5 Tips to Writing a Great University Application
When you’re applying to university, your application essay or personal statement is your chance to show off your writing skills, your personality, and your academic achievements. But it’s also your chance to sell yourself.
When you’re applying to university, your application essay or personal statement is your chance to show off your writing skills, your personality, and your academic achievements. But it’s also your chance to sell yourself.
When I work with students, they tell me they often have no idea where to start!
If that’s you, then these 5 tips to writing a personal statement will get you well on your way to succeeding.
1. Start early. The personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application, and you don't want to leave it until the last minute.
Start thinking about it early and give yourself plenty of time to write a good statement: at least a couple of months before the deadline. If you’re applying to Russell Group unis like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, or UCL, you might want to start the writing process even sooner!
2. Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. The personal statement should reflect your personality and your unique experiences. The admissions officers will be able to tell if your application is a cut-and-paste job.
3. Be specific. Don't just say that you're a good student or that you're interested in the field of study. Give specific examples of why you're interested in the field and what makes you a good candidate.
The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about how your experiences make you a well-prepared and suitable candidate who will do really well on their course, get good grades, and contribute to their graduate employment metrics. So think critically about what transferable skills you’ve gained from your work, study and volunteer experiences.
4. Be honest. Don't exaggerate or lie in your statement. The admissions committee will see through it and it could hurt your chances of getting accepted.
5. Edit, edit, edit. Once you've finished writing your statement, go back and edit it for grammar mistakes and typos. You want to make sure it's polished and error-free. You might even fancy taking up the services of a professional editor!
So there we have it! 5 straightforward tips to getting started on your university personal statement. You’ve got this!