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Personal Statement:Architecture 1
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Architecture Personal Statement
I am convinced that I should study architecture as it will allow me to continue incorporating many of the strongest aspects of my personality into my academic studies. These aspects include my fascination with art and design, my interests and enjoyment of various cultures and environments and a passion for solving practical problems whilst working with others. My initial interest in architecture began whilst studying for my GCSEs and has since developed considerably through the regular reading of architectural journals and increased awareness of the built environment
I opted to study the International Baccalaureate instead of A-levels because as a strong all-rounder in school, I wanted to continue with the subjects I enjoy and avoid narrowing my future career options. The IB also seemed a sound basis for a degree in architecture that encompasses both the arts and sciences. My preferred subject on the course is art, and it is in this field that I have chosen to concentrate my Extended Essay. I have yet to formulate a specific research question for this in-depth study, but my focus area is that of 20th century British architecture
Both of the separate work experiences that I undertook have fuelled my desire for a future in a creative yet practical profession. I spent the first of these in the creative and studio departments of an advertising agency and the other with a professional photographer
During both of these exposures to the world of work, I gained valuable computer graphic skills
In addition to my academic achievements, I have been involved in a number of extra-curricular activities. After completing a stage lighting course, I was responsible for the stage lighting in a number of school productions which particularly enhanced my understanding of designing with arrangements of light and space in mind. Throughout my education I have pursued various sporting interests, predominately football in which I played for Exeter City FC youth for two years and most recently captaining my local youth team. My most satisfying recreational achievement was leading two very successful Ten Tors teams. This physically enduring and challenging experience has allowed me to develop excellent leadership and teamwork skills, both of which are essential in architectural work as well as a university environment
In my gap year I intend to spend six months in Europe where I hope to widen my knowledge and experience of the different cities and cultures. I also plan a work experience placement with a local architectural practice
On the whole, I believe myself to be an appropriately sociable and committed student with a solid academic foundation coupling both the arts and sciences. I consider myself to have the uncommon combination of creative flair, personal enthusiasm and technical ability allied with the intellectual capacity to cope with the demands of higher education. With these qualities I believe a career in architecture is right up my street.
Comments
General Comments:
On the whole, this PS is very generic, so it doesn’t really show the necessary passion for architecture – there is no mention of anything specific to do with buildings. Details and expansion are important to show an interest in PSs, from journal articles or even buildings in Europe that you like, and why.
Comments on the statement:
I am convinced that I should study architecture as it will allow me to continue incorporating many of the strongest aspects of my personality into my academic studies. Try to jump straight into the content rather than using an introductory sentence, "my fascination with art and design..." would be the better opening These aspects include my fascination with art and design, my interests and enjoyment of various cultures and environments, and a passion for solving practical problems while working with others. This needs expanding: What art? What cultures? Give details of an example of you working with others to solve a problem, maybe a school project. My initial interest in architecture began whilst studying for my GCSEs How? and has since developed considerably through the regular reading of architectural journals and increased awareness of the built environment. Paragraphs need full stops at the end! Also, which journals? Mention the last good article, specific themes that interest you, or favourite author and say why it has interested you, what you learned and how this has encouraged you to study architecture further. However, this should be mentioned further down the statement (probably the next paragraph).
I opted to study the International Baccalaureate instead of A-levels because as a strong all-rounder in school, I wanted to continue with the subjects I enjoy and avoid narrowing my future career options. The IB also seemed a sound basis for a degree in architecture that encompasses both the arts and sciences. Most applicants from A-level will have arts and sciences as well, so it’s not necessary to mention why they chose to study the IB. The IB is also unlikely to mean that an applicant’s career options are more varied. Instead, they could talk about why their courses give them a sound basis for architecture, giving specific examples. My preferred subject on the course is art, and it is in this field that I have chosen to concentrate my Extended Essay,. I have yet to formulate a specific research question for this in-depth study, but my focus area is that of 20th century British architecture. It’s unwise to mention that they haven’t formulated the question yet, but focus on why this aspect of architecture interests them. If they have done any reading on it, now would be a good time to mention it (e.g. the journals mentioned above).
Both of the separate work experiences that I undertook have fuelled my desire for a future in a creative yet practical profession. This wastes space – instead, go straight into describing the work experiences I spent my the first of these in the creative and studio departments of an advertising agency, and the other with a professional photographer. This needs expanding on a lot, what advertising agency was it, who was the photographer you worked with, what you did on both of these jobs that made you realise that creative and practical jobs are for you – in particular, architecture. Relate them back to that.
During both of these exposures to the world of work, I gained valuable computer graphic skills. Incorporate this into the last paragraph, relating it to specific tasks you did and programs you used and how it will be useful for architecture.
In addition to my academic achievements, I have been involved in a number of extra-curricular activities. Not really necessary to have a whole sentence to introduce your extra-curricular activities. After completing a stage lighting course, I was responsible for the stage lighting in a number of school productions, added comma which particularly enhanced my understanding of designing with arrangements of light and space in mind. This is good, mentioning the major architectural themes of light and space. Perhaps go into this more. Throughout my education I have pursued various sporting interests, predominately football in which this wording is unnecessary I played for Exeter City FC youth for two years and most recently captaining my local youth team. My most satisfying recreational achievement was leading two very successful Ten Tors teams. This physically enduring and challenging experience has allowed me to develop excellent leadership and teamwork skills, both of which are essential in architectural work as well as a university environment. Not necessary, unless you can explain specifically how (but relate it to architecture and not university in general).
In my gap year I intend to spend six months in Europe where I hope to widen my knowledge and experience of the different cities and cultures. Where are you going? What are you doing while there? I have also planned a work experience placement with a local architectural practice. Which practice? Do they specialise in any type of architecture? What do you hope to gain from this?
On the whole, too informal I believe myself to be an appropriately sociable not a good idea to talk about social aspects of university at all and committed student with a solid academic foundation coupling both the arts and sciences. I consider myself to have the uncommon combination of creative flair, personal enthusiasm and technical ability, comma added allied with the intellectual capacity to cope with the demands of higher education. This needs evidence to back it up, in the main body of the statement. With these qualities I believe a career in architecture is right up my street. Too informal.
