Tips Personal_statement

HOW TO NAIL
APERFECT
PERSONAL
STATEMENT.
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PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHEET
Writing a Personal Statement sometimes appears “Mission
Impossible” for many of our students. However, if you give it a second
thought, personal statement is merely an essay about your current
personality, past achievements and future aspirations. How hard
can it be to talk about yourself, right? – Topic that will never go out of
fashion for YOU and subject that you are most knowledgeable about.
So, basically this is your chance to brag about yourself without
appearing cocky and arrogant.
To hit the ground running and put you in a right mind-set, we have
created this worksheet to help you think about the information you
could include in your personal statement.
So, let’s get started!

About your chosen course
Why did you decide to apply for this course?
Why does this course interest you? Tip: Try giving some evidence that you understand the
content of this course and what’s required to study this course.
How is this academic area related to your life? Do you have any particular past experience that
will help you succeed on this course?
What part of this course excites you the most? Do you feel passionate about the course?

Abilities & Accomplishments
What abilities and skills do you already possess that you could use in this course? Tip:
Universities and colleges like to see what skills do you already have which will be an asset for
this course. For instance, if you are applying for Arts courses, University would be looking for
demonstration of your drawing skills. Or if you are applying for Science courses, then Math skills
would be vital.
What do you think are your best traits and characteristics? Any traits or achievements that you
feel proud of and any other attributes that make you interesting, special and unique or
candidate.
Interests & Extracurricular Activities
Do you have any hobbies that you consider important for your life? Tip: Try thinking of your
interests and activities that you perform outside of your school and try to describe how they
demonstrate your qualities and personal traits. Establish links to the course that you are applying
for, and explain how these activities and qualities involved would be of benefit for your course.

Work, Volunteer or Internship Experience
Think of a professional experience that you have conducted in a past, especially those related to
the course you are applying and which of your own skills did you use that could be important for
your future course and job. Tip: Universities in the UK are looking for candidates that are
genuinely interested in the course and best demonstration of this interest naturally is any related
professional experience. Remember, work does not have to be paid to be considered as a
professional experience.
Mature Students (Only for students aged 21 and over)
Explain and justify what you have been doing after leaving the secondary school education.
Describe all relevant work experience. In case you have no relevant experience, justify why you
decided to pursue different career.
Studying in the UK
What made you decide to study outside of your country? Explain why you think you will be able
to successfully complete the course that is taught in English. You can give examples of subjects
that were taught in

Future Plans
What are your plans and goals after you graduate from the University? What do you want to
achieve after the University? Explain how would you apply experience and skills gained on the
course towards your career?
Wait, we are not done yet. Continue to the next page…

SEVEN DOS & DON’TS OF PERSONAL STATEMENT
Based on past experience and other resources like The Guardian magazine, we
have collected seven errors that many applicants make and seven advices that
successful applicants give.
Here are seven DON’Ts:
1. Don't spend ages trying to come up with a perfect, snappy first line – write
anything and return to it later.
2. Don't use cliches. According to the University applications statistics, the most
overused opening sentences this year were variations of “from a young age I
have always been interested in…” This looks formulaic and is a waste of
characters.
3. Famous quotes should be avoided, as these will be found in countless other
applications. For instance, this line by Coco Chanel was found in 189
applications for fashion courses this year: “Fashion is not something that
exists in dresses only.”
4. Don't list your interests, demonstrate them. Professor Alan Gange, head of
the department of biological sciences at Royal Holloway, University of
London, says: “Actually doing something, for example joining a national
society or volunteering for a conservation organisation, tells me
that students have a passion.”
5. Style matters. Don't be chatty and use slang, but on the other hand, don't be
pretentious. If you try too hard to impress with long words that you are not
confident using, the focus of your writing may be lost.
6. Don’t be dull. Be enthusiastic and show a genuine interest in your course, it
may help you get a place.
7. Don't leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and
important information could be left out.
Continue to the next page…

Here are seven DOs:
1. Organisation is the key. Caroline Apsey, 19, who started a medical degree at
the University of Leeds this term, says: “Before I started writing, I made bullet
points of everything I wanted to include, and ordered them from most
important to least.”
2. Leave yourself plenty of time for editing. “Start writing early, so that you have
lots of time to re-read it with fresh eyes,” Caroline says. Then edit and edit
and edit again.
3. Be specific. Lee Hennessy, deputy head of admissions and recruitment at the
University of Bath, says: “Don't just say, you're interested in a subject
because it's interesting. Ask yourself, what it is, specifically, about the subject
that interests you? ”
Lee Marsden, associate dean of admissions for the faculty of arts and
humanities at the University of East Anglia, agrees: “We want to know what
excites the student: perhaps a book they have read or a play they have seen.
There needs to be a hook.”
4. Show you are up to date with developments in your subject: perhaps you
could analyse a recent journal article or news event.
“You need to tune in to what's current in your subject,” says Louise Booth,
assistant director of sixth form at Fulford school in York.
5. Around 80% of your statement should be dedicated to your studies and work
experience, and 20% to extra-curricular activities. Hobbies are valuable, but
must be used to reveal something relevant about the applicant.
6. “A simple 'I have done' list is not useful,” says Helen Diffenthal, assistant
principal for advice and guidance at the Sixth Form College, Farnborough.
“Saying that you were captain of the cricket team doesn't make any
difference unless you use it to show that you can manage your time
effectively.”
7. In the end, honesty is the best policy. Tell the University, in your own words,
why you deserve a place. “Just be yourself,” says Nicole. “That worked for
me.”
HOW TO NAIL A PERFECT
PERSONAL STATEMENT
by Vako Imnaishvili
Sources: The Guardian News & Media; University and College Admissions Service