Personal Statement Toolkit

If you're a Post 16 students, chances are you're starting to think about your personal statement for University. Yes, this seems a very daunting task and it's hard to know where to begin but stop worrying and relax. This is your own 'Personal Statement Toolkit' and it's full of tips on things like what to include and how to structure your personal statement. 

1. Self Confidence

It is so important to show self-confidence throughout your personal statement. Your positive points need to shine through so you can win over the University you are applying for.

To be able to speak positively about yourself, you need to understand your good points (and try to believe them too). This will help you write an honest and effective personal statement that shows off everything great about you.

Write down 10 positive things about yourself.

A great place to start is by writing down a list of 10 positive things about yourself. These can be anything from your personality to your skills. The list will help if you get stuck for positive things to say whilst you're writing your personal statement. You can just revert back to your list and pick out something positive - simple!

2. The Course

If you're planning on studying a course for 3 years, it's quite likely that you are very interested and excited about it. Your passion for the course needs to shine through in your personal statement to prove to the University that they should give you a place on it. 

Your passion for the course needs to shine through in your personal statement.

That's why a great thing to do before you write your personal statement is to jot down 3 reasons why you want to do the course you are applying for. If you want to remind yourself exactly what the course entails (so you can understand exactly what they will be looking for) then research it again on the University's website.

3. Your Skills

When brainstorming your own skills, it is important to try and tailor them to fit a 'student specification'. We have devised a list of skills that a University would look for in a student:

- Organisational skills.
- Communication skills.
- Working independently.
- Working in a team.
- Working to deadlines.
- Using your initiative.
- IT skills.

Your job is to come up with an example of a time that you used these skills and write them down.

Being able to work in a team is a very important skill for University.

4. Structure

There is no right or wrong way to structure your personal statement. There are all sorts of creative ways you can introduce it to grab the reader's attention and make you stand out. If you are struggling, though, we have devised a structure that you could use.

1. Your reasons for choosing the course.
2. Things that have inspired you.
3. Relevant academic achievements.
4. Relevant extra-curricular activities.
5. Work experience.
6. Experiences of University.
7. Experiences that don't relate to the course but are good at showing your skills/personality.
8. Your reasons for wanting to go to University.

Top Tips

- Your personal statement must be well structured, convincing and easy to understand. Whatever course you do at University, you will be required to write essays. If you can demonstrate in your personal statement that you can communicate effectively in writing, you will make a very good impression.
- Give examples to demonstrate that you are self-motivated, disciplined and mature.
- Show passion, enthusiasm and knowledge about the course. They will choose people who show a genuine interest in learning more about the subject and fully understand what the course is about.
- Convince the admissions tutor that you have the skills and motivation to contribute to the University and successfully complete your course.
- Use a formal style. Don't include jokes or conversational language and check that all your spellings and grammar are correct.
- Make the space count. Don't repeat yourself and make sure that you have included a broad range of achievements, experiences and skills.
- Let other people proof-read it. Not only will this help with checking any spelling, grammar and structure but they can also help you think about what to include.
- Don't mention one particular University or course; the same personal statement will be used for all of your course choices.

Remember that you have a lot to offer - you just have to write about yourself in a positive way and sell all the skills and experience you have. Good luck in writing your personal statement!

Want to hear some first hand experiences about all things University? Our University series is advice for you from students who have been through it all themselves! This weeks video is all about writing Personal Statements so for more info, watch below: