Contents
- Why are personal statements so important?
- What should a personal statement include?
- How do you start a personal statement?
- What are the most common mistakes people make while writing personal statements?
Writing about yourself can be an exceptionally difficult task. It requires a great degree of confidence and clarity - that can feel difficult to come by when you find yourself falling at the first hurdle and struggling to know where to start.
This process of doubt and uncertainty is what makes personal statements such a nightmare for most students. These statements require you to present yourself in a confident, formal and self-assured way, all in the space of 500-600 words.
A good way of getting started with a personal statement is by understanding the basics. We hope the following article and FAQs will help to demystify the nitty-gritty of writing a personal statement for university. ✍
Why are personal statements so important?
University applications can sometimes seem monotonous. Sure, they showcase things like accomplishments, hobbies, skills, etc., but what do they say about you as an individual? What makes you such a perfect fit for the course? Personal statements allow universities to understand everyone's unique perspective better.
It allows them to understand why and how you stand out from the crowd. Personal statements are the university's way of finding out why each student would be an asset to the course and how they’d contribute to the cohort.
Personal statements are especially important for students looking to make scholarship applications. They give you the chance to explain why you deserve the scholarship and how your skills and personality align with the scholarship providers’ goals.🥇This is a rare chance to boast without seeming arrogant!
What should a personal statement include?
Ideally, a personal statement should include:
- Career aspirations relevant to the course(s).
- The reason/origin of your interest in the subject. Don’t be afraid of mentioning a brief anecdote here if it fits.
- Any professional/ internship experience relevant to the course(s).
- Your experience with education so far. It’s good to stick with the positives here. Any criticism that is mentioned would need to be strictly constructive.
- Why you are interested in this particular university. 🤔
- Relevant extracurricular interests or work experience that demonstrate your best qualities. 💼
How do you start a personal statement?
Simply put, go for the kill, right from the very beginning. Far too many people waste words meandering around the topic, only to find themselves going way over the prescribed word limit.
The opening paragraph should show that you are applying for the course because you have a genuine passion for it, not just because you found it ‘interesting’.
It’s important to show enthusiasm for the subject from the very beginning. As for the opening line, it should ideally be the best line of the statement. Now, this can be hard to do. This is why it’s generally a good idea to write a few rough drafts before putting pen to paper for the final time. Some people even choose to write their opening lines after they’re done with the rest. A bit like waiting to write the introduction to an essay until the end.
What are the most common mistakes people make while writing opening statements?
Some of the most common mistakes students make while writing these statements are:
👉 Not paying attention to the word count
The universities take their word count limits quite seriously. It is always better to be a couple of words short than a couple of words over.
👉 The opening sentence is too long
Nothing can be worse than losing the reader midway through the first sentence. While it is the most important sentence, it does not necessarily need to convey the most information. The goal is to pack the most punch in an extremely short space.
👉 Focusing too much on the negative
Remember, the personal statement is expected to be aspirational, not critical. Far too many students end up sounding cynical and overly critical, trying to be unique in their views. You should speak about the things you love the most and why you love them. Nothing can be more unique!
👉 Sounding too mechanical
Make sure accomplishments and professional experience don’t end up taking centre stage in the statement. These are the details that simply fluff up the centrepiece, i.e., your unique perspective. University applications already have a section for applicants to showcase their achievements. It’s better to only mention them briefly in the personal statement.
Personal statements are more than just novelty pieces that decorate university applications. They are an important part of it. They offer the university a unique, first-hand look at things like life experiences, worldviews and passion for the subject each student has opted for.
It is important to take time to draft a statement that aptly represents the person instead of just relevant work or achievements.
The best personal statements are the most personal and passionate ones. If you want one of our world-class tutors to read through your personal statements or help you where you are struggling, register with GoStudent and get a free trial session today!
