Writing a personal statement can be quite stressful and tedious – especially if you’re lacking a game plan. Knowing exactly what to say requires careful thought, as your goal is to stand out from the bunch and showcase your best qualities. Our copywriters and editors have worked on countless personal statements for university students, so we thought a few tips might be helpful for anyone trying to get accepted to their university of choice.
Be clear and concise
Explaining that you are passionate about a subject might come across as a cliché, but you’ll still need to include this in your writing. Think back to when you first learnt about a certain subject, and what sparked your long term interest. Being completely honest and concise is important, as saying too much might come across as being insincere or far-fetched. Mentioning well-known literature, entrepreneurs, or leaders that inspired you can also be a great tool. However, make sure to clearly describe exactly how this helped you. For example, you could say, “J.K. Rowling was turned down by multiple publishers before Harry Potter found commercial success. This encouraged me to trust in my own writing abilities and understand that success isn’t instant, and instead takes time and patience.”
Showcase your best qualities
Presenting your skills and abilities both academically and in general is something worth including in your personal statement. Here, you will also need to demonstrate that you have critical thinking skills and the ability to think independently. It is important to show that you have the appropriate skills and competencies that are necessary for you to study at university in general. Any extracurricular activities or experiences that might have helped you prepare for university is also an added bonus.
Set the right tone from the beginning
A strong opening sentence is a great way to hold your reader’s attention. You can achieve this by writing about your passion for a subject and how you have an aptitude for it. Your personal backstory is totally unique to you, so spend a significant amount of time thinking about what makes you special and worthy of getting accepted into your university. Discussing personal challenges and life struggles can also help you stand out and be remembered, but approach this strategy with caution. Too much negativity could taint the overall message of your personal statement and leave a negative or sour impression on those reading it.
With this in mind, discussing positive things such as your academic achievements and grades is essential. For instance, if you have competed in a specific competition, it might be worth adding this type of information, especially if you won an award. If not, just mentioning that you were a competitor is definitely worthwhile.
End on a high note
A strong personal statement conclusion will end with an affirmation of how you can contribute to university life, and any specific reasons as to why you should be accepted to the institute in question. And the final suggestion is an absolute must – proofread your work! Silly errors and careless mistakes have the potential of destroying all of the hard work you applied in the first place. For extra peace of mind and some objective feedback, it might be worth sending your work to a professional editor, as this well help to refine and clarify any areas that might need more work.