How do I make my personal statement stand out?

My personal statement was adequate. For "why law", I explained my interest in current affairs and debates, what I had learnt on my legal work experience, and (literally just) that I had read "Eve was Framed". How many of my peers coached a sports team, played a musical instrument to a high level, set up a debating society, and had fantastic grades? Would many of them have the same experiences, but also a language, a gap year experience and Duke of Edinburgh? I played it safe, using teachers (who have given the same advice to hundreds of applicants for decades, including your current peers) and online forums (UCAS website and googling "how to write a law personal statement" were favourites) for advice. Meanwhile, my schoolmate took a different approach which secured her a place on her Mechanical Engineering course - "while other little girls were playing with Barbies, I was ripping their heads off. I was always interested in the mechanics of how things work". 

If you are aiming for the highest universities, a "copy and paste" personal statement will not do. I edited mine for months, took time to expand my CV and interests basis, and it still read the same as everyone else's. If I had a brilliant such anecdote to wake up the reader, or a novel take on a topical debate, or a fantastic experience, many would call it risky to include it. However, I would never dream of attending a professional interview without my "Unique Selling Point", "why me over the candidate in the waiting room" approach. Is it not more of a risk to issue something mediocre yet "safe"? I wish I had thought about "Eve was Framed" and formulated a new view on the book. I wish I had made more of my TV appearance, or my involvement in saving my school by fundraising when it faced bankruptcy. To answer properly "why you", the reader should be able to picture why you will thrive in studying your subject, and enjoy and contribute to the university community. 

Within reason, do not be afraid to stand out in your personal statement. You will be asking for advice anyway - from tutors, family members, peers. If you have a version with the information you have been told works, and any one thing which puts your stamp on the statement and shows your personality, you have the opportunity to test this out before and see which statement works. You may be surprised how some brilliance and eloquence can come across when you focus on standing out, as oppose to concentrating hard on what is average and "what works". 

If you would like help with your personal statements, feel free to try a free 15 minute "Meet the Tutor" with me. I have just graduated with a First in Law from Exeter.