Personal Statement - HELP ! ! !

lazymoezy

I need to do a personal statement for Uni before the 14th October 06. I dont really have a clue on what to do, I know the basic ofcourse but I know it will have to be something really well done and special to persuade any Uni I apply for to accept me.

Are there any websites out there that can help? My college connexions is appaling, they are fully booked and only have time after college hours which I cannot do.

Anyone here with previous experience who maybe able to help?

Cheers,

-MoE-

33pelter

my basic advice is this:

- sell yourself to the reader
- do not waffle on
- write down all your skills and qualities and how you can prove these e.g. I have very good communication skills because during my work experience/part time job etc I had to deal with customers constantly.
- keep it formal, do not use slang, but concentrate on you more than the reader and do not address the reader directly e.g. never say, "you will realise", say "I know."
- Spelling and grammar is crucial to gain a good impression so check this throughly.
- Finally, relax when you are writing it. After all, the university will gain an opinion of you after reading it but I dont think they will accept or decline you simply because of your personal statement.

I am no expert however....

juno

When saying anything, back it up with an example. "I have good communication skills" is no good. "I have good communication skills because of my work experience in X" is better.
Aim for about 70% on why you love the course, and 30% on extra-curricular stuff.
Try not to start all sentences with "I"
Don't make sentences over long.

You might find this helpful, and there's also info here

Princess_Cinderella_2

i had to write 2 personal statements because i started a uni course and changed my mind on what i wanted to do so left :eek: i was advised not to ignore anything like that in the statement because the uni will already know about it so i spun it 2 my advantage by saying that althoughi had been at uni before and left this had given me an important learning experience and that now i was sure about what course i wanted to do it also gave me a year to mature and discover the real importance of an education. i found the best thing is to be honest about yourself. however it is very easy to spin negative experience to your advatnage which will make you stand out from the crowd. explain why you have a passion for the subject and include any extra curricular activities that support this. hope this helps and good luck :T

lazymoezy

Thanks for that. Did gain a few good tips, thanks again. Need to get on with it now! Deadline around 2 weeks away for Uni applications:eek: and Im just starting on my PS.

Vodkatie00

Hey

What course are you applying for as how you write it really depends on the course?

Kt

lazymoezy

Im studying Business now as a Diploma. I was thinking of doing either business management or something marketing related.

I am applying for Kingston Uni, heard its on of the best for Business related subjects.

Btw would it be ideal to mention the fact that I beat all my predicted grades for GCSE? I was predicted loads of D's a below but ended up passing all and gaining 11 GCSE's. For BTEC Business im predicted PPM which is a high pass....thats appaling in my eyes adn anything beloew a Merit (B) is a fail to me.

I know at the end of the day its about point and I aleady have some on board as I done a AS-Level while I done my GCSE's, would that be ideal to mention? I dont think everyone gets a chance to do a AS-Level when at secondary school.

Thanks,

-MoE-

juno

You don't mention your grades in your PS. They can see from the dates when you did what, or you can ask your referee to mention it in their bit. But don't put it in your bit

Dreaming_2

33pelter wrote:

- Finally, relax when you are writing it. After all, the university will gain an opinion of you after reading it but I dont think they will accept or decline you simply because of your personal statement.

True this... they might ask you a question or two on it in your interview if you have one (I was asked about doing mandarin chinese, but mainly we just talked about the structure of the maths course) but at the end of the day it does come down to your grades / points. Warwick phoned me up when I didn't get in and without listening to me 'plead' as I was told to do by all my teachers (I was perfectly happy to go to York anyway) they said 'we have had high demand for the MMORSE course and unfortunately as you did not meet the entry requirements we cant fit you on, however we would be happy to offer you a place on the Computer Science course if you're interested'.

It's all done with spreadsheets and computers these days, I reckon.

melancholly

is there anyone at the school/college you're at who could proof read it for you when you're done? i don't really know anything about business applications, but in general it's an opportunity to show that you want to do the course and present yourself as a whole person. describe anything 'inspirational' you've read or something that has spurred you on - don't know how useful this link may be to you:
http://www.personalstatement.info/UCAS_Personal_Statements/Business_and_Management/