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UCAS: How to write a Personal Statement?

A personal statement gives you the opportunity to stand out for your special skills and background. It's a crucial step in the application process since it gives you a chance to talk about things other than your academic performance, such your interests and passions.

In this article, we'll walk you through the process of writing a personal statement that stands out without overwhelming you.

Preparing to Write Your Personal Statement

You've probably heard the phrase "preparation is key," and writing your personal statement is no exception. When you're planning, keep the following two factors in mind:

The practical and factual information you need to get across
The more emotional, human parts of you that make you different to everyone else.

Spend some time identifying the most important details about you that an admissions tutor should be aware of before you begin writing. Don't stress too much about making your notes perfect; instead, focus on making sure you understand why you ought to be given a spot. You can also read the course description because it will provide you with more information.

Start Your Essay By Asking Yourself Questions

Here are a few questions you may answer to get you started and give you some ideas for your personal statement.

8 Questions That You Can Ask Yourself Before Writing

Your Personal Statement

Why have you chosen this course?
What excites you about the subject?
Is my previous or current study relevant to the course?
Have you got any work experience that might help you?
What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
What achievements are you proud of?
What skills do you have that make you perfect for the course?
What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

What To Include in Your Personal Statement?

#1 Opening

Since UCAS admissions tutors will be reading many personal statements, it's critical to capture their interest immediately away. Keep in mind that there are only 4,000 characters allowed, or roughly two A4-sized pages. To fit everything in, you'll need to choose your words carefully.

What then can you do to get their interest? It is nothing less than a potent attention getter. The following are the important factors to consider:

Do not overthink the introduction. Simply begin by demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject, demonstrating your knowledge and understanding, and outlining your goals.

Don't use clichés! Keep in mind that the purpose of this section is merely to introduce yourself; therefore, let the admissions tutor who is reading your personal statement get to know you.

Keep it brief and relevant. Avoid giving lengthy justifications because you have a restriction on how much you may include. Why say something in 20 words when 10 would do?

#2 Main Content

a) Your personal skills and achievements

Write about your own accomplishments and skills next. Universities are interested in learning about your skills that will support you academically and generally throughout your term there. Don't forget to support your enthusiasm for the course(s) you've selected with evidence.

Talk about your accomplishments in a confident manner.
Include the leadership roles you currently hold or have held in both your academic and extracurricular activities.
What distinguishes you as intriguing, noteworthy, or distinctive?

b) Work experience and future plans

It's crucial to mention your previous work experience and goals for the future. Share information about any employment, internships, volunteer opportunities, or work experience you have, especially if it relates to your course.

Make an effort to relate any experience to the abilities or traits that will help you succeed.
Explain how you intend to use the knowledge and expertise you'll acquire to launch your career if you know what you want to pursue as a job after.

#3 Closing

Connecting the beginning of your statement to the end is always a fantastic idea and a terrific approach to support what you mentioned at the beginning. The conclusion is your opportunity to create a lasting impression on the admissions tutor.

Your personal statement's last paragraph should highlight the excellent points you've previously made and provide an explanation of why you should be given a spot on the course.