A personal statement is an essay where you take the opportunity to tell universities about who you are, your interests, why you want to study, what you want to study, and where. It involves writing about your skills, past experiences, and ambition. Typically, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canadian universities require a Personal Statement. Specific programs in some US universities might also require you to write a personal statement, more commonly under "Artist Statements."
An undergraduate personal statement is a chance to get noticed for your unique talents and experiences. It's an integral part of the application process as it's an opportunity to talk about yourself and your passions outside your grades.
A compelling personal statement can make a world of difference when you're applying for an undergraduate course. So make sure yours is well-structured and hits the bullseye.
What to write about in your
Personal Statement?
Writing a personal statement demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to the course. However, you must ensure your Personal Statement reflects your strong candidature and discusses your value addition to the university.
Before you write your Personal Statement, do thorough research on the course to gain insights into your candidature and how you could be the perfect fit for the same. Here is a list of some things to include in your Personal Statement:
Why you are applying for the course - Your aim here should be to exhibit your enthusiasm for the course. In addition, elaborate on your interest in the course and how it aligns with your interest and long-term goals.
Why you're a suitable fit - Now that you've demonstrated your interest in the course, it's time you convince the admissions office that you fit the selection criteria. Talk about your skills in this section and their relevance to the course. It is essential to research the course so that you can relate your skills in relevance to the course.
Relevance of your current study or experience - Chances are that your current field of study isn't directly relevant to the course. Still, there must be a specific skill set that you developed throughout your current study. Reflect on these skills and how they help you prepare better for the course.
Related hobbies and interests - If there are particular interests and hobbies that you feel might be relevant to your course, mention them here to make your statement stand out.
Your work experience - You can mention internships, part-time jobs, temporary placements, etc., here to depict the range of practical skills you've acquired over time that add to your skills.
Questions to Help You Get Started
What excites you about the subject?
You can talk about experiences you've had that interested you or made you more inclined towards this subject. For example, you can have encountered your interest through your experiences at school or through professional experiences like internships and courses. You can also mention any other external factors that made you intrigued about a subject, like finding online material about the course through entertainment, etc.
Why have you chosen this course?
Within a major, you would have a lot of options to explore specific courses. Think about why you chose this one specific course out of all others. For example – why did you choose LLB and not the Double-Degree Program that allows you to complete your LLB along with a BBA?
Is your previous or current study relevant to the course?
To write your personal statement, think about how your school subjects, APs, curriculums, summer programs, and other work experiences, like internships, etc., relate to your major and how they are relevant.
Have you got any work experience that might help you stand out?
If you have had any work experience in this field of study, consider how it relates to and contributes to your major. This experience can be through an internship or any sort of part-time job as well.
What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
Think of your unique life experiences and how they help you stand out from a pool of other applicants. Is there anything specific about your experience that you want admissions officers to know of?
What achievements are you proud of?
Think of your achievements and recognitions when crafting your personal statement. Is there anything in particular that stands out? Is there an achievement you're proud of?
What skills do you have that make you ideal for the course?
Certain universities have specific requirements for the skills they are looking for in their applicants. Go through the university requirements and assess whether you have that skill or if you can go above and beyond to showcase it. For example – Many universities require you to have a good command of English. Can you showcase that through an English Language Proficiency Test?
What plans and ambitions do you have for your future?
You do not have to feel pressurized about answering this in the personal statement. It's common not to have your life figured out before entering college, and admissions officers understand that. But it is a good idea to talk about your future aspirations. Make sure you sound authentic in your statements and don't come off as someone you want the officers to consider an ideal candidate.
How to structure your
Personal Statement?
The structure of the personal statement is just as important as its content. Although there is no need to follow a set structure, here's a rough guideline about how to go for it:
Who you are
Reasons for wanting to enroll in the course/What makes you a suitable fit
Relevance of your current study/Related hobbies that back your interest in the course
Your skills and achievements/Work experience, if you have any
Reasons for selecting that particular country/university
While we talk about structure, keeping the tone and style of writing in mind is also essential. Here are some tips for the same:
Write short and precise sentences.
Use multiple paragraphs
Keep your tone formal or semi-formal.
Write positively about yourself without coming off as boastful.
Display enthusiasm for the subject
Make your conclusions brief but informative.
Double-check your English and grammar.
How to make your
Personal Statement stand out?
Given the high level of competition and the number of applicants, it's essential to make your statement stand out. Consider certain factors to do it right:
Make it relevant - There is a character limit to writing your statement. You do not want to waste characters writing about things that make no difference.
Reflect your individuality - Make sure you elucidate your uniqueness through the statement.
Be enthusiastic - Ensure that you sound enthusiastic and passionate about the course or major you're applying to; it may help you get a place.
Present a balance of academic and extracurricular - Highlight your hobbies and interests that display a good balance of academic and extracurricular activities.
Make it engaging - Include elements that capture the reader's interest while keeping it relevant to your statement. Try to think outside the box while you're crafting a Personal Statement.
Points to remember while drafting your Personal Statement
There are certain things that your Personal Statement is better off without. So here's a list of things to consider while drafting your Personal Statement:
Don't be modest or shy - You want your passions to come across.
Don't exaggerate – if you do, you may get caught out in an interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement.
Don't use quotes from someone else or cliches.
Don't leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed, and important information could be left out.
Don't let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement, but don't just rely on a spellchecker. Proofread as many times as possible.
Don't copy and paste – make yours original.
Don't worry about it – we have all the advice you need to help you stand out in your personal statement
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