UCAS – The Personal UCAS – The Personal Statement Statement

Paul GerrardPaul Gerrard

Director of Sixth Form Director of Sixth Form Studies Studies

Personal Statements are important Personal Statements are important

Especially early in the application cycleEspecially early in the application cycle For courses which do not interviewFor courses which do not interview For influencing the content of interviewsFor influencing the content of interviews For courses with definite entry profile For courses with definite entry profile

requirementsrequirements Because they are both a positive & a Because they are both a positive & a

negative selector.negative selector.

NB An early applicant = an organised NB An early applicant = an organised applicantapplicant

12 tips to produce a good personal 12 tips to produce a good personal statementstatement

Start early Start early –– in Year 12 in Year 12 Research the entry profile of your chosen courseResearch the entry profile of your chosen course On UCAS website look for Entry Requirements On UCAS website look for Entry Requirements

desirable skills/qualities at entrydesirable skills/qualities at entry List your own interests/abilities/achievementsList your own interests/abilities/achievements Do your interests/abilities/achievements match Do your interests/abilities/achievements match

those on the Entry Requirements?those on the Entry Requirements? If not extra reading ; work experience, key skills If not extra reading ; work experience, key skills

development etc.. may be needed. Use Y12 development etc.. may be needed. Use Y12 summer holidayssummer holidays

12 tips to produce a good personal 12 tips to produce a good personal statementstatement

Highlight EP skills/qualities in your Highlight EP skills/qualities in your personal statementpersonal statement

Aim to stand out because of your Aim to stand out because of your skills/qualities & the way you describe skills/qualities & the way you describe themthem

Aim for interest, modesty & teachability Aim for interest, modesty & teachability –– avoid too eccentric, arrogant or dogmaticavoid too eccentric, arrogant or dogmatic

Spelling & grammar are vitalSpelling & grammar are vital Don`t lie or over-exaggerateDon`t lie or over-exaggerate Remember the law of diminishing returnsRemember the law of diminishing returns

Constructing the Personal Constructing the Personal StatementStatement

Must be clearly paragraphedMust be clearly paragraphed Be about 300 to 500 wordsBe about 300 to 500 words You are told the number of characters that you You are told the number of characters that you

have left by the softwarehave left by the software Write in short clear sentences ; do not waste Write in short clear sentences ; do not waste

wordswords Keep lists to a minimumKeep lists to a minimum Liaise with the reference writer (Housemaster, Liaise with the reference writer (Housemaster,

Mr.G, Mr. B) Mr.G, Mr. B) –– don`t repeat information supplied don`t repeat information supplied elsewhere on the formelsewhere on the form

First sentences are difficult ; jump in!First sentences are difficult ; jump in!

Structuring the Personal Statement Structuring the Personal Statement

Suggestion ;Suggestion ; 2 sections2 sections

Section1 : 2/3Section1 : 2/3rdrd weighting weighting

Section 2 : 1/3Section 2 : 1/3rdrd weighting weighting

Section 1 – Reasons for choosing Section 1 – Reasons for choosing your degree courseyour degree course

Why you are interested in Why you are interested in …….. Specific examples of your interest eg. Specific examples of your interest eg.

books, articles etcbooks, articles etc If a non 6If a non 6thth subject where does your subject where does your

interest stem?interest stem? Academic interests & achievementsAcademic interests & achievements Relevant work experience (especially Relevant work experience (especially

medicine & law applicants) medicine & law applicants) Convey genuine motivation & enthusiasmConvey genuine motivation & enthusiasm (Examples of academic extension) (Examples of academic extension) READ EXAMPLES AT BACK OF HANDOUTREAD EXAMPLES AT BACK OF HANDOUT

Section 2 – You the personSection 2 – You the person

Individual strengths & qualities (linked to Individual strengths & qualities (linked to the ER) the ER)

Hobbies & interestsHobbies & interests Non-academic achievementsNon-academic achievements Study skillsStudy skills Ability to cope with a demanding lifeAbility to cope with a demanding life TeachabilityTeachability Gap year plans if deferred entry Gap year plans if deferred entry –– how how

might this develop your skills (section 1) might this develop your skills (section 1)

Section 2 – You the personSection 2 – You the person Demonstrate ; leadership skills, capacity Demonstrate ; leadership skills, capacity

for teamwork, enterprise, sensitivity to for teamwork, enterprise, sensitivity to needs of others, contribution to the needs of others, contribution to the community, determination to stick to a community, determination to stick to a tasktask

DO NOTDO NOT make list of school sports, make list of school sports, countries visited etc.countries visited etc.

Short concluding sentence ; why you are Short concluding sentence ; why you are interesting in your own right with your own interesting in your own right with your own values, priorities & agenda, someone who values, priorities & agenda, someone who will clearly benefit from both the course & will clearly benefit from both the course & university life. university life.

Our Mission (should we chose to Our Mission (should we chose to accept it)accept it)

To complete all UCAS forms by To complete all UCAS forms by October half-term??? October half-term???

NB. Your Housemaster can not begin NB. Your Housemaster can not begin to write your reference until your to write your reference until your personal statement is completed.personal statement is completed.

Still a fortnight for the form to be Still a fortnight for the form to be sent off after you have handed it insent off after you have handed it in

PLAGARISIM!PLAGARISIM!

Similarity detection softwareSimilarity detection software If suspect – applicant will be If suspect – applicant will be

contacted at the same time as all the contacted at the same time as all the universities to which the applicant universities to which the applicant has applied.has applied.

Universities then take any action that Universities then take any action that they consider appropriate. they consider appropriate.