[Kalliope]

(Original post by carnationlilyrose)
By all means discuss your interest in Sartre, just don't quote him. It's not a literature essay. Save it for when you are at university. One quotation isn't enough to do him justice and there isn't enough space to do so. In addition, a quotation is all about someone else's ideas, using someone else's words and it isn't Sartre who is applying to the course. The ps is about you, not him, and why you are the right student for the course.

Edit: This was supposed to quote Kalliope, but I'm mucking about trying to change to Google Chrome and I don't seem to have got the hang of it! Sorry.

Okay, fair enough Thanks for the explanation.

[zetty]

Late, late, late -- I know, but that's not the issue.

So, anyway.. I'm finishing my PS this week and sending it off before clearing kicks in. Unfortunately since I'm a rather unusual case of a mature student, there are some questions I'm struggling to find the answers for. I'm applying for Media/Film related courses, if that helps.

First of all, would it be a good idea to explain in a sentence or two the reasons for late application?

Next up, the million dollar question is: considering fact I've left school 15 years ago and have had a pretty mixed employment history, should I try mapping out course-relevant skills and experience quite specifically and in detail or would it suffice to list the industries and partaken tasks with a further referral to CV? And if so, how do I do it? Is it OK to include a link to my LinkedIn profile?

Finally, my reference will be my collaborator which knows me academically way better than manager of my current part-time workplace. Should I explain my choice in PS or leave it out and address only if asked at an interview (which is a very likely scenario considering the universities I'm applying to)?

That's all for now, hope you can shed some light on it.

[rocket0612]

(Original post by zetty)
First of all, would it be a good idea to explain in a sentence or two the reasons for late application?

I personally wouldn't as it is a personal statement about yourself and you are wasting the limited space available instead of trying to sell yourself.

(Original post by zetty)
Next up, the million dollar question is: considering fact I've left school 15 years ago and have had a pretty mixed employment history, should I try mapping out course-relevant skills and experience quite specifically and in detail

Yes, that is exactly what they want to see. Doing this is an academic skill and it is what they will want to see. Just don't overdo it though, focus on the key skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, etc.

(Original post by zetty)
Is it OK to include a link to my LinkedIn profile?

I personally think that is totally unprofessional.

(Original post by zetty)
Finally, my reference will be my collaborator which knows me academically way better than manager of my current part-time workplace. Should I explain my choice in PS or leave it out and address only if asked at an interview (which is a very likely scenario considering the universities I'm applying to)?

Again, the personal statement is about you and a chance to sell yourself. It is not supposed to be used in a way such as you have asked and I again think to do so would show unprofessionalism.


Usually mature students are required to show evidence of recent study (usually by completing an access course). If you haven't studied in the last few years it will be very difficult for you to get a place unless the university has spare place, but best of luck as I am a mature student aged 34 in university now and I'm really enjoying it.

[zetty]

Hey, and thanks for the insight.

I was assuming the link to LinkedIn profile would have served as a CV since I can't really include my work history within application. I am not proposing to have a link as a substitute to describing my work experience, it is just some additional information one click away if anyone cares to look up.

If you're a mature student you should be aware of the difficulties one faces when applying to a system designed for fresh-out-of-the-school.

I don't quite get where you pointing at with "unprofessional", could you elaborate please? I mean, it is clear and fair about the first point, but why exactly addressing the peculiarities of your application in the PS is so bad?

[rocket0612]

(Original post by zetty)
I can't really include my work history within application.

Well a university might have to sift through thousands of applications for a course, and they don't have time to read pages of employment history. That's why I suppose they focus only on academic achievement and the personal statement. So that is the space where you will note the key skills you have learned from your employment.

(Original post by zetty)
If you're a mature student you should be aware of the difficulties one faces when applying to a system designed for fresh-out-of-the-school.

Indeed, I applied for a course that required 3 As at A-Level, receives over 1000 applications and has very few places so I know the challenges you face. However, I would like to think the experience you have built up from your employment helps give you an edge as in your personal statement you can back up your statement with facts.

(Original post by zetty)
I don't quite get where you pointing at with "unprofessional", could you elaborate please? I mean, it is clear and fair about the first point, but why exactly addressing the peculiarities of your application in the PS is so bad?

That is just my opinion, however maybe someone else who knows the system better may say otherwise. The way I look at it is your personal statement should be used to sell yourself, it is not for providing reasons for your decisions made and if used in that way may not be purposeful.

I know when I was applying I was desperate to get a place and reckon you fell the same so all the best with your application.

[zetty]

OK, thanks again, you just reassured me of mapping it out as I see fit. I don't want to give too much space to my "experiences" though as I feel my motivation and passion for the subject are more important than skills (which you will be studying to acquire anyway).

Still, 4k is a decent limit, so hopefully I'll find the right balance!

BTW, congratulations on getting an offer for such a competitive place, good for you.

[Historophilia]

I used a quote in my personal statement but it was short one and I actually put it in so I could say why it was completely wrong and the opposite of the way I thought History should be seen.

I didn't do me any harm, partly because I didn't open my PS with it and also because I was doing something a bit different with it.

If anyone is interested the quote I used was Tony Blair's one that "we need not be prisoners of our history" and I then go on to say that we must be fact be very careful to learn from History. I'd considered using the quote about those not learning from History being doomed to repeat it but I thought that was too much of a cliche and it's more interesting often to start from a point of disagreement and argue your point that way.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by Historophilia)
I used a quote in my personal statement but it was short one and I actually put it in so I could say why it was completely wrong and the opposite of the way I thought History should be seen.

I didn't do me any harm, partly because I didn't open my PS with it and also because I was doing something a bit different with it.

If anyone is interested the quote I used was Tony Blair's one that "we need not be prisoners of our history" and I then go on to say that we must be fact be very careful to learn from History. I'd considered using the quote about those not learning from History being doomed to repeat it but I thought that was too much of a cliche and it's more interesting often to start from a point of disagreement and argue your point that way.

I trust you didn't give history, a common noun, an incorrect initial capital as you just did repeatedly in your post.

[Inklet]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the site so I hope this is going in the right thread. Please notify me if otherwise

I'm opening my history personal statement, and I'm starting with an anecdote about my life/what got me interested. Before you breathe in sharply, hear me out. Obviously anecdotes that are generic sort of 'history runs in my blood omg' and 'ever since i was a foetus I have wanted and needed to study history' are not going to work.

But my anecdote is short, not dramatic or contrived and actually highly personal and relevant to what brought me to study the subject and links in nicely to books I've read and my own independent study that I go on to discuss.

Do you think this is a good idea? Seeing as people put so much emphasis on it being a personal statement would it be a good idea to include this? I do genuinely believe it brings out my personality and genuine conviction as to why I want to study the subject? Or do you think maybe I should just skip that?

Thanks x

[toronto353]

(Original post by Inklet)
Hi everyone! I'm new to the site so I hope this is going in the right thread. Please notify me if otherwise

I'm opening my history personal statement, and I'm starting with an anecdote about my life/what got me interested. Before you breathe in sharply, hear me out. Obviously anecdotes that are generic sort of 'history runs in my blood omg' and 'ever since i was a foetus I have wanted and needed to study history' are not going to work.

But my anecdote is short, not dramatic or contrived and actually highly personal and relevant to what brought me to study the subject and links in nicely to books I've read and my own independent study that I go on to discuss.

Do you think this is a good idea? Seeing as people put so much emphasis on it being a personal statement would it be a good idea to include this or to sort of stick to the bland run of the mill formulaic sort of style?

Thanks x

Without knowing how you intend to use it to link in with the rest of your statement, we can't really say (though don't post it here obviously!). I would try to avoid anecdotes if possible. Of all the statements that I've reviewed, I've only ever seen it work once or twice because it's done really well and linked properly. If you can link it properly and it is relevant, then use it. If it's how I came to study the subject, I'd avoid it because it could be perceived as cliched.

[Inklet]

(Original post by toronto353)
Without knowing how you intend to use it to link in with the rest of your statement, we can't really say (though don't post it here obviously!). I would try to avoid anecdotes if possible. Of all the statements that I've reviewed, I've only ever seen it work once or twice because it's done really well and linked properly. If you can link it properly and it is relevant, then use it. If it's how I came to study the subject, I'd avoid it because it could be perceived as cliched.

Thanks for the reply.

Sigh, it's all so confusing and worrying. I'd be sad to give up on it just yet as I'm only just barely starting. I am aware of the cliché and everything. It's really frustrating and difficult to gauge what's ridiculous and what's legitimate without being able to really show anyone and/or sound either too insane or too bland.

That said I'm also wary of a too sort of plain approach/opening because I don't really think that would get my own voice across and, to me anyway, it would feel a little in-genuine. I don't really know where to go from here.

[toronto353]

(Original post by Inklet)
Thanks for the reply.

Sigh, it's all so confusing and worrying. I'd be sad to give up on it just yet as I'm only just barely starting. I am aware of the cliché and everything. It's really frustrating and difficult to gauge what's ridiculous and what's legitimate without being able to really show anyone and/or sound either too insane or too bland.

That said I'm also wary of a too sort of plain approach/opening because I don't really think that would get my own voice across and, to me anyway, it would feel a little in-genuine. I don't really know where to go from here.

Write it in for now and write the rest of your statement with it in. If you like it, then keep it. If not, then look to redraft it. Once you have a complete draft, then feel free to post it in PS Help for feedback.

[Inklet]

(Original post by toronto353)
Write it in for now and write the rest of your statement with it in. If you like it, then keep it. If not, then look to redraft it. Once you have a complete draft, then feel free to post it in PS Help for feedback.

That's pretty solid advice. I'll try my best and see where I get with it. Quick q about the private PS help threads - would the universities' plagiarism software be able to see it because they might think I've nicked it or something.

Thanks very much for your advice x

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by Inklet)
That's pretty solid advice. I'll try my best and see where I get with it. Quick q about the private PS help threads - would the universities' plagiarism software be able to see it because they might think I've nicked it or something.

No, they can't see it It's UCAS who use the anti-plagiarism software in this case rather than universities themselves, but they can't see in PS Help and they're aware of what we do

[Inklet]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
No, they can't see it It's UCAS who use the anti-plagiarism software in this case rather than universities themselves, but they can't see in PS Help and they're aware of what we do

That's so great! Thanks everyone. When we use the help service do we need to sort of have a pretty complete draft or can it be like small snippets of ideas that need checking?

Sorry for all the questions haha :L
x

[Ecosse_14]

(Original post by Inklet)
That's so great! Thanks everyone. When we use the help service do we need to sort of have a pretty complete draft or can it be like small snippets of ideas that need checking?

Sorry for all the questions haha :L
x

We only review full drafts as it's difficult to review something when we don't see how it relates to the rest of the statement

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by Inklet)
That's so great! Thanks everyone. When we use the help service do we need to sort of have a pretty complete draft or can it be like small snippets of ideas that need checking?

Sorry for all the questions haha :L
x

It needs to be a complete draft

[Fergo]

If I miss my grades this year and reapply for 2013 entry, can I use the same personal statement?

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by Fergo)
If I miss my grades this year and reapply for 2013 entry, can I use the same personal statement?

Yes, provided you haven't shared it with anyone or posted it online (not including our PS Help section, it's safe there).

[mast]

I am applying for 2013 and I already finished my PS(nothing to do in my vacations ). May I post it on the PS help page or should I wait until mid-july/august?