What do you put in a personal statement?

Your personal statement should aim to explain why you deserve a place to study a course at university level. The idea behind it is to make it, simply, personal: you can pick and choose what goes into it. However, to get started, I would recommend thinking about the main points you want to put across in your PS:

  • Why you want to do this course/subject

  • What reading/experience has taught you about it 

  • Why you would be suited to study it at university

  • Why you would do well at university (extra-curricular interests that you can pursue as a student, for example)

You have to find a balance between putting yourself across positively, providing evidence for this, and making it flow. You have a list of things you want to include, but try and draw in the reader and avoid listing achievements just because you can. It needs to be clear, informative and persuasive.  

TS

Related Personal Statements Mentoring answers

All answers ▸

How do I know what to write in my personal statement?


Why would you like to study English at Unviversity?


What should i focus my personal statement on if I am applying for a medical/dentistry school


How do I write a personal statement that stands out from the crowd?