Personal statement for postgraduate study

brownbabygirl

I am applying for an MSc course for the coming academic year and need to produce a personal statement. I have done a search online and one site can give loads of samples for £10 or free if you open a Tesco savings account. I do not need another saving account and wondered if anyone has an alternative website to have a look at sample PS? Thanks!:beer:

Oldernotwiser

Would it not be simpler just to write it yourself?

bestpud

Have you tried thestudentroom or maybe prospects for advice?

Failing that, you could give the uni a call and speak to the person who deals with applications?

Also, if you have graduated quite recently, the careers dept at you uni will help with things like this.

I imagine though, it is pretty much the same as an undergraduate one in terms of what you need to include. Why you want to do the course, what after, personal interests, relevent stuff you have done, dah, dah, dah?

I may of course be talking twaddle - I haven't got to the postgrad stage yet!

brownbabygirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Would it not be simpler just to write it yourself?

:rotfl:of course I want to write it myself. It would just be nice to see some examples. I have never seen one before. That was my problem. I have started writing it in the past hour and it is actually quite straightforward! Starting was the most difficult part!:T

Colxfile

I've tried to remember what I wrote for my personal statement when I applied to Southampton for my MSc. I remember that the prospectus said one wasn't required to apply for the course, but I wrote one anyway. I felt there was stuff I could add to my application there, that wouldn't necessarily fit elsewhere.

If I remember correctly, it went along the lines of this. (I've broken into points rather than prose.)

* I am applying for this course because I want to work in [industry sector] as a [occupation].
* I have under taken a year's work experience as part of my degree in [industry sector], working for [ABC corp], doing [big exposition on what I did that is relevant to the course I'm applying for] during which time [I got a bonus].
* I [really enjoyed] working for [ABC corp] and wish to return to this industry, however, I have learnt that to return to this industry a Masters degree is considered [necessary / useful].
* Although I believe I performed well in my [first degree] in [degree title], I do not feel this would be sufficient to secure a position in [industry].
* Hence, I am applying for a position on this Masters degree programme in order to improve my chances of [blah blah blah]

It didn't harm my chances: I start in September.:j

In summary: "What can you add to your application that you can't put in the other boxes on your application form?"

* There's probably a place for your work experience on the form, (If it's relevant to your choice of career and / or course, so much the better.) but there may not be space there to show how well you conducted yourself, how you enjoyed yourself, what plaudits / bonuses / promotions you secured. Prime personal statement material if you have it, in my opinion.

* Why are you applying? Don't forget, you may be able to go straight out of university into a job and earn a graduate-level salary. Why are you choosing to forego that and incur the costs of another level of education? Is the Masters course mandatory to get the job you have in mind? Is it just useful? (A possible competitive edge over other job seekers) Or are you choosing the course because you are really interested in the field and you wish to study it in greater detail?

That's all that I can think of.

Mac_Sami

brownbabygirl wrote: »

I am applying for an MSc course for the coming academic year and need to produce a personal statement. I have done a search online and one site can give loads of samples for £10 or free if you open a Tesco savings account. I do not need another saving account and wondered if anyone has an alternative website to have a look at sample PS? Thanks!:beer:

LOL - you're applying for an MSc course and rely on buying a personal statement? Jesus, some intelligence you must have there.

(Yes, this WILL continue for quite some time - sorreee!)

Tigersilly

Hi,

Personal Statement content Tips:

http://www.petersons.com/gradchannel/file.asp?id=932&path=gr.gs.yourpersonal

http://www.uwc.ucf.edu/Writing%20Resources/Handouts/personal_statements.htm

Ten Tips for Better Writing:

http://www.accepted.com/grad/tenwritingtips.aspx

brownbabygirl

Tigersilly wrote: »

Hi,

Personal Statement content Tips:

http://www.petersons.com/gradchannel/file.asp?id=932&path=gr.gs.yourpersonal

http://www.uwc.ucf.edu/Writing%20Resources/Handouts/personal_statements.htm

Ten Tips for Better Writing:

http://www.accepted.com/grad/tenwritingtips.aspx

Now YOU are a star!!!!:T:T:T:T Thanks!

brownbabygirl

I am pleased to say that I have been made an unconditional offer for my MSc a mere 4 working days after submitting my application plus personal statement I wrote myself as intended! Thanks to all those who shared useful inputs.

Colxfile

:T Well done!

Conscientia

brownbabygirl wrote: »

I am pleased to say that I have been made an unconditional offer for my MSc a mere 4 working days after submitting my application plus personal statement I wrote myself as intended! Thanks to all those who shared useful inputs.

Well done. I hope you enjoy your course!