Personal Statement

Former Member

Ok, so after posting on these forums for two years from the other side of the globe (and recently from closer) I'm finally getting my arse to London!

I already have a place on a MA that I have decided I will take up this October . It is really really reeeeaaaaallly expensive though (I get to pay double price for not being European, yay! :rolleyes: )

BUT the University offers a small number of scholarships for non-European students and one of the criteria they take into account is the quality of the personal statement. If I don't win the scholarship I'll be facing 10 years of debt

So...

How do I write a smashing Personal Statement? I have a general idea of what they are asking for, but this is the one element taken into account which I still hold influence over (I can't change my grades at this time obviously), and since the scholarships are very competitive my only chance is a Statement that will knock their socks off.

Any tips? As in... What do the British consider to be a quality Personal Statement? What elements should (and shouldn't) it contain? What differentiates a good statement from an excellent one?

I have only 500 words in which I have to clearly "indicate how your studies will assist in your professional / career development and how they may be of benefit to your home country".

Thanks for the help .

Former Member

Oh, I have no idea but I do have my fingers crossed for you.

x

Fiz

Hi,

Have a look here to get an idea of what to include in a personal statement. But they have obviously asked you a very specific question so maybe a good starting point is to create a list of reasons to answer this question, then break them up into the ones you want/don't want to include then write the text around the reasons to make it flow?!

Good Luck!

Former Member

Thank you

Former Member

Dear London,
I am Catalina, and I am excellent.
See how I have summed myself up in fewer than 500 words?
Yours superbly,
Bluewisdom.

Former Member

Knee High Stripy Socks wrote: »

Dear London,
I am Catalina, and I am excellent.
See how I have summed myself up in fewer than 500 words?
Yours superbly,
Bluewisdom.

I especially like the opening: "Dear London"..

Former Member

It's a winner, you know it!

Former Member

What is it that you are wanting to study and do after you finish University?

Former Member

I've already finished University in my home country from where I have a professional 'diploma/title/degree/whatever is the equivalent' as a Psychologist (5 1/2 years of training).

During and after University I've worked with children and adolescents, and what I really want to do is to specialise in Children's Rights and/or policy-making for children, which is what this MA is oriented for. Afterwards I'd love to work anywhere within this field.

Former Member

You've basically just answered your own question then. Just make it sound better and longer.

Tell them what qualifications you have already, the experience you have gained and learnt from it, what you hope to gain from the MA and specifically what you like about that course at that University, and then round it off with your hopes for the future.

Former Member

Thank you squeal.

I just think I needed a bit of reassurance, which you've given me.

Former Member

No problem

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do a good job of it!