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UCAS Personal Statement
13th October 2009
UCAS Personal Statements are perhaps the most important six hundred or so words a student ever writes. It is possible to write the perfect Personal Statement without lying, but there are some important things applicants should bear in mind.
Any applicant should show motivation, academic interests relevant to their course, relevant experience, a responsible and mature attitude and hobbies or interests that make them a more rounded person. Those applying for the most competitive courses should include details of study outside of their A Level curriculum that sets them out from the rest. This might include reading a range of novels outside of the classroom for those applying for English or Drama.
Some applicants try to make their application stand out from the rest by using satire and/or quotations. Jokes are really a no-no. Generally, they do make an application stand out from the rest, but for all the wrong reasons. Quotes from books, plays, poems, famous people should be used intelligently and fit in well with the logical context of your Statement. Remember, however, quotes are individual and often controversial. Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm as you, so use them carefully.
It’s tempting to ramble on about a sob story in an attempt to win the sympathy vote, but it doesn’t work! A Statement filled with negativity and letdowns will not foster a good impression with the admissions tutor. Instead, however, use difficult times in your academic and personal life as a strength. If you didn’t do so well at GCSE, mention how this has made you a stronger person.
Socialising is a key part to a happy life, but beware that any sentence that conjures up an image of a night spent at the Barrels, drinking yourself under the table with a cigarette in hand must be avoided. Specifically mention sport commitments, festivals and vocational activities.
The Personal Statement is only about six hundred words, so learn to be succinct and to the point. Redrafting the Statement is crucial, so be prepared to show it to as many people as possible. Hassle your teachers, parents, friends and co-workers – the more people that look at your work, the better the final result.
It may be tempting, but resist all forms of copying. UCAS has a system called Copycatch that is a bank of all previous UCAS Personal Statements and book/online resources. Any statements showing a ten per cent or greater level of similarity with other work is referred, so it’s better to play it safe and do the hard work otherwise you risk not going to university at all.
It’s also important to use so-called “proper” English. This means no colloquialisms, clichés or abbreviations. Grammar and spelling are also crucial and any mistakes will count against you.
Finally, good luck! Whichever university you are choosing to apply to, the Student Voice wishes you all the best with your future plans.