personal statements

[stonecircle]

DS will be applying for uni in the autumn. I've been reading a lot lately about how personal statements should focus less on outside interests/other subjects and should give specific examples to support any claims to be 'passionate' etc about a subject.

He wants to do physics. I'm not sure how he can demonstrate his love of the subject. Other subjects are maths, computing and electronics and he's done things like build his own computer. But I can't think of anything specifically related to physics.

One of his brothers does geography and was able to write about his fossil collecting, being a member of the Royal Geographical Society etc.

I'm wondering if there are any physics societies he could join as a 17 year old. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[lasermum]

Needmoresleep - I am interested that your DC went to such an academic school. As mentioned before, my DS is at a (good) comprehensive school where he is the most able mathematician in his year so it is hard to know how he would compare against the most able in your DC's school.

I asked for suggestions for his personal statement because there is no information or encouragement from school about suitable books for further study - just a suggestion that he sign up for a STEP correspondence course (which he is keen to do). I will talk to him about the suggestions in this thread to see what interests him.

I can certainly see the dangers of referencing a book that has only been skim read - guaranteed disaster I would think!

Ds wasn't keen on Cambridge when we went for an Open Day and much preferred Oxford (although I worry that overall his GCSE's aren't strong enough for Oxford).

Ds is very competitive and in his chosen sport has taken part in national and international events ( and does voluntary coaching ) so there are some outside interests to reference, but some universities at their Open Days made it clear this type of activity was of no interest to them whatsoever and it was a waste of space to include it in the personal statement. Shame we can't consider US Universities!!

Thank you for all the comments.

[Needmoresleep]

Laser mum, being at a very academic school cuts both ways. DS really had no idea he was good at maths till he got to University to read economics, and found himself taking lots of maths courses and doing well. If he had been told at school he was capable of a maths degree, I don't think he would have believed it.

Oxford is MAT not STEP. I don't know how similar they are but MAT has the advantage that you sit it in the autumn, so you know the results a lot earlier.

Maths may be different, but the standard advice seems to be to use about 25% of a PS on non subject stuff. I can't see why it wouldnt help to use non academic achievements to evidence important personal attributes like perseverance, resilience, organisation, the ability to work with others, etc. And to show you have balance. Universities want students who can cope with stress and who will last the course.

Others will know if GSCEs are crucial, but my guess is that the ability to do maths trumps everything.

Good luck.

[bojorojo]

I do not know the answer to this, but as you have to make 5 choices on UCAS, STEP is the preferred Maths exam for a number of other universities. So it is possible another 4 could require this. The only person I know who did STEP, went to an independent school and had lessons at school. This does seem to give a massive advantage over someone who is trying to do it via a distance learning course.

A friend's DS who tried for Oxford was rejected after interview. He thinks for not doing as well as he could on the interview tests. For what is it worth, he had 6 A and 4A at GCSE but I doubt this was the reason for rejection. My understanding is that this would be nearer the lower end of As for Oxford although for Maths, no doubt high abilty in Maths is key but I guess people who can demonstrate a sound education at GCSE would be more than welcome!

[bojorojo]

It ALWAYS pays to look at the web sites of the Universities! The Oxford Mathematical Institute website says they do look at the number of A*s at GCSE. Not only that, they recommend prospective students familiarise themselves with extension work and name AEA and STEP as being most appropriate! So, read the information and do not necessarily take your answers from MN!