Crafting a Stellar UCAS Personal Statement | Hampstead and Frognal Tutors

The UCAS personal statement is a pivotal component in any student’s university application journey. It’s an opportunity for students to showcase their personality, aspirations and demonstrate why they are the perfect fit for a chosen course or institution.

Each year, UCAS manages “almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK”.

As such, university admissions are incredibly competitive so crafting a unique personal statement that stands out is vital when it comes to securing an offer from your chosen university.

UCAS personal statements are not dissimilar in structure and purpose to a covering letter sent alongside job applications. Similarly, with so much competition out there, you must really find a way to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate a unique, invaluable skill set that makes you an asset to a business, so honing your writing skills to craft a strong personal statement is an invaluable skill to carry forward after you finish higher education.

Fortunately, we’ve outlined some simple strategies below that students can adopt to help craft a stellar UCAS personal statement.

What are the critical elements to include in a UCAS personal statement?

First and foremost, there are some essential components needed to form the bones of any personal statement before you concern yourself with making it compelling and unique.

Demonstrate academic Interest: Students should speak to their passion for the subject they are applying for. Make sure it is clear that you have a genuine interest in the subject and commitment to the course, rather than simply applying for the sake of applying. Within this section of your personal statement, you should outline what sparked your interest and how your academic journey led you to this point.

Relevance: Describe how your current studies, extracurricular activities and any personal experiences relate to the chosen course. Be sure to highlight any transferable skills or relevant knowledge within this section as well.

Personal Qualities: Showcase any personality traits that align with the course and university values. Whether it’s leadership, teamwork or problem-solving, provide concrete examples to demonstrate why you will be an asset to that university if accepted.
Career Aspirations: Discuss your long-term goals and how the chosen course is integral to achieving them. Admissions boards will want to see that you’ve thought about your future.

Making Your Personal Statement Unique and Compelling

Show Passion: Convey genuine enthusiasm for your subject and the university. Passion is infectious and can set your personal statement apart.

Anecdotes and Stories: Weave engaging anecdotes or personal stories that demonstrate your resilience, growth and commitment to the course or subject.

Specifics and Details: Instead of making generic statements such as “I am passionate about psychology and would relish the opportunity to study this at university”, offer specific details that reveal your depth of understanding and commitment to the subject. For example, “My psychology course ignited a passion for the subject and sparked my interest in criminal psychology specifically. Alongside my A-Levels, I have sought opportunities to gain experience at [course / employer name] to help strengthen my knowledge and understanding so I can hit the ground running on a criminal psychology course at university and turn my interest in the subject into a long-term career.”

Unique Experiences: Highlight unique experiences or projects that showcase your individuality and dedication. Admissions tutors are interested in what makes you stand out.

Things to Avoid in your Personal Statement

Clichés: Avoid using clichés and overused phrases. Admissions tutors will have seen these time and time again so to make sure you stand out try to be authentic and let your unique voice shine through.

Negativity: Refrain from discussing any negative experiences or placing blame on others. Instead, focus on your positive attributes and accomplishments or, if you must reference a negative experience, speak to how you turned the situation around to make it a positive and support your personal development.

Irrelevant Information: Stick to information that directly relates to the course and your suitability for it. Avoid veering off-topic or including excessive details.

Too long winded: There’s a lot of information you’ll want to include in a UCAS personal statement but there is an art to writing a strong personal statement and restraint when it comes to word count is part of that. Aim to write 1,000 words at most (roughly a side of A4) – you want to strike a balance between including the critical information without waffling on.

Getting Support to Write Your Personal Statement

Many students lean into family members or school teachers for guidance but tutors can also play a crucial role in this process, offering insight and expert knowledge on specific subjects.

Student Insights: Tutors will know a student’s strengths and weaknesses from having worked with them, so they are well placed to offer expert advice on content, structure and presentation, ensuring the personal statement effectively highlights the student’s best academic attributes. Tutors help tailor the personal statement for each university, showcasing the student’s alignment with specific course requirements.

Expert Guidance: Tutors may have a specialist subject(s) and deeper knowledge of what admissions boards will be looking out for when selecting candidates for that course. As such, a specialised tutor can provide students with expert guidance on critical details or skills to showcase in a UCAS personal statement.

Feedback and Editing: Tutors can proofread your personal statement as well as provide constructive feedback and suggestions to improve clarity, coherence and overall impact.

Encouragement: Tutors offer encouragement and motivation throughout the writing process, boosting the student’s confidence in their application.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, our specialist tutors have a wealth of knowledge in a range of subject areas, as well as experience preparing students for undergraduate study. Each of our expert tutors works hard to understand the individual needs of your child to provide tailored support with UCAS applications, personal statement writing or interview preparation.

The UCAS personal statement is a unique opportunity to present your individuality, aspirations and readiness for university life. Parents in the UK will understand the importance of a standout personal statement in gaining admission to top institutions. By including key elements, making it compelling, avoiding pitfalls and seeking guidance from tutors, students can enhance their chances of standing out in a competitive applicant pool. Remember, a UCAS personal statement is a reflection of your journey, personal interests and academic potential so craft it with care, be authentic and let your personality shine through to stand out at your chosen university!

Please note this article offers guidance and suggestions for a broad range of students. For tailored recommendations and support, please contact us so we can provide advice based on your child’s individual needs, or consult other educational professionals such as your child’s school teachers.

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