What do Oxbridge tutors look for in a personal statement?

Advice on Oxbridge personal statements vary but often remain in line with “showing passion for your chosen subject”. Though this is key, a better way to approach the Oxbridge personal statement is to pitch yourself as exceptional; as someone who is not only well-read and passionate but as someone who will contribute to their chosen field in the department and university life more generally. In other words, your personal statement has to present a convincing and accurate picture of your unique ability to contribute something new and special. For example, for someone applying to do Politics – think why has politics affected your life so much? And think about why out of all of the students applying, they should choose to accept you? Is it because you are passionate about working for an NGO/charity, but need the right schooling at Oxford/Cambridge to do so? Beyond passion, Oxbridge tutors want to feel like they are taking in much more than just a student, they want to feel like they are taking in someone who they feel will inevitably leave a mark on the world. Though this is difficult to pitch on one page – the closer you get to this, the better.