Personal Statement

The StudyLink guide to writing your

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2 Contents

Contents
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Writing your personal statement Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Hints and tricks Top ten dos and donts Legal Statement

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Writing your personal statement 3

Writing your personal statement

A personal statement is often the only opportunity you have to set yourself apart from all the other applicants who also want to study your course. Many admissions officers use it to make their final decision. It is a way for them to find out the reasons behind your application answers. They also want to know what makes you unique. What will you bring to your class that is different? Your personal statement is even more important if your grades are borderline. If you know your marks are basically average, this is your chance to give that school some justification for admitting you. Give an honest explanation, or some proof of your passion for the subject. You may also need to write a personal statement for a scholarship application, or for financial aid. It could all make the difference between studying or not studying. But, dont panic! Writing a personal statement is not as hard or scary as it sounds. Just follow our guide and youll have a compelling story in no time.

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4 Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 1

Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement

Step 1: Find your theme
Most personal statements are short documents just one or two pages. They are not autobiographies, or a complete list of every achievement since you learned to walk. So, the best statements focus on just one or two clear themes, and give an in depth explanation of your abilities or interests in that area. Finding your unique theme A good personal statement is honest, so there is no point just reading one of the above examples and saying, OK, that will do. You need to find your own unique story, the thing that sets you apart. This is sometimes hard to do. So start by asking yourself the following questions: What is special or unusual about my life story? Dont worry if there isnt anything most people have fairly normal lives! What events or people have shaped my life or influenced my goals? Who has inspired me to study this subject or work in this field? When did I first become interested in this subject? Why do I think I am well-suited to it? How have I learned about this subject? What are my career goals? Why? Are there any problems with my academic record that I should explain? Have I had to overcome any hardships in my life? (For example, family, physical or economic) What personal characteristics do I have that make me suitable for this subject? If you find it hard to be objective here, ask some friends for their point of view.

Examples of personal statement themes include: Overcoming obstacles how you overcame problems or adversity in your life, and what you learned from that experience Who has inspired you in life is there one person who has encouraged you to pursue this dream? Lifelong interest or passion is this subject something youve had interest in all your life? Show what and how youve learned about it. Motivation to succeed what are your goals and what motivates you to reach them?

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Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 2 / Step 3 / Step 4 5

Step 2. Plan your structure

A good personal statement has a clear structure a compelling introduction, between two and six body paragraphs that give concrete reasons or explanations, and a strong conclusion. Your notes on the questions above will give you a framework for your statement. Now, before you do anything else, read the instructions. Not all personal statements are the same. Check what your admissions office requires. And keep to that format if they want two A4 pages double-spaced, then dont send in four pages. If they ask you to answer three specific questions, make sure you do so clearly. Otherwise your statement could be rejected before it has even been read.

Step 4. Dont tell, show

In your body copy, you need to demonstrate some reasons behind your theme. Think of this as an argument, just as any essay is. You are trying to persuade them that you are the best possible student for this class or scholarship. So dont just state your achievements, explain what is behind them. This is also a good place to mention achievements that you were unable to include in your main application if they are relevant.

Consider: What did you learn from that experience? How has it shaped or changed your attitude or goals? How will that help you perform well in the course?

Step 3. Start at the beginning

Your introduction needs to grab the readers attention. It sets the tone for the rest of the statement. So avoid clichs or long-winded explanations. Spark their interest and get to the point in just one paragraph. Because the introduction is so important, you may want to write it last. Thats OK!

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6 Step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement - Step 5 / Step 6 / Step 7

Step 5. Conclude, but dont repeat

Your conclusion needs to flow from the rest of the copy. Dont repeat what youve already said with a statement beginning So, in conclusion An attention-grabbing sentence at the end will help give impact to your statement. Make sure you emphasise your desire to study. You may wish to include a specific reason for choosing that university in your conclusion some unique feature that ties in with the points you have outlined on your goals and experience. Its a good way to show that you have researched that school, and that this is not just a generic statement.

Step 7. Seek feedback

Now youre ready to show it to some friends and relatives. Ask them for constructive feedback. Youd be surprised what an objective point of view can add to your statement. If youre not confident about your English ability, ask a fluent English speaker to proofread it. This is critical, as your personal statement demonstrates your ability to write and communicate in English when you study. For many admissions officers, clear English is the first thing they look for.

Step 6. Edit and review

Whenever possible, leave your statement overnight and then look at it again with fresh eyes. Does it flow well? Check it for grammar and spelling mistakes.

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Hints and tricks 7

Hints and tricks

What is your reader looking for?
A good writer always thinks about the readers point of view. In this case, the admissions officer may have only two minutes to review your statement. He or she may read thousands during the admissions process. So keep it clear, simple and to the point. Your reader needs to know: You can communicate well in English Your goals and the path you are on Why you are excited about this subject area Any supporting evidence or details about your experience and academic record We seek students who are motivated and passionate about their subject area, and have the potential to succeed in their studies. You have to be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities we offer if you are to succeed. De Montford University Admissions Office

Four quick questions to get you started 1. List the top 10 reasons why you wish to study at university 2. Who has influenced you most to study in your subject? 3. What are your future intentions and goals? 4. Who inspires you most and why?

At UCLA we say, we know you have lots of extracurricular activities we want to know how you differ, what makes you unique? What can you bring to the class thats going to make you distinctive from the other 99 people already there? M. Rappaport, Dean of Admissions UCLA School of Law Nine out of ten essays leave you with a big yawn. The common, unoriginal statement recounts the applicants academic interests and basically repeats what is elsewhere in the application. Dr D Alonso, Dean for Admissions Cornell University Medical College

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8 Top ten dos and donts

Top ten dos and donts

Do:
Write in clear English Answer the questions provided Be positive and enthusiastic Keep sentences short Capture their interest with a strong opening paragraph Set out your unique features experience, abilities, activities, enthusiasm? Focus on three core issues why this university, why this subject, and why you will perform well Explain any circumstances that may have affected your results but focus on the positive, how you resolved them, rather than complaining. Its OK to have flaws, but what have you done about them? Be honest dont copy someone elses statement, it will show Get friends and family to give feedback

Dont:
Write a lengthy autobiography Go on about details from the distant past, unless they are truly relevant Beg or brag quiet confidence is the right tone to strike Repeat yourself Talk about money or rankings as a reason for that course or university Write a generic statement you will need to re-write it for each and every application, honestly! Use the wrong school name be careful with that copy and paste if you do use your statement for more than one application! Be boring Use clichs such as or wordy, academic prose in an attempt to be clever. It just makes it harder to read. Be gimmicky dont be tempted to write your statement as a poem to make it stand out. It will only look silly.

Remember, spending some time on your personal statement will not only give you the best chance of getting into the course you want. It will also help you work out, in your own mind, why this is important to you. And that could be the best preparation you could make before you leave for further study. Good luck!

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Legal Statement 9

The publishers and authors have attempted to ensure accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this publication, however, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors and inaccuracies that occur. (C) 2010 Learning Information Systems Pty Ltd (StudyLink) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1971 of advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication. International distribution: Learning Information Systems Pty Ltd (StudyLink), Sydney, Australia Tel: +612 9025 4600 www.studylink.com

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