The Student Room Group

Personal Statement (Mathematics)

Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA

I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

Reply 1

Original post
by josephanna
Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA
I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

To strengthen your university application, here are some suggestions for what you can mention or do to enhance your profile:

1. Academic Achievements and Interests

Highlight your passion for your chosen subject(s) in your personal statement. For example:

Any particular topics in maths, physics, or further maths that fascinate you?

How studying these subjects aligns with your future goals.

If applicable, mention any high-performing assignments, coursework, or independent research you’ve done.


2. Chess Club

Emphasize transferable skills:

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Concentration and patience

Relate these skills to your studies or your desired university course.


3. Student Volunteering

Highlight:

Teamwork and communication skills.

Any leadership roles or significant contributions.

How volunteering has shaped your personal development.


4. Engage in Subject-Specific Activities

Online Courses:

Platforms like Coursera, edX, or FutureLearn offer free courses in maths, physics, or related fields.

Competitions:

Although UKMT isn’t on your list, look for alternative competitions, like local or online maths challenges.

STEM Projects:

Join physics or engineering projects through organizations like the Institute of Physics or STEM Ambassadors.


5. Work Experience (Even Short-Term)

Seek opportunities to shadow professionals or engage in online internships related to your field.

Websites like Springpod or Speakers for Schools offer virtual work experience programs.


6. Additional Extracurriculars

Join a debating society, sports club, or other group to show varied interests.

Start or participate in group projects (e.g., science experiments, coding clubs).


7. Leadership and Initiative

If possible, take on more responsibility in your chess club or volunteering activities (e.g., organizing events or mentoring newcomers).

Mention any instances where you’ve shown initiative, such as helping others with studies or taking the lead in group projects.


8. Welsh Baccalaureate

Emphasize the skills you’ve gained from completing the Welsh Bacc:

Research and analysis (from your Individual Project).

Critical thinking.

Independent learning and time management.


9. Future Plans

Explain how your current activities prepare you for university life.

Show enthusiasm for your chosen courses and how you plan to contribute to the university community.


By showing how your existing skills and experiences align with the qualities universities value, you can create a compelling personal statement and profile. If you need help writing or structuring your statement, let me know!
Original post
by josephanna
Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA

I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

why do you want to study maths as a degree?

Have you done any research into what a maths degree involves, any research into the topics covered?

Reply 3

You might find this link useful with some tips on completing your personal statement How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement | Undergraduate | UCAS
JD

Reply 4

Original post
by josephanna
Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA
I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

Don't worry - you just need to show your interest in, and enthusiasm for, Maths.
As long as you have done some extra reading etc outside your A level syllabus, you should be fine.

Reply 5

Original post
by josephanna
Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA
I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

Hi Josephanna,
Thank you for sharing your question and details about your personal statement. It sounds like you’re already putting a lot of thought into it, which is a great start! I’ll focus on ways to strengthen your statement for Mathematics specifically, but I’ll also include suggestions in case you’re considering a change in direction later on.
1. Highlight What You’ve Already Done
Your involvement in the chess club and student volunteering is fantastic don’t underestimate how valuable these experiences can be. Chess, for example, demonstrates logical thinking, strategy, and perseverance, all of which are closely tied to skills in Mathematics. Volunteering, on the other hand, shows you’re organised, proactive, and capable of working well with others. If you link these skills to your interest in Maths, they’ll stand out even more.
If you’re considering a change in subject, think about how these activities could also relate to that field. For instance, logical problem-solving from chess could easily apply to computer science, economics, or even engineering.
2. Show Your Passion for Maths
Universities love to see genuine enthusiasm, so mention why you’re passionate about Maths. For example, was there a specific topic, project, or challenge that really inspired you? Maybe you enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of Further Maths or found Physics gave you a deeper appreciation for mathematical principles. Even talking about books or videos (like Numberphile) you’ve explored in your own time could add a personal touch.
If you’re considering a different course, explain how Maths has shaped your way of thinking and how it relates to your new focus. For example, Maths could provide a strong foundation for fields like data science, finance, or artificial intelligence.
3. Get Involved in New Activities
If you’ve got time before submitting your application, try to take part in something Maths-related to enhance your statement. This could be:
Entering a competition (like the UKMT Challenges).
Attending webinars or workshops about Maths in the real world.
Reading up on mathematical theories or their applications (e.g., The Code Book for cryptography).
Even small steps like these can demonstrate initiative and make your statement stand out.
For a different subject, think about doing something relevant to that field like online courses, projects, or volunteering to show you’re actively preparing for the shift.
4. If You’re Considering a Change in Direction
If you’re thinking about switching from Mathematics to another subject, it’s essential to explain your decision clearly. Admissions tutors want to see that your choice is well-thought-out and tied to your interests and future goals. Highlight how your experience in Maths connects to the new field for example, problem-solving and analytical skills are valuable in many disciplines.
Be honest about why you want to make the change, but also show that you’ve taken the time to research the new subject and understand what it involves. This will demonstrate your commitment and maturity in making the decision.
Final Tip
Your grades and subject choices are strong, so focus on what makes you unique your experiences, interests, and perspective. Even if you don’t have a long list of extracurriculars, it’s about how you connect what you’ve done to your ambitions.

Good luck with your statement, and feel free to reach out if you need more advice!

Best wishes,
Maryam
Liverpool John Moores University
God but I hate AI generated replies

Reply 7

Original post
by PQ
God but I hate AI generated replies

Yup, had thought about saying exactly the same. #1 seems to need help in writing a reply never mind theyre offering help in writing a ps (as dodgy as this sounds).
(edited 11 months ago)
Original post
by josephanna
Im Currently doing Maths, FM, Physics, and Welsh Baq and im projected AAAD, and my uni choices are
-Liverpool ABB
-Sheffield ABB
-Leeds AAA
-LJM CCC
-Manchester AAA
I dont have any extra circulars, no work experience, or any ukmt. Only extra curricular ive done is a chess club, and student voulnteerings.
What else can i mention, or do.

Hi! When I was writing my personal statement for maths, to show that I had an interest in the subject I wrote about books I had read (or if you are not a reader maybe look at podcasts!). I read Alex's Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos and Hello World by Hannah Fry and I wrote about what I found interesting in these books. If you have a particular area of maths you are interested in, maybe look for some books/podcasts/documentaries in this area. Make sure you don't just list what you have done though - write about what you learnt or found interesting from those things.

I hope that helps, good luck with your application! 🙂
Florence (Lancaster University student ambassador)

Quick Reply