Writing your personal statement is the main component of your university application, so undoubtedly you may be panicking and unsure about where to begin. I’ve been there, done that and cried the tears of stress so I’m here to give you my top tips on how to write a university personal statement.
How long should a personal statement be?
A personal statement has a maximum limit of 4,000 characters or 47 lines including spaces and punctuation. This means it can be quite tricky to fit the reasoning as to why you’re passionate about your course and how you stand out from the crowd into a mere 600-ish words.
Read this article for more details on how long a personal statement should be.
What you should (and shouldn’t) include in your personal statement
A personal statement helps admissions officers understand why they should accept you into their university. You need to convey your passion and willingness to attend university and for your course. There are three main components that your personal statement should tackle:
1. Chosen course
In this section, you should discuss the course you’ve chosen, why you’ve chosen it and any school experience you have relating to the course. Explain why you find the subject interesting. This demonstrates your interest and suitability for the degree you’re applying to.
2. Extracurricular and super-curricular activities
For this section, you should discuss any hobbies, work experience, and after-school clubs you’ve taken part in which demonstrate why you’re a good student for the university to take on board. It is equally as important to include super-curricular activities in this section. These are educational activities you have taken part in beyond the school curriculum which demonstrate your interest in your chosen field of study. These include webinars and seminars, listening to podcasts and even reading books.
3. Future goals
Finish off your personal statement with what you want to do after you’ve finished your course. Write about your future goals and how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you will gain from your degree.
You want your personal statement to reflect your individuality so make sure to draw from personal experiences within your writing. Don’t stick to a rigid structure, which makes your writing read as if you’re simply answering questions, you want your writing to flow. Lastly, avoid the cliché openings of “Since I was young…” or “I have always wanted to study…” It’s okay to not have had a lifelong passion for the subject you’re applying to. Be honest and open about how you’ve come to love and be interested in the subject to set yourself apart from the crowd
How to write a personal statement for two subjects
I was particularly indecisive when applying to university, so much so that I applied for three different university courses. I struggled with writing a combined personal statement so here are my top tips for doing so:
- Address each subject throughout your personal statement.
- Find ways to blend your two subjects. For example, when applying for Philosophy and English Literature I wrote about themes of religion and ethics in books I’d read.
- Look for evidence of the two subjects intertwining in the real world.
- If you’re struggling to intertwine two subjects write separate paragraphs about each of the subjects.
Writing a personal statement can feel daunting, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to showcase your potential to your future universities. Remember to be authentic, let your enthusiasm shine through, and keep your writing concise and purposeful. With all of these components, your personal statement will effectively demonstrate to admissions officers why you’re a great fit for their university. Good luck!
Last Updated on November 12, 2024
Published on November 4, 2024
