Sara O'Rourke

Writing A Personal Statement



Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2009

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If an article had existed when it was my turn to write my personal statement, I would not have believed my luck. I have personally been through the university application system twice, and the personal statement, in my opinion, is hands down your ticket in or out.

Very briefly, admissions tutors will decide whether they like you as an individual, your personality, just as any new people you meet would. For this reason, it is critical that you are completely honest and natural - writing as you would speak, only with correct spelling and grammar - so as to avoid sounding fake or unoriginal. Personal flare is going to be what makes you stand out in everything you do in life, and writing your personal statement is no exception.

Make sure that you focus very much on the subject you're applying to study, because droning on about ulterior activities you're involved in will look as if you are just filling lines. You should be passionate about your chosen subject, and therefore writing about what drives you crazy about it shouldn't be a challenge. Be as bold and simple as you like; 'I like this because...' is direct and effective.

If you have an idea about what you'd like to do in the future, try and mould your statement towards that final goal. In some way, relate everything you talk about to your aspirations at the end of the road. For example, if you wanted to become a lawyer, highlight the skills that the chosen course will give you that will work well in the field of the Law.

Talk about what you're looking forward to about your course and university life. If it's debating you love, mention that you are excited about meeting both the likeminded and those dissenting. More importantly, make yourself sound real and personable. You want to be a whole-rounded individual, with plenty to offer, and not someone who has no real passions or dreams.

At the end of the day, regardless of the outcome of your application, if you're sending off a piece of writing that has your name written all over it, then you know you've been true to yourself. If you are successful, you can take comfort in the thought that they have selected your application because of you and your individuality. And, if you are unsuccessful, you most likely would not have fit as well at that university, and on that course. You want to go somewhere where you are wanted, where they treat you with respect and are excited to teach you, after all.

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