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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if anyone's DC hasn't done their personal statement

67 replies

Beatrice123456 · 05/12/2022 10:31

For UCAS

DD had an uncharacteristic meltdown this morning. She hasn't done her PS and is in a panic as apparently everyone else has done theirs!

She's always on top of things so it never even occurred to me to ask 🙁

She says she "just can't do it"

OP posts:
InDIYHell · 05/12/2022 19:42

I feel your pain. DD is a procrastinator and also had a mini breakdown at the weekend as she hadn't done hers either. Turns out though she wasn't the only one.

She actually had some ideas and just needed a 'deadline' to finish it! So I ended up sitting with her while she did it. She nervously sent a draft to her UCAS co-ordinator who said it was brilliant and not to spend any more time on it!

(Also MFL and I bet no one actually reads it)

Next stress is that she doesn't know where to apply to. Confused

Good luck.

Beatrice123456 · 05/12/2022 21:45

If they are good enough to apply to University they are good enough to write 4000 characters

DD is plenty good enough thanks.

And the comment about mums writing the PS was lighthearted!

@InDIYHell - good luck to your DD too!

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 05/12/2022 21:50

Mine hasn’t, he’s having a wobble and not sure if he wants to go or not. So I’ve told him to apply anyway.

MrsCarson · 05/12/2022 22:09

Dd finally did hers it was two days of slog. I had reminded a few times and asked questions. But she only did it when other kids started saying they were done and the teachers reminded them to get on with it. She let me read it once done, and I pointed out a couple of mistakes and had her substitute a word or two. But she wrote it on her own. I wouldn't know where to start.
She'll feel so much relief once it's all turned in.

Passthecheeseboard · 05/12/2022 22:17

Maybe sit down with her and help her, sometimes if you have another person to bounce ideas off that can be a huge help… wishing her lots of luck 🤞🏻

ChekhovsMum · 06/12/2022 00:21

Does she realise just how much writing Uni involves???

Stopsnowing · 06/12/2022 00:24

Ask her questions and record the answers. She can edit it down from there

Dixiechickonhols · 06/12/2022 00:37

ChekhovsMum · 06/12/2022 00:21

Does she realise just how much writing Uni involves???

Writing about yourself is totally different to writing uni essays. Selling yourself doesn’t come naturally to lots of people.
For a teen who isn’t used to jumping through job application/interview hoops and not brimming with confidence having someone to sounds ideas off is no bad thing. It doesn’t mean they aren’t committed to the course.

Hesma · 06/12/2022 06:51

Has she been using Unifrog? Get her to logon and take a look as they have lots of useful information. How is school helping? I’m a 6th form manager and our year 13 tutors are spending tutor time twice a week helping students prepare for UCAS applications. To start with her her to write a list of reasons why she wants to do her chosen course and what her strengths are. It’s not in our natures to bug ourselves up but she needs to

somethinglikethat · 06/12/2022 06:58

Hi OP. Don't start the PS buy saying, "Ever since I was a child... blah blah," Apparently this is a massive cliche..

If it's History and MFL (50/50) yet to make the PS 50/50. If it's History WITH MFL (ie. the MFL is a smaller component of the course), reflect that in the PS..

Keep it academic and don't waffle. So think of some books she has read, or some essays she has written. Try to show reading / research / writing beyond the A-level curriculum and structure it around that. Very importantly - she shouldn't just list what she has read - instead say what she LEARNED from it. Don't they do some kind of extended essay in History - mention that if so? Try to be PERSONAL rather than generic - eg. "So-and-so's book caused me to reflect on x,y,z - I explored this further through reading a,b,c... My entry for the (insert name) essay competition focused on..."' Talk about ideas - how did she respond? What was she inspired to do as a result?

Try to link History and MFL if possible in a way that makes sense to her. But be specific..

Keep it at least 80% academic. Even if she mentions an extra-curricular at the end, don't just state it - say what skills she has learned that will help her at uni or in this course (organisation skills, teamwork, important balance to studies etc etc).

pompomdaisy · 06/12/2022 07:05

Look on studential it may help her

MrsMontyD · 06/12/2022 17:42

DD has to have hers done by the last day of term so her college tutor can do the reference, she's applying for art courses so won't be sending in the application until nearer the deadline to give more time to complete work for her portfolio.

PhotoDad · 06/12/2022 17:45

@MrsMontyD Good call, portfolio requests tend to come almost instantly after the form is submitted! (I know you know that from the other thread, but it's good to spread the word!)

Other thread, if anyone here has a DC applying for arts/design:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4626697-2023-uni-applications-for-those-pursuing-art-and-creative-routes

Comefromaway · 06/12/2022 20:13

MrsMontyD · 06/12/2022 17:42

DD has to have hers done by the last day of term so her college tutor can do the reference, she's applying for art courses so won't be sending in the application until nearer the deadline to give more time to complete work for her portfolio.

Ds’s tutor gave similar advice for music last year. Ds submitted right at the end of term as auditions tended to come in quite quickly.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 06/12/2022 21:20

It actually needs to be a bit less than 4000 characters- 4000 characters properly spaced will hit the line limit first! I don't know if that helps at all!

I would get her to write something as soon as possible- it doesn't have to be especially flowery, or even that good (as long as the spelling and grammar is okay). Presumably her school/college has an internal UCAS deadline relatively soon, as they need time to check the application and write the reference?

Often, the PS is not the deciding factor as to whether an applicant gets an offer BUT if it doesn't get written at all, her application can't go off- and then she won't get equal consideration with other applications.

As a very, very basic structure, I'd suggest something like:

Paragraph 1: Why does she have a general interest in the course/area she wants to study?

Paragraph 2: What specific things is she looking forward to in terms of studying the course at uni level? What about her current study of the subject has she enjoyed?

Paragraph 3: What skills/experiences does she have that make her suited to the course e.g. books she has read, exchange trips etc.

Paragraph 4: A little bit of general extra-curricular stuff e.g. hobbies/clubs.

Paragraph 5: A conclusion, summarising her interest in the course. It could also mention her plans for after uni.

Some of these sections could be longer (not the general extra curricular stuff, though) and some could be a bit shorter- they don't need to be a long paragraph each. These are just general prompts that might help her come up with ideas.

As long as she uses formal language, it doesn't have to be flowery- she can talk about herself in plain English!

Beatrice123456 · 11/12/2022 16:50

Just want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your advice, support and good wishes.

DD got herself together and submitted her PS to her tutor who said "it's excellent - well done!"

🙂

OP posts:
Dixiechickonhols · 11/12/2022 17:49

Beatrice123456 · 11/12/2022 16:50

Just want to say a huge thank you to all of you for your advice, support and good wishes.

DD got herself together and submitted her PS to her tutor who said "it's excellent - well done!"

🙂

Excellent news

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