Dodge these common blunders and you'll be well on your way to creating a great uni application
Writing your personal statement is a challenge that many studentsstruggle with.
Here are 10 common personal statement mistakes that students make, as well as some tips for making sure you're on the right track.
Visit the personal statement forum and the university applications forum on The Student Room to see what other students are saying aboutthe process.
1. Telling a story
Manypersonal statements can take on the appearance of the applicant's life story. While some background information won't hurt, the best statements will only includeexperiences directly related to their chosen course.
Generally, you shouldfocuson recent studyfrom the last few years. Anything older than that should only be included if it's relevant or provides important context.
- Read more: how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps
2. Repeating information already contained in your application
It can be hard to fit everything you want to say into just4,000 characters. So don't waste space on things that arealready included elsewhere in your application, such as your A-level subjectsor previous grades.
Remember that the admissions tutor can see your whole application, so there's no need to repeat yourself.
- Read more: how to write your university application
3. Spending too long discussing personal issues
Many applicants mention personal issuesin their statement, like health andbereavement. This isrelevant as it affects studying, but it might be better covered in your reference instead.
However, ifyouwant to include this in your personal statement, it's worthkeeping it short. One or two sentences is enough.
4. Making simplegrammatical errors
Students are often so focused on the experiences they're writing aboutthat they forget to check their grammar.
Have a go atreading your statement aloud to make sure it flows well. For bonus points, get a friend or parent to go over it as well.
- Read more: teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement
5. Failing to demonstrate capability of university-level study
Your personal statement isgreat opportunity todemonstrate that you can study in a university style.
For example, you coulddiscussa topic you learned about and then explainhow you didfurther independent study (like reading a book chapter, an articleorcompleting an online course) to expand your knowledge.
- Read more: Ucas deadlines and key application dates
6. Using clichés
Avoid overused phrases like 'my passion for history began...' or 'I have been interested in geography since a young age'.
Admissions tutors read a ton of personal statementsand you want to stand out. So get creative with yoursentences, but make sure not to go off-topic.
- Read more: personal statement FAQs
7. Not going into enough detail about experiences
It can be tempting to fill your personal statementwith loads of different experiences to show how well-rounded and dedicated you are. But the character limit will stop you from going into any detail.
Instead, aim to give two or three in-depth experienceswith examples and links to the course.
- Read more: how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say
8. Telling the admissions tutor things they already know
Admissions tutors are often experts in their field. While it's tempting to include facts, you aren't there to tell them about the subject.
It's much better to talk about yourself and why you'd bea greatcandidate.
- Read more: universities reveal all about personal statements
9. Losing sight of what the personal statement is actually for
Essentially, yourpersonal statement should explain why you want to study the course at universityand also demonstrate your abilityto complete the degree to a high standard.
Make sure everything you write connects withthese areas.
- Read more: universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang
10. Forgetting that the personal statement should be personal
Advice can be conflicting -whether it'sfrom online sources, teachers or tutors. You might be told something that you don't think suits your personality or your statement, and it's fine to disagree with it.
Everyone's got different opinions, but the main thing is that you're happy with yourpersonal statement.
FAQs
Listing your accomplishments or rehashing your CV and extracurriculars. You need to show, not tell. Choosing a bland topic that admissions committees see over and over again. Overstating the obvious and using clichés.
What should you avoid when writing a personal statement? ›
Almost everything below is about how and why you include something in your personal statement, rather than about avoiding it altogether.
- Quotes. ...
- Clichés. ...
- Don't write too much. ...
- Don't write too little. ...
- (Irrelevant) Hobbies. ...
- Don't tell us that you're “passionate” – show us.
Listing your accomplishments or rehashing your CV and extracurriculars. You need to show, not tell. Choosing a bland topic that admissions committees see over and over again. Overstating the obvious and using clichés.
What is a good opening sentence for a personal statement? ›
Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you're interested in studying the area you're applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it. Don't waffle or say you want to study something just because it's interesting. Explain what you find interesting about it.
How do you stand out in a university personal statement? ›
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you.
What does a bad personal statement look like? ›
Odd spacing – mostly with one sentence per paragraph, perhaps to make it look longer than it really is. Very little focus on why they want to study English – which is, after all, the entire point of the statement.
What is too personal for a personal statement? ›
The situations you describe can be personal, but only up to a point: beware of revealing too much that is emotionally intimate. Ask yourself: Do these experiences make me sound emotionally unstable, ambivalent, or insecure? If so, don't bring them to the admissions committee.
Should you say thank you at the end of a personal statement? ›
“Thank you for your consideration.” Now that the university has read about all your great achievements, leadership qualities, work experience, it is important to end strong. By applying to that particular university, it is clear that you wish to be admitted.
How do I know if my personal statement is good? ›
What makes a good personal statement?
- Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future.
- Give examples of any related academic or work experience.
- Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you're interested in.
Control your urge to “quote”
Rarely does incorporating quotes into your personal statement strengthen your presentation – a poorly selected or randomly applied quote is often a sign of weak writing skills.
Checklist
- Show your passion, don't just tell us.
- Be yourself and sound like yourself – you don't have to use the thesaurus for every word!
- Make sure you can talk about everything in your personal statement in detail, as you'll be asked about it at your interview.
To do this, take the most heart-moving story from the body of your personal statement on what inspired you to apply for your course. Mention the main idea of it in a sentence or two, then end with a “for this reason, I believe pursuing [mention course] is the best way to achieve my [state your why].”
How do you introduce yourself in a statement of purpose? ›
Part 1: Introduce yourself, your interests and motivations
Tell them what you're interested in, and perhaps, what sparked your desire for graduate study. This should be short and to the point; don't spend a great deal of time on autobiography.
What does a good personal statement look like for university? ›
First things first, you need to explain why you're interested in the course. This involves being specific, whilst demonstrating enthusiasm. Talk about what you like about the subject, how your interest developed, and how it would help you towards achieving your long-term career goals. Why you're suitable.
How do you elevate your personal statement? ›
Elevating your Personal Statement
- Keep the purpose in mind.
- Create a good first impression.
- Curate your academic content.
- Conclude with confidence.
What are the best ways to showcase your unique qualities in a personal statement?
- Know your audience.
- Tell a story. Be the first to add your personal experience.
- Highlight your value.
- Be authentic.
- Proofread and edit.
- Here's what else to consider.
Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550–1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper. You need to keep it concise and make sure it's clear and easy to read.
What are the rules for personal statements? ›
Personal statements are usually limited to 500 words (approximately one to two pages). Paragraphs should be single-spaced with an extra line separating one from the next. A standard typeface and formatting convention should be used to make your statement easily readable.
Should you avoid using I in a personal statement? ›
Yet in this type of writing using first person is essential because it makes your prose more lively. Using third person can result in a vague and overly wordy essay. While starting every sentence with "I" is not advisable, remember that you and your experiences are the subject of the essay.
Why is it so hard to write a personal statement? ›
This document can be very challenging to write, as you will need to concisely outline your strengths, goals, experiences, and qualifications while demonstrating good writing skills. This can be a time-consuming project, so allow plenty of time to work on your statement.
