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UCAS: Personal Statements
Dr Julia MooreAnaesthetist, parent, UCAS survivor!
The personal statement
Understand its purpose
Collect data and plan your statement
Polished and effective product
Purpose
Thousands of applicants
See me• both academic and rounded
Why me• why are you ideally suited to accountancy?• why will you make more of a place than anyone
else?
Introduce interview topics
Marketing yourself
What is the university looking for?
Show you can provide what they need
Add value
Skills, attitude, knowledge, experience
Achievements - not just responsibilities
Planning
Start early • finish by Sept for mid Oct, by Oct for the rest• lots of revision and polishing
Blank sheet – 3 sections• Academic basis of your subject• Experience and understanding (work exp)• Skills and achievements (extracurricular)
Academic basis
Prospectuses and course literature
Insights from work experience
Read around the subject critically – find a topic that interests you, and include it
Demonstrate academic abilities eg prizes
Experience and understanding
Work experience
Voluntary work
3 x 3 table• What you did (where)• What you did or learned• Why is it important?
Skills and achievements
Draw up a CV – sports, hobbies, music, drama, responsibilities, academic
Include difficult things that did not go perfectly
So what ?
For all areas, work through• what it meant to you• what you have learned from it• how this affects your suitability for the course
Analyse what you offer …
Separate piece of paper or mind map for each area: sport, work experience, school roles etc. List items in each area first – eg sport: hockey team, swimming, hill walking. Music: singing, instrument, band
Detail skills, attitudes and achievements for each cluster eg teamwork, independence, reliability
Insight into your key skills and attitudes – ask others; own research
So what?
Junior school prefect (1999); school 2nd XI hockey (2001 – 05). Took part in House Drama competitions, annual Science Fairs, 6th form Young Enterprise (treasurer), Duke of Edinburgh (Silver). Grade VI saxophone (2003) & play bass guitar in student rock band. Saturday job to pay for driving lessons leaves little extracurricular time, but I have undertaken one week’s work experience with an accountancy firm.
What skills and attitudes might these demonstrate?
Experience / achievements
Young Enterprise (Treasurer)
Action words (past tense):
I analysed, coordinated, directed, devised, researched, re-designed, expanded, increased, wrote, secured, negotiated
A few more action words
• Achieved• Arranged• Designed• Ensured• Exceeded• Improved• Launched
Modernised• Organised• Resolved• Stimulated• Supervised• Taught• Wrote
Now start drafting…UCAS advice:
• Why you have chosen the course• Why you are interested in the subject• Job, work experience, placement, particularly if relevant• Key skills gained eg through GNVQs• Other achievements eg D of E• Particular interests in current studies• Future plans• Subjects you are studying which don’t have an exam• Sponsorship or placements undertaken or applied for• Plans for a year out• Social, sports and leisure interests
Do’s and don’ts
This means focus on tangible things, hard facts, examples and information
It does not mean write 11 tiny paragraphs! Structure
• 3 main paragraphs• introduction and conclusion
Decide what to leave out
What goes in - what stays out?
Know your market
What to put in
• Subject/university’s priorities are the most important
What to leave out • Irrelevant to the course• Negative• Lies or ‘good intentions’
Cutting and editing
Organise into three main paragraphs
Logical flow
Cut out unnecessary words
Read aloud, for flow and punctuation
A fresh eye
Revise, revise, revise
Wordy and woolly
Multiple opportunities for my workgroup to interface with students and staff were generated by the Young Enterprise programme although unfortunately the complexity of project we devised meant we were not successful and we were unable to capitalise on our vision.
Active sentences, action words
Multiple opportunities for my workgroup to interface with students and staff were generated by the Young Enterprise programme although unfortunately the complexity of project we devised meant we were not successful and we were unable to capitalise on our vision.
Young Enterprise: as elected Treasurer, I analysed market research, developed the business plan, wrote the spreadsheet and delivered accurate and timely accounts. I reviewed financial progress regularly and initiated a mid-term project review which ensured we broke even.
Achievements?
I am working towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and we are planning to go hiking in the Peak District. This has taught me a lot of teamwork skills.
‘So what?’
I am working towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and we are planning to go hiking in the Peak District. This has taught me a lot of teamwork skills.
“everyone’s doing D of E, no proof of achievement, no evidence of teamwork skills”
‘So what?’
I am working towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and we are planning to go hiking in the Peak District. This has taught me a lot of teamwork skills.
During my Duke of Edinburgh Silver trip in the Vale of Glamorgan my team ran short of provisions. As a result I have assumed responsibility for food and water for our forthcoming Gold Award trip to the Peak District. I have developed a spreadsheet which details our precise requirements and I am confident that my organisation will enable the team to perform at its peak during the challenge.
‘So what?’
During my Duke of Edinburgh Silver trip in the Vale of Glamorgan my team ran short of provisions. As a result I have assumed responsibility for food and water for our forthcoming Gold Award trip to the Peak District. I have developed a spreadsheet which details our precise requirements and I am confident that my organisation will enable the team to perform at its peak during the challenge.
“not afraid of responsibility, organised,
team player”
Introduction and conclusion
Write them last
Avoid “My passion for English literature …”
Never plagiarise
Conclusion reflects introduction
Final fanfare to remind reader you have demonstrated necessary skills and attributes
Crisp & easy to read
Logical flow:
I am (key features) ….
Accountancy needs (academic and skills) ….
My skills, attitudes and experience• Prioritise• ‘Teaser’ for them to ask you about
Closing summary focused on the future
Perfect presentation
Crisp and well organised
Corect spelling and grammer
Watch out for spell chequers
Neat layout, plain font, line between paragraphs
Easy to read – short, active sentences
Use bullets or précis to avoid “I”
Summary
A lot more to offer than you may think
Start now
Revise, condense, sleep on it, get help
Know your PS thoroughly before interview
Practice discussing your PS
Reading
The perfect CV – Max EggertRandom House Business Books 2003
ISBN 978-1-84-415144-0
(action words, presentation)
Write it right – John Peck & Martin CoylePalgrave Study Guides 2005
ISBN 1-4039-9487-0
(presentation, structure, grammar, précis)