I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.
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ctyrrell
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- 02-08-2016 12:50
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star9005
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- 02-08-2016 12:58
(Original post by ctyrrell)
I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.You should have decent arguments concerning your reasons for choosing the subject you want to study, and as long as you really give examples/specific reasons and demonstrate why you are interested in the chosen degree, you'll be fine. There's no need for "special effects"
P.S. You need to be really specific. It's not enough to say "I love to study the effects of globalisation, it's really interesting, and that's why I want to study geography/sociology at uni" [whatever, this is just an example]. Explore the topic with lots of "why"s. Why do I love the subject? What is that I specifically enjoy about it? How did that change my thinking? What do I hope to explore/understand by studying the subject in more depth?
--> If you can give sound and honest answers to these questions, your whole PS will stand out, not only the introduction. -
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- 02-08-2016 13:01
Part of me thinks that the admissions tutors must be immune to just about everything by now.
There must be a fair percentage that start with "From an early age, I always wanted to read Biochemistry/Law/Geography/Medicine/Social Policy.." and a load that have some cheesy quote from Mark Twain or Hemingway or something.
Really, unless the person is a mature student, it's unlikely that anything isn't going to be either boring, or seen before - not for the typical good-to-very good application, anyway.
For the record, my one was along the lines of: "I'll do my best to contribute to the university..." -
sindyscape62
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- 02-08-2016 13:06
My advice is to write most of your personal statement before doing the opening sentence. I found this helped me realise what it was about the subject I was really interested in and why I wanted to study it at university. Try to sumarise your interest in the first sentence- definitely don't waffle, just dive right in by saying what the subject allows you to study and learn about that you like. And make it personal, ask yourself why you really want to do this course and put it into a sentence.
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Carnationlilyrose
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- 02-08-2016 13:10
(Original post by ctyrrell)
I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...statement_help -
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- 02-08-2016 13:13
(Original post by ctyrrell)
I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.
I agree though, try to avoid cliches. Maybe start with why you want to study your chosen subject. At the end of the day, that us what they will be most interested in. -
UniAdmissions
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- 02-08-2016 13:17
(Original post by ctyrrell)
I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.
You are right in thinking that you shouldn't start with cliches or anything too general.
You must focus on your particular interest while trying to be very specific in order to show deeper knowledge and understanding about the subject.
You might want to check out these blogs which should give you some ideas.
Hope this helps! and don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
UniAdmissionsLast edited by UniAdmissions; 02-08-2016 at 15:46. -
Good bloke
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- 02-08-2016 13:19
(Original post by ctyrrell)
I've started to write my personal statement and I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice in regards to standing out and how to start it. I know a lot of people say not to start with a quote or anything cliche, but I was wondering what others have previously started with to get their statements to stand out to unis.
In fact, bearing in mind universities typically give several offers for every place they have, you don't necessarily have to stand out. For some uncompetitive subjects all you have to do is have an academic background of sufficient quality and not make a fool of yourself in the PS.
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