ASAP Shortening Personal Statement
As in the title, my personal statement is about 2000 characters over the limit. My head of sixth form is recommending I cut out the sections about my EPQ, essay competition, biology Olympiad and work experience. However this makes me feel like the time and effort I put in to do these was wasted. Does anyone have any other tips about how I can shorten my personal statement without cutting out big activities? My school’s internal deadline is November but I want to get it done sooner to focus on EPQ and mocks so I need help asap if possible! Thank you!!
Original post by LittleFire10
As in the title, my personal statement is about 2000 characters over the limit. My head of sixth form is recommending I cut out the sections about my EPQ, essay competition, biology Olympiad and work experience. However this makes me feel like the time and effort I put in to do these was wasted. Does anyone have any other tips about how I can shorten my personal statement without cutting out big activities? My school’s internal deadline is November but I want to get it done sooner to focus on EPQ and mocks so I need help asap if possible! Thank you!!
Tbh you could cut out some of the parts that aren’t related to the subject you’re applying for and ask your teachers to include it in their teacher references so universities will still see all the extra stuff you’ve done
Is your work experience directly relevant to the subject at hand? Are you just hyping up soft skills like time management and teamwork? If so, bin it and have your referee include it in their reference.
Same goes for all your other content.
Same goes for all your other content.
Original post by natashapro
Tbh you could cut out some of the parts that aren’t related to the subject you’re applying for and ask your teachers to include it in their teacher references so universities will still see all the extra stuff you’ve done
To be honest the teachers haven’t mentioned the reference at all so I have no idea who would be writing it and who to ask.
Original post by Admit-One
Is your work experience directly relevant to the subject at hand? Are you just hyping up soft skills like time management and teamwork? If so, bin it and have your referee include it in their reference.
Same goes for all your other content.
Same goes for all your other content.
I’m applying to do pharmacology and biochemistry and my work experience was at a pharmaceutical company and in the drug research part of an NHS trust. I think it’s all relevant.
Original post by LittleFire10
I’m applying to do pharmacology and biochemistry and my work experience was at a pharmaceutical company and in the drug research part of an NHS trust. I think it’s all relevant.
that's definitely relevant. maybe cut the essay competition bit? What's your EPQ about?
Original post by wonua
that's definitely relevant. maybe cut the essay competition bit? What's your EPQ about?
My EPQ is about the impact of specific nutrients (like omega-3 fatty acids and collagen) on the skin, hair and nails. Also I won the essay competition about women in STEM.
Original post by LittleFire10
My EPQ is about the impact of specific nutrients (like omega-3 fatty acids and collagen) on the skin, hair and nails. Also I won the essay competition about women in STEM.
maybe its the way your writing about it. Look over it and see if any sentence is too wordy. The least relevant out of everything you have mentioned is the essay in my opinion.
Original post by LittleFire10
To be honest the teachers haven’t mentioned the reference at all so I have no idea who would be writing it and who to ask.
You could ask the head of sixth form which teacher's writing it, and contact them? You can request certain topics be included, and to see the reference before they submit it.
Original post by wonua
maybe its the way your writing about it. Look over it and see if any sentence is too wordy. The least relevant out of everything you have mentioned is the essay in my opinion.
I agree with this. All those points could contribute well to your statement, so before cutting any of them out completely, try to optimise your wording.
For example, rather than something like:
"In the summer I arranged to spend a week of work experience at a pharmaceutical company. While shadowing an analyst I had the opportunity to do X."
You can say:
"During a week at a leading pharmaceutical company, I did X, reflected on Y and learnt to Z."
In other words, pare your sentences down to the real essence you want to express, maximise the stuff about you, and minimise the connecting phrases. Weave a coherent narrative about how you've developed yourself into a future biochemist, and name-drop all the stuff you've done along the way.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Is it possible to write a personal statement that tailors for Midwifery and Adult Nur
- Is abbrieviating television to "TV" in my personal statement too informal?
- Personal statement UCAS
- GYG Y13!!!
- Will it harm my application to not include blank lines in my PS?
- Best things to do in year 11 for oxbridge?
- Nursing interview at Dundee University
- UCL Clinical Neuroscience MSc applicants
- Clearing and applying for a different course
- applying for a pgce with gaps in my ug
- I want to change my predicted grades before the UCAS deadline
- Changed Mind about Uni course AFTER applying.
- OK to mention extracurriculars in opening of PS? (for oxbridge)
- Midwifery
- Tenancy takeover Scape Wembley Park
- Should I do a nursing college course in S5?
- Personal Statement Review
- Transferring Uni courses?
- Aston uni accounting helpp!!!
- Accounting aston uni help!!
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
Tips for Cutting Down Personal Statement (Kind of Urgent)Last reply 2 weeks ago
Have I got enough to write in my personal statement (Durham)?Last reply 1 month ago
Engineering Personal Statement for Cambridge, Imperial
