| This is a real personal statement written by a student for their university application. It might help you decide what to include in your own. There are lots more examples in our collection of sample personal statements. |
My increasing enthusiasm for news at local, national and international levels, together with my long-standing ambition to become a journalist, makes a journalistic course a natural choice for me. My reason for wanting to enter into the field of journalism can quite simply be put down to a developing awareness of the need for informed and balanced representation of facts
On completing my GCSEs, financial circumstances meant I had to spend three years in full time employment. Returning to education in 2001, I found that the sense of responsibility, focus and determination that had been magnified in the workplace proved very useful in motivating me to pursue my academic and career aspirations. Having demonstrated an ability to adapt to different roles in the workplace, I have had no problems adapting to an academic environment
A great believer in education, I see the role of the journalist as an educating force, an incredibly important one. My study of 'A' Level Government and Politics has served to highlight the importance of informing the public about how decisions being made elsewhere are affecting their lives. It has been particularly interesting to study the role of the media in the political arena and I look forward to studying the role of the media in society, at university
I have always had a natural flair for writing, which has further been improved by my study of 'A' Level English Language and Literature
This subject has given me the skills and versatility to differentiate between and accommodate, the written and the spoken word. It has also given me a deeper understanding of the power of the English language
The development of these skills has extended into my study of 'A' Level Classical Civilisation. Each of my current areas of study has served to nurture my naturally inquisitive nature and improve my analytical and debating skills. Simultaneously, my part time position as a telecommunications assistant has proved useful in enhancing the communication and negotiating skills that are essential for any journalist
Work experience placements at my local newspaper, The South Wales Evening Post and local radio station, The Wave, have confirmed my ambition to enter into the field of journalism. My own use of online and interactive news services has encouraged my interest in the multimedia aspect of journalism. Studying Key Skills in Information Technology has given me the grounding to develop the skills that new communication technology demands. I am currently part of the Communications Team at Gorseinon College, writing articles for the college magazine and presenting news on the college radio station. I thoroughly enjoy working within such a diverse team
Outside of my academic routine I have a number of hobbies and interests. I have a passion for singing and have won many competitions in this field. Art is another talent I have developed considerably since leaving comprehensive school. In the context of my chosen undergraduate programme, I hope that my composition skills will prove useful in studying the role and effects of visual images in newspapers and on television
I attend classes in power yoga on a weekly basis in order to keep fit and look forward to sampling what university has to offer in the way of sports societies and music facilities
Being at an institute of further education has given me the discipline needed for independent learning which I have put into practice by teaching myself Teeline shorthand. Having proven my ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, I am confident that I am prepared for the challenges of higher education and the world of journalism.
Comments
General Comments:
This PS is a good basis, but it lacks expansion on points about why journalism is important and why they are interested in, which is important to help you stand out to admissions tutors. The work experience would be a perfect place to discuss this sort of thing. The structure doesn’t really work either – there are too many paragraphs, so it doesn’t flow well. It is important to keep everything linked together and talk about everything related to journalism first, before the non-related stuff.
Comments on the statement:
My increasing enthusiasm for news at local, national and international levels, together with my long-standing ambition to become a journalist, makes a journalistic course a natural choice for me. Syntax seems off, journalistic to journalism My reason for wanting to enter into the field of journalism can quite simply Using words such as ‘simply’ may patronise the reasoning’s behind your application be put down to a developing awareness of the need for informed and balanced representation of facts.This needs a bit more – yes, this is true, but why do you want to be a part of it? Also remember full stop punctuation at the end of sentences and paragraphs.
Good introduction, stating an ambition for the subject and showing eagerness to join the course. Also using terms such as ‘local, national and international’ shows both knowledge of the subject and awareness of the different career prospects for after the course showing that the applicant has planned ahead. However, it could flow better by avoiding the repetition of ‘journalism’ and other words routed in this.
On completing my GCSEs, financial circumstances meant I had to Implies the applicant has an unwillingness to work, which carries negative connotations and is best avoided. If this is true, then it would sound better coming from the refereespend three years in full time employment. Returning to education in 2001, I found that the sense of responsibility, focus and determination that had been magnified in the workplace proved very useful in motivating me to pursue my academic and career aspirations. Clearly outlines skills that have been learnt. Having demonstrated an ability to adapt to different roles in the workplace, I have had no problems this implies the candidate has nothing more to learn in order to move on to the work place. Universities would like to see willingness to learn more and the candidates own recognition that they are not the perfect article just yet adapting to an academic environment. Work experience placements at my local newspaper, placing this paragraph here keeps all work information together making the application flow better The ”South Wales Evening Post ” and local radio station, ”The Wave ”, if mentioning publications etc., it should have quotation marks around it. However, it’s not important to mention the name (e.g. it would be fine to say ‘a national newspaper’/’a local radio station’ for example have confirmed my ambition to enter into the field of journalism. Why? This is the sort of thing that requires expansion. Why was it interesting? What did you learn about journalism? My own use of online and interactive news services has encouraged my interest in the multimedia aspect of journalism. Why? Again, expansion is needed. Why are online sources important? Studying Key Skills in Information Technology has given me the grounding to develop the skills that new communication technology demands. I am currently part of the communications team at Gorseinon College, not important to say the name of the college writing articles for the college magazine and presenting news on the college radio station. I thoroughly enjoy working within such a diverse team
This paragraph would be better focused on the stuff related to journalism and what interested the applicant about it. Then in another paragraph, the applicant could discuss their skills that make them a good candidate to study it.
A great believer in education, this is awkward wording and doesn’t really start the sentence properly I see the role of the journalist as an educating force, an incredibly important one. This could be worded more concisely. Also, why is it important? This kind of thing needs expanding on. My study of 'A' the apostrophes here are a waste of characters. ‘A Level’ is fine Level Government and Politics has served to highlight This could just be changed to ‘highlighted’ to save characters the importance of informing the public about how decisions being made elsewhere are affecting their lives. How? It has been particularly interesting to study the role of the media in the political arena and I look forward to studying the role of the media in society deleted comma at university
This is a good way to show a decent link with A Level subjects, but it needs expanding on to really show the admissions tutors that the applicant has thought about it
I have always this can’t be true, as it would mean since being a baby! had a natural flair for writing, which has further been improved by my study of 'A' Level English Language and Literature. This subject has given me the skills and versatility to differentiate between and accommodate deleted comma the written and the spoken word. How? Why does this interest the applicant? This needs expanding on once again. It has also given me a deeper understanding of the power of the English language The development of these skills has extended into my study of 'A' Level Classical Civilisation. It isn't necessary to justify every A Level, so this sentence could be removed. Each of my current areas of study has served to nurture my naturally inquisitive nature and improve my analytical and debating skills. Simultaneously, my part time position as a telecommunications assistant has proved useful in enhancing the communication and negotiating skills that are essential for any journalist
Outside of my academic routine I have a number of hobbies and interests. A bit verbose. Not sure there is the space for a long lead-in sentence like this really, just get on with it. I have a passion overused word in PSs for singing and have won many competitions in this field. Art is another talent I have developed considerably since leaving comprehensive school. You don’t have to show talent for everything – the talent in singing doesn’t add anything useful to the application. It would sound better if the applicant just mentioned that they enjoyed it in their spare time (and maybe were part of a group etc.) and kept the art in one sentence In the context of my chosen undergraduate programme, I hope that my composition skills will prove useful in studying the role and effects of visual images in newspapers and on television. Good link. I attend classes in power yoga on a weekly basis in order to keep fit and look forward to sampling what university has to offer in the way of sports societies and music facilities not necessary
Being at an institute of further education has given me the discipline needed for independent learning which I have put into practice by teaching myself Teeline shorthand. New things like this shouldn’t be brought into the conclusion. Having proven Perhaps change to shown to show the candidate’s own self-reflection that there is more to be learnt my ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, I am confident that I am prepared for the challenges of higher education and the world of journalism. The candidate should also sum up why they want to study journalism at university.
