Personal Statements

Before applying to university...

• Why do you want to go to university?

• What do you want to study?

• Why do you want to study this course?

• What are the entry requirements?

• Where do you want to study?

What Admission Tutors look for:

Potential for academic success

Potential for vocational success

Potential for personal and social success

Personal Statements

• Be positive – make yourself stand out from other applicants

• Be concise – do not repeat information which is elsewhere on the form

• Spend time on getting it right!

What should you cover?• Reasons for choosing the course

• Show why you would be suitable for the course – relevant research, skills and experience

• Capability for higher level study – independence, motivation, academic ability…

• Career aspirations and why you would be suited to your chosen profession

• Other interests, abilities and achievements – show that you are a ‘well-rounded’ person

Hints and tips…• Spelling, punctuation and grammar must be perfect

• The statement should have a clear structure

• Avoid the ‘obvious statements’ – “I read”, “I socialise with friends”…

• Never list interests or activities

• If applying for combined courses, make sure you address all subjects

• Remember you only have one statement

Portfolios

• Should have recent work and provide evidence of all relevant capabilities

• Show evidence of visual enquiry, idea development and a sample of written work

• Portfolios can include photo prints or slides of 3D work, painting/printmaking, drawings or digital work

Things to think about…

• Reference

• Extra-curricular activities – sports, hobbies, voluntary work…

• Academic achievement

• Work experience

• Life experience