Computing Science personal statement

username2655767

14

Hey all,

Would appreciate if anyone could take out a few mins to give me feedback on this.

=

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 1

Good bloke

19

Original post by unomie

Hey all,

Would appreciate if anyone could take out a few mins to give me feedback on this.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-l6KOvyMMIOtiKHcfOyBGpZu5tjzsFwXtAT-9JXSSLE/edit?usp=sharing

Remove it forthwith, if not fifth. It is now susceptible to be plagiarised and also to being flagged as plagiarism by the UCAS software.

Reply 2

username2655767

OP

14

Original post by Good bloke

Remove it forthwith, if not fifth. It is now susceptible to be plagiarised and also to being flagged as plagiarism by the UCAS software.

Shared google docs aren't indexed AFAIK and I will be removing them tomorrow anyway, thanks anyway :smile:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 3

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by unomie

Shared google docs aren't indexed AFAIK and I will be removing them tomorrow anyway, thanks anyway :smile:

They are.

And there's also nothing to stop anyone from copy and pasting large parts of this and submitting it to UCAS before you (resulting in your PS getting flagged for plagiarism when you submit).

Reply 4

Good bloke

19

Original post by unomie

Shared google docs aren't indexed AFAIK and I will be removing them tomorrow anyway, thanks anyway :smile:

I can't confirm the former statement, but I can confirm that even two minutes is more than enough time for your PS to be copied by another applicant.

Still, it's your application, and if you want it ruined by plagiarism issues that is for you to decide.

Reply 5

username2655767

OP

14

Yeah I'm fine with that, I'll leave it up in that case and any plagiarism will ping back to this post :smile:

Reply 6

Good bloke

19

Original post by unomie

Yeah I'm fine with that, I'll leave it up in that case and any plagiarism will ping back to this post :smile:

So, despite a warning from people in the know, you are happy for your PS to be copied and your defence strategy against any accusations of plagiarism will be to show the admissions tutors just how foolish you can be by directing them here?

That's a subtle one, I must say. I'm not clear it will send the message you want it to though.

Reply 7

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by unomie

Hey all,

Would appreciate if anyone could take out a few mins to give me feedback on this.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-l6KOvyMMIOtiKHcfOyBGpZu5tjzsFwXtAT-9JXSSLE/edit?usp=sharing

FWIW

Your PS needs completely re-writing (ignore the tweaking or wording that some "helpful" people are offering you).

You've written a history of your experiences with computers and work and not a statement explaining why you want to study a degree in computer (or computing?) science. Your PS as it stands gives the impression that you're applying for an IT degree or a vocational computing course and not one covering computer science.

have a read of https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/why_oxford/what_do_tutors_look_for.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/personal_statement.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/phrases_to_avoid.html (all apply to any academic CS application). Also read the websites of the universities you're applying for and see how they talk about their subject. They aren't interested in standard IT admin tasks like writing macros.

Reply 8

username2655767

OP

14

Original post by PQ

FWIW

Your PS needs completely re-writing (ignore the tweaking or wording that some "helpful" people are offering you).

You've written a history of your experiences with computers and work and not a statement explaining why you want to study a degree in computer (or computing?) science. Your PS as it stands gives the impression that you're applying for an IT degree or a vocational computing course and not one covering computer science.

have a read of https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/why_oxford/what_do_tutors_look_for.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/personal_statement.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/phrases_to_avoid.html (all apply to any academic CS application). Also read the websites of the universities you're applying for and see how they talk about their subject. They aren't interested in standard IT admin tasks like writing macros.

Thanks, that was my main concern. I'll have a look at those links.

Reply 9

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by unomie

Thanks, that was my main concern. I'll have a look at those links.

I'd say your main focus should be on the academic work you've covered in your Access course (don't be afraid to be specific and detailed on this - that is what makes it personal) and any self guided learning or research into the sorts of topics that will be in your degree choices.

Your background and work history need cutting down to a handful of sentences that add to those points rather than the majority of the PS (eg talk about a programming language you've learnt, add in about your schooling history and fluency in spoken languages and then give some description about a project you've produced using that language - including what you were pleased with and what you would do differently if you were to do the whole thing again)..

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 10

Good bloke

19

Original post by PQ

FWIW

Your PS needs completely re-writing (ignore the tweaking or wording that some "helpful" people are offering you).

You've written a history of your experiences with computers and work and not a statement explaining why you want to study a degree in computer (or computing?) science. Your PS as it stands gives the impression that you're applying for an IT degree or a vocational computing course and not one covering computer science.

have a read of https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/why_oxford/what_do_tutors_look_for.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/personal_statement.html and https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/how_to_apply/phrases_to_avoid.html (all apply to any academic CS application). Also read the websites of the universities you're applying for and see how they talk about their subject. They aren't interested in standard IT admin tasks like writing macros.

I concur, so plagiarism is not really an issue as this one shouldn't be used in anything like its current state.

Reply 11

username2655767

OP

14

Original post by PQ

I'd say your main focus should be on the academic work you've covered in your Access course (don't be afraid to be specific and detailed on this - that is what makes it personal) and any self guided learning or research into the sorts of topics that will be in your degree choices.

I have very little for this. since the first half of the access course is a lot easier (Int2 level v. higher after christmas). I don't really have any academic work. It's mainly just memorising facts or formulas for the exams at the moment.

Reply 12

KappaRoss

13

RIP to your PS. Time to rewrite :smile:

LEL

Computing Science personal statement

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