Is it okay to be funny in your personal statement?

2

I'm applying for Graphic Communication, and I'm going out of my mind trying to write this bloody thing!
Firstly I can't think of an opening sentence/paragraph... I'd like it to be something quite different or unusual, but as they say, I've hit a wall and cannot seem to think of anything to write!
Secondly, they say that you should try and show your personality in your statement... I'm quite sarcastic and jokey, but is it okay to show that in a personal statement? Also, I'm rubbish at lying... I'd rather just tell them how it is than big myself up, and so far have written things like 'I'm rather clumsy....' and 'I realise now that I didn't work hard enough while I was at college'
Do you think they'd appreciate my honestly or just not give me the time of day?

:redface:

Reply 1

DTR

2

Personally anything that doesn't add to it I would leave out. Try and keep it all positive.
Just my opinion.

Reply 2

ma2k5

14

The latter, personally.

Reply 3

Kalavande

See, the problem with being funny is that you don't know the person reading it sense of humour. So, I'd skip it. Don't open with a negative, whatever you do, but do let you shine through, if that makes sense?

Reply 4

Jelkin

17

No humour and ALL positive. I am a bit like you in a way but you want to just focus on the positives about yourself.

Reply 5

forsaken_earth

13

Im going to quote my favourite english teacher
(i got into edinburgh to do english lit following most of his advice)

VEER TOWARDS THE BLAND

Reply 6

light_seeker

9

The whole point of a personal statement is to sell yourself, so negative statements like 'I'm rather clumsy' aren't doing you any favours. I'm not saying you have to lie, but there are ways of phrasing truthful statements about you that sound more positive.

I also think that being joky is a bit of a gamble as the eprson reading it might not find you very funny at all.

Reply 7

Phalanges

18

At best you'll be memorable, at worst you'll be memorable for the wrong reasons.

It's a massive risk, but if you're prepared to take it then I wish you luck.

Reply 8

Waterstorm

16

If you say you're clumsy and generally tell them how terrible you are in life, they won't think you're an ideal person they want at the uni. Stick with all good stuff, and leave out bad stuff.

Reply 9

tRG

I say skip the part about not having worked hard enough at college and mention how you plan on working harder at uni than you did at college, instead! Try and be positive in your PS.

Reply 10

forsaken_earth

13

To be honest, all they care about is their subject. Literally.

So all this crap about personality etc... I wouldnt say 'im clumsy' cos they might think
you're not serious about this.

Reply 11

Chris#1

1

Basing my answer on 2 experiences of applying to UCAS.

1) last year. I, like you, was disillusioned with the whole 'sell yourself' shabang. I decided to be honest, and admitted that I struggled a bit with a couple of subjects but still enjoyed them, and that I can be a bit lazy at times. This didn't get me too far, I got 2 offers but if it wasn't for my glowing reference and predicted grades in contrast to my PS I doubt I would have got any.

2) this year. I sold myself a bit more but have been witty and daring. I genuinely enjoyed writing my PS and thought that I may as well try to convey my personality a bit more, I am a funny guy. So far I have 2 offers out of 2 from good Unis.

To sum up, I think you do need to sell yourself. Be a bit pompous and just go for it, it's what is ultimately expected. Don't point out your faults, just highlight your assets. And I would say be a bit funny if you want to, if you make them laugh then that's a good start. But obviously don't go too far, you want to make sure it's still conveyed as a task you've taken seriously.

And on the subject of an opening statement, I wanted to start with something profound and original, too. I tried a few things but they sounded ultimately pretentious and unnecessary. In the end I just referenced Harry Potter! It's always nice to make a flying start but don't get hung up on it if you can't think of something because it wasn't the hare who won the race. Good luck!

Reply 12

miss_world

3

I wouldn't write anything humourous in it at all. It could give the impression that you're not taking it very seriously, which in turn might lead the admissions tutor to think you wont take university seriously. Also cross out those sentences and definitely NO NOT write them in your personal statement. Firstly, why would the admissions tutor care whether you're clumsy or not; secondly, a personal statement is about giving them reasons why they should accept you and not why they shouldn't.

I appreciate that it's difficult trying to sell yourself without coming off sounding like an arrogant tosser. Perhaps try to think of it in a factual way. Instead of writing fairly abstract things like 'I consider myself to be an excellent people person' try giving concrete examples e.g 'Last year I volunteered with the elderly and built up an excellent rapport with those I worked with, which I believe demonstrates my capacity for empathy and understanding of different people.' These are rubbish examples I admit, but I hope you get my drift. So focus on what you've done rather than what you are like.

Alternatively concentrate on your interests and what attracts you to the course. Talk about a book, website, project you've worked on that's particularly inspired you. My personal statement was probably 2/3 about why I wanted to do the course, what interested me about the course, any readings or interests pertaining to the course and then about a 1/3 of volunteering/work experience/general interests.

Reply 13

Antonia87

14

Nianacw

I'm applying for Graphic Communication, and I'm going out of my mind trying to write this bloody thing!
Firstly I can't think of an opening sentence/paragraph... I'd like it to be something quite different or unusual, but as they say, I've hit a wall and cannot seem to think of anything to write!
Secondly, they say that you should try and show your personality in your statement... I'm quite sarcastic and jokey, but is it okay to show that in a personal statement? Also, I'm rubbish at lying... I'd rather just tell them how it is than big myself up, and so far have written things like 'I'm rather clumsy....' and 'I realise now that I didn't work hard enough while I was at college'Do you think they'd appreciate my honestly or just not give me the time of day?

:redface:

For goodness' sake, take those sentences and anything remotely like those sentences out. You're meant to be selling yourself, not highlighting your not-so-perfect qualities.

Reply 14

Nianacw

OP

2

Ok well I did crack a few jokes in it and the lady who interview me said she thoroughly enjoyed it! And I got in! :smile:

Reply 15

RaJz92

1

Oh yes... Make sure you do anything to please with the interviewers.

Reply 16

uni_Boy

a couple of knock-knock jokes should do the job. and yes...put yourself down as much as posible...its sure to help

Reply 17

Good bloke

19

The use of humour in a selling document (which the PS is) can be fraught with problems. Likely reactions are:

•

Does the author take this seriously?

•

This is not funny to me.

•

This is funny but it isn't relevant.

•

The author has missed the point of the PS.

Unless you are a master of the art, with a sure touch and complete self-confidence, I would advise against even thinking about it. If those attributes do apply to you, I would advise that you think about it and decide not to use it.

Reply 18

zeberdeee

i made a slightly funny reference to organising a school trip something like"and i gained tolerance skills that are much needed for halls when sharing a room with several messy teenagers" and on wanting to go onto further education"not wanting to be stuck at my dominos job enquiring with strained cheeryness, would you like a drink with that?" i got 5 offers and i had terrible predicted grades, abit of creativity never goes amiss i think, but i did apply for english so maybe its not the best of ideas for a maths statement

Reply 19

Minerva

17

Nianacw

I'm applying for Graphic Communication, and I'm going out of my mind trying to write this bloody thing!
Firstly I can't think of an opening sentence/paragraph... I'd like it to be something quite different or unusual, but as they say, I've hit a wall and cannot seem to think of anything to write!
Secondly, they say that you should try and show your personality in your statement... I'm quite sarcastic and jokey, but is it okay to show that in a personal statement? Also, I'm rubbish at lying... I'd rather just tell them how it is than big myself up, and so far have written things like 'I'm rather clumsy....' and 'I realise now that I didn't work hard enough while I was at college'
Do you think they'd appreciate my honestly or just not give me the time of day?

The problem with being funny in your personal statement is that it may be misunderstood. Not a good strategy.

Is it okay to be funny in your personal statement?

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