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Preparing your case – what evidence do you have?
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List what evidence you think might interest an Admissions Tutor, including: * -------------------------------------------------
Your motivation for the subject – why you are interested to study the subject * -------------------------------------------------
What aspects of the course attracted you most? Is the chance to specialize particularly attractive, or perhaps the chance to study abroad? * -------------------------------------------------
What are your plans for the future – you need to explain how taking the course could lead to you getting into your chosen career. * -------------------------------------------------
Job, work experience, placement or voluntary work you've done, what you’ve learned, and how such experiences might help you in university or student life? * -------------------------------------------------
What are your strengths? * -------------------------------------------------
What other things do you do that illustrate any skills, qualities, or other sides of your character? Things you might include are hobbies and interests or positions of responsibility. You can get across evidence of determination, time management, team working or leadership skills if you have them. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Diploma of Achievement, and Gifted and Talented schemes are useful here amongst many other things, e.g. sports clubs, music or drama. * -------------------------------------------------
How can your life experiences demonstrate you can effectively manage your time, or how family responsibilities, for example, show how you can cope despite ongoing pressures.
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Once you've listed everything you think might be relevant to your application, you'll need to organise the information so that your personal statement builds a strong argument for why you should be offered a place.
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Presenting your case – writing the personal statement
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Perhaps the most important thing to remember about your personal statement is that is should be just that – personal. A good statement will give the reader a sense of you as an individual, so don't be tempted to borrow phrases you've seen in other people's statements.
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To get started, look at the evidence you’ve written down and follow this format: * -------------------------------------------------
Why do I want to do this subject? Are you already studying it, if so what do you enjoy/what are you good at – theory, practical, particular topics, etc. If you're not studying it now, how do you know anything about it – reading, TV, personal experience, etc. * -------------------------------------------------
How have I chosen my courses? Hopefully you didn't pick them at random but have