Writing a personal statement when applying multiple subject

Hi! I’m a materials scientist from Oxford so hopefully I can help!

I applied for materials science and biomaterials courses (one out of a dentistry department!) so I know the struggle. I would recommend writing about what they’ve got in common- a lot of materials science applies directly to engineering so it won’t be too hard!

Focus your personal statement on the engineering side of materials and I think you’ll get the balance right!

If you want more info about materials at Oxford, I’ve just written a chapter with my advice/experience of applying called Oxford Demystified - Materials science!

Here’s the link : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6621118

a book you might want to give a read is The New science of strong materials (or why things don’t fall through the floor) by J E Gordon! But there are more resources in the chapter!

I'd recommend focusing more on discussing the stuff that links the two topics- since youre planning to specialise in materials, you have fairly similar goals/interests going into them. just talk in general about what got you into that realm of science, and then talk about the specific aspects of engineering that appeal to you. You don't need to specifically say 'i want to take x course for y reason', you could just say 'i'm interested in the design and practical elements of the courses', as an example. that way you arent excluding one.

basically, don't focus as much on the specific titles of the courses themselves, focus on what they're offering you. I assume both courses you're applying to have similar things that attract you?

Yes! I’m really enjoying it! If you have any questions feel free to message me

This may not help you much but i applied for Media Production at Sunderland and Teeside but applied for Film Practices at Newcastle and Film & TV Production at Northumbria. Each course focused on different things so i tried to cover as much as i could like Newcastle’s course looked more at documentaries so i mentioned the work i had done on one and i linked everything i wrote about to the course. If you’re applying for multiple courses, it may be better to be more general but also make sure you’re showing each of your choices that you can do the things they focus on.

Hi again,
Had a think and have come up with some questions, if that is cool!

What is it like being in a small department? (More specifically, do you only have lectures/labs with Matsci people and what is that like socially and academically )

Do you think it is likely that PAT will be particularly important this year, as a level prediction are a bit weaker this year due to the pandemic?

Is materials at Oxford mathsy (I ask this as I have seen uni's (not Oxford) describe their course as less mathematical and honestly I like maths so this would be a disappointment)

I have mainly been using Isaac physics and STEP mechanics questions to practice for PAT (outside of the exam qs themselves) and was wondering if looking at the A2 physics olympiad could also be helpful, or if you known anything else good!

When did you start looking at PAT?

During an interview, is the maths/physics problem likely to have a materials twist and how many problems were you given in an interview?

And last but not least, when it comes to personal statements and talking about books/podcasts etc, is it better to focus on something specific I found interesting such as dislocations giving metals their ductility and toughness? And if this is the case, I am assuming know the subject (dislocations) inside out as it will be likely asked at an interview?



Sorry for the bombardment, I didn't realise I had so many questions! And a MASSIVE thanks in advance, I have found it extremely difficult to find info about the course as its not such a common subject.