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
Top Related