This document provides guidance on writing a personal statement for university applications in the UK. It explains that a personal statement is meant to demonstrate why the applicant is a good fit for a particular subject area. The statement has a maximum length of four thousand characters and should be academically focused, discussing skills and interests relevant to the desired course of study. Specific examples and evidence should be provided to illustrate attributes like research abilities, time management, or collaboration skills. Both academic achievements and extracurricular activities can be discussed as long as they relate to skills gained. The document concludes by offering tips on structure, such as including five paragraphs about interests in the subject, academic experience, other accomplishments, extracurriculars, and a concluding statement.

1. PERSONAL STATEMENT
WORKSHOP PART TWO
8TH SEPTEMBER 2015

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