I'm in Y12 right now, currently doing 3 A levels, and I want to have a solid personal statement (since atm there isn't much to put on)
1. What sort of things could I do to build a better personal statement? What looks especially good on it?
2. (similar to the above) I have considered whether I should do a week of volunteering just for my personal statement (although it does not sound particularly appealing to me...) What sorts of volunteering are there, and should I do so? Or are there alternatives which are better? (note: my school does compulsory work experience, which I have sorted out already)
3. Apart from grades and the personal statement, what things do top universities look for when considering your application?
[edit] 4. I assume that, for most universities, there are more people who meet the grade requirements and are applying over the amount of spaces available. I assume this is where the personal statement and reference weeds some of them out? Does this mean you can get rejected even if you meet the grade requirements, and if so, what is the likelihood of this happening?