How do I open my personal statement?

The first sentence should immediately set out something you have done and how it directly relates to your course.

Why?

Some people open with a quote, or a similar "attention grabbing" flourish. Given the number of statements an admission officer has read and will be expected to read, focusing on brevity will be appreciated and will most likely lead to fewer aspects of your statement being glanced over in the process of reading.

This doesn't mean that a candidate should wholly avoid quotes or something similar, but if you are to do so; use a quote that directly relates to an area of the subject you're applying for which is of interest to you. This will allow you to immediately write about something that you have done and relate this action to your subject.