When planning your ucas personal statement it is sometimes helpful to do an outline to make sure that each paragraph has a specific purpose. Remember that statements are usually read quickly and the first impressions given by your words really do count. Although each statement is individual, we know that admissions tutors are looking for certain things when they read a personal statement.

In particular they are looking for a clear motivation statement in the opening paragraphs. You do not need to come across as an expert in your chosen subject! universities are looking for enquiring and capable students with good all round skills who will benefit from the opportunity to study at an advanced level. They are looking for people who will enjoy independent research and who enjoy learning. Here is a suggested outline for a personal statement which you might like to use and adapt to your own situation. Paragraph one: motivation for course choice answer clearly the question 'why do you want to read this subject?' use a direct motivation statement 'i would like to study x because. If you choose the latter, keep it brief! don't tell your life story! give a clear sense of your current interests and how you would like to develop them.

Avoid writing things which defer to the school's opinion of you 'my teachers tell me i am good at physics' or 'my high grades in maths have spurred me to continue study in this area'. Your application will show your predicted grades and hopefully a good teacher's reference. The ps is to show your specific interests, aims and achievements. If you are applying to do joint honours eg history and psychology you need to say something about each subject and show how they can be linked eg knowledge of individual psychology can help us in the study of history. If you do not know why you want to read a particular subject, you need to do some serious thinking now.

Research courses in the careers library and on the internet, ask friends and family to interview you about your interests, write a personal memo to yourself with a list of things you like/dislike. Paragraph two: academic interests and achievements answer the questions that admissions officers are likely to ask about your academic suitability: 'what have you done so far that is relevant to your course choice?' and 'what specific academic accomplishments or skills or interests do you have?' use your extended essay or other school projects to show what you have done in terms of research. The ib extended essay is excellent preparation for university type work show that you have taken the opportunity even if you are still working on it at the moment.

Essay Writing Youth Culture

Mention any wider reading outside the syllabus that you have done or specific areas of your chosen subject that interest you. Mention any achievements or courses or trips that are relevant to your course choice. If you are applying to read medicine or veterinary science, mention any work experience you have done.

If you are applying to read computer science, give some idea of your practical skills and knowledge and mention the platforms you are familiar with. Do you have any particular it skills web design? blogging? digital photography? if you speak two or more languages, mention them, and any advantages you feel you have gained from living in a multicultural/international background. Paragraph three: important background experiences choose two or three experiences which are not directly related to your academic work but which have contributed to your personality and, if possible, relate them to your course choice. It is better to describe one or two formative experiences with some interesting details rather then give a comprehensive list. Use experiences of participation or organisation such as: mun and debating charity work and fundraising cas and volunteer work foreign trips eg tanzania? work experience music and drama community work environmental work school council active group membership language learning designing a website or blog sport. Paragraph four: extra curricular include here things which you did not mention in the previous paragraph. Add anything which is not central to your application but which adds to the overall impression and makes you sound like an active and well rounded person.