10 Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement - Top Tips For A Strong Personal Statement

Introduction 10 tips for writing a UCAS personal statement for undergraduate courses at Oxbridge Colleges

Writing a personal statement can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of the university application process. It is your chance to showcase your passion, skills, and experiences, and convince admissions tutors that you are an excellent fit for your chosen course, and that you want to study at an Oxbridge College. With the guidance of experts such as Richard Evans, founder of The Profs and an experienced academic advisor, you can gain invaluable insights into how to craft a compelling and impactful statement. A strong personal statement is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression.

This guide provides 10 tips for writing your personal statement that will help you highlight your achievements and enthusiasm while ensuring clarity and professionalism when you write your statement. Whether you’re applying for undergraduate education, postgraduate education, or an apprenticeship, these top tips will set you on the path to success.

For additional support, consider consulting personal statement tutors who specialise in providing tailored advice to help refine your application.

Understand the UCAS Requirements

Before you start writing, it’s essential to research the UCAS personal statement guidelines and specific requirements for your chosen course and university. Key factors to consider include:

Word or Character Limits: UCAS allows 4,000 characters or 47 lines.
Relevance: Focus on why you’re applying for this particular course and how your experiences make you a strong candidate.
Director of Admissions Expectations: Research what admissions tutors in your field value, such as analytical skills, teamwork, or independent research.

Example: A Law applicant could reference skills like critical thinking and attention to detail, citing evidence such as participating in a debating society or completing a legal internship.

Understanding these criteria will ensure your personal statement aligns with what universities want. For detailed advice on crafting subject-specific statements, visit our UCAS personal statement tips page.

Start Early: Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

Starting early gives you time to plan, draft, and refine your statement without the pressure of looming deadlines. Break the process into manageable stages:

Brainstorm Ideas: Reflect on your experiences, skills, and motivations.
Outline Key Points: Organise your thoughts into sections, such as academic achievements, work experience, and extracurricular activities.
Write the First Draft: Don’t worry about perfection; focus on getting your ideas down.

Example: A student applying for Architecture could create a timeline, starting with early inspirations such as visiting notable buildings and progressing to achievements like designing a project for a school competition.

Starting early allows you to revisit your statement multiple times, improving its quality with each revision.

Highlight Your Academic Passion

Admissions tutors want to know why you are passionate about your chosen subject. Demonstrate your enthusiasm by:

Explaining Your Motivation: Share the moment or reason you became interested in the field.
Referencing Relevant Experiences: Include academic projects, work experience, or hobbies that relate to the subject.
Connecting to Future Goals: Explain how studying this course will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Example 1: A History applicant could mention how researching the economic impact of World War II for a school essay sparked their interest in modern history.

Example 2: A Computer Science applicant could describe creating their own app during a coding workshop and how it inspired them to explore artificial intelligence.

Use Evidence to Support Claims

Back up your statements with specific examples to show authenticity. For instance:

Instead of saying, “I am a strong leader,” describe a scenario where you demonstrated leadership skills.
Highlight achievements like awards, work experience, or extracurricular involvement.
Use quantifiable evidence where possible, such as leading a team of 10 volunteers or achieving top grades in specific subjects.

Example 1: For Medicine, mention volunteering at a care home and how it deepened your understanding of patient care.

Example 2: For Business Studies, highlight running a small e-commerce shop and the skills you gained in marketing and financial management.

Show Transferable Skills: Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement

Highlight skills that will help you succeed in your chosen course and beyond. These might include:

Time Management: Balancing academics with extracurricular activities.
Teamwork: Working collaboratively on group projects.
Problem-Solving: Tackling challenges in internships or competitions.

Example 1: A Chemistry applicant could describe managing multiple lab projects alongside exam preparation, demonstrating time management and organisational skills.

Example 2: A Politics applicant could discuss participating in a Model United Nations conference, showcasing negotiation and critical thinking skills.

Explain how these skills have prepared you for university life. For example, balancing part-time work and full-time education demonstrates organisation and resilience.

Keep It Simple and Concise: University Application Advice

With limited space, it’s important to make every word count. Follow these guidelines:

Avoid repetition and irrelevant details.
Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively.
Focus on the main points you want admissions tutors to remember.

Example: Instead of saying, “I have always been interested in science,” say, “My interest in science deepened when I conducted independent research on renewable energy during my A-level studies.”

Tip: Use our editing and proofreading tips to ensure your personal statement is clear and concise.

How to Structure Your Personal Statement

A well-structured personal statement ensures your ideas flow logically. Consider this structure:

Introduction: Capture attention with a strong opening sentence that reflects your passion.
Academic Achievements: Discuss your educational background and its relevance to the course.
Work Experience: Highlight internships, apprenticeships, or part-time jobs that demonstrate relevant skills.
Extracurricular Activities: Show how your hobbies and interests have shaped you as a person.
Conclusion: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the course and how it aligns with your goals.

Example: A Psychology applicant could organise their statement into sections on academic performance, volunteering at a mental health helpline, and independent reading on behavioural science.

Using clear paragraphs will make your statement easy to read and engaging.

Include in Your Personal Statement: Demonstrate Wider Reading and Interests

Universities value applicants who go beyond the standard curriculum. To stand out:

Mention books, articles, or lectures you’ve explored independently.
Connect these to your chosen subject. For example, referencing a documentary on artificial intelligence could show your commitment to studying Computer Science.
Highlight how these experiences have deepened your understanding.

Example 1: A Literature applicant could reference reading feminist criticism of Shakespearean plays to show intellectual curiosity.

Example 2: A Biology applicant might discuss attending a lecture on climate change by a leading environmental scientist.

Seek Feedback from Admissions Tutors

Before submitting your personal statement, get constructive feedback from:

Teachers or subject mentors who know your academic strengths.
Friends or family for a fresh perspective.
Professional tutors specialising in personal statement proofreading.

Example: A Physics applicant could ask a mentor to review their explanation of a complex scientific project to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Incorporate their suggestions but ensure the final statement remains your own voice.

Final Checks: End Your Personal Statement

Polishing your personal statement is crucial. Steps include:

Checking for grammar and spelling errors.
Ensuring the tone is professional yet personal.
Reading it aloud to identify awkward phrasing or repetition.

Example: After finishing writing, leave the statement for a day before proofreading with fresh eyes. Tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT can help, especially to avoid grammatical errors, but manual proofreading is equally important. It is especially important that you don’t post your personal statement on the internet, as plagiarism detection software may flag it.

Conclusion: Advice from an Admissions Expert

As The Profs’ founder, I often advise students on how to get a place and what a personal statement should include. Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story authentically and convincingly and explain why you want to study your chosen degree. Imagine you’re speaking directly to an admissions tutor: highlight your motivations, back them up with evidence, and leave them with a strong sense of who you are and why you deserve a place on the course. Keep revising, stay true to yourself, and trust in the value of your unique experiences. They just might offer you a place!

With preparation and perseverance, you can craft a personal statement that stands out and helps you secure a place at your dream university.

Additional Advice and Key Terms

Read your personal statement aloud to catch errors and ensure smooth flow.
Include in your personal statement relevant achievements, especially those tied to your chosen field of study.
Admissions staff suggest you make your personal statement as genuine as possible to reflect your unique journey.
Don’t forget to address additional points such as relevant work experience, hobbies, or a gap year that shaped your perspective.
Always end your personal statement with a concise, compelling summary that leaves the reader impressed.