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Making my statement better! Watch
So I’m in year 12 and was wondering if you have any advice on what I can do in the next two years to improve my personal statement for law school!
I am planning on studying law at either Manchester or Durham!
I’ve done or am planning to do;
- debate (possibly being president of our team)
-apply for head girl
- was my teams project manager on NCS for the charity
- doing sign language course
- did St. John’s for 2 years
- get a placement at a law firm for the last two weeks of half term (something my sixth form helps with)
- doing an EPQ on something within mental health or feminism
- have a part time job as a cashier
- got full marks on textiles coursework
- volunteered at an after school club at the local primary school
I would also like advice on which skills I can develop ie leadership through local clubs so I know what to do in the future.
Thank you
I am planning on studying law at either Manchester or Durham!
I’ve done or am planning to do;
- debate (possibly being president of our team)
-apply for head girl
- was my teams project manager on NCS for the charity
- doing sign language course
- did St. John’s for 2 years
- get a placement at a law firm for the last two weeks of half term (something my sixth form helps with)
- doing an EPQ on something within mental health or feminism
- have a part time job as a cashier
- got full marks on textiles coursework
- volunteered at an after school club at the local primary school
I would also like advice on which skills I can develop ie leadership through local clubs so I know what to do in the future.
Thank you
Last edited by Mollysh24; 1 week ago
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(Original post by VegetableMarvell)
Hey,
What subject are you planning to do at Uni? Where are you planning on applying?
Hey,
What subject are you planning to do at Uni? Where are you planning on applying?
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#4
(Original post by Mollysh24)
I’m planning to do law at either Manchester or Durham!
I’m planning to do law at either Manchester or Durham!
Have you read any books on law? Is there any case that has particularly inspired you? Talk about these.
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(Original post by VegetableMarvell)
Nice. First and foremost, I'd recommend that your personal statement has to be almost entirely about why you love law. Placement at a law firm is the perfect thing to mention, job as a cashier less so. I applied to Durham/Oxbridge etc. for English, and my entire personal statement was talking about books that I loved, and any extracurricular were related to English.
Have you read any books on law? Is there any case that has particularly inspired you? Talk about these.
Nice. First and foremost, I'd recommend that your personal statement has to be almost entirely about why you love law. Placement at a law firm is the perfect thing to mention, job as a cashier less so. I applied to Durham/Oxbridge etc. for English, and my entire personal statement was talking about books that I loved, and any extracurricular were related to English.
Have you read any books on law? Is there any case that has particularly inspired you? Talk about these.
Would using a personal example of a law case with a family member be useful or seen as begging for sympathy?
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#6
the fact you have or make time for all that to me is impressive.
the truth is, you can't fit everything you 'do' into a personal statement. while all those achievements are good for your resume, your personal statement is a whole 'nother animal. it's more like the cover letter that goes alongside your resume.
a convincing personal statement will demonstrate a) your excellent writing ability, and b) your understanding of law and interest in it. it doesn't have to be complicated. in fact, the more stuff you try to jam in the more your personal statement will be annoying to read. there's heaps of personal statement examples online. i'd say find one that impresses you, then ask yourself why and mimic that sentiment
the truth is, you can't fit everything you 'do' into a personal statement. while all those achievements are good for your resume, your personal statement is a whole 'nother animal. it's more like the cover letter that goes alongside your resume.
a convincing personal statement will demonstrate a) your excellent writing ability, and b) your understanding of law and interest in it. it doesn't have to be complicated. in fact, the more stuff you try to jam in the more your personal statement will be annoying to read. there's heaps of personal statement examples online. i'd say find one that impresses you, then ask yourself why and mimic that sentiment
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(Original post by Joleee)
the fact you have or make time for all that to me is impressive.
the truth is, you can't fit everything you 'do' into a personal statement. while all those achievements are good for your resume, your personal statement is a whole 'nother animal. it's more like the cover letter that goes alongside your resume.
a convincing personal statement will demonstrate a) your excellent writing ability, and b) your understanding of law and interest in it. it doesn't have to be complicated. in fact, the more stuff you try to jam in the more your personal statement will be annoying to read. there's heaps of personal statement examples online. i'd say find one that impresses you, then ask yourself why and mimic that sentiment
the fact you have or make time for all that to me is impressive.
the truth is, you can't fit everything you 'do' into a personal statement. while all those achievements are good for your resume, your personal statement is a whole 'nother animal. it's more like the cover letter that goes alongside your resume.
a convincing personal statement will demonstrate a) your excellent writing ability, and b) your understanding of law and interest in it. it doesn't have to be complicated. in fact, the more stuff you try to jam in the more your personal statement will be annoying to read. there's heaps of personal statement examples online. i'd say find one that impresses you, then ask yourself why and mimic that sentiment
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#8
(Original post by Mollysh24)
Thank you so much. So would I be able to use like my extracurricular things and volunteer/placement in my personal statement?
Thank you so much. So would I be able to use like my extracurricular things and volunteer/placement in my personal statement?
just remember you don't need to mention every time you've shown leadership or everything you're interested in. you would be surprised how much a reader can infer by just how you write and how you explain yourself.you have a placement booked? what did you learn at said placement?
what is your understanding of law in practice? if you can tell an interesting story rather than a list of achievements i think your PS will stand out from the crowd (at least it worked for me and i wrote my PS the night before the UCAS deadline. lol)
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(Original post by Joleee)
yes of course just remember you don't need to mention every time you've shown leadership or everything you're interested in. you would be surprised how much a reader can infer by just how you write and how you explain yourself.
you have a placement booked? what did you learn at said placement?
what is your understanding of law in practice? if you can tell an interesting story rather than a list of achievements i think your PS will stand out from the crowd (at least it worked for me and i wrote my PS the night before the UCAS deadline. lol)
yes of course
just remember you don't need to mention every time you've shown leadership or everything you're interested in. you would be surprised how much a reader can infer by just how you write and how you explain yourself.you have a placement booked? what did you learn at said placement?
what is your understanding of law in practice? if you can tell an interesting story rather than a list of achievements i think your PS will stand out from the crowd (at least it worked for me and i wrote my PS the night before the UCAS deadline. lol)
Well we have to book them in November and I am going to contact law firms in my city so I’m sure one will let me!
Could I use a personal story on why I am interested in law even if it is sad?
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#10
(Original post by Mollysh24)
Thank you!
Well we have to book them in November and I am going to contact law firms in my city so I’m sure one will let me!
Could I use a personal story on why I am interested in law even if it is sad?
Thank you!
Well we have to book them in November and I am going to contact law firms in my city so I’m sure one will let me!
Could I use a personal story on why I am interested in law even if it is sad?
i would say just be careful when it comes to sad stories. it's easy to sound like you're trying to manipulate the reader into 'feeling' for you, you know what i'm sayin?
do you have someone at your school who can review your PS before you send it? you could try drafting a PS with your personal story and see what they think.
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(Original post by Joleee)
cool! have fun.
i would say just be careful when it comes to sad stories. it's easy to sound like you're trying to manipulate the reader into 'feeling' for you, you know what i'm sayin?
do you have someone at your school who can review your PS before you send it? you could try drafting a PS with your personal story and see what they think.
cool! have fun.
i would say just be careful when it comes to sad stories. it's easy to sound like you're trying to manipulate the reader into 'feeling' for you, you know what i'm sayin?
do you have someone at your school who can review your PS before you send it? you could try drafting a PS with your personal story and see what they think.
Thank you
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#12
Generally personal stories are best avoided, although it could be OK if it is written about in the right way. Experience in a law firm is not necessary for applying for law.
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#13
(Original post by Mollysh24)
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it.
Would using a personal example of a law case with a family member be useful or seen as begging for sympathy?
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it.
Would using a personal example of a law case with a family member be useful or seen as begging for sympathy?
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(Original post by VegetableMarvell)
Hi, I guess that could work. There is a cliche with "the moment I became interested in *insert subject* was when...." so if you avoid that you should be good.
Hi, I guess that could work. There is a cliche with "the moment I became interested in *insert subject* was when...." so if you avoid that you should be good.
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#15
(Original post by Mollysh24)
Yeh thank you! If I was like “I’ve always been interested in fighting injustice etc so when this happened to my family it was only heightened” obviously in more detail, would it be okay?
Yeh thank you! If I was like “I’ve always been interested in fighting injustice etc so when this happened to my family it was only heightened” obviously in more detail, would it be okay?
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(Original post by VegetableMarvell)
Yeah that sounds good. I didn't apply for law, but if you want an idea of style, I can share my personal statement with you if you like.
Yeah that sounds good. I didn't apply for law, but if you want an idea of style, I can share my personal statement with you if you like.
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#17
(Original post by Mollysh24)
Yes please! ID really appreciate it!!
Yes please! ID really appreciate it!!
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#18
Hi!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
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(Original post by KiwiFruitSalad)
Hi!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
Hi!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
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reply
Report
#20
(Original post by KiwiFruitSalad)
Hi!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
Hi!
I'm currently tweaking my personal statement (hopefully so I can get my ucas sent as early as possible) and was wondering whether I'm including the right sort of thing. I'm applying for Modern Languages and Cultures (German sole) at Durham (being my first choice), alongside similar courses at Exeter, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Warwick. My statement is supercurricular heavy and focuses on academics surrounding german and linguistics, but in my statement I've included:
- wider reading
- lead language ambassador role
- my epq
- Theory of Knowledge - studies relevant to languages
- completing my geography NEA in Berlin
- work experience in Schwabisch
- mentoring younger students in the department
- my part time job and role as senior prefect at school
- relevant online courses
- participation in youth german exchange.
Any advice at all would be super appreciated!
That sounds like a good base of ideas. I'm by no means an expert, and there's like 20 different ways to write a statement, but I cut out anything extra-curricular that wasn't directly related to my subject. (i.e. Prefect, Job.) If you're tight on the word count, I'd definitely cut that out.
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