2. Your chance to stand out from other applicants
The one part of the process where you are in
complete control
More conservative than a US College Essay
You start with a blank piece of paper not a
response to a prompt
The same personal statement is sent to all of your
chosen universities
WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT?
3. Four thousand characters maximum including all
punctuation and spaces
Approximately five six-line paragraphs
Must be succinct with no repetition or padding
Everything that you choose to include should be
there for a reason
It will require several re-writes
FOUR THOUSAND CHARACTERS
4. Partly about you but mostly about your suitability
for a particular subject
70% of it should be academically focused with 30%
about you
It should focus on particular skills and aptitudes
that will help you succeed
Try to demonstrate that you have a genuine
commitment to a subject or subject area
WHAT TO INCLUDE
5. Why do you want to study that subject?
When did you first realize this?
What academic skills make you be a good fit for
that subject?
This will depend on the course you have applied to
study
What is it that they are they looking for?
Show that you have read the course content
ACADEMIC ATTRIBUTES
6. Be as specific as possible about your academic
abilities
Studying Science requires data analysis
Studying History requires strong research skills
Studying Business improves presentation skills
Studying English encourages critical thinking
Extended Essay requires time management
Theory of Knowledge needs collaborative skills
BE SPECIFIC
7. Being specific means supplying evidence
Try to show evidence of interest and a level of
commitment to a particular subject
What things have you done that can be used to
show this commitment?
What have you read?
What have you learnt?
What do you still have time to do?
EVIDENCE
8. How important are extra-curricular activities?
Internships and work experience
Summer courses
Leadership, service, sports, orchestra, plays,
hobbies, passions, significant events etc.
The focus should be on the skills acquired as
consequence of these activities
Showing is better than telling
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
9. Don’t be too quirky or tell jokes
Only use quotes that have genuine relevance
Be careful trying to play too much for one
university
Do not plagiarize other’s material
Be simple, be honest, be yourself
It should be written by you! Not Mum or Dad or an
independent counselor
WARNING
10. Avoid providing information held elsewhere
Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Make sure every sentence counts
Avoid name dropping to impress, ahead of
including things that are more important
Don’t Lie
Keep it positive
Avoid malapropisms and don’t be too prosaic
TIPS AND STRATEGIES
11. Why this course?
When did you first become interested in your
subject?
Can you recall an event or occasion when you
realized that you wanted to study your subject?
How many schools have you attended?
How has your multi-cultural upbringing shaped
you?
Do you have any specific career plans?
PARAGRAPH 1
12. Are you an IB Diploma student?
What motivated your choice of subjects?
What have you learned from your higher level
subjects?
Give evidence to demonstrate this learning
What have you enjoyed?
What interests and motivates you?
PARAGRAPH 2
13. What inspired your Extended Essay?
What did you learn from it?
Talk about the Theory of Knowledge essay and the
presentation
What other major pieces of work did you enjoy or
were you successful in?
What kind of learner are you?
Have EE and TOK helped in other subject areas?
PARAGRAPH 3
14. Extra curricular activities
Class Councils and clubs
Less can be more
Individual or team sports
Dance, Drama, Music
Hobbies outside of school
CAS, ICare and service learning
PARAGRAPH 4
15. A summary or synopsis of your enthusiasm,
attributes and suitability
Return to some of the themes in the introduction
Why the UK? Be careful here!
Career aspirations?
End with a bang not a whimper!
PARAGRAPH 5
16. Google
Videos
http://www.ucas.com
http://thestudentroom.co.uk
http://personalstatement.blogspot.com
http://www.studential.com/personalstatements/
ISM Counselors
RESOURCES
