchastherecessionor UKhousingmarket,whichsomewhatundermineshisclaimthathekeepsup to date withdevelopmentsinthisfield.

12 EnglishLanguageandLinguistics: MyinterestinlinguisticshasgrownfrommyfirstyearofsixthformwhenItookacourseinEnglish Language.Duringthiscourse,IstudiedtheworkofTrudgill.IfoundthisparticularlyinterestingasI enjoyedlookingathowandwhythesocialclassofapersonaffectshowtheypeak.ialsofoundthe genderandlanguageissuesrelatingtohowmalesandfemalesapproachlanguageinadifferent mannerveryinteresting.ihaveageneralinterestinsociologyandlookforwardtocombiningthis withmyinterestsinlinguistics. LastsummerIspentamonthinSpainwhereIworkedasateachingassistantinalocalschool. WorkinginaforeigncountryallowedmetoexperiencelifewhereIdidnotcompletelyunderstand thelanguageusedaroundme.itbecameclearthatlanguageisanessentialtoolusedforeveryday forcommunication.thisopportunityallowedmetoseelanguagebeingusedindifferent environmentsandinowwanttounderstandhowlanguagesareusedandhowtheywork. DuringmytimeatschoolIhavebeenactivelyinvolvedwiththenetballteam,workingmywayto becomingcaptainlastyear.beinginvolvedintheteamhasallowedmetodevelopmy communicationandtime managementskills,alongwithmotivatingtherestofmyteam.ireally enjoyvolunteeringandonceaweekihelpyoungerstudentstolearnspanish.aftermy undergraduatedegreeiplantostudyapgceasiwouldliketobecomeasecondaryschoolteacher ofspanish.ibelievethatvolunteeringwillallowmetolearnskillswhichwillhelpmewiththiscareer path. IhavealsobeentheManagingDirectorofaYoungEnterprisecompanywhichwontwoawardsfor qualityandbestproductatthelocalawardsevening.ourcompanyhasalsobeenselectedtoattend theregionalawardslaterthismonth.fromthisinterestingexperienceilearntalotabouthowthe realworldworksandiworkedincrediblyhardtoachievemyhighestpotentialandcompete successfully. Aswellastheseschoolorganisedactivities,Ialsoworkinthelocalsupermarket.Ihavetorelateto thecustomersandassisttheminavarietyofways.ifeelthishasboostedmyconfidenceand improvedmyinter personalskillsbothofwhichithinkwillhelpmeinthetransitionfromsixthform touniversity.ibelievethatstudyinglinguisticsatuniversitywillexpandmyknowledgeoflanguage, whichiknowwillbeessentialinmyfuturecareer.ilookforwardtosettingmyselfnewchallenges andbuildinguponmyexistingexperience,whichwillhopefullyhelpmetoachievemyambitionof becomingasuccessfulteacher. Strengths: Thisstatementshowsthatthestudenthasputthoughtintotheirlong termcareer goal.althoughthisisnotessentialandoftennotpossible,itdoesdemonstrate focusedthought. Thisstudentdrawsattentiontotheskillsshehasdevelopedthroughbeinginvolved inheractivities(netball,youngenterprise,part timejob)whichiseffectiveasthe skillsshementionswillbeusefulatuniversity.

13 Weaknesses: Thisstudenthasusedthewords interest/interesting fivetimesinthefirst paragraph.itisessentialespeciallyforasubjectlikeenglishlanguage,to demonstrateawidevocabulary. MorecouldhavebeenmadeofherSpanishskills;itisimportantnottoundersell yourself. Entrepreneurshipandrelatedprogrammes: SincetheSeptemberIhavebeenstudyingformyAccesstoBusinessandTourismcourse.Asmy studieshaveprogressed,ihavebecomeincreasinglyinterestedinthemarketingaspectofthe degreeasitseemstomethatmarketingissuchakeyelementofsuccessfulbusiness.itiscrucialto allelementsofbusinessandelementsofmarketingareallaroundus,fromlogostotelevision commercials,andthisisanareainwhichiwouldliketolearnmore. Myfavouritepartofmycourse,sofar,hasbeenamodulecalled Conferences,Exhibitionsand Events inwhichmeandtwofellowstudentshadtoorganiseandeventandwereassessedonits success.oureventwasasixthforminformationdayinwhichoutsidespeakerscametoourschoolto addresstheyear12students.wehadtocontactthespeakers,sendtheminformation,arrange refreshments,publicisetheeventtootherstudentsandwritethankyoulettersattheend.onthe daywewerebusyensuringtheeventwasasuccessandigotarealbussfromit,aswellaslearning whatmakesagoodevent.fromthisexperienceithinkiwouldliketopursueacareerinmarketing andibelieveadegreeinmarketingandentrepreneurshipwouldsetmeingoodsteadforthis. IbelievethatIhavethepersonalskillsandthemotivationtobesuccessfulinacareerinmarketing.I alwayshelpoutatmyschool sopeneveningsandoftenreceivepraisefromtheteachersformy work.iamoftenreferredtoasa peopleperson,alwayscheerfulandwellpresented,andsomeone whocanworkwellunderpressure.ialsohavealotofconfidenceandamnotdauntedatthe prospectofleavinghometogotouniversity,aiseeitasagreatopportunity. IhaveaweekendjobatmylocalDebenhamsstore,whichIenjoyagreatlyandthroughwhichIhave learnttoworkwellwithpeopleandalwaysputcustomersfirst.ihavealsorecentlyhelpedthe windowdresserputtogetherdisplaysandplanpromotions,andifoundthatmystudiesinmarketing helpedmegiveusefulinputtothestore spromotionsanddisplays.ifeltrealsatisfactioninthatmy knowledgewasmakingadifference.inmysparetimeisocialisewithfriends. IfeelIhavetherightknowledgeandaptitudetosucceedbothinamarketingdegree,andlaterina careerinmarketingorevents.iamlookingforwardtotheopportunityuniversitywillgivetostudy thissubjectinmoredepthandtopreparemeforwhatwillhopefullybeasuccessfulcareer. Strengths: Thisstudentmakesgooduseofherexperiencesatworktodemonstrateherrelevant skills. Theoverallfeelofthestatementisveryenthusiastic. Weaknesses: InmysparetimeIsocialisewithfriends istoovagueandwillnotimpressand admissionstutor.thisdoesnotaddanyvaluetoyourapplication.

14 Thisstudentwritesexplicitlyaboutherpersonality:itwouldbemoreeffectiveto illustrateyourpersonalitythoughyourinterests,andgiveexamples,ratherthanjust stating Iamapeopleperson. EuropeanStudiesandPolitics(exampleofajointdegreeapplication) Thehistory,politicsandcultureoftheEuropeanUnionsinceitsbeginningsinthe1950 s,hasalways interestedme,andasaresulteuropeanstudiesisanaturalchoiceofdegreeformetostudy.ifind Europefasinating:thatagroupofdiversecountrieswiththeirownculturesandheritageshould cometogetherandformcommonpoliciesisaninterestingandoftencontroversialarea,andonei wouldliketodiscovermoreabout. IhavechosentoapplyforajointcourseinEuropeanStudiesandPoliticsasIbelievethetwo disciplinesarecloselyinterlinked.politicsplayssuchamajorpartinallourlivesandtheworkof governmentsshapesboththelifeoftheindividualandacountry splaceonthewordstage.through mya levelhistoryschemeihavestudiedbritishgovernmentsinthenineteenthandtwentieth centruryandialsokeepup to datewithmodernukforeignpoliticsbywatchingthenewsand readingbroadsheetnewspapers.iamparticularlydrawntoeuropeanstudiesandpoliticsasthe degreewouldoffermetheopportunitytobecomefamiliarwiththepoliticalsystemsofseveral countries;iamlookingforwardtostudyingmoreofthehistoryandpoliticsofeurope,particularlyin thetwentiethcentury. AswellasHistory,myothertwoA levelsarebusinessstudiesandgerman.ialsohaveanas levelin PerformingArts.InBusinessStudiesmymaininterestistherelationshipbetweengovernmentsand industry;howforexample,thelawspassedbygovernmentscanshapethepresentandfuture industryofacountry.thisrelationshipwillbethetopicformyfinalprojectinbusinessstudies. IhavetravelledtoFrance,SpainandGermanyseveraltimes,forfamilyholidaysandforexchange tripswithmyschool.iamlookingforwardtotheyearabroadofferedbythedegreeandwouldlike tospendthatingermanyorfrance. OutsideofschoolIplaythetrumpetandcornet,andamcurrentlyworkingtowardmygrade6exam forthetrumpet.ihaveplayedinseveralschoolconcertsandamamemberofthewatchettown BrassBand.Ialsoenjoygoingtothecinemaandspendingtimewithmyfriends. Iamlookingforwardtotheopportunitiesthatgoingtouniversitywillprovideandtostudyingtwo subjectsthathavealwaysfasinatedme.ihavealong termfoalofworkingabroad,possiblyforthe EUinBrussels,andIhopewithauniversityeducationbehindme,Icanbesuccessfulinthismission. Strengths: ThisstudentconveysherpassionforbothEuropeanStudiesandPoliticsverywell. Shementionstheyearabroadandtalksaboutwhereshemightliketospendit.Itis goodtoshowthatyouarethinkingahead. Thestudentshowssheunderstandstherelationshipbetweenthetwosubjects. Weaknesses: Sillyspellingmistakeslooksloppyandthereisnoexcuse! ItisashameshedoesnotgointodetailaboutA LevelGerman.Thissubjectisvery relevanttoeuropeanstudiesandsomeemphasisonherlanguageskillswouldhave strengthenedherapplication.particularlyassheisthinkingaboutspendingheryear abroadingermany!

15 Filmstudies: FilmStudiesismychosensubjectatUniversitybecauseIhavealifelongpassionforallaspectsof film.obviouslyilovewatchingandcritiquingfilms,butialsohaveaninterestinfilmproduction, includingspecialeffects.ienjoyseeingthenewdevelopmentsincgiandothertechniquessuchas prosthetics,soundandcameraangles.asachildiloveddisneyfilmsbutasihavematuredihave growntoenjoytheworksofdavidlynchandtoappreciateeuropeancinema.thefilmwhichhas hadthemostimpactuponmeinrecentyearsisflorianhankelvondonnersmark s TheLivesof Others.AsIamalsointerestedinmodernEuropeanhistoryIfoundthisfilmcompellingandraised manyquestionsinmymind. MuchofmyinterestinfilmstemsfrommyA levelworkinmediastudies.ihavewrittenseverallong essayswhichhaveachievedgoodmarks,andhavetaughtmetheimportanceofexpressingand argumentclearly,andpayingattentiontodetail.takingmediastudieshasopenedmyeyestofilm interpretationandthefilmmakingapproach,suchastheuseofstoryboardsandeditingtechniques. Ienjoymakingandproducingfilmsasmuchasinterpretingthem.Mymostrecentpieceofcourse workwasashortpromotionalfilmdesignedtoencouragechildrentoplaytennis.althoughthe productionwasattimechallenging,asthereweresomecomplicatedshotstofilmandthe stars of ourfilmwereallundernineyearsold,itwasveryrewardingtoseethefinishedresultanditreceived greatpraise.ireallylookforwardtomakingandproducingfilmsatuniversity. MyotherA levelcoursesarehistoryandbusinessstudies.ialsotookas levelgermanwhichhas helpedinmyappreciationofeuropeancinema.ilookforwardtotheopportunitytoperhaps continuesomeaspectsofthesecoursesatuniversity.iamalsokeentogetinvolvedwiththe UniversityFilmSociety,andalsothefootballandtennisteams.Sportisabigpartofmylife,bothas anactiveplayerandaspectator.ihavebeenfortunatetobeabletotravelaroundeuropetoattend tennistournamentsandhaveseenmayofthe greats play:rogerfedererandrafaelnadaltoname afew.myalltimeidolispetesampras;iadmiredhiscombinationofhugetalentandcommitment whichmadehim,inmyopinion,oneofthebesttennisplayersofalltime. Iamlookingforwardtotheopportunitiesauniversitydegreewillgiveme,bothacademicandsocial andfeelreadyforthisnewchapterinmylife.throughmystudiesandmypersonalexperiences,iam convincedthatfilmstudiesistherightchoiceformyuniversitydegree. Strengths: Thestudentisveryfocusedtowardsfilmstudiesandusesenthusiastic,positive languagewhenwritingaboutthesubject. Itisgoodtogiveanexampleofrelevantworkcarriedoutonyourcurrentcourse. Thestudentisclearlylookingforwardtouniversitylife. Weaknesses: Thestudentcouldhavegivenmoreinformationinthefirstparagraphregardingfilm productionandspecialeffects:heseemsto glossover theseinterests Hegoesoffonatangentabouthisfavouritetennisplayers:thispartofthepersonal statementcouldhavebeenshortenedtomakeroomforthepointraisedabove. Checkyourgrammarnotjustyourspelling.

16 HealthandHumanSciences: Iamincrediblyinterestedinthewaythatpeoplebehaveandinteract,andhavealwayshadakeen interestinhealthcare.assoonasistartedmyaccesstohighereducationdiplomainhealthand HumanSciencesIknewthatadegreeinthisdisciplinewouldbemygoal.DuringmystudiesIhave particularlyenjoyedthemodulesonpsychology,sociology,equalityandmicrobiology.adegreein HealthSciencesinterestsmebecauseitishighlyinter disciplinaryandapplied,andifeelthatthis willpreparemewellforfindingajobinthehealthandsocialcaresectorwhenigraduate.althoughi amnotcertainyet,iamattractedtoworkingwithintheareaofhealthpromotion.myfamily,friends andteachersoftentellmethatiamgoodwithchildrensoicanimaginemyselfworkinginschools. Ispentmyworkexperienceworkinginasurgeryandlovedeveryminuteofit.Iacquiredmanynew transferableskills,particularlyintheareaoncommunication,bothwithpatientsandcolleagues.i alsogainedafactualknowledgeabouthowasurgeryoperatesandhowimportantpatient confidentialityis.whenireachuniversityiwouldliketogetinvolvedinthesupportservicesthatare availableforstudents.mysisterisalreadyatuniversityandshevolunteersforthenightlineservice, whichappealstometoo.ithinkitwouldbeanexcellentwaytolearnnewskillswhilstmakingnew friends. Itrytogetinvolvedinasmanyextra curricularactivitiesaspossible.iamastjohnscadetandenjoy thisroleverymuch.iattendvariouspubliceventsprovidingfirstaidtreatmentandmedical assistance.ihavelearntawidevarietyofskillsandtechniques,frompatchingupagrazedkneeto re startingaheartafteramajorheartattack. Ienjoyreading,babysittingandkeepingfit.IamparticularlyfondofbooksbyJodiPicoultandama keenmemberofourvillagereadingclub.igotothegymregularlyandattendpilatesandwater aerobicstwiceaweek,ithinkitisreallyimportanttodophysicalexercise,notonlyforhealth reasonsbutalsoformentalwell being.idefinitelyfeelveryrelaxedafterparticipatingintheclasses. Iamacaring,responsible,dedicatedandhard workingperson.iamagoodlistenerandifeelthat mygoodcommunicationskillswillcertainlypreparemewellforacareerinthehealthsector.iam alsoconfidentthatmystamina,energyandcommitmentwillensurethatisucceedatuniversity.i reallydohopetobecomeavaluablememberofaprofessiontowhichitrulyaspire. Strengths: Akeeninterestinthesubjectcomesacrossveryclearlythroughout Thefinalparagraphshowsrealcommitmentandenthusiasmforthesubject Thestudenthasalsostatedthatherskillsandpersonalqualitieswillbesuitedtoa careerinhealthwhichshowsawarenessofthecareerandwhatitrequires Weaknesses: Eachparagraph(andmostsentences!)beginwith I thisisnotagooduseofstyleor languageandyoumustthinkcarefullyabouthowyourstatementlooksaesthetically Someofthesentencesarequitelong;thepersonalstatementwouldbeeasierto readiftheywerealittleshorter.

17 History: IamapplyingtostudyHistoryatuniversitybecausethisisasubjectwhichhasfascinatedmefroman earlyage.thestudyofhistoryplaysalargepartinunderstandingwhowearetoday,hownations areshaped,howconflictsbeginandhowtheyareresolved,andmostimportantly,howacountry s heritageandvaluesarecreated. MyGCSEandA levelhaveconcentratedheavilyonmodernbritishhistory,anerawhichfascinates me,andwhichiwouldliketocontinuestudyingatuniversity.inmysparetimeihavebeenreading intobritishimmigrationinthe1950 s,atopicifindveryinterestingandasubjectparticularly relevanttopresent daybritain.ihavealsobeeninterestedinmilitaryhistory,inparticulartheuseof animalsinwarfare,especiallyhomingpigeonsandhorses.thisinterestculminatedinmegoingto seetheplay WarHorse bymichaelmorpurgo,whichleftagreatimpressionuponme. Thislinkbetweenpastandpresentisonewhichfascinatesme.Ihavebeentoseveralmuseumsand historicalsites,andamamemberofenglishheritage.ifindthatvisitinghistoricalsitesisagreat complementtomystudies.iampassionateaboutpreservinghistoricalbuildingsastheyserveto remindusofourcountry spast.aswellasstudyingbritishhistoryatuniversity,ialsolookforward tostudyingthehistoryofothercountriesasacomparisontoourown,suchasrussianoramerican history. TorelaxfrommystudiesIplayrugbyinmyschoolteam:wewererecentlyfinalistsinaninter school tournament.ialsoworkweekendsinmylocalasdastore,whereihaverecentlybeenpromotedto greeter.thisisafrontofhousejobwhereihelpcustomerswithqueriesandmakeannouncements overtheloudspeakersystem.ialsowatchoutforsuspiciousactivityandrecentlyhelpedtocatcha notoriousshoplifterwhowaslaterarrestedandcharged.beingagreeterhasimprovedmy confidencegreatlyandtaughtmehowtothinkonmyfeetandhandleresponsibility. Iamlookingforwardtogoingtouniversityasitwillprovidemewithanopportunitytobe independentandtomeetnewpeople.butmostimportantly,iamlookingforwardtofurtheringmy knowledgeofhistoryandcontinuingmyinterestinwhathasalwaysbeenmyfavouritesubject. Strengths: Thisstudent scommentsaboutww1showtheyhaveaninterestinhistoryand currentaffairsandcanformulatetheirownopinionsfromwhattheyhaveread. Thestudentalsoshowstheyhavegivensomethoughttootheraspectsofhistory (RussianandAmerican)thattheymightliketoexploreatuniversity,whichagain suggeststheyareforwardthinkingandenthusiasticaboutstudyinghistoryat university. Weaknesses: Thereisanoveruseofthephrase Iamlookingforwardto Thispersonalstatementisalittleshortandsomepartscouldhavebeenelaborated upon:thestudentcouldhavetalkedaboutthehistoricalbuildingstheyhavevisited forexample.

18 Humanities: IamapplyingtostudyHumanitiesatuniversitybecauseIhavealwaysbeeninterestedinmany differentsubjectsandreluctanttopinpointafavourite.whenifirstheardthattherewasadegree thatcoveredarangeofdifferentdisciplinesirealisedthatthiswouldbetheperfectoptionforme. DuringmysixthformstudiesIwasalwaysawarethatIwantedtoattenduniversitybut,unlikemy friendsifounditdifficulttofindauniversitycoursewhichwasnottotallyspecialisedandwould allowmetocontinuewithmywiderangeofinterests.thehugerangeofdisciplinesavailableinthe Humanitiescoursesisaperfectfitformywideranginginterestsandathirstformanydifferenttypes ofknowledge,andiamconvinceditisthebestcoursechoiceforme. WhilestudyingformyInternationalBaccalaureate,thecoursesIenjoyedthemostwereEnglish, Philosophy,FrenchandHistory.TheseareallsubjectsIaminterestedincontinuingatuniversity particularlyenglishliterature.iwasalsofortunatetotakestandardlevellatinwhichhasprovideda usefulbackgroundformyinterestsinlanguagesandphilosophy. SinceIleftschooltwoyearsago,Ihaveworkedinseveralplaces:intheretailsectorandmore recentlyinanartgalleryownedbyafamilyfriend.workingfulltimehasopenedmyeyestothe worldofworkandtaughtmeskillswhichibelievewillbeinvaluableatuniversity:time management,responsibility,interactingwithallwalksoflifeandtheimportanceofbeingfriendly andcheerfultoothers.whileworkinginthegalleryihavealsobeengivenadditionalrolesand responsibilities:suchasorganisingexhibitions,managingth inglistandpublicisingthegallery.i recentlyhadtoorganiseaprivateviewforalocalartistwhichinvolvedprintinginvitations, organisingtheguestlistandrefreshments,andensuringtheeveningransmoothly.ireallyenjoyed thisexperienceandiamnowconsideringacareeringallerymanagementorpublicrelations. Ialsoenjoyreading(myfavouritegenresarethehistoricalnovelandautobiographies)andtravelling; IamcurrentlysavinginordertospendamonthtravellingaroundEuropethissummer.Iamlooking forwardtomeetinglotsofdifferentpeopleandenjoyingtheculturaldiversitythatauniversitywill havetooffer.butmoreimportantly,iamkeentoreturntoacademiclifeandwillrelishthe challengesthatabroadrangingdegreesuchashumanitieswillhavetoofferme. Strengths: Thisstudentwritesconfidentlyandfluently,anddisplaysclearenthusiasmforthe course. Shehasgivendetailsaboutwhatshehasbeendoingsinceleavingschool,whichis essentialforstudentswhoapplyduringtheirgapyears. Herworkexperienceiswellpresentedandrelevant. Weaknesses: ShecouldhavegivenmoreinformationaboutherIBstudies:whatexactlythe coursesinvolved,forexample. Thisstudentneedtomakesureherstatementisrelevanttoallthecoursessheis applyingfor.

19 LawandHumanRights: Myasprationtostudylawisfirmlyrootedinmyinterestinworldeventsandwithmydesiretohelp others.lawaffectsoureverydaylives,almostwithoutusnoticing.thenewsalwaysfeaturesan aspectoflawupfordebate.ethicalissuesareoftenbroughttotheforefrontontopicssuchas animaltesting,abortionandgayrights.ifindthesedebatesabsolutelyfascinatingandthe complexityoflawcontinuestoastoundme. Ihavealwaysmaintainedanindependent,self motivatedapproachtomyacademicstudies.having studiedabroadrangeofasanda levelsubjects,ifeelihaveacquiredastrongselectionofskills: frommathematicsandphilosophyihavelearnttheartofquestioningtheworldaroundusand developingakeensenseofintellectualcuriosity;fromenglishlanguageandgeneralstudiesihave understoodtheimportanceofexpressingmyselfclearlyandconciselythroughwords;whilstfrom ICTIhavedevelopedasolidunderstandingofanareawhichisplayinganincreasinglyimportantrole intoday ssociety. IhavespenttimeinthepublicgalleriesofboththelocalCountyCourtandHighCourse.Iam fascinatedbytheprocessesthattakeplaceandmylongtermambitionistoplayanintegralrolein thecourtroom.innovemberiamduetoshadowadistrictjudgeforaweek,givingvaluableinsight intothedaytodayworkingsofthejob.ibuiltuponmyinitialinterestbykeenlyreadingthelaw MachinebyMarcelBerlinsandClareDyer;itprovidedmewithafirmgroundingintheessential principlesofthebritishlegalsystemandhighlighteditsapparentweaknesses. TogainadifferentperspectiveofthelawIhadthechancetotakeaworkexperienceplacementwith alocalsolicitor sfirm.myworkevolvedfrombasicadministrativeduties,suchasfiling,faxingand answeringtelephonecalls,intoaccompanyingsolicitorstocourtandliaisingwithbarristerson behalfofthefirm.theopportunitytoworkalongsidepeoplewhohavededicatedtheirlivedtothe lawhasstrengthenedmydecisiontostudythischallengingdiscipline. AkeenpassionofmineisdebatingandIhaverepresentedmyschoolinvariouscompetitions.Inyear eleveniwasamemberofthewinningteamintherotaryyouthspeaksfinalforeastanglia.our presentation isiteverjustifiabletoexecutecriminals? wasgivenaspecialawardofdistinction.i wasappointedseniorprefectatmyschoolthisyearanditisapositionwhichitakegreatpridein.it involveshelpingtomaintaindisciplineamongsttheyoungerpupilsduringlunchbreaksand representingtheschoolatvariousevents. InmysparetimeIliketoswimandplaynetball.AlthoughIdonotplayatarecognisedlevel,Iwould beverykeentocontinuethemashobbieswhenireachuniversity.iunderstandtheimportanceof havingagoodbalancebetweenworkandplayandimaconfidentthatiwouldmakethemostofmy timeasastudent.ibelievethatmyabilitytomotivatemyselfisakeyfactorinmyoverallsuccess.i amanextremelyhardworkingpersonandiamcommittedtoreachingmygoals.ibelieveican contributeagenuinepassionandenthusiasmforreadinglawandithankyoufortakingthetimeto considermyapplication.

20 Strengths: Workexperienceissomethingwhichadmissionstutorsnotice,especiallyfor competitivedegreesubjects. Debatingexperienceisalsoveryrelevantforthissubjectarea Weaknesses: Aspellingmistakeinthefirstlinewillnotimpress.Youmustproofreadcarefully Youdonotneedtothankadmissionstutorsattheendofyourpersonalstatement. Thislookslikeyouarebeingcreepy!

21 Literature: Everysecretofawriter ssoul,everyexperienceofhislife,everyqualityofhismindiswrittenlarge inhisworks. ThisquotebyVirginaWoolfsummariseswhyIbelieveliteraturetobesofascinatingandwhyIhave chosenenglishliteratureasthesubjectiwishtostudyatuniversitylevel.throughmystudiesofalevelenglishlanguageandliterature,andmyowndiscoveriesofauthorssuchasvirginawoolf, GeorgeElliotandCharlesDickens,Ihavefoundthatauthorsdomorethanjusttellastory;theyalso conveytheirownpersonalthoughtsandopinions,andoftenprovideafascinatingsocial commentary.forexample,middlemarchgivesasnapshotofnineteenthcenturyprovinciallife,while JaneAuten snovelsoftenrevealherown sometimessarcastic viewsonsocialsituationsinthe earlynineteenthcentury.thesearethereasonswhyibelieveliteraturetobesucharichsourceof informationandwhyiwouldreallyliketostudyenglishliteratureinmoredepthatundergraduate level. Ispentmyschoolsworkexperienceweekasanassistantinmylocal Borders bookshop.ienjoyed workingwiththestaffonbookpromotionsandhelpingtoorganiseabooksigningwhichwastaking placethefollowingweek.iwasalsoaskedtowritereviewsonbooksihadreadwhichwerethen displayedontheshelves.sihaveapassionforbooksandreading,ireallyenjoyedencouraging others particularlychildren whovisitedtheshoptoreadmore,ortodiscoverauthorstheyhad perhapsnotpreviouslyheardof.althoughiamnolongerconvincedthatworkinginretailisrightfor me,afteruniversityiwouldliketopursueacareerinvolvingbooksandliterature,suchasperhaps publishingorteachingenglish. Aswellasreading,Ialsoenjoygettinginvolvedinmylocalcommunityinmysparetime.Aspartof myschool svolunteringscheme,iworkonwednesdayafternoonsinalocalcharityshop.through thisworkihavebecomefriendlywithsomeoftheolderladieswhoworkintheshopandnowhelp themtowriteourvillagenewsletter,whichisdistributedmonthly.thisisaninterestingand satisfyingtask. AsIenjoyreadinganddiscoveringnewwritersandwhattheyhavetosayabouttheworld,Ifeelthat EnglishLiteratureistherightdegreechoiceforme.IamlookingforwardtotheopportunitiesIwill havetodiscussandwriteabouttexts,andtheincreasedcareerprospectsiamsurebeingagraduate willofferme. Strengths: Beingabletocompareandcontrasttestsinaconcisewaydemonstratespassionand ability. Itcanbegoodtodiscussbooksdiscoveredoutsidetheclassroombecausethisshows realmotivationtoread. Weaknesses: Thereareseveralspellingandgrammarmistakes.Admissionstutorswillnotethese. Trytoavoidcommentsthatcouldbeperceivedasnegative.Forexample,this studentdidnotneedtosaythatworkinginretailwasnotrightforher.

22 Nursing: FromanearlyageItookaninterestinthehealthservicehavingvisiteddoctorsandhospitalson manyoccasions.iadmiredthedevotionandaltruismofnurseswhowentfurtherthanjusttreating thepatient,bygenuinelywantingtomakethepatientashappyaspossibleinadifficulttime.this reallyinspiredmetowanttodothesameandhelppeople,andthenaturalprogressionwastostudy Nursingatuniversity. IhaverecentlyenjoyedstudyingBiologyandSportsScienceatA level,learningmoreaboutthe fascinatinghumanbody.biologyhasespeciallyprovidedmewithagoodgroundingonwhichto developmyknowledgeandskillswhenstudyingnursingatdegreelevel.ihaveenjoyedallofmy modulestakensofar,inparticularmentalhealthwhichicanfocusoninmychosendegree. AsmuchasIappreciatethetheoreticalworkwhichisessentialtogatheragoodgroundingofthe course,iamreallylookingforwardtotheclinicalworkinplacement.irelishtheopportunitytowork inanaturalenvironmentwhereicandevelopbothmynestingandcaringskillsandworkwitha rangeofpeople.frompreviousvoluntaryworkundertaken,ihaveexperienceworkingwithpeople indistressingtimes.throughmillenniumvolunteersiusedtovisitcarehomesandspendtimewith elderlypeoplewhooftendidn thaveanybodyelse.itwasveryrewardingasirealisedafewhoursof mytimemeantsomuchtothesepeople.thedukeofedinburghawardschemewhichihave completedbronze,silverandgoldawardsin,hasbeenagreatexperience meetingnewpeople, learningnewskillsanddevelopingmyabilities.hereihaveundertakenotherawardssuchasfirstaid trainingwhichagainihopeprovidesmewithsomeunderstandingwhichmayhelpmystudies.part fromvoluntaryworkihavemanyinterests Iamakeensportsfanandplaynetballregularlyand swim.ialsohaveviolinlessonsandhaveplayedintheschoolorchestraformanyyears,participating inmanyconcertsinandoutofschool. IfeelthatwithabasicunderstandingandbeingacommittedanddeterminedindividualIcan successfullyprogressthischallengingdisciplineandbringalottothecourseandtheuniversity. Strengths: Agoodbackgroundofinterestsandactivitieshasbeenprovided. Thestudenthasshownknowledgeofandenthusiasmforthepracticalelementofa Nursingdegree Thestudenthaswrittenanenthusiasticfinalsentencethatwillappealtoadmissions tutors Weaknesses: AlthoughthestudenttalksaboutA levels,voluntaryworkandotheractivities,she hasn tdiscussedtheskillsgainedfromthem. Thestudenthasmentionedaparticularinterestinmentalhealthnursingbutmore informationcouldhavebeengivenaboutthis.

23 Psychology: FromanearlyageIhavebeeninterestedinpeopleandthewaythattheybelieve.Thiskeeninterest hasbeenenhancedthoughmystudyofpsychologyata level.ienjoythevarietyofpsychologyand ameagertogainadeeperknowledgeandacquirepracticalskillsinnewareasofthediscipline.my favouritemodulesofarhasbeensocialpsychology,withparticularemphasisonphysical attractivenessandtheformationofrelationships.myfinal yearproject, Dobirdsofafeatherflock together? teststhehypothesisthatpeopleselectpartnerswhoareofasimilarlevelof attractiveness.ireallylikethewaythatyoucanapplydifferentpsychologicaltheoriestoreal life situations. AlthoughPsychologyismystrongestsubject,Ihavethoroughlyenjoyedmyotheracademicstudies whilstatcollegeandcanappreciatehowtheywillhelpmewithmyfuturestudies.ihave strengthenedmyassessmentandevaluationskillsthrougha levelreligiousstudies,particularlythe modulesonphilosophyandethics.ibelievethatmystudyofethicswillbeveryadvantageouswhen appliedtotheoftenproblematicfieldofpsychologicalresearchatuniversitylevel. IhaveachievedmyBronzeDukeofEdinburghAward,amcurrentlyworkingtowardsmySilverand amhopingtoachievemygoldlevelatuniversity.iloveplanningandundertakingexpeditionsas theyarephysicallydemandingandrequiretotalteamworkfromstarttofinish.ialsoenjoyworking forthe service elementoftheaward.atthemomentiwisittheelderlyresidentsatthelocal shelteredhousingassociationonceaweek.thisworkcanbequitedrainingattimesbutincredibly rewarding. AtweekendsIworkinarestaurantandhaverecentlybeenpromotedtoheadwaitress.Thisposition meansthatiaminchargeoffourotherwaitingstaffduringserviceandamresponsibleforcoordinatingtheweeklyrota.peopleoftencommentthatipossessgoodcommunicationskillsandthat Iamarealteamplayer.Iknowthatthesequalitieswillpreparemewellforlifeatuniversity. Iamverydeterminedtomakethemostofmytimeatuniversity.Iamlookingforwardtomakinglots ofnewfriendsandbeingabletogetinvolvedindifferentsportingandsocialactivities.althoughi don thaveanyclearcareerplans,iknowthatadegreeinpsychologywillprovidemewithan excellentsetoftransferableskillsforthefuture. Strengths: DiscussinginvolvementinyouthawardssuchastheDofEisanexcellentwayof illustratingteamworkskills. Itcanbeeffectivettalkaboutaprojectyouhaveundertakenaspartofyourstudies, especiallyifitisworkyouareparticularlyinterestedinorproudof. Weaknesses: Thisstudentdoesn tactuallywritethattheywouldliketostudypsychologyat universityuntiltheveryend.itisimportanttostateinyouropeningparagraphwhat subjectsyouareapplyingforandwhy. Manystudentsdon thave clearcareerpaths butitlooksbetterifyoudon tdeclare thisinyourpersonalstatement.

24 Whatnottowrite: ForanumberofyearsIhavebeenkeentoapplytouniversityasIbelievehavingadegree willhelpmefindbetteremploymentinalterlife.aftermuchconsideration,ihavedecided thatbusinessmanagementistherightdegreeformeasiwouldliketolearntheskillsto helpmebecomesuccessfulinbusiness,andiaminterestedinfindingouthowbusinesses work.myfatherrunshisownbusinessandihavelearnedalotfromwatchinghimworkand hearingabouttheupsanddownsofbeingasmallbusinessman.iwouldnowliketolearn moreaboutthetheoreticalsideofbusinessmanagement. IdonotcurrentlytakeASbusinessstudies.Thisisnotbecauseofanylackofinterestor motivationonmypart,butbecauseisufferedamajorpersonalityclashwiththebusiness studiesteacheratmyschool.iamcurrentlystudyingmaths,itandhistory,ialsotookas levelfurthermathsbutdecidednottocontinuethistoa level,whenidecidedthatalthough Ienjoymaths,Ididnotwanttodoamathsdegreeatuniversity.IreallyenjoyallmyA2 subjectsiamtakingasibelievetheycomplementeachotherwell,buttheyalsodiffer.i reallyenjoytheclassdiscussions,especiallyinhistory.iamquiteaconfidentpersonsoilike debatingpointsandchallengingtheopinionsofothersintheclass.itisashamethatthere isnotadebatingclubatmyschoolasiwoulddefinitelyhavebeenanactivemember,buti lookforwardtoperhapsgettinginvolvedwithonatuni Yougettheideawiththis!Trynottobenegative,ortalkaboutbarriersmostimportantly youmustbepositiveandtalkaboutwhyyouwanttostudythecourse. Thankyou WewouldliketothanktheadmissionstutorsatEssexUniversityforprovidinguswith examplesandcommentaryonpersonalstatementstheyhavereadinthepast. AtRACCyourtutorswillhelpyouwithyourpersonalstatementsandPaulaSummerhayes willproofreadyourfinalversion.however,itisveryimportantthatyoufollowtheadvice youaregivenasthestatementisyourwayofshowingtheuniversitywhyandwhatyou wanttostudy. ProducedbytheInformation,AdviceandGuidanceTeam(2010)