JORDAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LTD
TUITION, COACHING & CONSULTANCY
A QUICK GUIDE TO
PERSONAL STATEMENTS:
KEEPING IT SIMPLE AND GETTING IT RIGHT!
INTRODUCTION
Don’t use ‘inflated’ words like ‘moreover’, ‘furthermore’, etc. Just say what you want to say – simplicity is best. Be careful with quotes – best to avoid them unless you know what you are doing. Don't put too much detail – keep the Intro brief. Don’t make it too personal – talking in depth about a family tragedy, etc. Keep it objective. Don’t say that you have always wanted to study this subject – be specific about when it really started – it can be recent!
READING
Should be subject specific, rather than general interest or textbooks. Have a particular interest within your chosen subject that you have researched; for example, particular diseases. Would be good if it were something different – other than cancer or Parkinson’s disease, as many students choose these areas.
Look at the teaching team (professors/ lecturers) of your chosen universities. The website will give you their background and research areas. Are these areas of interest to you? If so, read one of their papers and research further. Be prepared to speak candidly about this at interview, bearing in mind they are experts in that field (we can discuss this in Interview Technique coaching).
What professional magazines do you subscribe to? Chose an interesting article from a recent one and be prepared to discuss briefly, both in the personal statement and at interview.
LSE and Cambridge have good reading lists on their websites. Look up the topics to be covered in your chosen course of study and try and read up on those areas – the wider your involvement with the subject, the better. Check out the universities you are applying to – do they have reading lists available online?
Have you completed an EPQ? If so, give the project title and how it has developed your subject knowledge from your A Level subjects.
Any Open University Courses? Other courses? – sign language, etc? These are valuable, so should be mentioned.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Be specific. What’s the name of the hospital and department? How long were you there? What did you learn from that experience? Name technical procedures/ use technical and subject specific vocabulary to show off your knowledge.
Summer schools? How did you spend the summer? – if mentioning it, make sure it’s productive!
TALKS, ETC.
Online resources:
- TED talks
- UCL Lunchtime Lectures
- Radio 4 talks
Do you belong to any Debating society or enjoy attending?
Try to attend some university talks, conferences and exhibitions in your chosen area of study.
SHOWING INITIATIVE
Have you started up any clubs or organisations/ organised events, particularly for a good cause?
Show that you are a person who shows their initiative, sees what’s needed, and then puts it into action.
Keep a blog on your chosen subject and try to gain a following! Follow the blogs or subscribe to websites of well-respected professionals in your chosen subject.
Create a Group on Facebook or design a website to promote yoursubject
BALANCE
Show that you have a wide range of interests outside of academia but that you are able to manage your time efficiently.
CONCLUSION
What makes you particularly suited to this course, as an individual? What’s unique about you that means you will be able to graduate successfully and give back to the community? Keep this section brief.
LASTLY, CHECK SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR. It’s amazing how many people cannot differentiate between ‘there’, ‘they’re’ and ‘their’, as an example, or do not know how to use commas! Make sure you do, so that your application oozes professionalism!
IN A NUTSHELL – DO IT ONCE, AND DO IT WELL!