1. UCAS – The PersonalUCAS – The Personal
StatementStatement
Paul GerrardPaul Gerrard
Director of Sixth FormDirector of Sixth Form
StudiesStudies

2. Personal Statements are importantPersonal Statements are important
 Especially early in the application cycleEspecially early in the application cycle
 For courses which do not interviewFor courses which do not interview
 For influencing the content of interviewsFor influencing the content of interviews
 For courses with definite entry profileFor courses with definite entry profile
requirementsrequirements
 Because they are both a positive & aBecause they are both a positive & a
negative selector.negative selector.
NB An early applicant = an organisedNB An early applicant = an organised
applicantapplicant

3. 12 tips to produce a good personal12 tips to produce a good personal
statementstatement
 Start earlyStart early –– in Year 12in Year 12
 Research the entry profile of your chosen courseResearch the entry profile of your chosen course
 On UCAS website look for Entry RequirementsOn UCAS website look for Entry Requirements
desirable skills/qualities at entrydesirable skills/qualities at entry
 List your own interests/abilities/achievementsList your own interests/abilities/achievements
 Do your interests/abilities/achievements matchDo your interests/abilities/achievements match
those on the Entry Requirements?those on the Entry Requirements?
 If not extra reading ; work experience, key skillsIf not extra reading ; work experience, key skills
development etc.. may be needed. Use Y12development etc.. may be needed. Use Y12
summer holidayssummer holidays

4. 12 tips to produce a good personal12 tips to produce a good personal
statementstatement
 Highlight EP skills/qualities in yourHighlight EP skills/qualities in your
personal statementpersonal statement
 Aim to stand out because of yourAim to stand out because of your
skills/qualities & the way you describeskills/qualities & the way you describe
themthem
 Aim for interest, modesty & teachabilityAim for interest, modesty & teachability ––
avoid too eccentric, arrogant or dogmaticavoid too eccentric, arrogant or dogmatic
 Spelling & grammar are vitalSpelling & grammar are vital
 Don`t lie or over-exaggerateDon`t lie or over-exaggerate
 Remember the law of diminishing returnsRemember the law of diminishing returns

5. Constructing the PersonalConstructing the Personal
StatementStatement
 Must be clearly paragraphedMust be clearly paragraphed
 Be about 300 to 500 wordsBe about 300 to 500 words
 You are told the number of characters that youYou are told the number of characters that you
have left by the softwarehave left by the software
 Write in short clear sentences ; do not wasteWrite in short clear sentences ; do not waste
wordswords
 Keep lists to a minimumKeep lists to a minimum
 Liaise with the reference writer (Housemaster,Liaise with the reference writer (Housemaster,
Mr.G, Mr. B)Mr.G, Mr. B) –– don`t repeat information supplieddon`t repeat information supplied
elsewhere on the formelsewhere on the form
 First sentences are difficult ; jump in!First sentences are difficult ; jump in!

6. Structuring the Personal StatementStructuring the Personal Statement
Suggestion ;Suggestion ; 2 sections2 sections
Section1 : 2/3Section1 : 2/3rdrd
weightingweighting
Section 2 : 1/3Section 2 : 1/3rdrd
weightingweighting

7. Section 1 – Reasons for choosingSection 1 – Reasons for choosing
your degree courseyour degree course
 Why you are interested inWhy you are interested in ……..
 Specific examples of your interest eg.Specific examples of your interest eg.
books, articles etcbooks, articles etc
 If a non 6If a non 6thth
subject where does yoursubject where does your
interest stem?interest stem?
 Academic interests & achievementsAcademic interests & achievements
 Relevant work experience (especiallyRelevant work experience (especially
medicine & law applicants)medicine & law applicants)
 Convey genuine motivation & enthusiasmConvey genuine motivation & enthusiasm
 (Examples of academic extension)(Examples of academic extension)
 READ EXAMPLES AT BACK OF HANDOUTREAD EXAMPLES AT BACK OF HANDOUT

8. Section 2 – You the personSection 2 – You the person
 Individual strengths & qualities (linked toIndividual strengths & qualities (linked to
the ER)the ER)
 Hobbies & interestsHobbies & interests
 Non-academic achievementsNon-academic achievements
 Study skillsStudy skills
 Ability to cope with a demanding lifeAbility to cope with a demanding life
 TeachabilityTeachability
 Gap year plans if deferred entryGap year plans if deferred entry –– howhow
might this develop your skills (section 1)might this develop your skills (section 1)

9. Section 2 – You the personSection 2 – You the person
 Demonstrate ; leadership skills, capacityDemonstrate ; leadership skills, capacity
for teamwork, enterprise, sensitivity tofor teamwork, enterprise, sensitivity to
needs of others, contribution to theneeds of others, contribution to the
community, determination to stick to acommunity, determination to stick to a
tasktask
 DO NOTDO NOT make list of school sports,make list of school sports,
countries visited etc.countries visited etc.
 Short concluding sentence ; why you areShort concluding sentence ; why you are
interesting in your own right with yourinteresting in your own right with your
own values, priorities & agenda, someoneown values, priorities & agenda, someone
who will clearly benefit from both thewho will clearly benefit from both the
course & university life.course & university life.

10. Our Mission (should we chose toOur Mission (should we chose to
accept it)accept it)
 To complete all UCAS forms byTo complete all UCAS forms by
October half-term???October half-term???
 NB. Your Housemaster can not beginNB. Your Housemaster can not begin
to write your reference until yourto write your reference until your
personal statement is completed.personal statement is completed.
 Still a fortnight for the form to beStill a fortnight for the form to be
sent off after you have handed it insent off after you have handed it in

11. PLAGARISIM!PLAGARISIM!
 Similarity detection softwareSimilarity detection software
 If suspect – applicant will beIf suspect – applicant will be
contacted at the same time as all thecontacted at the same time as all the
universities to which the applicantuniversities to which the applicant
has applied.has applied.
 Universities then take any action thatUniversities then take any action that
they consider appropriate.they consider appropriate.