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It can be difficult to think about the most relevant things to include, so the most important point is to show a genuine interest in the subject that you want to study.


The personal statement gives you the chance to show why you will be a good student and make a success of university life. Remember to mention your most recent achievements which are related to skills that you will re- quire for your degree. For example, if you are applying for a Maths or Economics degree, then you could mention success in Maths Challenges or competitions and say that you enjoy solving logic puzzles. This shows the university that your past achievements are a solid foundation for your future success in higher education.


You should also mention why you will enjoy studying at university. If you have attended Open Days then you will have gone on a campus tour and been told more about the facilities on offer. If there is a society that you would like to become involved in, you could mention this and link it to the experience you have gained in a similar society at school. This demonstrates that you are proactively thinking about your future at university and considering the way that you will fit in, not only academically but also with respect to extra-curricular activities.


Extra-curricular activities include sport, music, journalism and voluntary work to name a few. Also, coordinating school events demonstrates great organisation skills and teamwork. Voluntary work is especially im- portant for degrees like Medicine, where an interaction with people is just as important as a theoretical knowledge of the subject. For


example, you could draw on your experi- ences while volunteering at a care home. If you are applying for a degree such as English or History, it would be useful to mention experiences like contributing to the school newspaper. This demonstrates that you have good research skills, as well as being able to write analytically and concisely.


Work experience not only gives you a firsthand look into careers, but will enable you to bring specific information into your personal statement. This will be particu- larly useful if you are applying for a degree like Accounting or Law, which has directly related careers. Also, work experience teaches responsibility and shows that you are inter- ested in the working world. This is useful even if your degree is not vocational, since it shows that you are carefully planning and considering your future options.


Overall, remember that universities are look- ing for well-rounded individuals, who are in- trigued by their subject but will also become immersed in university life. Most universities give offers based on the personal statement, so it is important to spend time writing it. It helps to look at examples of previous person- al statements and ask someone else to proof read your draft. There is no doubt that it will be hard work, but it will definitely be worth it when you get an offer from your first choice university after months of waiting!


ARNAB DATTA


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