Do you need to include extra curriculars in a PS?

I'm in the midst of writing my fifth personal draft (hopefully coming to the end of drafting), and was wondering whether it is necessary to include extra curriculars. I'm applying to study law at Cambridge, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham for 2025 entry. So far, I have stuck to an 80:20 ratio of super curriculars: extra curriculars, but after receiving feedback from my advisor, I'm no longer sure whether this section is necessary. I am running low on characters and I'm already 5 lines over the limit on UCAS due to this section. If I were to take this section out and have an entirely super curricular based personal statement, would this be an issue? My super curriculars are all quite different from each other and fairly unique, so if possible, I'd rather spend more time talking about them than things I do outside of an academic environment.

Reply 1

VeniVidiVinum

8

Original post by bibachu

I'm in the midst of writing my fifth personal draft (hopefully coming to the end of drafting), and was wondering whether it is necessary to include extra curriculars. I'm applying to study law at Cambridge, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham for 2025 entry. So far, I have stuck to an 80:20 ratio of super curriculars: extra curriculars, but after receiving feedback from my advisor, I'm no longer sure whether this section is necessary. I am running low on characters and I'm already 5 lines over the limit on UCAS due to this section. If I were to take this section out and have an entirely super curricular based personal statement, would this be an issue? My super curriculars are all quite different from each other and fairly unique, so if possible, I'd rather spend more time talking about them than things I do outside of an academic environment.

Hi! In my opinion, don’t talk about extracurriculars. Cambridge doesn’t care about anything that isn’t related to your subject.

You’re applying for an academic degree not a dating service. Hobbies aren’t a priority unless they are a massive part of your life (eg competing in a sport at a national/international level etc)

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

melancollege

18

One of my friends when he applied had a single line devoted to extracurriculars. I don't think it made any impact whatsoever and he probably could have excelled equally without even that.