Any help with writing a personal statement for uni?

Question

Totally stuck on where to start. Ive read some example personal statements and they seem so good! Makes me think that i don't really stand a chance. :(

Answer 1

Just don't copy anything off the internet. They WILL find out.

UCAS has quite a handy section on this which you might find to be of use http://www.ucas.com/students/startapplic...

Answer 2

You have to try and put across where you want to be, how you want to use your skills, what you believe in.

I would go with:

I am a driven, passionate learner who thirsts knowledge and craves the opportunity to use it. At some point in the next few years i would like to become your boss and make you redundant (i am sorry, but budgetry cutbacks dont allow me a choice. I will provide any necessary reference).

Whaddya think?

Answer 3

http://www.studential.com/guide/write_pe...

Answer 4

Here is the format that I used (I got accepted by every uni I applied to):

1) Say what course you want to do. I know it's on the application form but it's best to be clear, so you don't seem generic. Tell them why you want to do that course - talk about previous experience with that subject (in and/or out of school, depending on the course), and tell them what you eventually want to do. Even if you don't know what you want your career to be, say that you are considering *career* - something that your course will really help you get in to. It's not a long-term commitment to say that, and you can change your mind at any time, they're not going to chase you up in 5 years' time and ask why you're not doing what you said you'd do on your personal statement. They want to know that you have plans (even if you don't) - they want to know that you're not just drifting and going to uni to take up a few years. Be pasionate about your subject. You shouldn't have to fake that - if you're not passionate about it, maybe you're applying for the wrong thing.

2) Talk about any experience you have - it can be work experience, or, if you've never worked, experience that you've had at school or college - were you a prefect? Did you do mentoring, or help on open evenings, or tutor younger students? If you've done nothing like this, do some this year! If you can get some voluntary work, then that's brilliant. Then the unis you apply to will see that you are helpful and responsible.

3) Talk about your hobbies. Do you play a sport? Are you musical? Artistic? Again, if you don't do any of these things, start doing them now. They want to know that you can apply yourself to something out of school. Team sports/orchestras/bands/etc show that you can work with people, too, which they will appreciate. Always include a sentence about socialising - don't go on about it, but people who can make friends are more likely to do well.

Your application form tells them all they need to know about your academic achievements. Your personal statement is for them to get to know about you as a person. DO NOT say "I am helpful, kind, etc". They don't want you to tell them your good points like that. They want to deduce for themselves what kind of person you are by your aspirations, your experiences and how you spend your free time.

The links in my sources will help you further.