Help with personal statement for uni?

Question

Hi everyone, I need to write my personal statement for university but I just don't know where to start, can you help me please? Can you let me know what I should talk about and any addition information that you think might be useful please. I want to study BSc Psychology and then go on to teaching it in colleges. Your help is greatly appriciated.

Answer 1

http://www.tutor2u.net/highered/personal...

7 to 11 on the left

Answer 2

Your personal statement should be around 2/3 of a side of A4, around 4-6 paragraphs, approx. 500 words as anything after that becomes tiring to read and a bit boring!

You need to sell yourself as a prospective student for the course, so say why you would be suitable and make a realistic judgement as to why you want to be on that course and at university (this is mainly to prove your dedication as university is a new, less supportive social environment where you are expected to be independent!). So show your enthusiasm for the subject and motivationf or studying at university.

Personal statements hold key information about you that can't be found in your Grades and subjects you've taken, and this can be used to compare you against similarly qualified entrants and help make decisions when there is limited offers. Departments need to see your motivation for their subject to choose you over others.

It should be well laid out with decent margins, 12 font type, and clearly separated margins. It's especially important that its well-organised and well-written, with the correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and an appropriate tone. For this reason, it is better to have a draft done as early as possible so it can be competently proof-read )by your parents, teachers etc.) and so changes can also be made as you go through drafts until your final finished statement.

In any case, do not copy! Not that you would, just there are plagerism detectors at UCAS where colours are used to show something that look similiar and something that looks very much the same, and if you copy, you will be caught and it renders you personal statement invalid!

In showing your committment to the course, you must answer why you want to do that course, being specific on what you enjoy about it; how you have explored that certain course to develop your knowledge further, either by reading, talking to certain individuals etc; showing evidence of reflective or analytical abilities may be helpful; and finally, showing that you have an interest in more than one aspect of your chosen area is usually advantageous.

You also need to express evidence of realism about the vocation and a description of relevant work experience (whether that be through care, social aspects of talking to people etc.). Include details of any hobbies, activities or cultural interests that relate to your course and give a mention of your career plans so the univerisities can see a benefit out of taking you on and teaching you.

Course-Related content should usually take up half of the personal statement.

Then add a bit more personal content such as your personal interests and activities, may it be organised sport, drama, music... or any other personal enthusiasms that show that you can balance between work and play, and know how to plan out your time and how you need to spend it. Only use current and recent activities, be reflective about what you've learned and portray it always in a positive light. Don't over-interpret anything you write down.

Make sure you write down anything that is relevant in personal content as it can differentiate you from other candidates, it demonstrates your ability to be able to write prose and about yourself appropriately, it captures your capacity of enthusiasm for all that you take part in, and finally it shows your time-management and prioritising skills.

Hope this has been helpful. Sorry if its not perfectly clear, tried to type it up from some notes I took at an Open Day! Good luck with your Personal Statement!

Answer 3

Wow how much do you have to pay on top? We don't have to write statements in Australia. I think the only people who might have to do that is people who are studying abroad, for obvious reasons.

Write down what you have just written to us, add a little bit more about yourself and why you chose that particular university. How long does it have to be? You don't want to overdo it. And keep the language simple, but formal.