How to start a personal statement Birmingham City University

If you think it has some relevance to the subject you’re applying for then put it in, and don’t be afraid to talk about what how to start a personal statement you’ve achieved in the process. Also make sure to include any super-curricular activities that might relate to the course.

• Do not — we repeat — do not copy any part of your personal statement or use AI to write it; UCAS uses very powerful anti-plagiarism software and you will get caught.
• Whilst it’s possible that there are thousands of applicants who want to do the same course as you, it doesn’t mean your application is less than.
• Then when you’re ready to start writing, you can approach it one section or paragraph at a time.
• So, before submitting, make sure that you have proofread your application, or get it proofread by someone else to make it error-free.

These are activities that take your academic interests further, eg. Podcasts, Model UN, lectures, wider reading, Ted talks, essay competitions. Your personal statement forms a core part of your university application, and the sooner you get going, the better you can make it. Sure, your application might not reach that deal breaker stage. Here we’ll take you through the process of planning, writing and checking a good personal statement, so you end up with something you can submit with confidence. And to make sure the advice we’re giving you is sound, we’ve spoken to admissions staff at loads of UK universities to get their view. Look out for video interviews and advice on applying for specific subjects throughout this piece or watch our personal statement playlist on YouTube.

Looking for a good personal statement checker?

Don’t let your personal statement become a long list of ideas – that was your starting point. Think about the most important points you’ve made, and work on developing those. At this point, you may have to delete whole sections, so don’t become too attached to what you have written. Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell us more about yourself and why you are interested in studying your chosen subject. In this article, we offer you some tips and advice on how to start building your personal statement and make the best impression with your application.

• It’s called a personal statement for a reason, so make it personal and show your character.
• Give examples of where you’ve used organisational skills, solved a problem or effectively communicated with someone.
• You need to explain why you want to change subjects and how your current subject will help you.
• Often confused with a cover letter or supporting statement, a personal statement is a small section on various forms of CVs.

If you approach your personal statement as a short academic essay about yourself and your motivations, we should be left with a clear sense of where your passion lies and your suitability for the course. For example, did working on a presentation teach you to work independently? Or, maybe being a part of your hockey team has taught you to work with others. Whatever it is, write it down and once you’ve got all your collegeessayhelps.com/coursework-writing-service/ ideas on paper you can pick your favourites that really demonstrate why you’re the perfect candidate for your course. It’s not always easy talking about yourself and all the things you’ve achieved. Our step-by-step guide to starting your personal statement will have you putting pen to paper in no time. Don’t feel that you necessarily need to write your personal statement in the order in which it will be read.

How should I start my Masters personal statement?

The best personal statements don’t just show your enthusiasm for your course and your relevant skills and experiences – they give an insight into how you think. The last thing you want, after you’ve written an amazing personal statement, is for it to be littered with spelling and punctuation errors. You’ll need to cover why you want to teach at secondary level while also acknowledging the pressures and challenges of working with older pupils. As you’ll be teaching a specific subject, you’ll need to evidence your knowledge in this area and demonstrate how your first degree was relevant. It’s also essential to highlight any related work or voluntary experience. Don’t be afraid to go straight into talking about what excites you most about your subject and the motivation behind choosing to apply.

Finally, there are plenty of resources online with personal statement examples you can read. Do not — we repeat — do not copy any part of your personal statement or use AI to write it; UCAS uses very powerful anti-plagiarism software and you will get caught. However, reading through a personal statement template or two is a good way to get a grasp of what to include.

Do I need to use long words and elaborate language to impress the Admissions Tutor?

Your introduction should be a collection of short sentences and the aim is to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t waste time with lots of detailed long sentences where there is a chance your point could get lost. Your personal statement must show that you have the appropriate attitude to complete your studies and practise your profession responsibly.

Organising a series of plays and other events for the elderly was a fulfilling challenge. I also found that the experience of assisting younger people with IT and language development was extremely rewarding. Brecht is particularly absorbing for his insight into the way people attempt to overcome the horrors of war. At university I look forward to analysing varied interpretations of history and the original sources upon which they are based. As a school prefect I have held many responsibilities such as organising school events, delivering speeches and participating actively on the School Council. This experience has taught me to use my own initiative and developed my skills of public speaking and diplomacy.

Psychology personal statement

Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or social media where anyone can see it. Instead, now is a good time to make your parents feel useful. Read your personal statement out to them and get them to give you feedback. Or try printing it out and mixing it up with a few others (you can find sample personal statements on The Student Room). If they can’t, perhaps there’s not enough of your personality in there. As part of the UCAS application process, you’ll need to complete a personal statement. Your personal statement might be the only chance you have to ‘speak’ directly to an Admissions Tutor so it’s important to get it right.

Choose a professional font (like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman) in a standard size 12 and in black. Don’t make the text smaller to fit more words in on the page — it’s still measured by characters. We understand how intimidating it is to write a personal statement. You want to present yourself as the best candidate for the course (considering the competition) and impress those reading it. The best way to do that is to just be honest and authentic. No one is expecting you to be an expert — that’s why you’re applying to study in your chosen area!

What should I include on my personal statement?

She specialises in topics relating to mental & physical wellbeing and career advice. An Admissions Tutor will be impressed by the use of good English; a personal statement needs to be well written, in simple English, and laid out carefully.

Try and highlight the benefits of what you’re doing and work it to your advantage. If you’re taking a year out to work and earn money for university, this demonstrates a strong work ethic, while volunteering shows a passion for certain causes and a willingness to learn. These kinds of mistakes are really common, so don’t assume you won’t make them. Be sure to mention any work experience placements or internships, particularly if they’re relevant to your course or to the job you’ve said you’d like to go on to do.

Guide Categories

When thinking about your relevant studies, skills and experiences, don’t forget to mention any relevant work experience, extracurricular activities or further reading. Remember that universities will see details of your qualifications so there’s no need to list them in your personal statement.

Begin with a mind map and formulate this into a plan to help structure your first draft. “The best personal statements get to the point quickly and demonstrate real enthusiasm – I look forward to teaching these students.”