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Personal Statements!
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
This is making me all panicy and stressed. I can't write one! I was supposed to have written a draft in June but every time I try my words just don't work properly.
I've read loads of guides about how to do it, and example ones of other people's work, but I just can't do it! The example ones just sound shit and boring.
I can't write about myself unless it's telling stories, which obv isn't appropriate. Also, they're saying that we shouldn't be putting extracurricular things on, like orchestra and photography, but 'supracurricular' things on, that are relevant. But I haven't done anything relevant to the degree I want to do (French & Spanish) apart from school exchanges and watching films.
Please can someone give me some sensible advice about how to do it, or just say something helpful?
I'm tempted to throw away seven years of private education to become a crack dealer.
I've read loads of guides about how to do it, and example ones of other people's work, but I just can't do it! The example ones just sound shit and boring.
I can't write about myself unless it's telling stories, which obv isn't appropriate. Also, they're saying that we shouldn't be putting extracurricular things on, like orchestra and photography, but 'supracurricular' things on, that are relevant. But I haven't done anything relevant to the degree I want to do (French & Spanish) apart from school exchanges and watching films.
Please can someone give me some sensible advice about how to do it, or just say something helpful?
I'm tempted to throw away seven years of private education to become a crack dealer.
0
Comments
Think about why you want to study the subjects you have chosen, and what in your life so far (exchanges / other experiences) have shaped this. Then think about why the university should want you. Maybe form a plan, and write points under headings. I think my plan was something along the lines of:
-why i want to study the subject
-stuff about me, skills, qualities, extracurricular stuff, how it makes me good :P
-work experience, things i've learned, and stuff i've observed (probs not necessary for yours tbh)
-final WHAM few sentences
Always back up what you say and don't just list stuff. For example in mine, instead of just putting "I spent a week in a hospital for work experience" I've put, I did THIS for work experience, I learned a lot about THIS and developed skills in THIS, therefore I think many of these qualities/skills will be useful in a future career. (or something like that).
I know it kind of sucks, but it really is worth putting the time and effort into it.
Although mine is for medicine, if you want to read it through then I can dig it out and PM it to you, just let me know. I'm also more than happy to have a read through of yours if you want when you've done a bit more
Let me know if I can help at all, good luck.
I watched Marcel Pagnol's Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources which were weird, don't know if you've seen them?
I think if I was writing your personal statement I'd probably end up ranting how I think it is really bad that here in England we don't learn a second language sooner, as most of the people in the world are at least bilingual and we live in our little bubble here with a lot of people expecting people abroad to cater for our needs when we go visit....
IF you're really struggling to get the thing written, pick any one of the basic templates (YellowSeaHorses one about is good), and splurge down your version of it. It doesn't need to be good, it doesn't need good punctuation, and it doesn't need to flow.
Just get something down onto the page, that's at least half a page long.
Then you've got something to work with and get people to give you input on.
As for extra curricular stuff, don't mention it as a 'look at what I've done' list. Put in as much as you like in a way that supports your application. You watch films - great, what's one of your favourites? You do ballet - great, through that and studying you've learnt time management, discipline, and the importance of regular practise which applies to learning a language just as much as dance.
Write something, that's the hard bit. After that, making it good is much easier.
Do put things like orchestra, if you think it's relevant, I'm not sure why you were advised not to.
As the others said, talk about how school trips and films have influenced your choice. What do you love about the countries, the cultures? Is it Paris in the Springtime or Almodovar's mental nuns? Why?
Doing a degree and getting a 'proper job' as a translator or at a bank or something just because my parents and teachers are pushing me into it isn't sensible.
Do you think I'm making the right decision if I decided to move out, get a flatshare and a job, and see what happens, rather than rush into uni which I'm not really sure I want to do?
I started my degree on the advice of someone older and wiser. Had no idea what I would do with it. Changed subject a few times too. Finished and wondered if I'd wasted my time and money. Now it's really coming in handy, given me skills and experiences that are personally and career useful, and landed me a job I didn't even apply for but was created for me partly on the strength of the random degree I did.
I wasn't sure about it before I went, while I was there, and even immediately afterwards but I'm glad I let someone persuade me to do it, and persuade me to finish. I also now have a long term career direction that wasn't on my radar before I went to uni.
That way you keep your options open. Applying doesn't commit you to going, but you have to apply like you mean it.
Move out, get a job, get a flatshare, all sounds very simple - the reality is very different.
Sorry very little time atm!
Just wondering - are you applying for other places apart from Oxford? It would be great if you were..... (and you have nothing to lose by applying to others).
When I do get round to feedback do you want it written here? (I thought it might be useful to see what other people say - obviously without C+Ping bits to keep it off the net). Or do you want it PMed?
Yes I'm applying to UCL and maybe Manchester as well. I'm almost certain I'll get into UCL because I've got quite a lot higher than the required grades. Probably won't get into Oxford but I thought I'd give it a go just in case.
Writing it here is fine, if you think it would be helpful for other people writing their statements.
Thank you to everyone that's helped
I went to both UCL and Oxford. Both excellent. Did you get my PM?
UCL, back in our day, would interview everyone as policy.
Good luck!
Well done on Leeds + Leicester - both are fantastic unis, heard lots of good things about them
Congratulations! Leeds and Leicester are excellent universities.