Personal StatementsMaking a successful university application

Getting It RightWhy Does It Matter?

Getting It RightWhy Does It Matter?

Competition for particular courses and at certain universities

Your Application• GCSEs/equivalent results

• AS/equivalent results

• A2/equivalent predictions

• Interviews, Admissions Tests & References

• Personal Statement

• Your Personal Statement is sometimes the integral part of your submission

• You will need to meet deadlines to maximise your chances of success

Overview

• Integral part of the UCAS submission

• Provides the first step towards and point of contact

with the university of your choice

• Every statement is read

• 4000 characters for you to explain why you should be

picked to study that particular course

• No single correct way of producing them

You n

You need to communicate

• Why the chosen course is suited to you

• Personal qualities that will benefit you at university

• What you can bring to the university (extra-curricular activities and interests)

• You will need to meet deadlines to maximise your chances of success

Your chance to show what YOU can offer and why you’d be an asset to the University

Possible Structure

Write a concluding statement

Your work experience

Your hobbies and interests

Your skills and achievements

Your interest in the course/subject

Why this subject?Enjoyment of subject

Why is it important to you?Why is it enjoyable?

Enjoyment of a particular aspect Which aspect stands out from the rest? Why?

A current subject in more depth, new subject or dimension

What is of specific interests within the programme offered? Link to an element of a current course?

Interest reinforced by work experience

How did work experience help? What did you do/learn?

A prerequisite for a chosen careerWhich career? How does the course fit into plans?

Inspiration from a person or eventLecture, visit, book, programme, event, experience, film, protest, legal case?

Experiences thus far

• Your education

• Project Work

• Voluntary Work

• Extra-curricular Activities

• Work Experience (e.g. Law, Teaching)

• Books, Newspapers, Journals, Blogs

• TV Programmes and Documentaries

“The strongest applicants are those who can link their extra-

curricular activities to their proposed course of study”

Personality

Who you are

Sports achievementsMusical qualifications

Charity Work

Prefect

Academic awards

Duke of Edinburgh

Head boy or girl

University summer schools

Hobbies and InterestsDeveloped excellent

team working

skills

I learnt quickly,

adapting my game

plan

I want to continue

playing rugby at university

Organisation and time

management skills

Part-time Jobs

Developed excellent

communication skills

I am able to work

effectively under pressure

Responsibility

Financially

independent

Apply before you go away!

Taking a Gap Year

Make the most of it!

Be yourself!

Top Tips

• Be original and write with an active, positive tone

• Do not mention individual institutions

• Avoid starting with a quote/humour

• Ensure interests and hobbies mentioned relate to the

programme choices

• They don’t want to see a chronological history of your

education

Questions?

Access and Student Recruitment

Substitute Personal Statement

• You can submit a substitute personal statement directly to Durham by uploading a Microsoft Word document which replaces the personal statement in your UCAS application

• There is no requirement for an applicant to submit a substitute personal statement, nor will providing one give any automatic advantage.

• Same parameters as UCAS statement.

• submit it using online formd, no later than 3 calendar days after submitting the UCAS application

Access and Student Recruitment

After the RepliesSupporting students after receiving their replies:

• Just as important as supporting them in deciding where to apply and helping with their application.

• Deciding between offers – select realistic choices for firm and insurance whilst maintaining effort to achieve grades (it’s not over yet!)

• Coping with ‘rejection’ – expectations must be realistic

• All Universities are special so any offer is an achievement!