Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

mature student with child

im applying to uni and don't know whether I should say that i have a child in my personal statement

I don't think it will do any harm. Universities want to see your motivation & that you have realistically assessed how suitable you are for the course of study. So as long as that is conveyed, including how maybe you'll balance studying with bringing up your child, they'll see it in a good light.

Reply 2

HARRY PUTAH

Ofc you should!

A child either makes or breaks your multi-tasking skills and I don't think you should get across in a personal statement that you have a time sink in your life outside of socialising/Uni but neglect to mention it.

Reply 3

soniae74

I told them in my personal statement and at my interview they were very impressed, I even got an offer :smile:

I hope you got what you wanted.

Reply 4

Robbie_Tor

I also mentioned my daughter in mine, and they actually brought it up in my interview, it gave me a few moments to really express my own personality without having to answer one of their questions.

Reply 5

clair0511

I would agree that you shouldn't necessarily hide your child on your PS but whether you should really emphasise the fact depends on your course IMHO.

I have 2 kids and was applying for Veterinary Medicine when my youngest was only 6 months old! The fact that the course was so very competitive and that I didn't have exactly the right qualifications (was a graduate but didn't have an A in Chemistry A level) meant that I was worried about giving them an "excuse" IYSWIM not to accept me. Of course that it very cynical of me but on a course like VetMed where it is really really hard to get a place and then the degree itself is extremely demanding, I thought that some kind of bias against me was possible.

Admittedly I am not in the UK and the situation is different here. I had to apply with a CV rather than a personal statement and my maternity leave was mentioned on that, so I didn't hide my kids really! I just didn't mention them at the interview (which was very vet-based anyway).

If you do mention your child, then be prepared to explain how you will cope with studying, childcare etc. Most importantly if you have a Plan B for when the child is ill and can't go to nursery/school (mine always get sick the week I have exams! Broken arm, ear infection, chicken pox! We've had them all!). Of course I totally agree with the others about the organisational skills, multitasking, motivation etc that comes from motherhood but you have to be realistic too!

Hope that helps a bit

Reply 6

Shelley_

I did mention my child but only briefly, it's meant to be more focused on you and being the right person for the course you want. I did however, have a good chat about my daughter when I went for my interview and shared motherly stories which seemed to help break the ice a bit. I got an unconditional offer and she's going to nursery to make new friends three days a week in september. I know it'll be tough sometimes, such as when I have projects to do over term time etc and managing all our bills, childcare, my daily commute, my partners various working hours and my daughter alongside my studies but I think that just shows determination that this is really what you want. You shouldn't feel the need to hide the fact you have a chlid but I can't see any reason to write loads and loads about it in your personal statement unless it'll directly effect your course choice.

Reply 7

clair0511

If you do mention your child, then be prepared to explain how you will cope with studying, childcare etc. Most importantly if you have a Plan B for when the child is ill and can't go to nursery/school (mine always get sick the week I have exams!

Totally agree with Shelley - mention your child but don't go into lots of details. Just in case my comment here could be misunderstood - I meant be prepared AT INTERVIEW (if there is one) to explain childcare, commitment etc

Good luck!