A Simple Way to Write a Successful Personal Statement

by Mary Goldwin Freelance Writer

image from baruch.cuny.edu that is also found in MyEssaySearch.com The personal statement is an important part of your application to university. There is competition for the places for which students are applying and the personal statement is where you can show the admissions committee that you should be given a place. However, as difficult as the competition, so is personal statement writing itself. Nevertheless, you can use the help of a guide to help you simplify task but still achieve a personal statement that will be effective against the competition.

Here is a guide involving what elements you need to include in your personal statement and corresponding questions. It is mostly about why you want the course and enter higher education itself in general and your skills and achievements which make you suitable for your chosen subject and university life in a greater scope. With the guide questions are example answer to which you can base your own answer. There are also tips for mature students and international applicants and some overall do’s and don’ts.

About the Course and Higher Education

Why do you choose the course?

Why does the subject interest you?

Why do you want to study at higher education level?

What are your ambitions when you finish your course?

Example:

I want to work in an office with others and working with them towards a goal for the organisation. When I was still in primary school and up until high school, I always had my own office where I do my homework and projects and study my lessons. There, I had my own office table and bulletin board. In high school, I enjoyed helping in group work both in class and in campus organisations as a member and then passionate about coordinating the works required in big projects as the leader.

A degree in commerce will enable me to enter a career with the environment I want. I would like to learn, among many, how businesses are run and how its money is managed. Studying these and more at university will ensure that I am equipped with broad and deep knowledge and skills. After graduation, I would like to be a productive and positive employee in a corporation and hopefully prosper into a good leader who brings out the best from one’s people.”

Skills and Achievements

Image found in yourmomhatesthis.com that is also found in MyEssaySearch.com

Why do you think you’re suitable for the course?

Do you have any particular skills and experience that will help you succeed on the course?

(related volunteering or work experience, including part time job)

Do your current or previous studies relate to the course that you have chosen? How?

Have you taken part in any other activities that demonstrate your interest in the course?

Example: (continued from previous example)

Being interested in the course, I researched about it and found out that it requires numerical and analytical aptitude because business means managing, among others, money and other physical assets. It involves recording each transaction like income and expenses and observing the flow and improving it so that it can result to more profits. I believe I can cope well with this requirement because I have kept track of my expenses and savings from my daily allowance as a very young child and even had a savings account with the bank back then. My mother who worked as an accounting clerk in an appliance store thought me how to save money and record my savings. Now, I also create a schedule of my allowance, expenses and savings with daily, weekly, monthly and yearly details. Furthermore, these are the reasons why I took up some basic bookkeeping and office administration subjects in GCSEs. I enjoy studying the subjects and am doing well in them.

For Mature Students

If you are a mature student, include writing about what you have been doing since leaving education. Describe clearly what these are and explain why you are doing them. Also, use this to help you provide additional evidence that will support your application to university. If you are not a full-time student, give details of whatever relevant work experience whether it be paid or unpaid and information about your current or previous employment.

For International Students

If you are a foreign student, give your reasons for wanting to study in the UK. Also, you need to give reasons why you think you can successfully complete a course that is taught in English. For example, you can cite that some of your studies have been taught or examined in English or that you have participated in activities outside your studies where you have used English.

Do’s

Write your personal statement the best way that you can. Proofread it to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors. Let your trusted friends proofread, review and comment on it. Revise as appropriate.

Outline your points clearly, emphasising your strengths. As part of clarity, see to it that the words you use will be understood by the readers of your personal statement.

Show your enthusiasm for the course; it will help you get a spot.

Be patient. Write as many drafts of your personal statement as you can or need, until you feel satisfied with it.

Don’ts

Do not exaggerate. Overstating an achievement can put you in the risk of getting caught at the interview if you are asked to about it.

Do not rely on a spellchecker because it is limited as it is a computer program, an artificial intelligence. It will not detect all spelling and grammatical errors and it will consider as wrong even those which are correct but is not included in its program.

Do not waste time. Never be complacent or overconfident because the deadline is still far and you still have much time. You need all the time you can get. Do not leave your personal statement writing to later, much worse to the last minute.

Remember:

As mentioned, personal statement writing is not easy. You need to do it well because, aside from the need to present your motives and suitability to the course and higher education, there is competition in this aspect because it is an important part considered by admissions officers. For instance, there is tough competition for places in pharmacy courses because many want to have that pharmacy job, especially that it pays well. However, you can still write your personal statement in a simple way. Answer the given guide questions, refer to the example answers, follow the do’s, avoid the don’ts and practice the tips and be successful against the competition.

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