9 quick changes to make to your personal statement
Writing an undergraduate personal statement takes a lot of time and thought. It's your chance to stand out from the crowd and a really important component to your university application. Making sure you're happy with it can be tricky. Our Admissions Team have you covered with some quick, easy tips you can make to your personal statement to give you a better chance of getting into your chosen university.
Make your opening sentence as gripping and eye-catching as possible
Your opening sentence is the very first thing that most Admissions Officers will read, so it's important to ensure that you make it as unique as possible. Try to avoid phrases such as 'I have always been interested in...' as this can feel somewhat typical and standard when, in reality, you'll want to stand out!
Cover your bases
Even within the strict character count, it's integral that you present as all-encompassing portrait of yourself as possible. Try not to focus too heavily on one aspect of your academic or personal lives in particular, but rather try to consider how they fit together and, in turn, how these have influenced your decision to study your chosen subject.
Be sure to refer to your desired area of study explicitly
This might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many personal statements fail to mention their desired subject. One or two instances of explicit linking can go a long way!
Utilise your entire character count
4000 characters equates to approximately 550-600 words and it's vital that you take advantage of every single one. Remember, this is your best chance to put yourself and your personality onto a page. The best way to achieve that is by telling us as much about yourself and your desire to study your chosen subject as you can!
Proofread your personal statement with fresh eyes
Reading over your personal statement for spelling, grammar, and other errors is extremely important as it displays that an extra level of care has been taken when writing your statement. However, it's advisable that you don't attempt this as soon as your personal statement has been completed due to the length of time you've spent refining it. Make sure you take a screen break and come back to your work with a fresh perspective. Trust us when we say it'll make proofreading much easier.
Ask for a second opinion if you can
Gaining another person's perspective on your personal statement could certainly benefit you on the whole. Someone else might pick up on certain aspects that you may have missed. Any constructive advice is good advice, of course!
Don't mention any of the universities you're applying to by name
This is generally considered poor practice. Remember, your personal statement will be assessed by all five of your UCAS choices and therefore, mentioning one institute, in particular, could be detrimental.
Try not to begin your statement with a quote
This is generally seen as poor academic practice, which is why many tend to avoid it. However, this is typically dependent on the context in which the quote is used. Essentially, we want to hear from YOU about YOUR experiences and how they've shaped you.
Most importantly, be yourself
Try to make your personal statement stand out from the crowd by being personal and ultimately being yourself. Admissions Officers are reading a lot of applications, so showing your unique personality will help your personal statement be more sincere and less generic. Giving you a better chance to go to the university that's right for you!
