1、UCAS personal statement guide 2 Online applications using UCAS ApplyNow that UCAS are phasing out applications, the dynamics of the online form become more important. There are still little tricks to squeeze more words in, but take care using them, as using them will only clear you through the autom
2、atic preview you cant tell how it will appear to the admissions tutors. Now that UCAS are phasing out applications, the dynamics of the online form become more important. There are still little tricks to squeeze more words in, but take care using them, as using them will only clear you through the a
3、utomatic preview - you cant tell how it will appear to the admissions tutors. Word, character and line limits Firstly remember, there is no word limit - instead youre concentrating on a character limit (4000 characters including spaces) and a line limit (47). Both of these must be satisfied to allow
4、 you to save your personal statement.Checking youre within the character limit is easy, just use the “word count.Personal statement analysisExamination of any quality newspaper will probably demonstrate that more of the headlines address economic problems than any other topic.This is the first line
5、of the personal statement, and so could be one of the most important things read by the university you apply to. I tried to use it to convey what subject I am taking with out sounding too full of myself - and also show Im interested in the news.The importance and relevance of economic related discip
6、lines to the modern world have led me to want to pursue the study of the subject at a higher level.Here Im telling the reader that I think economics is a genuinely useful subject and that I would like to study it. Im trying not to look like Im selling myself too much by concentrating on the subject
7、rather than myself.I am particularly interested in the behaviour of firms and organisations from an economic point of view and I have based my A-level coursework in this field.Here I move onto myself, I tell the reader one of my particular interests about the subject and more importantly what I did
8、in relation to this interest. Theres no point stating your interested in a subject and not saying either why or what you did about it.During my study, I have come across many real life complexities and while attempting to explain these theories, I have developed a keen interest in analysing and unde
9、rstanding how the world of business is influenced by economics.This part is basically waffle and properly shouldnt be in the statement, its only purpose is to impress the examiner (it probably didnt work) and lead smoothly into the next paragraph.I have created an economics revision website for A-le
10、vel and GCSE students (www.loftxnetwork.co.uk/economics). It is primarily intended to help younger students gain an understanding of core economic principles but has also helped me improve my own computer and presentational skills.This is better, it says what I have done related to my subject, which
11、 wouldnt be examined or count for anything. I have also pointed out the reasons I did this and why I feel it helped me. Notice I included a URL - this can be a good idea because it gives the reader something else to look at, in my case it can show exactly how much dedication I put into creating my w
12、ebsite and how good at it I am. I was not 100% sure it was a good idea though, there is not guidance about putting urls in personal statements and it may just seem pretentious to the reader.I regularly read newspapers and economic publications to keep up to date with economic developments and I am a
13、ble to use my mathematical and analytical skills to apply different economic theories to a range of real-life economic situations.Again what I do to show I am interested in my subject and why. Also a small part about my abilities to round off this part of the statement. Ive really no idea how this p
14、art comes across to the reader.Last year, I took part in an economics and business project called Young Enterprise in which I set up a small company and sold products to students at our school. I enjoyed the chance to put some of my business economic theory into practice and was able to enhance my m
15、anagement and communication skills. I also gained a distinction in the associated exam.Here I talk about practical experience and what I feel I had gained from it. It tells the reader that I take part in group activities and practise group management and communication skills. It also shows that I ca
16、n put the skills I have into practice by doing something like this.To gain practical experience in the workplace, I worked for two weeks at a small software company specialising in financial software. I currently have a part time job and this has taught me much about teamwork, responsibility and tim
17、e management in the workplace.Again, discussing my work experience, I was what I did, why I did it and what I learned.In my spare time, I enjoy reading, swimming, sketching and solving puzzles and logic problems. I have redesigned and been responsible for the maintenance of my schools website (www.s
18、choolsurlhere.sch.uk).Penultimately, instead of talking about my skills and interest in economics, I talk about what I do in my spare time. here I elaborated a bit I dont really have much of an interest in sketching or solving puzzles and logic problems, but I do try a bit of both occasionally so th
19、ought it would be safe to put down. The main reason I put them was I though I needed some interests other than the standard reading and going out with friends. I decided not to put down my computer and web design skills because they hard been mentioned already, but did write about how I designed my
20、schools website. I also wrote I maintained it, showing I have a position of responsibility.I believe that I will gain a highly marketable set of skills from the study of economics at university. I have found economics to be a challenging and diverse discipline and I am interested in both macro and m
21、icro economics. It is this variation of perspective, combined with its real world importance, that makes economics an appealing subject to study at university.Lastly I finished with a short sentence of what I thought I would get out of university. I would have put what I was going to do afterwards b
22、out didnt really know. I rounded of my personal statement with my personal opinion of economics. Also with the first line the last line is probably quite an important part of the personal statement, so I finished with hopefully a statement of why economics was important to m, and why I wanted to stu
23、dy it.Teacher advice on personal statementsThe advice below is kindly used with permission from a sixth form tutor who wishes to remain anonymous.Preliminary CommentsYou may not be interviewed; the UCAS form may be the first and last word.A word about sincerity, and the job we, as teachers, are invo
24、lved with here. What you send is, by implication, endorsed and accepted by us. Your performance has to match what you say about yourself. In setting about saying it, you have a chance to examine your performance; and hopefully you will not compromise us by asking us to endorse what you know is not t
25、rue.You may, on the other hand, need extra help, e.g. in Oxbridge applications, Medicine; and it is our practice to provide back-up written support in such areas, in addition to our reference on the UCAS form.Details of the courses; arguing why you have chosen this (these) coursesObviously, this cau
26、ses problems, as there are 6 different courses; but try (where possible) - to make generally true comments about the type of courses you are applying for. At the interview itself, however - (if there is one) - you can score points by elaborating exactly what it is that you like about that particular
27、 institutions course.Management shadowing / other management experience / work experienceObviously, at this stage, I am allowing for the fact that you have further things to add to your form, on account of not yet having done the above activities. At this stage, try to predict what you will learn fr
28、om these things, even if ultimately you will want to adapt your draft to take new experiences into account more systematically.A word about styleA pernicious type of language has crept in in which one develops a horrid air of self-congratulation (“I am very good at“ etc.) It is our job, not yours, t
29、o say whether you have worked hard, been punctual or are very good. It is just awful to read, “I am a very keen student“ or even, “I have taken my education seriously.“ Would you say if you hadnt? Which is not to say that all of you have: some of you have been lazy and under-achieving, on occasions
30、- (Lets call a spade a spade). However, its up to us to decide how much of that we can hide, and still keep our self-respect; or - (hopefully) - how much we can praise you for your attitudes and work over 6+ years. That is our job; that is what we are doing when we write a reference.Cut pomposity“Al
31、l the way through my educational career.“ In my long time at * Grammar School.“(Even) “In my life with the school.“Not just a few isolated examples; almost everyone writes something like this in their first draft. Just say, “At school,.“ or “At St. Johns School,.“During my period of work experience,
32、 I.“ is another example of this pomposity. Just say, “In school work experience, I.“.Other awful airy-fairy phrases include: “Away from school,“ “I ventured abroad“ - (i.e. I have visited.)- and “I have given due consideration to my next course of education.“HyperboleThe art of OTT! Please dont say,
33、 “I have vastly enjoyed . “this or that (French Grammar, Work Experience,. you know, that sort of thing!) Just say you enjoyed it, and then go on to say what you learned from it.“Numerous conferences“ would have to be really quite a large number, when almost invariably you mean two or perhaps only o
34、ne.“I have read many, many horror novels“ was another memorable offering, one year.GrammarIn short, grammar has been diabolical on occasions. “Outside of school“ is not English. In this country, it is still normal to say “outside school.“ “Doing my studying“ was another gem we once had. Look at your
35、 English style, and ask yourself whether it is really necessary to revert to standards well below what your English teacher permitted, two years ago.Im, Id, Ive, etc., e.g. cut these out. They are for informal modes of communication. A Section 10 is not an informal mode of communication. It is forma
36、l English.Show some expertise and detailIf you claim to know about Art, for example, you must prove it. I have seen many wholly-unconvincing attempts to show knowledge of Art, Travel, Architecture, Philosophy, Aeronautical Engineering, etc. On the other hand, it is impressive if you can show knowled
37、ge of wider cultural areas.In the subject you are offering, you are not expected to be a complete expert yet, but you can convince the selector of some level of expertise, forethought and knowledge by careful thought, reading and discussion.What is an engineer? Make sure you know, before you say you want to be one.Amateurishness
