This document provides advice on writing a strong personal statement for university applications. It emphasizes showing passion for your chosen subject through independent study, work experience, and extracurricular activities related to the field. Admissions tutors want to see evidence of skills like critical thinking, self-awareness, and time management. The document recommends explaining how your current studies connect to the university course and demonstrating long-term career goals. It also offers tips for applications to Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry programs.

3. 4,000 Characters | ~600 Words

4. You want to stand out

5. 1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in ... (used 464
times)
2. From a young age I have always been interested in ... (309 times)
3. From an early age I have always been interested in ... (292 times)
4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career ... (275 times)
5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with ... (196
times)
6. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only” ... (189 times)
7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with ... (178
times)
8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in ... (166
times)
9. I am an International Academy student and have been studying
since ... (141 times)
10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and ... (138
times)

6. Stand Out (for the right reasons)
Universities want their students to have:
– A passion for the subject
– Initiative
– Commitment
– Team playing skills
– Organisation skills
– Studentship skills

7. Stand Out (for the right reasons)
Admissions tutors want evidence of:
– Independent study skills (eg. EPQ, coursework …)
– Self-awareness (can you reflect on your skills?)
– Motivation (demonstrate by showing what you do)
– An understanding of the course and its demands
– Good numeracy and literacy skills
– Essay writing skills
– Research skills
– Time management skills
– Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

8. How do I show I’m passionate?
• Work experience - paid or unpaid (skills)
• Further reading
– Documentaries - Extended Project
– Research - Extension Tasks
• Involvement in related activities
– Visiting galleries - Café scientifique
– Making own films - HYMS/PBL, Newspaper
– Going to conferences - Competitions, Mock Trials
– Going to subject related - University access
events / trips programmes

12. The difficult first paragraph
• Why do you want to study the subject that
you have chosen?
• How are you right for the course?
Tip:
• Don’t try to write the first sentence first.

13. Subject Links
• Can you demonstrate transferable skills..?
• Why are the courses that you’re studying now
relevant to your course?
• Expand on the most relevant ones.
• Show that you’re a critical thinker (EPQ,CT etc.)
Tip:
• Consider skills as well as content.

14. ‘Anything Else’ …
Say what you’ve done outside the classroom:
Work experience, jobs, extra curricular
activities, sports, hobbies, awards,
achievements …
BUT …

15. Getting There & The Future
• What’s the long term plan?
• Show how you see university as a stepping stone
on your career path.
• Evidence you've researched your choices.
• Saying what you want from your course.
The difficult last sentence …
Make the conclusion short and sharp, choosing
your key messages carefully and conveying them
concisely.

16. Oxbridge Applications
• There's only one clear requirement: you need
to be heading for the AAA or A*AA.
• Oxford and Cambridge are collegiate
universities. You need to choose a university
and a college (or make an open application)
• Choose a course you are really passionate
about and focus on your course and why you.
• HE+ : look to the forums for extra support.

17. Oxbridge Applications
• Read widely around your chosen subject. It is not
enough just to do well at school or college. Tutors have
often devoted their life to their subject, so of course
they want to teach students who share their
enthusiasm.
• Practice talking about your subject: not just with your
teachers and fellow students, but with other friends
and family members. Talking to non-experts is an
excellent exercise as it gets you thinking in new ways
and helps you to find new ways of expressing the
concepts and issues involved.

18. Medics, Vets and Dentists
• Check and research all entry requirements.
• Focus on your Chemistry & Biology subjects.
• Work experience must be demonstrated:
– Actual experience, shadowing, working with
people.
– HYMS courses, PBL courses, Sutton Trust etc.
– Shadowing doctors / nurses / practitioners
• Don’t forget to book your UKCAT or BMAT.

19. admissionstestingservice.org

22. Contextualise Your Experiences
Good What you have done Activity
Better What skills it has given Benefit
you
Best How these relate to Context
your chosen course

24. Personal Statement Tips
• Universities are looking for students who
stand out.
• Do not use generic phrases – personalise it.
• Check university pages for courses – guidance
could be found their to aid course specific
statements.
• Contextualise everything to the course that
you are applying for.
• Don’t make it a list: I… I am… I also… I did…

26. www.ucas.com

28. Early Entry Deadline:
Thursday, 24th September
College Deadline:
Friday, 6th November