This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Counselling/clinical psychology doctorate application - advice needed!
- Personal Statement as a Mature Student
- Thoughts on Conor McGregor running for Ireland PM?
- Why does it feel like male attraction towards me is predatory
- Why does nobody like me on The Student Room
- Are right wing people more humourless and misanthropic?
- Quote help!! Christmas carol
- Girl thinks I’m a virgin but I’m not
- What books can I read to show I’m interested in diagnostic radiography?
- How do you have interesting conversations with girls?
- I'm chubby should I even bother asking this girl out?
- What are the things that you love about yourself ?
- Did my teacher just say something really offensive?
- Why did my message cause such a reaction?
- Is there anyone less funny than Miranda Hart?
- does he like me ?
- Head Boy Speech : Opinions please!
- Alternatives to dissertation- good idea?
- Hello I’m new , I want some friends I can always talk to
- Can someone mark my GCSE English Lang Paper 2 Q 5
Humour in a Personal Statement
I started writing my personal statement today, ready for the Oxbridge application. Its finished now, but there's one paragraph I'm a little unsure about:
"My work experience as a clerical assistant at a BAE systems office consisted mainly of menial standard-fare ‘office work’. As well as refining my tea-making skills, this tenure as resident whipping-boy taught me, above all else, never to work in an office. However, during my brief career at BAE, due mainly to large periods of nothing-better-to-do, I did manage to read many books, so it may well be said that this work experience served to accentuate my understanding of literature, and therefore increase my aptitude for an English degree."
Admittedly, my work experience was a big load of bollocks, but I felt I should mention it anyway (beacuse I've never had a proper job). My question is: are admissions tutors humourless, and will they, essentially, not get the joke - or just disapprove of it?
P.S. Is 740 words too long?
"My work experience as a clerical assistant at a BAE systems office consisted mainly of menial standard-fare ‘office work’. As well as refining my tea-making skills, this tenure as resident whipping-boy taught me, above all else, never to work in an office. However, during my brief career at BAE, due mainly to large periods of nothing-better-to-do, I did manage to read many books, so it may well be said that this work experience served to accentuate my understanding of literature, and therefore increase my aptitude for an English degree."
Admittedly, my work experience was a big load of bollocks, but I felt I should mention it anyway (beacuse I've never had a proper job). My question is: are admissions tutors humourless, and will they, essentially, not get the joke - or just disapprove of it?
P.S. Is 740 words too long?
Scroll to see replies
What course are you applying for?
Hmm I am unsure about the paragraph too. I don't think admissions tutors will like it, in my opinion though. It's not that I am against humour, it's just that it's in a context which portrays you negatively.
You're in the exact same situation I was in. I applied for English and History at Oxford, and my introduction, while not all that humorous, was a bit light-hearted. I also had 700+ words in my final draft.
I tried to write it in very small writing on my UCAS form, but realized that the downsizing would make it unreadable (plus I had to cut things out, even with the tiny handwriting). In the end, I sent a typed version of my PS with my Oxford supplementary form. Hopefully they're not too annoyed - plus I'm American, so I expect they'll be easier on my, as I'm not used to this process.
I think as English students, we're entitled to more freedom when writing our statements. They want someone who can write well, and infusing humor into your statement while covering all the relevent information should be fine.
But then again, I could be wrong. I only sent off my app last week and have no idea if I'll get in.
I tried to write it in very small writing on my UCAS form, but realized that the downsizing would make it unreadable (plus I had to cut things out, even with the tiny handwriting). In the end, I sent a typed version of my PS with my Oxford supplementary form. Hopefully they're not too annoyed - plus I'm American, so I expect they'll be easier on my, as I'm not used to this process.
I think as English students, we're entitled to more freedom when writing our statements. They want someone who can write well, and infusing humor into your statement while covering all the relevent information should be fine.
But then again, I could be wrong. I only sent off my app last week and have no idea if I'll get in.
LS.
Hmm... Using txt-speak in a personal statement for English... Hopeful the AT's do have a sense of humour
You could always change the font - I think studentials website has some tips on that.
Hmm... Using txt-speak in a personal statement for English... Hopeful the AT's do have a sense of humour
You could always change the font - I think studentials website has some tips on that.
I'll look into it, thanks.
endeavour
Hmm I am unsure about the paragraph too. I don't think admissions tutors will like it, in my opinion though. It's not that I am against humour, it's just that it's in a context which portrays you negatively.
You think? I suppose it doesn't really serve a purpose other than being a stab at humour, so I'll probably get rid of it. After all, space is precious.
~Sam~
Someone else applying for English 
Where else are you applying? I'm working on my Personal Statement at the moment.
Where else are you applying? I'm working on my Personal Statement at the moment.Exeter, Warwick, Queen Mary, Aberwytsyth (I can't pronounce it or spell it
) and Stirling. The penultimate is my reserve choice - in case I botch up exams or something. What about you?
I like it! Im sure if I was an admissions tutor I would be ready to kill myself after reading thousands of bland and boring PS's. I think maybe take out the whipping boy bit, but the fact that you have turned an incredibly dull and useless experience into something positive, and also related it to your degree is good. Im sure they will laugh at the tea making thing, and if not its only one line.
I say go for it!
I say go for it!
Mr White
Exeter, Warwick, Queen Mary, Aberwytsyth (I can't pronounce it or spell it ) and Stirling. The penultimate is my reserve choice - in case I botch up exams or something. What about you?
Exeter, Warwick, Queen Mary, Aberwytsyth (I can't pronounce it or spell it
) and Stirling. The penultimate is my reserve choice - in case I botch up exams or something. What about you?Look in my signature
What subjects are doing and what are you predicted? Everyone seems to be applying to Exeter!
Belle Noire
I think as English students, we're entitled to more freedom when writing our statements. They want someone who can write well, and infusing humor into your statement while covering all the relevent information should be fine.
Hmm... true, I suppose. After all, we're not bland scientists with no creative talent, we are the literati! To be honest I quite liked my joke, but it appears that it will be a completely random occurence as to whether the admissions tutor who reads the statement will be a soulless bureaucrat or not. Oh well, here's hoping...
~Sam~
Look in my signature
What subjects are doing and what are you predicted? Everyone seems to be applying to Exeter!
What subjects are doing and what are you predicted? Everyone seems to be applying to Exeter!
Sorry, I'm colour-blind and can't see pink. I'm applying for English across the board. I initially wanted to put one or two medicine courses in there, but found it impossible to write an applicable personal statement. If I still want to do medicine after I get my BA, I might apply again.
Invisible
You're such a liar! First you were applying for medicine and had completed A-Levels, now you're applying for English and haven't completed A-Levels!
First you were applying for medicine and had completed A-Levels, now you're applying for English and haven't completed A-Levels!You boob, bono. I'm taking an extra year, and call me a flip-flopper, but we humans do have the capacity to change our minds occasionally. See the above post, anyway.
Mr White
Sorry, I'm colour-blind and can't see pink. I'm applying for English across the board. I initially wanted to put one or two medicine courses in there, but found it impossible to write an applicable personal statement. If I still want to do medicine after I get my BA, I might apply again.
What subjects are u doing and what grades are u predicted (Lol, I'm trying to size up the competition!) Medicine and English are quite a contrast, so I can see how it would be impossible to write a PS for both of them
Mr White
If I still want to do medicine after I get my BA, I might apply again.
You probably already know but graduate entry to medicine is very competitive and you may need a more relevant science degree to be eligible for some courses I think.
'tis a pity you can't predict admission tutors.
For what it's worth, I like the honesty and the humour of the paragraph. I guess whether you include it is down to whether you want to have a more 'original' PS or go for the usual formula (and whether you want to cut your word count).
And I didn't mention in my other post, that the 500 words around the maximum amount with paragraphs. I guess you could miss paragraphs out completely and fit another 100 words in... combind that with the txt-speak and you could probably fit on 700 words.
For what it's worth, I like the honesty and the humour of the paragraph. I guess whether you include it is down to whether you want to have a more 'original' PS or go for the usual formula (and whether you want to cut your word count).
And I didn't mention in my other post, that the 500 words around the maximum amount with paragraphs. I guess you could miss paragraphs out completely and fit another 100 words in... combind that with the txt-speak and you could probably fit on 700 words.
Related discussions
- Counselling/clinical psychology doctorate application - advice needed!
- Personal Statement as a Mature Student
- Thoughts on Conor McGregor running for Ireland PM?
- Why does it feel like male attraction towards me is predatory
- Why does nobody like me on The Student Room
- Are right wing people more humourless and misanthropic?
- Quote help!! Christmas carol
- Girl thinks I’m a virgin but I’m not
- What books can I read to show I’m interested in diagnostic radiography?
- How do you have interesting conversations with girls?
- I'm chubby should I even bother asking this girl out?
- What are the things that you love about yourself ?
- Did my teacher just say something really offensive?
- Why did my message cause such a reaction?
- Is there anyone less funny than Miranda Hart?
- does he like me ?
- Head Boy Speech : Opinions please!
- Alternatives to dissertation- good idea?
- Hello I’m new , I want some friends I can always talk to
- Can someone mark my GCSE English Lang Paper 2 Q 5
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
Fastest and Slowest Offer Holders Thread for 2025 EntryLast reply 2 days ago
UCAS Applications + Uni Applicant Thread Directory for 2025 **Official Thread**Last reply 1 week ago
Got any advice for Yr 12/13 about Open Days? Share your Thoughts :)))Last reply 2 weeks ago
Are my GCSEs going to hinder Uni offers? HELP!Last reply 4 weeks ago
school putting in the wrong predicted grades on ucasLast reply 1 month ago
Year 13s: where are you at in your university decision making?Last reply 1 month ago
When do London unis give out offers typicallyLast reply 1 month ago
What do you do to help manage UCAS stress? 😬Last reply 1 month ago
(help) ucas predicted grades and complicated situations
