What stuff should I put in my personal statement?

Personal statements are used by universities to determine who has the skills that they're looking for amongst thousands of applicants. You can use it to stand out from the crowd. Be imaginative, use the things that you have achieved and continue to do to show that you're the applicant they want. Instead of writing something like 'I enjoy reading the newspapers and like debating', write something more engaging and dynamic such as 'I want to develop critical thinking skills. I have done this by keeping up to date with the news. I try to use these analytical tools to engage in debates at school, challenging accepted beliefs and thinking outside the box about problematic issues in the world.' The personal statement is instantly more attractive to someone working in admissions at a university. The way you show how you are going to use skills from school is important. This is also the case for how you write about your interests. 'I am interested in History and Geography because they cover a wide range of topics' would be better as 'History and Geography have captured my attention in recent years. As well as affording me more powerful analytical tools that allow me to examine a range of sources in greater detail, paying attention to nuances and inconsistencies, they have demonstrated how the past and the present are intrinsically connected. This insight is something that I want to further develop and explore in the next few years.' This is both engaging and demonstrates how you want to improve as an individual. That is what education is for and is what admissions staff are looking for.