[jhomie]

Hi

I was just wondering what some other people wrote in their personal statement as I will be writing one of my own quite soon.

You don't have to mention anything specific - I'm just looking for general points - but please don't be too general as in "I chose this course because". I've heard things like that too many times now from my Careers guy.

Also just wondering... do universities respond back to you about your personal statement? Of course not just on that, but if you get an offer or even unconditional offer do they remark about your personal statement?

[Minerva]

There's a detailed section on this in the Wiki. Everything anyone needs to know about Personal Statements. If you want someone to have a look at your PS in confidence, don't forget the PS Helpers Forum.

No, universities generally do not give feedback on PSs, even if you ask for it. A weak PS may be cited as the reason for an unsuccessful application, but that's about the best you could hope for.

[$loth]

I started with a paragraph showing some knowledge and interest in the subject. Then more understanding and interest with college work and productions, and saying what particular parts I found of interest. The next paragraph showed a genuine interest in the subject by talking about work experience and self motivated projects, the final paragraph said what I want to gain from futher study.

[Horologium]

When I went for my interview at Exeter (where I chose to go in the end) my interviewer did say that he thought my personal statement was one of the best he'd read. If you have some type of interview you may well get feedback, but you won't otherwise.

[stephanina]

I firmly believe it was my personal statement that got me into uni. I dropped out of high school, so I had to qualify my decision and sell myself as hard as possible with regard to life experience. It's basically an opportunity not only to express your interest in the course, but demonstrate what is unique about you that makes you a preferable choice over other candidates (for example, I turned my lack of official qualifications into a plus when I worked full-time at a law firm over an extended period of time). It's the place to explain anything that might be questionable about your application, and also to make yourself more attractive to them, in my case even more so than to demonstrate your interest in the course. They know you're interested in the course - that's why you applied. I spent about half of my time explaining my interest and experience in the subject and the other half discussing my qualifications and positive attributes. (It's also a chance for them to see your incredible writing skills.)

[stephanina]

Originally Posted by Horologium

When I went for my interview at Exeter (where I chose to go in the end) my interviewer did say that he thought my personal statement was one of the best he'd read.

It would be more helpful if you told the OP what was in it

[Minerva]

Remember though that US personal statements do have a very different character from what's expected in the UK.

[stephanina]

Yes, but I applied from the US to UK unis only, so I think they would have expected roughly the same thing (but with the inclusion of an explanation as to why I wanted to come to the UK). Writing an application essay to American colleges is an altogether different thing, not at all like the PS, so you're right... but I wrote my take on what a UK personal statement should be.

[Horologium]

Originally Posted by stephanina

It would be more helpful if you told the OP what was in it

okay, but...

Originally Posted by jhomie

You don't have to mention anything specific

...

Originally Posted by jhomie

do universities respond back to you about your personal
statement? Of course not just on that, but if you get an offer or even unconditional offer do they remark about your personal statement?

I was answering this part of the question.

[jonnythemoose]

What's different about US statements?

[Couldxbe]

Originally Posted by jonnythemoose

What's different about US statements?

From what I gather, US statements seem to be more like an extended essay than an actual personal statement. As in, general questions such as 'describe your best life experience' or something along those lines. They seem more difficult to write but if you CAN write well you have the opportunity to really show off.

[stephanina]

Originally Posted by Couldxbe

From what I gather, US statements seem to be more like an extended essay than an actual personal statement. As in, general questions such as 'describe your best life experience' or something along those lines. They seem more difficult to write but if you CAN write well you have the opportunity to really show off.

That's pretty much right. The application process can be a lot more drawn-out, as well, because each university will have a different set of topics to choose from so there is no way to re-use your essay. I had a friend last year right his admissions essay on cleaning his room as a metaphor for cleaning out his life, and he got into one of the best schools in the country. It's a lot more flexible but it gives you an opportunity to showcase yourself and your ideas, which I think is sort of what my uni liked about my PS - it wasn't the same as everybody else's. How boring would it be to read, "I want to study law because", 100 times a day? UK PS's are also a lot more autobiographical and fact-based...

[eric_econ]

As has been said, the difference from country to country is pretty important.

Personally my advice would be avoid the cliches ("ever since I was five..." ) and try and offer a unique take on your subject....come at it with your own individual perspective.

I for example applied for economics and looked at the subject from a technological perspective, something I am particularly interested in.