I really want an idea of what the strongest personal statement for myself would include:
in terms of academics: gcses: 6A*s, 6As, A levels probably AAAA (A/B in furthermaths, hopefully A), and various awards which can be exaggerated - also maths challenge
sports/music: basketball - played in national competition, managed a team, coached. played a lot of sports in various clubs as well as winning awards etc etc. Music play piano competently - this area can be used to demonstate key sklls.
Other:
Sutton Trust (this july oxford physics)
Nuffield science bursary - in place for this summer
A hospital placement for a week - this summer
Volunteer work
College radio station (business link manager)
College council
Invovled in a promotions business
Placement in a hospital in india
Work experience coming up:
Hospital again (radiology)
Management Accountancy
Engineering
Opticians
Computing
Surverying
All these placements are definate
i would be applying for medicine, (most likely) or biology (genetics?) or physics
obviously in a personal statement only so much can be fit on so i would just like an idea of what is worth including, what isn't worth mentioning and what i should be trying to "get" before i come to write this next academic year.
I really want an idea of what the strongest personal statement for myself would include:
in terms of academics: gcses: 6A*s, 6As, A levels probably AAAA (A/B in furthermaths, hopefully A), and various awards which can be exaggerated - also maths challenge
sports/music: basketball - played in national competition, managed a team, coached. played a lot of sports in various clubs as well as winning awards etc etc. Music play piano competently - this area can be used to demonstate key sklls.
Other:
Sutton Trust (this july oxford physics)
Nuffield science bursary - in place for this summer
A hospital placement for a week - this summer
Volunteer work
College radio station (business link manager)
College council
Invovled in a promotions business
Placement in a hospital in india
Work experience coming up:
Hospital again (radiology)
Management Accountancy
Engineering
Opticians
Computing
Surverying
All these placements are definate
i would be applying for medicine, (most likely) or biology (genetics?) or physics
obviously in a personal statement only so much can be fit on so i would just like an idea of what is worth including, what isn't worth mentioning and what i should be trying to "get" before i come to write this next academic year.
thanks in advance
All that stands you in very good stead. However if you do end up going for medicine they will expect a very strong emphasis on your interest in that, and that's what you need to get across. Literally linking all your interests/achievments to medicine.
I know this may be difficult for you when considering so many different subjects - but I've been told that basic biology degrees etc kind of turn a blind eye to such a medically-orientated personal statement, as they know that people need to do that and often apply to their courses as a back-up
Don't know how true that is, but I'm just passing on some advice
Personally, I wouldnt put your grades in your personal state. they're amazing, dont get me wrong, but the uni can see it anyway. Loads of emphasis on your volunteer work etc. Yaaaaaaay!
ahh i see, because many people will put a biology degree down as an "insurance policy" in a way
if you dont mind me asking, what sort of degree would u be interested in/studying/completed!? if it is a science-based degree what sort of things would be/are/have been on your personal statement?
Personally, I wouldnt put your grades in your personal state. they're amazing, dont get me wrong, but the uni can see it anyway. Loads of emphasis on your volunteer work etc. Yaaaaaaay!
ive not actually achieved those as level grades lol , they are just expectations if everything goes to plan!
wouldnt it be using up valuable space, if the uni's can already see my grades?
ive not actually achieved those as level grades lol , they are just expectations if everything goes to plan!
wouldnt it be using up valuable space, if the uni's can already see my grades?
That's what I said my love The grades the uni see are only predicted grades anyway. But I wouldnt waste the space when you can put so much more in. If you get 100% in one of them, that could be worth mentioning.
Then again, that's just my opinion. A lot of my friends put theirs in. I never did understand why...
yeah i agree, 100% in biology (the easiest science lol) would be worth mentioning, do you think the sutton trust is worth including the personal statement?
If you apply for medicine, focus on what attracted you to medicine, and all of the work experience you have. If you want to mention the sports and music, to show that you're a well rounded person. But focus mostly on medical work experience.
And don't put your grades in - I've not heard of anyone doing that! It would be such a waste of space since they're already shown to the universities in your application. The personal statement is for talking about your experiences and how amazing you are, not listing your grades again.
ive not actually achieved those as level grades lol , they are just expectations if everything goes to plan!
wouldnt it be using up valuable space, if the uni's can already see my grades?
Nuffield science bursary - in place for this summer
A hospital placement for a week - this summer
Volunteer work
Placement in a hospital in india
Hospital again (radiology)
Opticians
thanks in advance
I see these as being most relevant, partitcularly if you apply for medicine. If you apply for physics or biology, it's not really that important.
also, they only require predicted grades - are these grades given by your teachers, or by the quick tests that use various models to "predict" them?
do the AS scores you achieve not hold a lot of weight when applying? (obviously when adding up to full A levels they are important)
I think it varies from college to college, but mine use your as levels as a guideline for predicted grades. However, if you've worked hard throughout the year but *******ed up in one exam, they'll probably be nice.
in terms of oxbridge, is there anything i am missing that an oxbridge applicant should have in their personal statement?
out of interest which are the top uni's for medicine? - i live very close to manchester, but i have been told numerous times on several occasions that the best institutes are Oxbrige, UCL and Imperial..?
If you're going to apply for Medicine you need a LOT more work experience. Think the minimum any of the decent PSs I reviewed last time around had was 3 weeks - some people will literally spend their whole summer at it.
If you're going to apply for Medicine you need a LOT more work experience. Think the minimum any of the decent PSs I reviewed last time around had was 3 weeks - some people will literally spend their whole summer at it.
the work experience i have in hospitals should total up to about 3 weeks - india hospital, hospital placement coming up soon and the radiology hospital placement - surely if these give me plenty to talk about and plenty of exposure that should be enough?!?!?
is there an actual amount of time that is required to be spent on work experience?
Wow! You're impressive! If you're applying for Physics I think you ought include your coming up work experience in the hospital for radiology.
yeah i see how u mean - they link together
in terms of physics is it true that physics graduates are highly sought after?
i also heard many physics departments are closing, due to low graduate intake is that also true?
yeah i agree, 100% in biology (the easiest science lol) would be worth mentioning, do you think the sutton trust is worth including the personal statement?
Really the easiest. For me its definitely the hardest, way too much stuff to cram your head with, unlike Chemistry and Physics which is much more of a thought process rather than just regurgitating a text book
i would simply mention the placements etc very briefly so you can get them all in. let them pick up on them further in interview if theyre interested. you should use your statement to convey your drive and passion for whatever, give them a taste of your personality and to outline your goals. all the details should come at interview. youre looking good so far.
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The grades the uni see are only predicted grades anyway. But I wouldnt waste the space when you can put so much more in. If you get 100% in one of them, that could be worth mentioning. 
