Personal Statement Writing Tips From University Officials and School Heads

In writing their personal statement, everyone points out to their favourite A-level modules. But the formula for a successful writing consists of at least 50% to at most 75% explaining why you want to do the course you have chosen, according to Brunel University marketing manager for schools and colleges Amanda Hall. Demonstrating your motivation and enthusiasm for the subject is what the university looks for in applicants’ statements. They also want to see evidence of maturity and responsibility.

Do Some Extra Reading

A university applicant needs to stand out and one can do so by raising alternative viewpoints. Chestnut Grove School head of sixth form Deborah Gostling suggests doing some extra reading. Aspiring university students can look for challenging articles. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) shared with The Telegraph its top 10 questions about university application from the millions it answered in its interactive query search box over the past year. Another way to do so is by following on Twitter people who are relevant to the subject they have chosen.

Select the Experiences to Include

Citing an event which have inspired you is another best way of making your statement unique. An experience in public lectures of this kind and proportion will be great. Examples of these events are those run by universities, local history societies and institutions like the Royal Geographical Society in London. There are also subjects which call for relevant experience. Support your statement of the passion you have for the subject by mentioning your experiences which are significant.

Identify Skills

Showing that you have the enthusiasm to study the subject and work in a career in the discipline is not enough. Adding the mention of work experience which have enabled you to acquire skills which are helpful in studying in the discipline and developing a career in it will make a big difference. Birmingham City University course inquiry manager Shona McQuillan advices that university applicants examine their experiences and identify the different skills which they have developed through them. They may include communication, teamwork, organisation and working with people from different walks of life.

Show Well Roundedness

University applicants who lack sufficient or do not have any voluntary work can use school experiences which have developed the same kind of skills. They are excellent proofs that the applicant is well rounded. Supplementing your statement with their mention is great. They can be as diverse and unique as, for example, running drama group, mentoring a student in Year 7, showing prospective parents around, managing, designing or selling advertising in the school magazine or being the captain in the football them.

Examples of Activities

Supporting your statement with a short mention of your school experiences demonstrates that you are a well-rounded person and that you have the ability to do well in your academics even as you engage in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The challenge and the deal maker is selecting the activities to include. Head of upper school at an independent all-boy school in Surrey, Whitgift, Mark Brown shares that a Harvard admissions tutor summed up what they are looking for from applicants are “non-teenage” activities. He cites as an example one of their students editing a youth magazine. Other examples are making and selling meat pies, voluntary work as temporary museum curators and registered bee-keeping.

For students who are in the lower year levels and are yet to write theirs in a couple of years, are you gathering enough experiences and acquire the skills or have a plan on how to do so?