What do Oxbridge tutors look for in a personal statement?

There are two important things to bear in mind when starting the personal statement, as it can seem a daunting task: firstly, to remember that this will be read by all universities applied to, not just Oxbridge, and secondly, that, whilst it is worth spending a decent amount of time shaping a statement, to bear in mind that it is only one small part of the whole picture, that there are many other aspects to an application (particularly one to Oxbridge), and so the personal statement is unlikely to ‘make or break’ an application. This might help to give some perspective when you begin the task of writing it.Personal statements for Oxbridge should demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for the subject. Every candidate will be good at the subject they are applying for: to distinguish yourself from the crowd, you should show that you have spent your spare time exploring around your subject, revealing a genuine curiosity that will impress tutors. A niche angle is useful here, so rather than churning out clichés about being born to study Classics or History, perhaps mention instead a talk you went to, an exhibition you visited, or an article you read – anything that inspired you to think in more depth about your subject, beyond the A Level syllabus. This will show a real commitment to the subject, and convince tutors that you will perform well if offered a place.Tutors will want someone they will enjoy teaching and discussing ideas with, and someone who will genuinely enjoy the course. Evidence of wider reading is a good indication of this potential. Breadth is as important as depth: aiming to read widely on a topic will give a good basic general knowledge – a strong foundation to build on when you get to Oxbridge – and depth will prove that you were truly drawn in by a topic. Wider reading will also illustrate that you would be able to keep up with the lengthy reading lists provided on Oxbridge courses, and will demonstrate independent thought. Independent thought is important, not least because it shows you would be interesting to chat with in tutorials, the basis of the Oxbridge teaching system. It also suggests you would be able to deal well with the competitive, time pressured atmosphere at Oxford, confident enough in your own opinions. Overall, the statement should reveal academic curiosity and enthusiasm for your subject, but as I said at the beginning, it is really important not to get too overwhelmed by the personal statement, since it is just one small part of your whole application.