Lesson 5 Explaining your purposes for studying


Aims • to use guidance notes to evaluate personal statements • to write purpose statements for university applications • to give specific information to support purpose statements


When you apply to study at university, you have to complete an application form. You may also have to write a short text about yourself called a personal statement. This is included in the application, so that the university admissions team can get to know you as a person. They are particularly interested in the reasons why you have chosen the subject and the university, in other words, in your purposes. Your personal statement will be more convincing if you are clear about your purposes.


Task 1 Writing


Think about why you want to study at university. Write three statements about your purposes.


Task 2 Reading The guidance notes below are from a useful UK website (UCAS) that is designed to help students with their university applications.


Read the eight points below. Tick (3) those that could be written using purpose statements, with the patterns you have learnt: to, in order to and so that.


Key words Guidance notes


Below are some suggestions of points to include in your personal statement. These are for guidance only, so don’t worry if some of the suggestions don’t apply to you.


1 why you have chosen the course 2 evidence that you understand which skills and abilities are required to study the course


3 why you want to go to university to study 4 any other achievements that you are proud of, e.g., achieving Grade 3 piano or being selected to play for a local sports team


5 positions of responsibility that you hold / have held, both in and out of school, e.g., work for a local organization


6 how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain


If you are an international student, also give your answers to these questions:


7 Why do you want to study in this country? 8 What evidence do you have to show that you can successfully complete a university course that is taught in English?


suggestions points evidence skills achievements being selected


hold positions of responsibility a local organization


gain knowledge and experience successfully


Key words


a personal statement is included particularly reasons why … convincing clear


20


ACCESS EAP: Foundations • Unit 1


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