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Career
Resources > UCAS > Personal Statement
You
apply to UCAS either by filling in a paper application form, or by using
the electronic application system (EAS). (Note that you can only apply
using EAS if you do so through your school, college or Careers Scotland
centre). An increasing number of applicants now use EAS, but many still
use the paper form.
In
each case, in Section 10 of the UCAS form you must write your own personal
statement to support your application. This is the only part of the
form where you can tell the university or college about yourself, in
your own words. It is important in the selection process, so you should
do your best to complete it effectively.
- What
you say is important.
- How
you organise the layout is important.
The
whole statement reflects not only your knowledge of spelling and grammar,
but also your ability to express ideas and information clearly and concisely.
Your choice of words can also indicate your general maturity and competence.
- If
you use the paper application form you have very limited space. There
are 23 lines on the page and writing 9 or 10 words per line gives
you just over 200 words - make the most of them! You are not allowed
to run on to extra pages. You must write neatly, clearly and not too
small, because the UCAS form is reduced during processing. (If you
type you should use at least 12 point font. For stick-on versions
of the personal statement section, for use with word processors, ask
your school or college or telephone 01242 223707).
- If
you use the electronic application form you have more space as there
are 47 lines on the page which you should complete in 12 point script.
This
means that in either case you will probably not be able to say all you
would like to, so you need to select the information which is most significant.
At the end of this article there are examples of personal statements
such as might be used in the space available on the paper application
form.
How
do I set about writing a personal statement?
- You
might like to think of it as writing a brief essay about yourself!
It is not difficult, but you want to get it right.
- A
good starting point is to take a couple of pieces of paper and jot
down all the things you feel you might like to include.
- To
start with, you could note these simply in the order they come into
your head - you can group them later on.
- Do
not expect to complete either the list or the personal statement quickly
- take your time, draft out ideas, think about it, perhaps discuss
it with others and come back to it.
What
sort of things should I include?
They
could be things you have done
- at
school
- in
part time work, on work experience or through voluntary work
- with
youth groups or sports clubs
- with
friends or on your own
Try
to include any activities which relate to the course you hope to take
and to the career plan you may have. Think also of tasks which show
that you have a sense of responsibility, or are a good organiser, or
tasks which have led you into interesting situations.
Admissions
tutors are looking for people who can bring together experiences from
different parts of their lives, give clear reasons for wanting to do
a particular course and relate it to their plans for the future.
The
UCAS booklet 'How to Apply' suggests that you include points relating
to:
- Your
reasons for choosing the course (this can be more difficult if you
have selected a range of subjects - but see below)
- Reasons
for your interest in the subject Areas of particular interest within
your present studies
- Any
work experience, placement or voluntary work Information on your core
skills - communication, numeracy, information technology, problem
solving and working with others - which are all transferable skills.
- Other
achievements, such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award
- Any
subjects you are studying for which there is no exam
- Sponsorships
you have gained or applied for
- Your
plans for the future If you plan to take a year out, your reasons
why (and how you intend to use the time)
- Your
social, sports or leisure interests
You
want to make a good impression - to stand out from the crowd
- So
research the course you want to take - read prospectuses
and course leaflets, look at web sites. Try to identify any particular
requirements and, if you can, point out how you fulfil them. This
is particularly important if you are applying for a subject such as
medicine, law, teaching or physiotherapy, where you will be in competition
with many other well-qualified applicants
- Organise
your material - draft, re-draft, re-draft again, until you
get it the way you want it - this can be easier on a word processor,
as you can edit, and don’t have to re-write the whole section
many times.
- Don’t
repeat material already on the application form - try to
avoid listing the subjects you are currently studying as this just
takes up space and doesn’t give any new information.
- Take
care with the layout - make the most of what you’ve
got. Organise it into paragraphs which flow logically. Include only
what you could talk about with confidence at an interview.
- Do
not start every sentence or paragraph with 'I'.
- Don’t
finish up with a long list of unrelated hobbies.
- Be
positive and enthusiastic.
- Don’t
ramble, or pad it out - and never say you can do something
you cannot - you will be found out!
- If
you are handwriting the statement, make sure it is clear,
legible and not too small - don’t overcrowd the space.
- Practise
in the allotted space, on a photocopy of the form, on even on an ordinary
piece of paper which is the right size.
- Take
care with your sentence structure and check your spelling
and grammar - get someone else to check it too, just to make
sure.
Possible
outline of a personal statement (This is just one suggestion - it's
not the only approach)
- Justify
your choice of course.
- Say
why you want to do that course.
- If
you can, indicate what you want to do after it.
- If
you have selected seemingly unrelated courses, try to identify a common
thread, perhaps such as caring for people or working in a scientific
field.
- Mention
any relevant work experience (including voluntary
and placement work) - this is essential for some courses such as medicine,
veterinary work, social work or teaching. Be specific - say when and
where you worked and for how long.
- Mention
any visits you may have arranged, which are related
to your intended course - for instance to hospital departments, schools,
legal offices or science laboratories.
- If
you have work experience which is not directly relevant
to your proposed course and career, can you identify core (transferable)
skills, which you learned or developed there?
- Include
information on your core skills - communication,
numeracy, information technology, problem solving and working with
others.
- For
some courses, you should include personal qualities
- for teaching, social work, medicine and paramedical courses, for
instance, to be a caring person, a good communicator and able to work
in a team are all very important.
- Mention
any positions of responsibility you hold in school.
- If
you are involved in activities outside school, mention
them - especially if you excel or hold positions of responsibility.
Even if they do not relate to your chosen subject they add to the
impression of you as a person.
- If
you do not take part in activities inside or outside school,
ask yourself whether any core skills are developed by what you do
in your spare time, or whether your informal interests (including
watching TV) are relevant to the subject you are applying for.
Remember
- If
you plan to take a year out and have applied for deferred entry, say
what you intend to do with the time - working to build up funds might
sound less exciting than going overseas, but it is just as acceptable.
- Your
Progress File may help jog your memory when assembling your information.
- It
sometimes helps to work with friends and discuss each other's statements.
Talking can help you remember vital information - and one of your
friends may point out something you have overlooked!
- Try
to sound interesting!
GOOD
LUCK!
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