What should I include in my personal statement?

The key question you need to have in your mind when writing your personal statement is: “Why me?”Admissions officers want to know if you are the type of person who could contribute to their Universities in the best ways possible, and if theirs is the right one to make you flourish, both academically and personally.

I would recommend splitting your statement into 4 main parts:

Introduction – committing to a degree subject is not an easy decision. Spend a few sentences describing what it was that inspired or motivated you to pick this particular subject out of the hundreds offered. Keep it personal - tailor it to your own experiences and feelings so you come across as someone genuinely passionate about the subject.

Academics – how are the subjects you are studying now equipping you with the skills to study your subject at University? For example, it might be the analytical and critical skills in History or English Literature. But more importantly, how have these subjects supported your interest in studying your degree subject? I talked about how studying about eye witness testimonies in my Psychology A level sparked my interest not just in the psyche of criminals, but in how misleading witness accounts affect the justice system. Academics don’t just include school subjects – reading around your degree discipline, attending free lectures at Universities and applying for summer schools or taster classes at Universities show the effort you have put into ensuring that this subject really is for you.

Experience – make a list of any jobs, work experience or voluntary work you have undertaken. Do they relate to the subject you want to study? They don’t have to – your main aim should be to explain how the skills you gained through your job or placement make you a great candidate for studying your subject and contributing to the culture of the University, such as time management, team work or organisational skills. Example: a student studying Law at UCL explained how working at Tesco’s customer service enabled her to develop skills in diplomacy and negotiations – vital skills in Law and for working with other people.

Conclusion – admissions officers read hundreds of personal statements every day: make yourself one they remember. End with a few concise sentences summarising why you want to study your degree subject and why you are the perfect candidate, not just for University but as an adult contributing to society