Personal Statement What will yours say about you

Personal Statement – What will yours say about you? Blackburn College CEIAG Team

Aim of todays session • • • Understand what a UCAS Personal Statement is Identify relevant information to include in your personal statement You will be able to give examples to properly demonstrate your skills and experience

What should I include? In groups, think about what type of things you should include in a Personal statement……

Think before you start…. . Be Yourself Sell yourself Be Specific

Research is crucial • Show that you are familiar with the content of the course and what you will cover in terms of modules and topics. This will help show that you are genuinely interested in it. • Course leaflets describe what skills, experiences and qualities are required for a course. Give examples which show you meet these requirements. • Check if the course you are applying for has anything specific you need to address in your statement e. g Nursing needs work experience in a healthcare setting

About The Subject • Why you have chosen the course • Why the subject interests you • Your suitability for the course • How your current studies relate to the course you’ve chosen • Experience and understanding of the subject • Activities that demonstrate your interest in the course Work * Details of jobs, placement, work experience, voluntary work, • Concentrate on aspects relevant to your chosen course • Explain why an experience or activity makes you an excellent candidate for the course What You Want From The Future • Why you want to go to university • Future plans of how you want to use your knowledge and experience that you will gain Special Attributes • Attributes that make you interesting, special and unique • Positions of responsibility that you’ve held both in and out of college • How would you be an asset to the university My UCAS personal statement Achievements Your Proud Of • Hobbies, interests that demonstrate your skills and abilities • Non – accredited skills and achievements Evidence • Give evidence of the skills that you have, that are required to study the subject or to get the occupation you want • Evidence of academic insight and enthusiasm • Evidence showing your understanding of what is required to study the course

Preparation • Check uni and college websites and course search for the criteria and qualities they want you to have • Create a list of ideas • Start drafting it early • Ask people for their feedback Technicalities • Length: up to 4000 characters or 47 lines of text (including spaces or blank lines) (approximately 600 word) • Remember, there is only one personal statement, regardless of whether you apply for 1 or 5 courses • The personal statement must be my own work and not copied from another source Presentation and Style • Show your enthusiasm and commitment • Make it interesting • Check spelling and grammar • Organise it into a logical structure • Introduction: write an opening sentence that will encourage the reader to read on • Conclusion: reinforce your commitment, enthusiasm and skills suited to university life and study My UCAS personal statement Mature Students • Say what you have done since leaving school • If you have a variety of jobs and experiences that are relevant, consider sending a detailed CV direct to the university • Demonstrate how I will cope with the academic work • Critically evaluate your experiences, matching them to your chosen course requirement

Top 10 most overused personal statement opening sentences 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I am currently studying a BTEC Diploma in… From a young age I have always been interested in… From an early age I have always been interested in… Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career… For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with… 6. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”… 7. …. . is a profession I have always looked up with…. 8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in… 9. I am an international student and have ben studying since…. 10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and… Source ‘Ucas Guide to Getting into University & College’

Suggested Format Paragraph 1 Your reasons for applying: - Link to future career choices, work experience and current studies. Paragraph 2 What relevant skills and understanding you currently have: - Give examples of work experience and knowledge/skills developed - Knowledge gained from current course Paragraph 3 All about You: Hobbies and other interests Paragraph 4 Summary/Final Sales Pitch!

Do’s Don’ts • Do create a list of your ideas before attempting to write the real thing • Do expect to produce several drafts before being totally happy • Do ask people you trust for their feedback • Do check university prospectuses, websites and entry profiles, as they usually tell you the criteria and qualities that they want their students to demonstrate • Do use your best English and don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement • Do be enthusiastic – if you show your interest in the course, it may help you get a place • Present yourself as a rounded individual – not just academic • Be reflective - what did you get from it • Don’t feel that you need to use elaborate language. • Don’t say to much about things that are not relevant • Don’t lie – if you exaggerate you may get caught out at interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement • Don’t rely on spellchecker as it will not pick up everything – proofread as many times as possible • Don’t leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out • Don’t expect to be able to write your personal statement while watching TV or surfing the internet – this is your future, so make the most of the opportunity to succeed. • Don’t use quotes • Don’t be negative

Tips… Your statement will be more convincing and personal if you write about why an experience, activity or interest makes you a good candidate for the course. Include enough additional information to make it interesting and to demonstrate your own interests. x I enjoy badminton I play badminton twice a week with a club that plays in local competitions and I play in both singles and doubles matches. Doubles matches require good team working, an ability to support your partner, to devise a game plan but be able to adapt it as required and fast reactions. . . . . . . . . . x I spent two weeks working at a residential home and enjoyed talking to the patients and helping with their care. Undertaking a two weeks work experience placement at a residential home gave me a valuable insight into the caring profession. I enjoyed talking to and caring for the residents and developing relationships with them. I discovered my talent for providing assurance to people who may be anxious or confused and I feel that this is a vital skill to have when a nurse.

Provide Examples Providing examples is the best way to support your claims. Which of the following examples is strongest? A B On my course I have developed excellent communication skills. I have also worked in a team and had to solve problems. On my course I have developed a range of communication skills. My written skills have developed through the production of essays and reports. My work placement at Capita, dealing with customer enquiries over the telephone has also helped to strengthen my verbal communication skills.

Useful Websites • www. studential. com • www. thestudentroom. co. uk • http: //university. which. co. uk/ www. personalstatement. blogspot. com www. unistats. direct. gov. uk

Deadlines and Checking your UCAS form. UCAS deadline is the 15 th January, but your course tutor will set their own deadlines for Personal Statement checking and then completion of UCAS – Please check with your tutor for your deadline (usually October half term). You can get your personal statement check by your tutor. Once a UCAS form has been sent off, you will not be able to make any changes, so please make sure you have checked your form correctly before sending it off.

A note about plagiarism • UCAS perform automatic checks for plagiarism. If found, your application could be withdrawn • DO NOT cut and paste information from any other sources e. g. Internet, the statements of friends

Any questions

1: 1 Appointments available each day Book via Main Reception – 01254 292929 Drop-in Advice without an appointment available: Monday – Friday 11 -1 pm (Careers & Student Finance) Thursday – 4 -6 pm (Careers & Student Finance) For e-advice contact us on careers@blackburn. ac. uk studentfinance@blackburn. ac. uk thehub@blackburn. ac. uk