Personal Statement Help Question Thread 2014-15

I was just wondering how asking a question within the personal statement would be viewed. I'm talking about a book I read and the concept that a person's awareness of family history is a component in their understanding of themselves. I want to apply this to society as a whole and so I pose a question asking why we continue to revere and remember historical events. Are rhetorical questions OK to include or should I word it differently?

This is for a combined honours in history and anthropology for four of my applications and HSPS at Cambridge.

Rhetorical questions usually come across badly. People do tend to use more than one in a row (Why is the sky blue? Why id the oven hot? Why is Apple being such a nuisance today?) so if you only want to use one it will sound better. But they still can sound better if phrased differently, such as "I wondered why the sky was blue,so spent my summer holidays sunbathing in the garden".

Just realised there is this thread.
I'm writing a medical PS
I am within the character limit, its the lines that are the problem.

Is it true that indenting doesn't work, and if you want paragraphs you have to leave a line between each one?

How many paragraphs is acceptable roughly for about 4000 characters? I don't want to waste lines and have to cut things out
Also are abbreviations acceptable such as DofE and CMHT? (as that would save space) Also using numbers instead of words like 3 instead of three? (as again saves space)

Also I've been getting mixed opinions on whether I can write about my a levels and how they are related to the degree.

Hello!

I've been working over my personal statement over the summer but have come across some issues. I'm applying for Politics and International Relations and have discussed two major events that have happened this past year. However, I'm worried I haven't made it personal enough. I've been voicing my opinion on these topics and have referenced books and articles which I found interesting. I haven't got an A level in this subject so I would like to make sure the admissions tutor knows I'm committed by talking about these issues. I hope that makes sense.

Also I've been getting mixed opinions on whether I can write about my a levels and how they are related to the degree. We've been studying feminist literature in English Lit and wasn't sure whether I should incorporate it into my PS.

I'm having a really hard time keeping to the character limit though (I thought I'd have the complete opposite problem).

Thank you very much

This advice is frequently given by those who haven't thought about it vey clearly. Admissions tutors know exactly what you will gain from you A levels; don't waste space in telling them what is obvious. To draw non-obvious and tenuous links between, say, English literature and politics would be equally ridiculous and wasteful. So, overall, don't

Any reassurances from people?

I want to do a combined degree in Economics and Geography, preferably at Leeds or Loughborough. I don't really have much passion for either subject and I don't massively enjoy either of them so what can I say that makes it seem like I do care about them? I have read 1 or 2 economics books (Freakonomics 1 and 2, half of the undercover economist) and didn't really enjoy them. I have never done anything to demonstrate an interest in Geography so is there anything I can say, or do very quickly to help me?

The best advice I can give you is: think again. Studying one subject you don't enthuse over is difficult enough. Choosing to study two is a recipe for complete disaster. You are more likely to drop out, incurring the debt for no result and a lot of wasted time.

The variety will make it more interesting, not less.

Double not very interesting is not interesting at all, I'm afraid.

I would argue that increased diversity within a set amount of time can only make it more interesting.

Yes, but that only applies if you have an interest in the subjects in the first place. You don't, you have said. It is obviously your own decision but it is a very ill-advised one.

I am definitely going to university (will not explain all the reasons here) and I have no greater interest in any other subjects so it seems like the best option to me.
Assuming that is the course I am doing (I have no doubts that it is,) do you have any advice for my original question?