So, you are beginning the daunting task of summarising yourself in under 4,000 characters. Many people find it hard to shout about their achievements but remember, this is your moment to shine.
To help you get started we’ve put together some tips on how to write an effective personal statement.
1. Pick a course (and location) to suit you
Figure out what course you want to do and what universities you will be considering.
Your statement needs to be specific and have content showing you would be suited to that degree. You can write a more generic statement if you are stuck between different courses.
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2. Relax and plan
When you are staring at a blank page, it is easy to get stuck before you have even started. You need to breathe and get ready to plan. Structure is key. Write out a list of everything you could use about yourself, which is interesting, or relates to your course.
- Hobbies
- Qualifications
- Volunteering
- Books or articles you’ve read
- Subjects you’ve studied
- Personal qualities (communication, leadership, organisation etc.)
- Your future goals
3. Start writing
Aim to write more instead of less and then slowly cut it down into the key points you want to include. Keep it professional, but still warm and personable. Don’t overcomplicate it, stick to short sharp sentences. 4,000 characters isn’t as much as it sounds.
For inspiration, have a look at studential.com or search ‘personal statement examples’ in Google. In terms of what you could write about or what tone of voice to use these are great to get you started. Don’t copy them.
4. Keep the language clear and straightforward
Don’t overcomplicate your content. If you do find yourself struggling for varied adjectives, a thesaurus (or more likely thesaurus.com) should be your go-to. However, if you don’t understand the word or wouldn’t use it naturally, then avoid it. However, it can help your memory working when stuck.
5. Avoid cliché statements
Avoid starting with broad, unspecific statements like “I’ve always wanted to do (blank) since I was younger”. Try talking about a particular project that inspired you, something you watched or read which led to you researching that subject. Show us your passion for this course.
6. End as strong as you started
Make a lasting impression, your conclusion needs to highlight everything you have mentioned. Link everything back to your degree and why you should study it. Explain what makes you special and why you would be a perfect addition to the campus.
7. Check it (and make sure others do to)
You are human. There will always be errors to tidy up. Check it multiple times. Get friends, teachers, or family to have a look through. It’s always good to get fresh eyes on your statement, they’ll notice things you may have missed. Don’t be that person whose application is full of spelling mistakes.
