[EloiseStar]

I feel that I am limited with what I can include on my personal statement without going into the overused clichés; which from what I have heard on TSR, comes from less academic applicants (any truth in that?).

I've been accepted to Durham University Sutton Trust Summer School to study English for a week which I definitely will write about and the experiences I have drawn from it, however I don't know what else I can put about my commitment to the course.

Is it worth getting work experience sitting in on and helping my English teacher with younger students? I'm not really looking to go into teaching but it will allow me to look at different aspects of English which perhaps I haven't studied due to curriculum changes or it's just been a while since I've looked at it....

[hobnob]

(Original post by EloiseStar)
I feel that I am limited with what I can include on my personal statement without going into the overused clichés; which from what I have heard on TSR, comes from less academic applicants (any truth in that?).

I've been accepted to Durham University Sutton Trust Summer School to study English for a week which I definitely will write about and the experiences I have drawn from it, however I don't know what else I can put about my commitment to the course.

Is it worth getting work experience sitting in on and helping my English teacher with younger students? I'm not really looking to go into teaching but it will allow me to look at different aspects of English which perhaps I haven't studied due to curriculum changes or it's just been a while since I've looked at it....

For a literature statement, the main part should be about literature, i.e. what you've read and what you made of it - and that's also the best way of showing commitment to the course: demonstrating that you read intelligently and analytically. The summer school thing sounds like it might be good to mention because it's actually directly related to studying literature, but the teaching thing will probably be less relevant (unless you're applying for English and Education or something). So I'd say it would be better to focus on the literature section.

[sundogs]

Definitely focus on literature and by that don't just say 'I enjoy modern poetry' but mention specific texts. Have a look at some of the example personal statements if you want an idea of the kind of detail they're after.


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