Feature: 5 Tips to Perfect Your Personal Statement

There are many tricky obstacles to overcome when thinking about applying for Higher Education and writing your personal statement for your UCAS applications is one of them. Writing a personal statement may be a new experience for most of you so here are some top tips from St Mary’s University, Twickenham. 1. The Deadline - Firstly, you should note down the date of the admission deadline and set a reminder to have it completed at least a few days before. It is not a requirement to draft your statement but it is helpful to make sure you include vital information. It also helps you keep within the 4,000 character count (which includes spaces). 2. Match your skills to those mentioned in the course description - This will test your compatibility and make it easier to reference back to when writing your statement. Make notes of your additional attributes that are not necessarily academic and see if they can be linked to your course, such as work experience or a blog (as long as it’s relevant). 3. Ask yourself why you want to apply for the course - The key information that admission officers want to know is why you want to study the course you are applying for and what makes you suitable. This is where you draw on the skills and experiences that you have listed but you must also give examples. This will demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the subject and gives you a chance to reflect on what you want to get out of the course. The information you provide should be a balance of academic and relevant personal achievements to give an accurate account of your character. It will also clarify what it is that you want to study and whether the course is right for you. If you don’t know where to start, UCAS have a personal statement worksheet to get you going. 4. When writing your statement - Do not abbreviate words, avoid clichés and write in a professional manner, as if writing an essay. You can use keywords found in subject descriptions but do not copy whole sentences. In terms of the structure, write a paragraph under different headings so that each point is discussed then replace the headings with a sentence that links the last paragraph to the next one. Remember - do not copy any part of someone else’s statement as this is plagiarism, which admission officers look for using the Copycatch system. 5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Family, friends and teachers will be more than happy to help you out so take advantage! Ask them to proof read your statement (another pair of eyes is always handy) or what they think your strengths are. Your school or college careers advisor will be able to give you specific advice. The most important rule to remember is to be yourself, after all your personal statement is about you.