How can I improve and condense my personal statement?

There are several aspects to consider when refining your personal statement. One of these is your word/character count; the more words you can use, the more content you can fit in and show to the person reading your personal statement. You can cut word count efficiently through the use of a thesaurus, and you can also think about different ways to rephrase a statement in a smaller amount of words, and thus, characters. Next, you have to consider the content of your personal statement. Don't bother reflecting on unrelated experiences for the sake of showing off an achievement; think about what the admissions officer is looking for. For example, when applying for a course in the sciences, think about what recognised schemes/courses you have participated in, or even work experience/employment in an area. On the other hand, when applying in the arts, you can reflect more on your work, experiences you have been through and the things influencing your ideas, perhaps a book you have read. Finally, you must check your grammar and spelling. Your personal statement is often the only impression you can make on the university, and so it is imperative it is grammatically accurate and that all words are spelt correctly.