personal statement Archives - UK Study Options

Tag Archive for: personal statement

Personal Statement Essentials – What you need to know

The Personal Statement is an important part of your application to any UK university which you submit through UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). It must meet quite specific criteria and plays a major role in determining whether your application is successful or not. Here we spell out what it is, what it should contain, how it’s used by Admissions teams and more.

Why is the personal statement important?

The personal statement is a very important part of the UCAS application. You may believe that you are only one of a handful of students applying for a course with a particular set of examination grades and predictions. But the reality is that there are lots of other, equally able candidates, all wanting one of the limited number of places. The Admissions Tutor for an oversubscribed course needs a way of deciding which applicants most deserve an offer and a carefully considered and well written statement is needed to help you stand out from the crowd.

The personal statement is likely to be the only communication that you as an individual have with an Admissions Tutor. Most courses do not interview applicants and it is likely to be your only opportunity to show that you are an interesting person who is genuinely interested in the course they are responsible for.

Who reads the personal statement?

Although some UCAS forms are processed by a centralized admissions department, most personal statements for competitive courses are read by a tutor in the department to which you are applying. Admissions tutors will be actively involved in both the research and teaching that takes place in the department. In other words, you must assume that your statement will be read by an expert in the field who is looking for students who share their enthusiasm for the subject and that they will enjoy teaching.

When are personal statements read and how are they used?

The primary role of a personal statement is to help admissions tutors differentiate between candidates of similar academic ability and decide who they will make offers to. They are read (together with the rest of the information on the form) when the UCAS application is sent to the university. Many admissions departments will consider applications as soon as they arrive and make offers immediately – others will wait until they have a batch of applications.

Sometimes statements are used to decide which candidates to call for interview. This is especially true of Oxford and Cambridge who interview all applicants before making any offers. Personal statements may also be used to generate questions at interview. Be warned – anything you claim to have read or be interested in is fair game for Admissions Tutors to quiz you about.

Sometimes statements are used to reject candidates outright – especially if they are poorly written and contain grammatical and spelling mistakes.

The personal statement can also make a difference much later on in the UCAS process, after offers have been made and accepted and examination results known. If an applicant has narrowly missed the required grades (and there are still places available to be allocated) Admissions Tutors may look again at the personal statements to decide whom to give those remaining places to.

Why write your personal statement early?

It is important to start early – good students redraft their statements many times until they are satisfied. Keep in mind the deadline for your application – October 15th (Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science) or January 25th (most other courses). You will also need to work to any deadlines set by your school. Teachers and UCAS referees do not have an unlimited amount of free time available to check your statement – help yourself by ensuring that they receive your statement in plenty of time.

Many admissions departments look through applications and make offers well before the official deadlines – it is in your interest to apply early while there is still a full complement of offers available. In addition, early applications show organization, good time management and enthusiasm – qualities that university students need and that you are trying to demonstrate.

As the official UCAS deadlines approach admissions tutors are inundated with a rush of applications – you want your application to cross their desk well before this, so that they have more time to carefully consider your application.

How long should the statement be?

The electronic UCAS application form allows you 4,000 characters, including spaces, which is about the same as one side of A4 paper. You should draft your statement in word and then copy and paste the finished article into your UCAS Hub account. There is no spell-check facility on the UCAS form so it is essential that you have checked and double checked your statement for spelling and grammatical errors.

Many students try to use complex language in order to impress Admissions Tutors but good writing is often concise and it can be more useful for you to use the limited space by putting your points across directly and simply. Be careful not to waste any of the valuable space by including information that is already available to the admissions tutor elsewhere on the application (e.g. details of A-levels being studied.)

Can I write more than one personal statement?

No, you are only allowed to write one statement for all five course choices. This is relatively simple if you are applying for the same single honours course at all five choices but becomes more problematic if you are applying for slightly different courses – the skill here is to identify and focus on the common ground between the courses and then provide evidence that you are a suitable candidate to study these elements. With joint honours courses you will need to show that you are equally interested in both subjects.

If you are applying for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry you are only allowed four choices for these courses and a fifth back up choice that is usually for a related subject but can be for something completely different. For these applicants the personal statement must be purely directed to the Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry course and needs to be much more work experience based than the majority of statements. Most ‘fifth’ choice admissions tutors are happy to accept a statement that is clearly aimed at one of these ‘early entry’ courses, but this may not always be the case and you should always check with individual institutions. (Some may ask for a separate statement to be sent to them directly.)

What about plagiarism?

UCAS check each incoming personal statement (via their similarity detection software) against a library of personal statements previously submitted to UCAS. They also sample statements collected from a variety of other sources. If your statement is found to have enough similarities to any other, then UCAS will contact your universities to inform them that they suspect you have copied your statement. The decision about what action, if any, to take regarding cases of plagiarism rests with the Admissions Tutors at individual institutions.

Lots of students look at statements that have been used before, either from friends or from websites – this is fine for research purposes, but your statement MUST be an original piece of writing and your own work.

Needless to say, your UCAS personal statement is a very specific piece of writing so it’s worth taking the time to understand its purpose, how it is used, who reads it and any specific requirements, such as character limit. Once you have a good understanding of this then it’s time to start crafting the content.

As ex Admissions Officers for top UK universities, the UKSO team know well what makes an excellent personal statement and we are experts in coaching students to write compelling, competitive and successful statements. Read about out Personal Statement Package to see how we can help you succeed.

Higher education jargon explained

Like every other walk of life, UK higher education has its own distinct terminology and jargon. To help you make sense of this we have listed the most common terms that you are likely to come across when navigating the UK university process.

Admissions: A team of people in each university that process student applications.

Academic year: This is the university year, which usually runs from September to July.

BA: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Art. This is a type of degree traditionally awarded to those subjects based in the field of Art. However, this is a very broad category and can include subject areas such as Social Sciences and English.

Bachelors degree: A degree awarded by a college or university to a person who has completed undergraduate studies. They are typically 3 years for most degree subjects, 4 years for Engineering and 5 years for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary.

BEng: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Engineering. This type of degree is awarded to those subjects based in the field of Engineering.

BSc: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Science. This type of degree is traditionally awarded to subjects based in the field of Science and Social Science. The BSc degree is not limited to traditional sciences.

Conservatoire: A provider of performance-based music, dance and drama courses.

Combined or Joint honours degree: A type of degree where you study two subjects.

Dissertation: A dissertation is normally a long report, based on research undertaken by the students themselves.

Entry requirements: a set of criteria that a student needs to meet to gain entry to a degree programme. This could include certain grades or to have previously studied certain subjects or to have a certain amount of work experience etc.

Fee Status: the status that determines what tuition fee a student will pay when they apply to university in the UK which is either Home/EU or Overseas.

First class honours: Most UK universities use a degree classification system. First class honours or a ‘first’ is the highest level degree awarded.

Foundation degree programme: This is a programme designed to prepare students who have acceptable qualifications for general university entry, but do not have the appropriate level or coverage for a specific degree programme.

Fresher: This is the term commonly used to describe students in their first year at university.

Graduate: This is the term used for a person who has completed and passed his or her degree and been awarded their qualification

HE (Higher Education): This is education and training for students of 18 years and older, who have completed the required amount of study in further education, (college or sixth form). Institutions such as universities often provide higher education in the form of degree programmes.

Honours degree (Hons): This is a degree programme taken at university. It is normally a first degree which lasts three or four years. An honours degree requires extra modules/units to be studied in comparison to an Ordinary Degree, often in the form of a dissertation.

Humanities: Typically covers ‘Arts’ subjects such as history, literature, Classics, theology film, modern languages and drama.

LLB: Bachelor of Laws. The accreditation given to Law degrees which allows for progression onto further training to become a barrister or solicitor.

Masters degree (MA, MSc, Meng, Med, MPhil): Masters degrees are taught courses which allow students to extend their learning for one to two years after they have graduated from their first (Bachelors) degree. MA is the abbreviation for Master of Arts, a postgraduate qualification, but it can also be an undergraduate degree studied at one of the UK’s ancient universities such as St Andrews, Oxford and Cambridge. An MSci is a Master of Science. An MEng is a Master of Engineering. An MEd is a Master of Education and is specific to education subjects. Confusingly an MPhil is a Master of Philosophy but rather than being in the subject of Philosophy, it is a research-focused masters and can be in any subject.

Module: A module is a unit of study that explores a specific area within a subject.

Ordinary degree: Generally this is a degree passed without honours. Some universities offer ordinary degree courses in their own right but ordinary degrees can also be awarded to those students who complete an honours degree but without achieving the conditions required to gain honours.

Placement year/ Sandwich year: This is a year of either work experience or study placement in another institution, which can be an optional or compulsory part of a university course. Students can opt to take their placement year in another country.

PhD: Also known as a doctorate, this is the highest form of degree awarded and involves you carrying out research with little or no teaching. You need to have completed at least an undergraduate degree to study at this level.

Postgraduate: A student who has completed an undergraduate degree and is studying for a higher degree such as a masters or PhD.

Second class honours: Most UK universities use a degree classification system. The highest level is ‘first’ with second class honours broken down into two further classifications – upper division (2:1) and lower division (2:2). An upper second or first class degree is often required for entry into postgraduate courses in the UK.

Single honours: This is an honours degree course in which a student studies a single subject.

Third class honours: Third class honours is typically the lowest degree classification awarded.

UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service): An organisation that manages the application system for UK universities.

Undergraduate: A student studying for their first degree on a programme which normally lasts for three or four years.

Undergraduate masters: Four year degrees such as Masters of Engineering (MEng), Masters of Science (MSci) etc which comprise three years of undergraduate level study, with a further year to gain a Masters qualification.

University: A university is an institute of higher education which has the authority to award bachelors and higher degrees and which usually has research facilities.

University groups: institutions that form alliances when they share common goals, visions or characteristics.

Thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge?

Students wishing to study at a university in the UK apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), which allows students to apply to 5 courses at 5 universities. However, anyone interested in making an Oxford or Cambridge application will have to apply early (by 15^th October) and choose which one of these prestigious institutions they wish to put down on their UCAS form (students are not allowed to apply to both).

Oxbridge is the term used to refer to two of the oldest universities in the UK – Oxford and Cambridge. Both offer traditional academic courses where formal assessment is often 100% based on examinations. Both stress the importance of their highly personalised teaching time led by subject experts, with Oxford calling these sessions tutorials and Cambridge referring to them as supervisions.

Colleges and ‘pool’ applications

In contrast to most UK universities Oxford and Cambridge are made up of colleges and applications are made to individual colleges (unless a student makes an open or ‘pool’ application where the student is allocated a college place). Once a student is accepted at a college then that remains their home and central focus of teaching for much of their time at university. Each college decides which applicants will be offered places, co-ordinates the tutorial system, provides accommodation and other facilities and takes overall responsibility for the students’ academic and pastoral care. The university and its departments and faculties set and mark examinations, decide on course content and organise lectures, seminars and practicals. Both universities boast historic architecture and excellent facilities and are situated in attractive places to live, where students enjoy cycling and punting on the rivers.

Specialist subjects

Whilst Oxford and Cambridge share a reputation for world-renowned teaching and research in both arts and science subjects there are differences between them, particularly when it comes to course choice and course structure. Many courses offered by both Institutions have a lot in common but there are particular subjects or combinations of subject that are only offered at one of the Universities. For example, PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) is offered at Oxford and HSP (Human, Social and Political Science) at Cambridge. If you want to study Veterinary Science at Oxbridge then you must apply to Cambridge; those interested in Fine Art must head for Oxford. Cambridge courses (or Triposes) cover subject areas very broadly in the initial years and then offer a wide range of options in which to specialize in the later years. Most science subjects at Cambridge are taught within the Natural Sciences framework, which gives students a broad first year before allowing specialization in the following years. This is in contrast to Oxford where science specialisms are studied from day one.

Supra-curricular requirements

It is important that both students and schools are aware of the knowledge, preparation and research necessary to make a successful application to either of these very competitive universities. Students need to be aware that there are likely to be additional requirements and different deadlines involved. All UCAS applications require evidence of academic achievement (results of examinations that have already been taken) alongside predicted results for forthcoming exams and the personal statement. Oxford and Cambridge may also require students to provide written work and/or sit an admissions test and no student is offered a place without a formal, academic interview. Schools are required to provide predicted grades for any forthcoming examinations and a reference that reflects the academic potential of the student for the relevant course.

Admissions Tests and/or extra work required

In most subjects, at both Oxford and Cambridge, students are now asked to sit admissions tests either prior to being invited to interview or (for some subjects at Cambridge) on the day of the interview. The tests are about applying the knowledge that students might reasonably have been expected to have gained from their school curriculum to new problems. Potential applicants will need to check the registration deadlines and familiarise themselves with the format of the relevant test by looking on the websites.

Anyone applying for a humanities subject may also be asked to submit 1 or 2 essays that they have written at school. These should showcase not only their ability to express academic ideas in writing but also their ability to work through complex ideas in a systematic way.

Supplementary Application Questionnaire

Any student applying to Cambridge University is also asked to complete a SAQ (Supplementary Application Questionnaire), which is submitted online shortly after the UCAS application. The SAQ collects additional information such as which topics have been studied at school and allows students to submit an alternative personal statement, which should focus on the Cambridge course rather than the more general subject area covered by all the UCAS choices.

Interviews
Having looked at the all the information at their disposal Oxbridge admissions tutors decide who should be called for interview. These interviews are different at Oxford and Cambridge from most other universities. Students are interviewed on their own with 2 or 3 academics asking questions and posing problem-solving scenarios that are always relevant to the course applied to. The purpose of the interview is to assess how students think and how they use their current knowledge alongside any additional information given during the interview to solve new problems.

Students living outside the UK/EU – even temporarily

Students attending an international school need to be aware that they may also need to complete some extra elements. Anyone applying to Cambridge who is living outside of the EU at the time of application must complete a COPA (Cambridge Online Preliminary Application) prior to submitting the UCAS form. Students who are not taking UK school qualifications (which include the IB) will need to check the entry requirements very carefully and are likely to be asked to submit a transcript of their high school academic results. Evidence of English language skills will be required and any student receiving an offer must apply for a student visa if from outside the UK.

Overseas v UK fee status
The cost of studying at Oxford or Cambridge is dependent upon whether the student is assessed as an ‘overseas’ or UK home student. At Oxford and Cambridge overseas fee payers are required to pay ‘College fees’ (which cover academic facilities and other services provided by Colleges) in addition to the usual undergraduate tuition fees. This is on top of accommodation and living costs.

UK Study Options specializes in helping students apply to Oxford or Cambridge. See what university application support we can offer you to help you secure a place at one of these excellent institutions.

Personal Statement for UK university applicants

Schools have broken up for the summer holidays, students are told to work on their Personal Statements ready to be handed in during the first week of term. Students may be planning to get it wrapped up in a day or so, after all what can be so hard about writing a Personal Statement, 47 lines long, about one side of A4 – 4000 characters (including spaces)? Well, plenty if you haven’t prepared enough in advance!

It’s particularly hard if you are planning to apply to a competitive subject or a high ranking university as you need a show-stopping Personal Statement that is clear, informed about your subject choices, articulate about your passion to study the subject and send the right signals that you are ready, academically able and willing to take a step into the next stage of your life as a university student.

Avoid the common pitfalls

You may think you are the only person who is applying for the course but the reality is that if it is a popular subject like Law or Economics or vocationally specific like Medicine or Veterinary Science there are likely to be at least 15 or more students each applying for one space on the course. They will all have the required predicted grades, so your Personal Statement is your opportunity to shine. Remember that the university admissions person who is choosing their students has studied the subject for many years so they will spot waffle and shallow interest a mile off. They are looking for keen students who are genuinely interested in the course, have done their best to inform themselves by reading widely ‘beyond the school curriculum’ (this means books outside those that you are told to read at school) and are offering something unique to bring to the course and their fellow students.

So, let’s get started

Before you get writing, make notes of books you have read, related resources, lectures you have been to, workshops attended, competitions entered etc. Did you agree with the writer/speaker? Why/why not? How did these resources make an impact upon your decision to study this subject?

What prompted you to study the subjects you are taking at school? What do you enjoy about them and why? Have you become aware of specific skills a subject can give you? For instance, Maths develops strong problem-solving techniques.
What about work-experience, work shadowing, part time jobs, school events that you have organised? What did you learn, did you acquire new skills, what existing skills did you utilise?
Sports and social activities: Tutors want you to get the most out of your studies and will expect you to participate in some sporting and social activities. These may also help you to destress at exam time and get to meet a wide range of people from all cultures – part of the university experience.
Finally, it’s good to reiterate your reasons for wanting to attend a UK university; to learn from your fellow students as well as the academic staff. To be at a culturally diverse and vibrant institution, to be stretched and challenged and to enhance your career prospects. All good reasons to go to university in the UK.

A word of warning! UCAS puts all the UCAS forms and Personal Statements through plagiarism software to avoid temptation to copy and paste the odd sentence that sounds good on the web! Make it yours, make it genuine, make it successful and good luck!

Some resources to help you get started:
Durham University
www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/ucas/personalstatement/

University of Warwick https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/tips/uow_personal_statement_guide_online.pdf

UK Study Options provide tailored student guidance on writing a personal statement for competitive university applications. Have a look at what our Personal Statement Package includes.

We also write a number of blogs on Personal Statement writing and the university application process in general, visit our blog page to find more useful tips and information.

Use your summer wisely – get work experience!

The summer holidays are here, you’ve worked really hard at school and you’re looking forward to a break – perhaps you have some travel booked. But if you are thinking about applying to university in the UK, the holidays are an important time to get work experience, internships or volunteering that will contribute to a more competitive UCAS application, not to mention enhance your career opportunities.

Assume that admissions receive more applications than there are places on the course and that everyone who applies has met the academic entry criteria – what is going to make your application more compelling than the next? What you have done outside your studies that will win you a place on an oversubscribed course?

Universities favour work experience as it shows that you are serious about your future and are able to pursue multiple interests. It doesn’t necessarily need to be directly related to your studies (unless you are applying to Medicine, Veterinary or Law).

Why is this important?

Work experience, internships and volunteering will give you a whole range of skills that are desirable to universities, such as commitment, self-motivation, time management, team working, negotiation and organisational skills, not to mention role-specific skills. These skills can all be applied to enrich your studies.
The experience you gain will prove invaluable in the classroom, helping you to connect academia with the ‘real’ world. It can add context and insight to your studies and a different perspective.
Work experience helps you to form realistic career expectations and goals which universities like to see in their prospective students. It also allows you to try out certain sectors and roles to see if you like them before making big decisions about your career.
Having some professional experience before you graduate will help make the transition from studying to working easier and will increase you chances of getting the job you apply for. Universities love employable alumni – it reflects well on the university and improves their employability stats. The Careers Centre at your destination university will offer a great deal of support including: compiling your CV, application letter writing, gaining the competitive edge when it comes to beating the opposition!
You can get ahead in building a professional network that you can call on for career support and job opportunities after you graduate.

How do you get work experience?

There are many ways you can secure work experience and volunteering work. It depends on what you are interested in and where you live but an obvious place to start is in your local area. Reach out to local businesses, organisations, public services etc to see if they have opportunities. You may be able to use family connections or friends to help you secure informal experience. It’s great if you can get practical experience but even the chance to shadow a member of staff will give you some insight into your chosen role/sector – it’s better than nothing.

UCAS recommend several resources to get you started – so get exploring and get ahead of your peer group!

www.ucas.com/alternatives/internships/internships-and-volunteering

UK Study Options supports students with enrichment activities that boost their profiles and enhance their applications to university. We also offer services such as CV and cover letter guidance and proofing, as well as, conduct mock interviews and more to prepare students for internships, university and beyond! Read about our services on our University Application Support webpage.

What Makes an Effective Personal Statement?

Personal statements are an essential part of your UCAS application as they set you apart from all the other equally capable candidates applying for one of the limited places on a course. Your personal statement should give the Admissions Tutor a strong understanding of who you are and why you want to study the course that you are applying to. You only have 4,000 characters, so you have to be concise but compelling. It is also likely to be the only communication that you as an individual have with an Admissions Tutor so you need to make it count.

It is also very important to understand that the most selective UK universities wish to see a personal statement that is at least 70 – 80% academic. Your extra-curricular activities, hobbies and interests should form only a small part. Remember – the person reading your statement is likely to be an academic who has spent their life studying the subject you claim to have an interest in. Therefore, the main focus of the statement should be your interest in the course and the evidence you have to prove it.

The best personal statements provide evidence of:

enthusiasm and motivation for study of the subject
understanding and/or experience of the subject
academic engagement with the subject
relevant knowledge and skills for the subject
originality and independence of thought

The Russell Group of research-intensive universities which includes institutions such as, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Warwick, Edinburgh and Exeter, recommends the following 4-part structure:

Introduction
Course
Extra- curricular activities
Conclusion

We’ll have a look at each of these in turn.

Introduction – why do you want to study this course?

This should be a snappy opener to grab the reader’s attention – no longer than 4 sentences. It should be interesting, original and give an indication of your personality. Keep in mind that a personal statement should be personal and the introduction is your chance to make a connection with the Admissions Tutor.

Admissions Tutors like to know why an applicant is applying for the chosen course, particularly if they are applying for a subject that they have not studied before at school, such as Engineering or Earth Sciences. You could include a personal trigger that explains why the course interests you or an example of how it relates to modern affairs. You could mention one of the ‘big issues’ in the subject you have applied for or talk about what you find most interesting about the course. Sometimes students start with a relevant quote (if you use a quotation you must ensure that it is accurate and that you explain how it has inspired you) or some questions to show that you know what the course entails and that you are enthusiastic about studying it in more depth. Be warned – if you are expressing interest in a particular aspect or module of the course, be sure to check that all your course choices offer this as part of the degree. Sometimes students talk about their current studies at school and how these have inspired them to pursue the subject at a higher level. Career interests can be a starting point for course choice but be aware that Admissions Tutors will still want to see academic interest in the subject.

The course – what evidence do you have to prove your academic engagement with the subject?

This is the main body of the statement where you can demonstrate both your enthusiasm for and commitment to the course.

Tutors are looking for a personal statement that demonstrates your academic engagement with the subject. They are looking for evidence to show why a course genuinely interests you together with proof that you understand what is required to study the course. In other words, they need to be reassured that you have done your research and have looked beyond course titles to investigate what the course is actually about.

Because this section should be 70-80% of the statement it can be helpful to break it down into ‘inside school’ and ‘outside school’. ‘Inside school’ could include current studies and what you have found particularly interesting and would like to take further. ‘Outside school’ will be anything that you have done that is relevant to your course, which is outside of your school curriculum. Admissions tutors are looking for these ‘super-curricular’ activities as evidence that you are engaging independently with your subject and that you have the capacity and self-motivation for independent study – key to a successful undergraduate experience. The focus here is not to list loads of activities but to give fewer examples with evidence and to show that you have thought about/reflected on/learnt from these experiences.

Extra-curricular activities – what have you done that shows you have the skills needed to be a successful student on the course?

Although competitive universities are primarily interested in seeing evidence of academic interest in the personal statement they also want well rounded students. They are looking for proof that you have the skills necessary to succeed on your course and that you will be able to cope with university life. Non-academic interests and achievements can also help you to stand out from the crowd and give personality to a ‘personal’ statement.

As with the academic interests it is important not to list a whole stream of interests and activities – no matter how impressive you think they are. It is far better to choose fewer, more interesting examples, draw out the transferable skills that you have gained from them and show why these demonstrate your potential to succeed on the course.

Conclusion

It is sensible to finish the statement in a professional manner by rounding it off with one or two concluding sentences. Without repeating what you have already said, link back to the course you are applying for, remind the Admissions Tutor how committed you are, and how you are looking forward to participating in university life as a whole. Make this a really positive finish showing why you think that you deserve to be offered a place.

Top tips

Ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors. When you are satisfied with the content, proof read it – no one is immune from the odd typo or mistake. Do not just rely on spell-check. The easiest way to spot mistakes is to read the statement out loud to yourself and let others read it too
Make full use of the space available, but with correct punctuation. Get rid of words/phrases that do not add anything to your statement
Start writing your statement well in advance of the deadline so you have time to re-draft it a number of times
Follow a clear, logical structure
Avoid jargon, abbreviations or non-standard English
Try to include some subject specific vocabulary
Avoid repetition of information contained in the UCAS form
Write using active verbs, not passive verbs

Things to avoid

Jokes (these can come across as unprofessional and your sense of humour may not appeal to the Admissions Tutor)
Every sentence beginning with ‘I’. Try using gerunds (a verb plus ‘ing’ at the start of sentences)
Lots of pompous language that you would not ordinarily use in an attempt to impress
Lists – an admissions tutor does not want a long list of every book that you have read or every sport that you play. Fewer examples of current or recent activities in more detail is the key
Naming a particular university unless you are only applying to that one university
Lying or exaggerating claims (remember that if you have an interview you may well be asked questions based on your statement)
Saying that you have “always loved” a subject. Talking about how you first developed an interest in something is more believable and interesting.

And finally:

Always remember that every part of the statement should answer the question “why should we give you a place on the course?”

Take advice from parents, teachers, and advisers but at the end of the day it is YOUR statement and it should reflect and sound like you – it is called a personal statement for a reason.

UK Study Options provide tailored student guidance on writing a personal statement for competitive university applications. Have a look at what our Personal Statement Package includes.

What university admissions staff look for when considering applications

Admissions staff at leading universities have an in-depth knowledge of what type of applicant is likely to be a successful student on their course.

Admissions staff will consider the predicted grades, the personal statement and reference regarding a student’s suitability for the course. They may also use tests and interviews at one or more stages of the process.

Admissions staff will check that the applicant is predicted to meet the entry requirements.

Staff look at each application and at the predicted (or actual) results in individual subjects and qualifications. In some cases this may include details of marks rather than just grades.

For many leading universities, there is also a minimum requirement for GCSE grades (or equivalent), particularly in mathematics and English.

Predicted grades and GCSE (or equivalent) grades are important in helping admissions staff assess an applicant’s academic potential.

Admissions staff will look for evidence that the applicant has good subject knowledge and is enthusiastic about the course. The personal statement should demonstrate this.

Admissions staff look for a personal statement that clearly outlines why the applicant wants to study that particular subject, what interests them about the subject and what they know about it.

Students only have one personal statement and it should be relevant to all five choices.

The personal statement can be used in different ways depending on the university and the course applied for. Some university admissions teams score a personal statement against set criteria, while others will check that it is broadly satisfactory.

For many competitive courses, it is the personal statement that can make the difference between an offer and a rejection.

Admissions staff will look for an appropriate and supportive reference from the applicant’s school.

The reference should be written by someone who knows the student and should concentrate on his or her academic ability and suitability for the course that is being applied for.

Many courses do not use interviews or additional tests. However, interviews and tests may be used for courses that receive a very high number of applicants or have additional professional requirements.

There are many different approaches. Interviews and tests may be used to differentiate between very strong applicants or to assess professional suitability, for example, for the medical profession. Some courses may require other types of additional information such as a portfolio of work. The key is to do your research and plan ahead so that if you are required to sit an additional test or provide additional work you are prepared.

Differences between US and UK University Admissions

UK v US applications – the Application Schedule and Process

The vast majority of UK universities are publicly funded to some extent and subscribe to UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) – the UK’s ‘common application’ process for all university applications. Students can do a course search through the UCAS portal to identify suitable degree courses but you should also check the actual course requirements, grades and information about your course on the individual university websites.

The UK – UCAS applications

UCAS opens each year on September 1st.
Students apply to five institutions or courses on one UCAS form
There is only ONE Personal Statement of 4,000 characters for all applications
You can only apply to either Oxford OR Cambridge in any one academic year
Competitive institutions or subjects have an early application deadline of 15th October – a year before entry – this includes Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry
Medical applicants can only choose four medical schools and one other non-medical choice
Most other applications have to be submitted by the second deadline of 15th January.
Art and Design applicants can apply until 24th March.
Applications received after the 15th January deadline will be marked as LATE and may not even be considered.
Students who have applied by January 15th deadline, may receive offers as early as 24 hours following their application but also may not hear until early May.
Offers are usually conditional on students achieving grades specified by each university.
Students then have to accept or decline their offers: usually accepting one FIRM choice and one INSURANCE choice – deadline 7th June for the January deadline applicants.

US – Early Decision 1, Early Decision 11, Regular Admissions, Common App applications

US Universities are either Public or Private institutions. Applications can be on a financial needs base as well as academic and extra-curricular. US students can apply via the Common App or a Coalition Application or to an individual institution.

Application portals open on 1st August
The US Early application season is usually between November and January each year
Regular application deadlines are between January and March
Students apply to the University, College or School as an undergraduate, not to a specific degree
Common App students can choose between 7 essay prompts and submit two or three essays
Essays can be much more Personal than the UCAS Personal Statement
Students need to register for SATs, ACTS or any other tests they are expected to take
Offers are not specifically conditional and will not specify grades.
Students need to accept their offers by March

Differences between UK and US university degrees

Fundamental differences between UK and US university degrees

Making an application for any competitive university worldwide needs consideration, forethought and preparation, perhaps for a year or two before actually submitting your application.

What do I want to study?
Where do I want to study?
Have I got the right qualifications; level, grades and subjects?
How do I enrich my application?
How important are my extra-curricular activities?

Applying to study in the UK can be very different to applying to study in the US. Students in the UK are admitted on their academic record. Studying is more intensive, it is likely that you will be applying for one subject and expected to study that subject for three years or more. There are combined subjects that you can apply for but generally there is less flexibility in the UK, so you need to be sure of your commitment and passion for the subject before you apply and definitely before you accept your offer and begin your studies!

US degrees offer flexibility, so students don’t need to be certain of their subject choices before they enter. It’s quite common for students to change their major in the first year and they may not have to commit to their course of study until part way through their four-year degree. Students studying in the US accumulate their grades through each module they take, they can take a break from their studies at strategic times and even move between faculties or institutions.

Before you apply to the UK you will need to check the entry requirements and subjects. High ranking universities will expect you to have the equivalent to three A levels – grade requirements can vary, typically from A*AA to AAB/ABB. So, for instance an A*AA subject may require a US student to have a good High School Diploma with 3 APs plus one SAT subject scored at 720. Some degrees may require specific subjects to be studied beforehand. For instance Economics often requires students to have high level maths. Engineering will require Maths and Physics and Medicine will require Chemistry and often Biology. There may well be additional tests to take and you may need to register for these before the application is submitted so make sure you check all the requirements first.

It’s always a good idea to get ahead and start to think about enriching your application a year or two before you apply. In the UK most students are encouraged to do some kind of work experience in order to gain an understanding of any careers that they are considering and to gain some skills and attributes before attending university. If you cannot get work experience, try voluntary work or do them both! Volunteering helps you to help the community and you gain skills and experience at the same time! Compassion, time management, communication skills, leadership, empathy, tolerance, patience and understanding are all valuable attributes to take with you to university. Enrichment activities can include some in-depth reading, (it’s important to go beyond the school curriculum), summer schools, debating events and conferences. Anything that can improve your confidence and help you to articulate your interests and passion for the subject and discover more about yourself.

What about your extra-curricular activities? US institutions are more interested in your extra curricular activities. The UK view is that they are important for your health and wealth being – universities in the UK have excellent Student Unions offering sporting and social activities but Admissions Tutors are looking at your academic abilities rather than your sporting prowess. As a rule of thumb, your UK application should include a Personal Statement of which 75% is about your academic ability and 25% about your extra curricular. There are of course exceptions depending upon your course of study.

Plan Ahead with your UK university choices: Pre Personal Statement Tips and Ideas!

Get ahead of the competition – Personal Statement 1

As a Higher Education specialist I help many students who are considering applying to either Oxford or Cambridge or to a competitive course such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary, law or economics. There are two important UCAS application deadlines:

October 15th 2016 for Oxford OR Cambridge – this means you have to get your application in if you are applying for any course at all at these institutions for 2017 entry.
October 15th 2016 if you are applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary at any university in the UK for these subjects for 2017 entry.

The second deadline January 15th 2017 is for all other subjects for UK and EU nationals (except Art and Design). Technically international students can apply up to the 30th June in the year of entry but this is not advisable as your application will be stamped LATE and the institution may not have any places left by the time you apply.

The other thing to bear in mind is some subjects are extremely competitive to get into in all the universities. Economics and Law are two competitive subjects that spring to mind. It is better for international students if you get ahead and prepare to submit your UCAS application at least by the end of October and by the January 15th deadline if you possibly can.

So, where do you start? ….

…Bearing in mind that there may be as many as 12 applicants, all with the specified grades for each place. You have to really stand out and:-

Decide on the subject/s you are most likely to succeed at and enjoy studying for three years or more.
Start reflecting upon what it is about the subject/s that really fires your passion.
Think about your natural preferences in your studies and potential careers.
Think about the skills you gain by studying each of your subjects at school.
Go to the UCAS website AND the Departmental Website of your shortlisted courses – check the Eligibility Requirements to make sure you are a good fit and have the required subjects.
Make sure you also have the right number of subjects and grades at GCSE or equivalent.
Look at the Application Process on the Departmental Website – see if there are any other requirements to be fulfilled such as Admissions Tests, Interview or Supplementary work to be submitted.
Have a look at the Course Modules on the Departmental website: There will be a lot of information for prospective students to help you gain momentum with your preparation.

Many universities have pre-study reading or recommended books listed on their websites. Why? Because up to 25% of students drop out of their course each year because they were not aware of what the course and subject entailed. Student selection in competitive institutions is a very well-tuned process. It is all about student retention! It’s important to select the right students and that the students know exactly what is expected of them. All this advance preparation will certainly give you the edge with that all-important Personal Statement.