The Student Room Group

Should I tailor personal statement to tutors of specific college?

It's in the question really. Say I was talking about development economics in my personal statement, would it be better if I found a college where tutors/lecturers are more interested in development economics.

This may mean that they are more likely to pick me, and the interview will be better as it will be their specialty.
I know that there is no way of knowing which tutor will interview you, but is this a good idea because I am impartial to most colleges anyway?
Reply 1
As a tutor from a college, I can unreservedly say: no.

Your UCAS personal statement will be read by other universities, and even other colleges in Oxford if you are summoned for interview. Just be yourself and talk about your interests.
Reply 2
Original post by groovyd97
It's in the question really. Say I was talking about development economics in my personal statement, would it be better if I found a college where tutors/lecturers are more interested in development economics.

This may mean that they are more likely to pick me, and the interview will be better as it will be their specialty.
I know that there is no way of knowing which tutor will interview you, but is this a good idea because I am impartial to most colleges anyway?


Don't distort your personal statement to try to pander to the imagined preferences of one or two admissions tutors. At best that would be ineffective but it could be disastrous for your chances of admission. Stick to an honest description of your interests in Economics that would be of value to the admissions tutors at all the colleges that might interview you and the other four universities to which you will apply. However, it would be reasonable to choose your preferred College on the grounds that the Economics Fellows had research interests that matched your interests.
Reply 3
Original post by astro67
Don't distort your personal statement to try to pander to the imagined preferences of one or two admissions tutors. At best that would be ineffective but it could be disastrous for your chances of admission. Stick to an honest description of your interests in Economics that would be of value to the admissions tutors at all the colleges that might interview you and the other four universities to which you will apply. However, it would be reasonable to choose your preferred College on the grounds that the Economics Fellows had research interests that matched your interests.


Oh no, I'm not planning on distorting my PS at all. I was just asking if I should choose my college based on the content already in my personal statement in case a tutor from that college was particularly interested in development economics, for example.

E.g. A tutor from Christchurch college is interested in inequality and development, which is what my PS is based around - would it be an idea to choose Christchurch based on this? (just a made up example).
Yes, I am mostly indifferent towards which college to go for so I thought this would be the best way to decide which one to go for - it is partly based on luck though!
Reply 4
Original post by groovyd97
Oh no, I'm not planning on distorting my PS at all. I was just asking if I should choose my college based on the content already in my personal statement in case a tutor from that college was particularly interested in development economics, for example.



In which case, can I suggest that the title of your thread is somewhat misleading? It suggests you are asking about the content of your personal statement, not about your choice of College.
Reply 5
Original post by astro67
In which case, can I suggest that the title of your thread is somewhat misleading? It suggests you are asking about the content of your personal statement, not about your choice of College.


Yep you're right, i didn't really think about the title. My mistake.
Another vote for 'don't do it!'. At 17/18 years old, what is the likeliness of impressing tutors with your knowledge of their own specialism? Besides, some tutors find people sucking up to them in that way really tiresome. I know my tutor does! :sadnod:

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending