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8 Tips For Your Personal Statement for University

When it comes to getting into the dream school, the personal statement is top on the list of ways to wow the admissions committee. A personal statement should be unique, thoughtful, and a representation of the student one plans to be. Here are eight tips to make a personal statement shine.

Feb 8, 2021
  • Student Tips
8 Tips For Your Personal Statement for University

1. Reasons for wanting to study

A personal statement is just that; a personal statement about who the student is, and why they want to study at the school, as well as their area of focus. Therefore, it needs to be unique, thought-out, and individualized to the school. For example, it’s not enough to say something like “I want to be a doctor to help people,” if the student is interested in a pre-med program. Tell the admissions committee why you as an individual want to be a doctor, and how attending their school will help you achieve those goals. As Amber Rolfe writes for Reed, “You need to explain why you’re interested in the course. This involves being specific, whilst demonstrating enthusiasm. Talk about what you like about the subject, how your interest developed, and how it would help you towards achieving your long-term career goals.”

2. Why you’re suitable

It isn’t enough to just want entry into the university or the program; students have to demonstrate they are suitable candidates. This means they need to think about their skills, as well as experiences they have gathered that will help them be a successful member of the program they wish to study in. One way to stand out is to research the program, and comment specifically on how their skills dovetail with the program.

3. How your current study is relevant

If you are applying for an undergraduate program, you should write about how your high school education relates to your prospective college career. Graduate schools are even more competitive than undergraduate programs, especially if you hope to snag an assistantship or funding. Therefore, it's important to really drill down and focus on what was learned at undergraduate level (or previous/current graduate level), and how those studies are relevant to your desired program.

4. Related hobbies and interests.

While it isn’t advised to give away too many personal details, it can be helpful to the committee to gain a better understanding of who the student is by sharing some hobbies and interests related to the course of study. For example, if you are are hoping to pursue a master’s in English literature, it is probably a good idea to share activities such as being part of a book club or if you have self-published a book of poetry. These small tidbits into who you are as a person can help a committee see if you are going to be the right fit for their program.

5. Skills and achievements.

This is your chance to brag! Whether you were the captain of your high school swim team, a chess champion, a talented artist, or the president of a college organization, the personal statement is a great place to share skills and accomplishments. Try to select things more unique to you and which would boost your case for why you should be selected for the university.

6. Work experience.

Undergraduate and postgraduate programs require a lot of work and commitment. Therefore, it can be helpful to let a committee know that the student was able to hold down a part-time job in high school, or they worked as a nanny when they intend to get a PhD in family studies, for example. Ahmed Muhammad, who was recently accepted into Stanford, started a small nonprofit while in high school. The nonprofit, Kits Cubed, became the main focus of his personal statement, CNN reports. Muhammad was able to demonstrate qualities that set him apart from other candidates by talking about his small business.

7. Be yourself.

One of the best ways to captivate an admissions package reader is by being yourself. Rather than trying to write the “perfect” personal statement, you should focus instead on sharing who you are as a person. You should avoid cliched opening statements, use quotes from other authors selectively (and with credit), and allow your true personality to shine through!

8. Look to the future.

While getting into university might feel like the be-all-and-end-all, “admissions staff want to see how you’ll use your degree, and to get a sense that theirs is the right course for you.” This means taking some time to think about what lies ahead after graduation, and how you will be a good ambassador for the school after becoming an alumnus. As Matthew Rayson, Outreach Officer at the University of Cumbria, says, “What you put in your personal statement now may not be what you want to do at the end of your degree, but it’s about having that drive and that vision for the future.”

Some students question whether personal statements are worth putting their valuable time and energy into. However, Clare Marchant, chief executive of UK admissions body UCAS, explains, “A survey of 118 universities by Ucas in 2016 found that 89% of them used personal statements in their initial decision making.” This means the words you share as a student forms part of the decision of if you are accepted into your university of choice. Therefore, it’s important to take time to sit down, gather the right information, and craft a personal statement that will help you on your way to your dream university or college!

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Chelsea Castonguay

Author

Chelsea is a Student Affairs expatriate, who now works as a freelance writer and editor. She homesteads in a small town in rural Maine, USA. She enjoys hiking, fishing, cooking, reading, all things Laura Ingalls Wilder, spending time with her family, and chasing her black lab puppy, Cash.

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