Personal Statement:Economics and Finance 7

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Economics and Finance Personal Statement

In today's world, economics associated disciplines are of fundamental significance and application, which has encouraged me to pursue a degree in Economics. As well as studying economics at AS and A2 level I like to indulge in works written by economists and authors alike. I have already read aspects related to world economic history whilst engrossing myself in the ideas and arguments put forward in Keynes' "General theory of employment, interest and money". By working through selected aspects of a university text I have been able to support my current studies by introducing new concepts into my school essays and presentations. Economic issues have become increasingly prominent in political and current affairs, and for me to understand such issues was the principal reason for me choosing to study economics. I am fascinated by the world of economics around us and I like to follow economic issues through the news and media. I am a subscriber to the magazine "Economics Today" and I take part in Internet discussions through the popular "Tutor 2 U" website

The challenge of education has always been a very important aspect of my life and I continually aim to achieve my potential in everything in which I participate. Throughout the past few years I have progressed into a self-motivated independent learner who enjoys embracing new ideas and concepts that I am introduced to. My learning technique is based around both organisation and time management skills that I developed through my role as Company Secretary in the Young Enterprise scheme. This has helped me to evolve as an individual whilst providing me with first-hand experience of business in contestable markets. At the end of the year I was voted as the best Company Secretary in Leicestershire by a panel of expert judges

The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, of which I am a member, has enabled me to explore my academic potential through Outreach events and Internet forums. Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has extended the knowledge I gained as a former Scout of the Year winner and through the award I have gained leadership skills and opportunities to serve the community

During year 12 I have worked with the Learning Support department at Wreake Valley College on a weekly basis providing younger students with extra help in a range of subjects including Mathematics, English and Science. I have found the experience very rewarding. As well as this I have completed my two hundred hour community service award as part of the Millennium Volunteers scheme and I represent the views of other students by playing an active role in the Sixth Form Student Council. This has taught me the difficulties of managing scarce resources and also of the need for patience and dedication when undertaking projects

Due to good time management, I have been able to maintain a part-time job in an award winning market town toyshop for the past twelve months. Here I have learnt the importance of teamwork and communication in a work-based environment. Furthermore, I play golf for a junior team where I participate in tournaments across the county. I also have a passion for drama and I a member of the Thurmaston Youth Theatre, which puts on various charity performances across the local area.

Comments

General Comments:

On the whole, a pretty good basis to work from. The applicant needs to provide examples/expand on parts they’ve written, especially related to economics. There isn’t much on finance, however, so this needs to be addressed (linking it to economics). The applicant also uses capital letter where they are incorrect.

Comments on the statement:

In today's world, economics associated disciplines are of fundamental significance and application, which has encouraged me to pursue a degree in Economics. The applicant is a little bit vague here – why are they significant?

As well as studying economics at AS and A2 level This will be obvious from the applicant’s education section, and so doesn’t need to be mentioned here I like to indulge this word sounds unnecessarily fancy in works written by economists and authors alike. Rather than just stating that they’ve read books, the applicant needs to mention one or two specifically. I have already read aspects related to world economic history whilst engrossing myself in the ideas and arguments put forward in Keynes' "General theory of employment, interest and money". What specific parts of economic history have the applicant looked at? What opinion did they have on Keyne’s theories? Did the applicant read Keynes or have they just engaged with the ideas - might come up at interview? By working through selected aspects of a university text The applicant needs to name it. I have been able to support my current studies by introducing new concepts into my school essays and presentations. This needs expanding on, to explain what the applicant has done: what essays they have written, what concepts they used, why they selected the ones they did.

Economic issues have become increasingly prominent in political and current affairs, and for me to understand such issues was the principal reason for me choosing to study economics. This sounds more like another introduction, although they would need to explain WHY it was the principle reason. I am fascinated by the world of economics around us and This is very clichéd I like to follow economic issues through the news and media - I am a subscriber to the magazine "Economics Today" and I take part in Internet discussions through the popular "Tutor 2 U" website. This needs expanding: What articles in the magazine has the applicant found interesting, and why? What debates have they taken taken part in? A good PS gives evidence and detail rather than empty statements.

The challenge of education has always been a very important aspect of my life and I continually aim to achieve my potential in everything in which I participate. This isn’t relevant to economics and is the kind of thing that the referee should be commenting on. Throughout the past few years I have progressed into a self-motivated independent learner who enjoys embracing new ideas and concepts that I am introduced to. As above. My learning technique is based around both organisation and time management skills that I developed through my role as company secretary in the Young Enterprise scheme. This doesn't have much relevance to the learning technique - say "As Company Secretary, I developed..." for example This has helped me to evolve as an individual whilst providing me with first-hand experience of business in contestable markets. Talking about contestable markets isn’t really necessary here, but if the applicant finds it interesting they could say so in the study paragraph. At the end of the year I was voted as the best company secretary in Leicestershire by a panel of expert judges. Judges is fine, we don't need to big them up! An admissions tutor would surely already expect applicants to be self-motivated, independent, organised and enjoy new ideas. Also Young Enterprise is good to bring in to an economics PS, but feel it not being used to its potential here. How does Young Enterprise relate to economics, if at all? Does the theory of the firm the applicant learns about in microeconomics at A-level hold for running a business via Young Enterprise in real life?

The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, of which I am a member, has enabled me to explore my academic potential through Outreach events and Internet forums. The universities will know all about access schemes and things for G&T, the applicant doesn't need to inform them. Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has extended the knowledge I gained as a former Scout of the Year winner and through the award I have gained leadership skills and opportunities to serve the community. The applicant needs to be more specific - which events did the applicant go to? What skills did the applicant learn? How?

During Year 12 I have worked volunteered with the learning support department at Wreake Valley College on a weekly basis The details are relevant, applicants shouldn't be mentioning specific names of schools/work places in their PS providing younger students with extra help in a range of subjects including mathematics, English and science. Subject names shouldn’t be capitalised, unless naming a qualification. I have found the experience very rewarding. Why? As well as this I have completed my two hundred hour community service award as part of the Millennium Volunteers scheme and I represent the views of other students by playing an active role in the sixth form student council. This has taught me the difficulties of managing scarce resources and also of the need for patience and dedication when undertaking projects. Good.

Due to good time management, I have been able to maintain a part-time job in an award winning market town toyshop local toy shop for the past twelve months. Toy shop should be two words - the applicant perhaps shouldn't talk about "time management" again Here I have learnt the importance of teamwork and communication in a work-based environment. Furthermore, I play golf for a junior team where I participate in tournaments across the county. I also have a passion for drama and I am a member of the Thurmaston Youth Theatre, which puts on various charity performances across the local area. There is some good stuff, but it needs to be condensed. There is also no proper conclusion: the applicant needs to sum up why they are a good candidate and why they want to study the course.