Why have a personal statement?
Do's and donts when writing psersonal statements
International Students
Introductory sentences to get you started
Mention the subject
Plan carefully
Points to remember
Sub-sections
What Admissions Tutors look for
What to inlcude
Introductory sentences to get you started
It can sometimes be difficult to get started with a piece of written work because we all get "writer's block" from time to time! So, to help you on your way here are some introductory sentences.
To use them just replace information in the brackets (these are brackets) with your own personal information. They are grouped together in the following themes: choice of course, work experience and skills, school and college experiences, personal interests, sporting interests, and finally, because it can be just as difficult to reach good, clear conclusions when you have finished your personal statement, there are some Conclusions.
Choice of course
For a vocational course try adapting the following:
"Having enjoyed the academic study of...(state subjects) I have chosen a degree that will help me to combine theory with a practical application."
For a teaching course try:
"My subject-based studies along with work experience in...(state any related experience with children) have made me suited to a degree in teaching."
For more general courses try altering any of the following:
"I have chosen a...(give degree title) because it will enable me to study...(state any areas that you know for certain will be covered on the degree course) in more depth."
"In addition to my lessons, extra reading including...(state title or author of a key book that you have read) has confirmed my interest in studying...(give degree title)."
"I am interested in studying...(give degree title) because it has a practical application as well as a theoretical basis."
"With my practical experience in...(state experience) and my academic achievements in...(state your achievements) I believe that I am well suited to studying a degree in...(state title)."
"Success in my studies and extra work in...(state details of relevant experience) has given me a sound academic foundation from which to approach a degree course in...(state degree) with confidence and enthusiasm."
Work experience and skills
Work experience should be mentioned in your personal statement; try adapting one of these sample openings:
"Being involved in a busy/ professional/ successful...(state the type of company) allowed me the opportunity to...(describe the tasks that relate to the skills you gained). These duties developed skills in...(discuss the skills)."
"Working part-time in a ...(state the type of business) has enabled me to... (describe the main tasks that relate to the skills you gained) which developed my...(discuss skills)."
"My work experience was challenging and enjoyable. Being a...(give job title) enabled me to be involved in a range of activities such as...(state tasks) which developed...(state skills). In addition, I was able to...(state task) which was essential in developing...(describe skill)."
"I gained valuable knowledge of...(state an area or subject) and experience in...(state an area of work) whilst working as...(state job) during...(state period of time e.g. holidays, weekends etc.)."
"Working voluntarily as a...(state job) provided a rewarding and valuable experience in...(state experience and skills)."
School and college experiences
Apart from your academic subjects what else did you learn at school? Were you involved in amateur dramatics, were to in the orchestra or choir, were you a prefect did you help in the library? See if any of these opening sentences can help you to get started:
"Being a member of the cast for...(state the nature of the production) was extremely rewarding and helped me to improve both my self-confidence and my public speaking skills."
"Playing...(state musical instrument) at grade...(state grade if applicable) has been very rewarding. I hope to continue my interest in music at university and look forward to the opportunity to join the university orchestra."
"As a...(state title e.g. prefect) my duties included...(state duties). This experience has shown that I am responsible and capable of dealing with a range of people."
"I found raising money for...(state the charity e.g. Oxfam or give details of the event) was a rewarding opportunity to help others. The event...(write a few words about what took place) meant that I needed to...(state your qualities e.g. be independent, self-motivated, work in a team)."
"My experience with...(state experience) provided me with an excellent opportunity to...(state skills or experience)."
"Taking responsibility for...(state responsibility) has developed my skills in...(state skills)."
"One opportunity I value a great deal is...(state nature of the experience) because it allowed me to...(state what it allowed you to do.)"
Personal interests
Telling the admissions tutor about your personal interests is a means of making yourself stand out from the crowd and getting a bit of personal attention. Try these opening lines:
"Watching foreign films such as...(state film titles) is a passion of mine and has led to a broader interest in world literature."
"Listening to...(state type e.g. jazz, classical) music particularly...(state performers) is a highly enjoyable pastime and one which I hope to continue during my studies."
"My interest in...(state interest e.g. model making, mountain climbing) has given me the opportunity to...(state the nature of the interest or what you have learned)."
"I particularly enjoy...(state what you enjoy that is relevant to your application) and it has provided an opportunity to...(state what skills you have developed or what you have learned e.g. become more independent)."
"I hope to continue to...(state hobby or interest e.g. snowboard, paint, play guitar) at university because it provides me with an opportunity to...(state the opportunity e.g. travel, meet people)."
"I have endeavoured to learn more about...(state what you have learned e.g. astronomy, history of art) despite there being little information at school and I hope to pursue these studies in the future."
Sporting interests
Talking about your sporting interests and achievements is another excellent way of making sure that you stand out from the crowd. Here are some useful opening lines:
"As...(state responsibility e.g. captain of the hockey team) I have gained the opportunity to motivate others to succeed. Winning...(state your success such as the 2003 County trophy) was a major achievement for the ...(state the team)."
"Being a keen...(state your main individual sport) has helped me to maintain my physical fitness as well as aiding my studies. I find that my mental concentration improves with being physically fit and I hope to maintain this balance by making good use of the sporting facilities at university."
"Team sports such as..(state your team sports) have enabled me to work in a group and have taught me the value of listening as well as giving instructions and advice."
"Sport has been especially important as it has provided me with an opportunity to..(state the opportunity e.g. work in a team, work with a range of people, be more self-disciplined)."
"I intend to take full advantage of the university facilities to continue my sporting interests particularly...(state your sporting interests)."
"I am an enthusiastic member of the...(state the school or college team or sport) even gaining an award for my achievement in...(state the awards that you or your team have won)."
Concluding statements
Finishing off your personal statement can sometimes be just as difficult as getting it started. If this is the case for you try one of these conclusions:
"I am sure that my work experience at...(state the details) and my school/ college academic studies make me a suitable candidate to study a degree in...(state the degree title)."
"It is because of my experience with...(state the experience) that I believe I will make a successful student on my...(state the degree title)."
"Having as my long term goal a career in...(state job title or profession) I believe that I am particularly suited to a...(state degree title)."
"My choice of degree has been carefully selected as a result of my preferred school/ college subjects and work experience."