THE PERSONAL STATEMENT This section is crucial because it is the only part of the application where you have a chance to select and emphasise specific points about yourself; it is your opportunity to sell yourself. Clearly your academic potential and grades are crucial, and an academic focus should typically constitute the vast majority of the statement, but your wider experiences are also important. You will spend time in May and June attending lectures and workshops that should help you to write your personal statement. In the meantime, however, here is some general information and advice: How do Admissions Tutors use the Personal Statement? • To help them select candidates. • To assess whether the candidate understands the nature of the course. • To ascertain the level of interest that the candidate has in the course. • To help decide between borderline candidates. • To help them decide which candidates to interview • To give interviewers options for questions. What information should be included in the Personal Statement? • Reasons you wish to undertake the course, especially for ‘new’ subjects. The course may also link to your chosen career. • How your interest in the subject has developed (but not using an exaggerated and clichéd phrase such as, “I have been pass ionate about studying …... since the age of 5 when…”). • Your academic suitability for the course and reference to relevant academic assignments undertaken. • The reasons for your chosen A Levels and how they may contribute towards preparing you for university study in general, and this course in particular. • The level of interest you have in the course & the wider reading which you have undertaken. • Your wider interests and extra-curricular activities including: sports, drama, music, Duke of Edinburgh Award, debating etc. and how these are relevant to your chosen course/university study. • Details of relevant work experience; particularly when the course is vocational. • Evidence of your personal qualities and skills (e.g. teamwork, leadership, IT, communication). • Your positions of responsibility (e.g. team captain, prefect). • Examples demonstrating your willingness to work hard and persevere with tasks. Universities are also very keen to see accurate, well-structured, well-planned statements, displaying good use of English. Page | 16
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.