:)

1. Personal Statement Drafts – Katie McCririck
Initial Applications – Extra – Clearing
-Make it Relevant
-Show you are unique
-Make is engaging
-Talk about both academic and extracurricular work (CDF, Volunteering Work, Student Council
Representative.)
-Avoid cliches/stating the obvious
4000 characters max.
Structure:
First Paragraph:
 Explain why you are interested in the course and passionate about the pathway it may
lead to
 Demonstrate an understanding of the skills needed for the course
 How the course will support your career path
Second Paragraph:
 How your course has supported your chosen degree route
 Be specific about units that are particularly relevant to your degree - research into the
modules covered on the degree and make links between them
 What skills you have gained and how they can help on your chosen degree
Third Paragraph:
 Give details of any experience and highlight the relevance to your chosen degree /
career path

2.  Discuss the skills you have gained through this
 Give examples of relevant responsibilities and perhaps scenario's and again how they
are relevant to the degree
Fourth Paragraph:
 Employment / Volunteering / Student Council
 The skills you have gained in these experiences and what you have learned - how are
they relevant to the skills required for the course you have chosen.
Fifth Paragraph:
 Why you should be chosen, what can you bring to the course?
 Demonstrate you have the relevant skills and qualities required
Draft One:
During my lifetime, I have consumed media in many different forms such as reading as well as
watching television. Although I was born in a time where television was such a large medium, I
have found myself being able to enjoy print and digital media equally. Now I am at an age
where I have begun thinking about my future, I have come to the decision where something
within the media industry is something I feel is the most suited to me as it is something that I
can enjoy as a career as well as casually. I have always been interested in media since I was
born in an age where everything is constantly improving and changing within the field, and my
interest in this area has only grown since I began my course at college. The course that I am on
has not only developed my knowledge in terms of hardware and software used with creating
various kinds of media, but it also has helped me improve necessary skills such as academic
writing/researching, analytic skills, time management, as well as problem solving through
having me work from a brief. My course has helped improve my confidence in terms of my
work as I am now able to clearly share my ideas with my peers and take constructive criticism
of pieces of work I have created. The college also gave me the chance to work as a student
council representative for my class where we discuss pros and cons of the course as current
students.
I currently work part-time in retail and although this is not related to the course I wish to study,
it has helped me improve valuable skills that I use both casually and in a work environment
such as teamwork, communication, as well as improving my overall confidence as an individual.
I have also done a lot of volunteering work outside of college. I have volunteered at a craft fair

3. for fun. From this, I first learned how to handle food and money, which I personally feel made
me more responsible as a person as I had to ensure I was making food to people’s specifications
whilst also ensuring they personally feel made me more responsible as a person. As well as this
I have helped at a homeless shelter as I wanted to help people and from this experience, I
gained more empathy and patience for people as it showed me just how lucky I was to have the
chance to go to onto higher education. For college I have been given the chance to volunteer at
different events such as recording a Halloween parade, helping record for a Primary School
event, and doing band recordings for the music department however the college has also given
me the opportunity to get industry experience through a CDF placement which I am doing
every Friday at a company called Sunshine Cooperation where I am trusted to make different
promotional posters and posts for them as well as doing some research for them where they
need me to. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to do some volunteer work
where we did the social action project where we raised money for Happier Days for Strays. I
also am entering the Future Journalism Stars competition as I feel the experience will be useful
to me as a media student.
Another passion of mine would be reading and writing. It is something I have been good at
since before I can remember and it’s the one passion of mine that I find has never faltered
throughout my entire life. Finding myself being able to immerse myself in the characters I read
about or write about is an experience entirely in its own. Doing this from a young age, I think
has made me a more thoughtful person in the way that it has made me more detail orientated
and analytical, which I feel would be more than suitable for this course.
I truly hope my personality has shone through my personal statement however, more
importantly I hope you can see how enthusiastic I am about applying to the course as I am
honestly thrilled at the thought of being at university. I know I will be an asset to your
university, and I can just hope you see this as well.
Notes from Emma:
Thank you, Katie, for letting me read your personal statement. You have used 'I feel' several
times, please amend this. Your introduction should let me know what has inspired you to
pursue a career in media, an event, an individual, a film, a TV Show. You also don't showcase
the specific skills you have learned on the course or the creative projects you have made, could
even mention the networking events you have attended.
First paragraph inspiration and career goals and why.

4. Then discuss college, what you have learned, what have you been involved with, how does it all
help you achieve your goals. You also helped film the Christmas music video for Executive
Leadership Team for the college.
Great start.
Notes from Neil:
Draft Two:
During my lifetime, I have consumed media in so many different forms such as reading as well
as watching television. Although I was born in a time where television was such a large
medium, I have found myself being able to enjoy print and digital media equally. I am of the
age where I have to think about my future and I want to work in an arena that I will enjoy both
professionally and personally. The media industry is so vast and diverse and the possibilities to
work and make a good living are endless.Now I am at an age where I have begun thinking about
my future, I have come to the decision where something within the media industry is
something I feel is the most suited to me as it is something that I can enjoy as a career as well
as casually. I would have to say my biggest inspiration in the field would be Andrew Marr as he
is not only someone successful however he works honestly at what he does as well as working
with integrity as a journalist which is something I strive to achieve in whichever career path I
plan on going down.
I have always been interested in media since I was born in an age where everything is
constantly improving and changing within the field, and my interest in this area has only grown
since I began my course at college. The course that I am on has not only developed my
knowledge in terms of hardware and software used with creating various kinds of media, but it
also has helped me improve necessary skills such as academic writing/researching, time
management, as well as problem solving through having me work from a brief. My course has
helped improve my confidence in terms of my work as I am now able to clearly share my ideas
with my peers and take constructive criticism of pieces of work I have created, such as the print
pieces I made for canon as well as the documentary I made for the BBC. It has also given me the
chance to work as a student council representative for my class where we discuss pros and cons

5. of the course as current students. The college has given me the opportunity to volunteer at
different events such as recording a Halloween parade, helping record for a Primary School
event, and doing band recordings for the music department however the college has also given
me the opportunity to get industry experience through a CDF placement which I am doing
every Friday at a company called Sunshine Cooperation where I am trusted to make different
promotional posters and posts for them as well as doing some research for them where they
need me to. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to do some volunteer work
where we did the social action project where we raised money for Happier Days for Strays. As
well as this I was entrusted to film a Christmas promotional video featuring the executive
leadership team for the college by my lecturers. I also am entering the Future Journalism Stars
competition as I feel the experience will be useful to me as a media student. Throughout the
two years I will have spent at this college come May, I have also been lucky to attend various
networking events such as a lecture by Lord David Puttnam as well as a talk given by Leo
Pearlman who talked about his company Fulwell 73.
I truly hope my personality has shone through my personal statement however, more
importantly I hope you can see how enthusiastic I am about applying to the course as I am
honestly thrilled at the thought of being at university. I know I will be an asset to your
university, and I can just hope you see this as well.
Draft Three:
I am interested in this course as during my lifetime, I have consumed media in so many
different forms such as reading as well as watching television. Although I was born in a time
where television was such a large medium, I have found myself being able to enjoy print and
digital media equally. Now I am at an age where I have begun thinking about my future, I have
come to the decision where something within the media industry is something I feel is the most
suited to me as it is something that I can enjoy as a career as well as casually. I would have to
say my biggest inspiration in the field would be Andrew Marr as he is not only someone
successful however he works honestly at what he does as well as working with integrity as a
journalist which is something I strive to achieve in whichever career path I plan on going down.
My course helped me in my decision in choosing this course as it gave me the chance to do
subject and client research in detail which is something I found myself adoring but as well as
this, being able to learn how to better use a camera has been a great learning experience. The
course that I am on had aided me when it comes to improving many skills that I feel will be
helpful when it comes to the course I am applying for, such as academic writing/researching,

6. analytic skills, time management, as well as problem solving through having me work from a
brief. I have also been able to improve my understanding of how to use software such as
photoshop and Adobe Suite as well as hardware such as cameras and the equipment that goes
along with it such as tripods. At college I have made a variety of different products such as a
documentary and print pieces.
The college have been kind enough to give me the opportunity to take part in a CDF placement
at a company called Sunshine Cooperative where I have been entrusted with creating posters
and doing subject research for them as well as potentially writing blog posts for them later
during my placement. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to do some
volunteer work where we did the social action project where we raised money for Happier Days
for Strays. As well as this I have also decided to take part in a competition called Future
Journalism Stars as I feel this is a good experience for me to take part in as it is something I feel
I could put my heart into, as I am writing articles about a subject in which I am extremely
passionate about (This being analysing different pieces of literature such as Shakespeare.)
I took the initiative and became a student council representative for my class to ensure the
course was the best it could be. Outside of the college I also have a part time job which has
helped me improve skills that I feel would be relevant to this course such as the fact that I have
became more fast on my feet, responsible seeing as I have to handle cash, I am better at
working with others now seeing as me and my colleagues have to work together to ensure we
are doing the best we can do which I feel would also shows that I am an organised person. I am
also able to balance work and college together well as I always get my work in on time despite
working at least 16 hours a week. I have also taken part in different volunteering experiences
since I became a teenager, volunteering both at a café as well as a homeless shelter, an
experience which really helped me improve my empathy skills as I was talking to those who had
been faced with misfortune and just needed someone who would lend an ear.
I truly hope my personality has shone through my personal statement however, more
importantly I hope you can see how enthusiastic I am about applying to the course as I am
honestly thrilled at the thought of being at university. I know I will be an asset to your
university, and I can just hope you see this as well.
Draft Four:
From an early age I have been fascinated by media and am incredible enthusiastic about
continuing my education in the sector onto Higher Education. Although I was born in a time

7. where television was such a large medium, I have found myself being able to enjoy print and
digital media equally. Now I am at an age where I have begun thinking about my future, I have
come to the decision where something within the media industry is something I feel is the most
suited to me, as it is something that I can enjoy as a career as well as casually. I would have to
say my biggest inspiration in the field would be Andrew Marr as he is not only someone
successful in his field, but also someone who works honestly at what he does, as well as
working with integrity as a journalist.
My current BTEC studies have helped me in my decision in choosing this course as it gave me
the chance to complete both subject and client research in detail which is something I found
myself adoring. In addition to this, being able to learn how to effectively operate a DSLR digital
camera and accessories has been a great learning experience. The course that I am on had
aided me when it comes to improving many skills that I feel will be helpful when it comes to the
course I am applying for, such as academic writing/researching, analytic skills, and time
management, as well as problem solving through having to work towards an industry standard
brief. I have also been able to improve my understanding of how to use software such as Adobe
Suite (Premiere Pro and Photoshop) as well as hardware including cameras and microphones
and assorted additional equipment such as tripods and booms. At college I have made a variety
of different products such as a documentary on the impact of digital technologies on
generational culture, and print pieces advertising Canon Cameras and promoting mental health
awareness. In my second year I am currently preparing a longer and more detailed
documentary focussed on ??? which will further develop my skills in media production.
The college have been kind enough to give me the opportunity to take part in a CDF industry
placement at a company called Sunshine Cooperative, where I have been entrusted with
creating posters and doing subject research for them as well as potentially writing blog posts
for them later during my placement. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to
do some volunteer work where we did the social action project where we raised money for
Happier Days for Strays. In addition to this I have also decided to take part in a competition
called Future Journalism Stars as I feel this is a good experience for me to take part in as it is
something I feel I could put my heart into, as I am writing articles about a subject in which I am
extremely passionate about (Shakespearian literature).
I took the initiative and became a student council representative for my class to ensure the
course was the best it could be. This involves regular meetings with fellow students and college
management staff, where I have developed my abilities as a communicator and a team player.
Outside of the college I also have a part time job which has helped me develop transferrable
skills that I feel would be relevant to this course. I am better at working with others, I have
developed organisational skills, and am confident in taking on individual responsibility. I have
also taken part in different volunteering experiences since I became a teenager, volunteering
both at a café as well as a homeless shelter, an experience which helped me improve my
empathy skills as I was talking to those who had been faced with misfortune and just needed
someone who would lend an ear.

8. I am a motivated and enthusiastic person, and I believe I possess the combination of skill and
dedication to be a success in a HE environment. I hope you will view my application favourably.
Draft Five:
From an early age I have been fascinated by media and am incredibly enthusiastic about
continuing my education in the sector via higher education. Although I was born in a time
where television was such a large medium, I have found myself being able to enjoy print and
digital media equally. I am of the age where I must think about my future, and I want to work
in an arena that I will enjoy both professionally and personally. I have found myself being able
to enjoy print and digital media equally. Now I am at an age where I have begun thinking about
my future, I have come to the decision that a career in the media industry is something I feel is
the most suited to me and my skills and interests. I would have to say my biggest inspiration in
the field would be Andrew Marr as he is not only someone successful in his field, but also
someone who works honestly at what he does, as well as working with integrity as a journalist.
My current studies helped me in my decision in choosing this course as it gave me the chance
to do subject and client research in detail which is something I found myself adoring. Being able
to learn how to operate a camera and its accessories has been a great learning experience. The
course that I am on had aided me when it comes to improving many skills that I feel will be
helpful when it comes to the course I am applying for, such as academic writing/researching,
analytic skills, time management, as well as problem solving. I have also been able to improve
my understanding of how to use software such as Adobe Suit as well as hardware including
cameras and microphones. At college I have made a variety of different products such as a
documentary on the impact of digital technologies on generational culture, and print pieces
advertising Canon Cameras and promoting mental health awareness.
The college have been kind enough to give me the opportunity to take part in a CDF placement
at a company called Sunshine Cooperative, where I have been entrusted with creating posters
and doing subject research for them. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to
do some volunteer work where we did the social action project where we raised money for
Happier Days for Strays. I have also decided to take part in a competition called Future
Journalism Stars as I feel this is a good experience for me to take part in as it is something I feel
I could put my heart into, as I am writing articles about a subject in which I am extremely
passionate about (Shakespearian literature).
I took the initiative and became a student council representative for my class to ensure the
course was the best it could be. This involves regular meetings with fellow students and college
management staff, where I have developed my abilities as a communicator and a team player.
Outside of the college I also have a part time job which has helped me develop transferrable
skills that I feel would be relevant to this course. I am better at working with others, I have
developed organisational skills, and am confident in taking on individual responsibility. I have
also taken part in different volunteering experiences since I became a teenager, volunteering

9. both at a café as well as a homeless shelter, an experience which helped me improve my
empathy skills as I was talking to those who had been faced with misfortune and just needed
someone who would lend an ear.
I am a motivated and enthusiastic person, and I believe I possess the combination of skill and
dedication to be a success in a HE environment. I hope you will view my application favourably.
Final Draft:
From an early age I have been fascinated by media and am incredibly enthusiastic about
continuing my education in the sector onto Higher Education. Although I was born in a time
where television was such a large medium, I have found myself being able to enjoy print and
digital media equally. Now I am at an age where I have begun thinking about my future, I have
come to the decision where something within the media industry is something I feel is the most
suited to me, as it is something that I can enjoy as a career as well as casually. I would have to
say my biggest inspiration in the field would be Andrew Marr as he is not only someone
successful in his field, but also someone who works honestly at what he does, as well as
working with integrity as a journalist which is something I strive to achieve in the career path I
choose for myself.
My current studies helped me in my decision in choosing this course as it gave me the chance
complete subject and client research in detail which is something I found myself adoring. Being
able to learn how to operate a camera and its accessories has been a great learning experience
as well. The course that I am on had aided me when it comes to improving many skills that I feel
will be helpful when it comes to the course I am applying for, such as academic
writing/researching, analytic skills, time management, as well as problem solving. I have also
been able to improve my understanding of how to use software such as Adobe Suite
(Photoshop and Premier Pro) as well as hardware including cameras and microphones. At
college I have made a variety of different products such as a documentary on the impact of
digital technologies on generational culture, and print pieces advertising Canon Cameras and
promoting mental health awareness.
The college have been kind enough to give me the opportunity to take part in a CDF industry
placement at a company called Sunshine Cooperative, where I have been entrusted with
creating posters and doing subject research for them as well as potentially writing blog posts
for them later during my placement. As well as this the college also gave me the opportunity to
do some volunteer work where we did the Social Action project where we raised money for a
charity called Happier Days for Strays. I have also decided to take part in a competition called
Future Journalism Stars as I feel this is a good experience for me to take part in as it is
something I feel I could put my heart into, as I am writing articles about a subject in which I am
extremely passionate about (Shakespearian literature).
I took the initiative and became a student council representative for my class to ensure the
course was the best it could be. This involves regular meetings with fellow students and college
management staff, where I have developed my abilities as a communicator and a team player.

10. Outside of the college I also have a part time job which has helped me develop transferable
skills that I feel would be relevant to this course. I am better at working with others, I have
developed organisational skills, and am confident in taking on individual responsibility. I have
also taken part in different volunteering experiences since I became a teenager, volunteering
both at a café as well as a homeless shelter, an experience which helped me improve my
empathy skills as I was talking to those who had been faced with misfortune and just needed
someone who would lend an ear.
I am a motivated and enthusiastic person, and I believe I possess the combination of skill and
dedication to be a success in a HE environment. I hope you will view my application favourably.