The Course I am interested in and why?

This section should help you state why you have chosen this particular degree. It should also enable you to review your own personal qualities that make you a suitable candidate for that specific course. With this paragraph you should prove yourself as a person that has thought about her/his choice thoroughly and to demonstrate your suitability for this particular course. The aim of this section is to write a few sentences about your choice of a degree.

An example of an introductory paragraph:

I have a strong interest in the world that I live in; wanting to understand where mine and others places can be and are in society; not just locally but globally, so I follow current affairs programmes on television and read newspapers and journals with interest. However, I wish to explore further the causes and effects of human interactions. The study of economics and politics provides explanations and predictions, as well as more universal theories, which underlie human behaviour, as well as offering insight into the validity of the various political choices competing for our favour.

Your reasons for your choice of course

Write out the reasons why you are applying for your chosen course. Some suggestions are listed below to get you started What course would you like to study? When did you become interested in this subject? What research have you done in this subject? Why do you find it so interesting? What have you learned about it that has further stimulated your interest? ................................................................................................................................................... . Do you have work experience related to that subject? ............................................................... Are you looking forward to putting theory into practice? ......................................................................... What skills do you possess that are required for this course? ........................................................... What are your aims? Have you any particular career in mind? ........................................................................................................................................................................... Have you any other reasons? .

Now use the information from above to write your introductory paragraph:

My work experience
This section should help you consider how your work experience has helped you to be a more suitable candidate for your chosen course. It should also enable you to review some of the skills that you have gained at any work places that give you some extra experience for that specific course. The aim is to write at least a few sentences about any work experience you have gained, though the length of that paragraph will depend on the relevance of your work experience to your chosen course. This paragraph will help you to review your work experience and match the skills you gained with the duties you carried out . Skills Communication Listening Speaking Working independently Computer literacy Team work Organisational skills Creative skills Managing others Diplomacy Problem solving Using initiative 2 Duties carried out

For each relevant experience, consider which skills you have developed. Read the list of suggestions to help you get started:

Independence Trustworthy Diplomatic Solving problems Approachable

Empathy Self-expression Responsible Organised Creative

Communication Efficient Self-motivated Public Speaker Planner

Confidence Teamwork Sensitive Helpful Time management

Now use the information from above to write about your work experience:

Your interests and experience outside college

This section will help you to write a short paragraph about relevant experiences or achievements outside of college. Most of your experience may have been gained within college. However, you may have been on holiday or have certain hobbies which will give a broader picture. In particular, should you gain an interview, the admissions tutor may well ask you about these interests or experiences. Identify and outline the key activities, hobbies and experiences which you have gained in noneducational environment. Some suggestions have been provided to help you get started. Suggested hobbies Reading Travelling Music Holidays Acting Watching Movies Using the internet Cooking Art Fixing old vehicles Painting/decorating Cycling Outline Relevance

Now use the information from above to write about your hobbies/activities:

Sporting activities
1 List your sporting interests (not those you watch, but those you take part in) 2. Provide detailed about your involvement in sport (e.g. success in competitions, training courses, tuition received, county, standards, club memberships, position of responsibility, e.g. team captain) 3. State what have you learned from being involved in your sporting areas i.e. acquired abilities. 1. Sport 2. Details 3. Acquired abilities

Now use the space below to write a passage highlighting your sporting involvement and achievements:

Writing your concluding statement

This section will help you write a final section which brings the readers attention back to either your choice of degree or your ability to be successful at university. It is important that you present yourself as somebody that can not only survive the rigours of a degree but also cope with a lifechanging event e.g. live away from home, being able to take care of yourself. Try not to mention why you would like to go a particular university as this may prejudice other admissions tutors from the universities you have selected. Choose one or two areas which link to your degree course or general university life. Read your personal statement you have written so far. You may like to use the following suggestions: An experience which you have not already mentioned which relates to the degree An experience which you have not already mentioned which relates suitably for university, or finally Identify an area which you have already mentioned and find a way of building on it for a concluding comment about your course or suitability for university

Now use the space below to write a paragraph concluding your personal statement.

Positive Phrasing
We cant teach you how to write well, but we can give you examples of positive phrases and key words that can help you link sentences together, and combine combinations with skills:

Furthermore ENABLE ME ADDITONALLY Used my initiative Thrive under pressure Strengthen Explore my interests Enhanced SKILLS I HAVE GAINED The opportunity Participated in As well as I learnt from Reinforced This has furthered my creatively I undertook Taking part in Responsibility Efficiently Rewarding Commitment Hard Work I particularly enjoyed I continue to develop Through attending Combining with has taught me This has expanded my knowledge of I have acquired skills which . To improve my I was determined to
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DO NOT use any negative phrases in your statement words like never, hate, useless, mistake, tiring etc. You can turn anything into a positive learning experience! You can use some of the phrases in sentences crossing them off to avoid repetition. Add some phrases of your own too for originality. Once you have put all your experiences into sentences, and formulated an introduction then you are well and truly on the way to an excellent personal statement. Check the number of words to see if it fits, but do not worry if not because you are going to proof and re-draft and proof and re-draft until it is just right.

Remember your goals! Structure

Choice of your course Work experience School/college experience Interests and school activities Sporting involvement Concluding statement