How To Write A Personal Statement That Stands Out

How to write a personal statement that stands out

Your statement is an excellent way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for your chosen subject while informing the institution you're applying to that you're the ideal fit for their program. You can highlight your best qualities and the skills and experience you will bring to the course and university.

Nevertheless, knowing where to proceed and how to frame your skills and knowledge can be challenging so that you don't sound arrogant while standing out from other applicants. As the application deadline for university approaches, we're here to help you improve your application.

If you want your profile to be noticed and remembered, here are a few tips and tricks to help you stand out from the crowd.

Plan ahead in time

It is important that you make a list of everything that you want to include in your application before you begin writing it. Check that you answer the three questions: what, why, and how.

●     What are your educational goals?

●     Why do you want to study this course?

●     How do your skills and previous experiences demonstrate this?

A phenomenal way to do this is to identify several critical skills you believe will be relevant to studying your chosen subject and then providing examples that demonstrate these skills. There are hundreds of online resources to help you understand and identify what a university is looking for and include them in your personal statement. Some institutions even have statement writing guides to ensure you nail it!

Make it personal!

Making your application personal while avoiding insincerity or generic language is the winning ticket for your personal statement. What makes you unique? Do not be afraid to think outside of the box!

Writing a piece of personal information can be difficult, and it's easy to use stereotypical sentences. The key is to be creative and detailed while remaining focused.

Although no two personal statements should ever be the same, there are some elements that all students must include. Admissions tutors read hundreds of personal checks each year, so saying something unique will set your application apart from the crowd. Avoid using other people's quotes because admissions tutors want to hear what you have to say, not what some famous personality once said.  

Explain why you are qualified for the course

The university will want to know why you want to study the course you've chosen and what makes you the best candidate. Mention any relevant experience to your chosen subject and career path. Part-time jobs and education may have given you more transferable skills.

Selling yourself is an essential part of your statement. Each university course has hundreds of applicants, and popular courses such as medicine can have thousands. You should say more than just that you have completed your A-Levels, you've topped in the subject, and want to work in that field.

The syllabus for each course is usually available on the university's website and in the prospectus. Investigate the system and demonstrate that you understand precisely what you will be studying.

Don’t be all work and no play!

A personal statement should include a 75/25 split of academic achievements and extracurricular activities that has helped you develop essential skills to make you an all-rounder. Outside-of-class activities that you enjoy can be used to support your subject choice. This could include an interest in broader reading related to your course, a part-time job or placement in the industry, membership in a relevant team or group, or playing a sport and performing artistic activities.

Your approach to the content of your statement will be entirely determined by the course for which you apply. Professional courses, such as teaching and social care, will emphasize relevant qualifications and industry experience. More innovative systems may require you to show examples of your work and information about where you get your inspiration.

Be positive!

Your statement should be upbeat. If you don't believe in yourself, your application will reflect that. Make a case for why you would be an excellent candidate for your chosen course by focusing on your strengths and skills. Talk positively about yourself and the pathway you're applying for, and try to convey your passion and enthusiasm for your post-university plans.

Make your final paragraph brief but informative

The conclusion is your final opportunity to impress the admissions tutor. Use it for summarising and expanding on previously mentioned themes and applying them in a broader context. Determine your main message in your statement and reiterate it in your conclusion. As previously stated, connecting your decision to your introduction paragraph is a good idea. Return to something you said in your first paragraph and show how you've demonstrated it throughout your statement. Remember that the conclusion does not have to be lengthy; a sentence or two will suffice.

Proofread

Getting people to read your statement, whether you ask friends, family, or a college professor, is an essential last step. When constantly rereading the same piece of writing, it's easy to overlook spelling and grammatical errors. A sloppy personal statement could cost you your university place. Requesting that others read your work is also a great way to ensure that your enthusiasm for the course shines through in your writing. Having your application proofread by a teacher or lecturer also ensures that you have included everything that university staff will look for.

Adapt your statement to a specific topic to demonstrate genuine interest or comprehension. Make no long list of accomplishments. This is because you must explain how everything you did contributed to developing your interest, motivation, or understanding. Conduct extensive research to determine your most important qualities or skills for this course and demonstrate how you continue developing them in your statement. Avoid mentioning any general or irrelevant hobbies in your statement; instead, use post-graduate or career paths that you are considering. Don't finish your report until the last minute because you should have enough time to proofread or edit every sentence and request feedback from family and friends. If you're stuck on your piece, consider seeking professional assistance.

If you follow the above mentioned points well then your personal statement will defniary stand out and catch the reader's attention. Don't worry if you cannot grasp the concept in the first go, it can take some drafts to get the final statement ready. So don't give up and try to improve with each draft!

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