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Higher education

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Original poster

Personal statement question

91 replies

sashagabadon · 18/10/2020 09:24

Dd has more or less finished it - 4680 characters so a bit of editing required as it should be 4000 ( is that right?)
She has written two main sections. Why she wants to study the subject she is applying for and secondly her personal achievements / work experience / why she’d be a good student etc.
My question is what goes first in the PS?
I think her personal stuff first, followed by why she likes the subject but DD thinks the opposite.
Who’s right?

OP posts:
SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 11:43

@AKissAndASmile

I knew an admissions tutor once who would discard an application if the first paragraph didn't include the subject. What a nobhead
He was..... but he has a point. He was admissions tutor for a very competitive course and got frustrated reading personal statements that didn't mention his subject once!

He enjoyed being very controversial thought.

cologne4711 · 18/10/2020 14:46

Do admissions tutors really read all this nonsense?

I've read quite a few sample ones online, as well as ds' attempt and I can only feel sorry for admissions tutors having to plough through them. It's quite obviously all made-up rubbish (I mean I am sure that students really have done the activities they claim to have done) but if eg you did A level geography and enjoyed it, it's clear why you want to do it at university.

It's like "why do you want a job with us"? Erm because I need money to live.

But you have to write a creative essay on the application form about why that employer is so exciting...

Needmoresleep · 18/10/2020 15:10

My understanding is that applications are first seen by admin staff who check eligibility. If a course is over subscribed they will also score personal statements, meaning applicants whose PS is weak may never be considered by an admissions tutor.

This happens for a minority of courses, but if you are applying to one of those courses, it is worth ensuring that the PS will score well against what the University suggests it is looking for.

CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 16:00

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Mumsnet list of universities that a) read personal statements, b) don’t read personal statements, c) get petulant about personal statements?

Obvs students have to pay a lot of attention to their personal statements because there is a chance that one of their five will actually bother to read them.

titchy · 18/10/2020 16:14

@CraftyGin

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Mumsnet list of universities that a) read personal statements, b) don’t read personal statements, c) get petulant about personal statements?

Obvs students have to pay a lot of attention to their personal statements because there is a chance that one of their five will actually bother to read them.

Except that a university won't have a blanket approach. Some of our departments do their own admissions, others are more than happy to let central admissions do it for them.

And it can of course change each year.

CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 16:17

We have a huge capacity for complicated spreadsheets here.

SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 16:20

@CraftyGin

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Mumsnet list of universities that a) read personal statements, b) don’t read personal statements, c) get petulant about personal statements?

Obvs students have to pay a lot of attention to their personal statements because there is a chance that one of their five will actually bother to read them.

You sound really bitter.....

Especially given we've all been kind enough to offer advice.

University admissions are complex. For some courses predicted grades are sufficient to make an offer but a personal statement may come into play during clearing or if the applicant doesn't meet the conditions of their offer.
For competitive courses and universities the personal statement is considered as part of the whole application from the start.
Applicants can speak to universities about their admissions processes they will be open and honest.

titchy · 18/10/2020 16:22

@CraftyGin

We have a huge capacity for complicated spreadsheets here.
Well give us your two pence worth then. Oh wait...
Embracelife · 18/10/2020 16:28

If she links work experience to her subject then yes include it.

CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 16:42

Not bitter at all.

My five DCs have had 25 offers between them, which I put down to a strategic choice of stretch/realistic/safe and personal statements.

As an educational professional, I am disappointed when ‘colleagues’ don’t feel they need to do the full job. and then strike during much of DD’s degree ;)

WeirdlyOdd · 18/10/2020 16:45

Human geography - there might be physical geography modules too at some universities. If so, include in her hobbies section anything outdoorsy - walking, DoE, climbing anything like that.

Interest in international affairs is important. And mention any fieldtrips or expeditions she has enjoyed.

SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 16:46

As an educational professional, I am disappointed when ‘colleagues’ don’t feel they need to do the full job. and then strike during much of DD’s degree ;)

Firstly, not every academic went on strike so stop making sweeping generalisations.

Secondly, what bit of the job are we not doing?
The admissions process has been explained to you but you're choosing to ignore the information you're being given.

titchy · 18/10/2020 16:52

My five DCs have had 25 offers between them, which I put down to a strategic choice of stretch/realistic/safe and personal statements.

Most kids get five out of five offers. You/they didn't do anything spectacular I'm afraid.

What part of 'the full job' are colleagues not doing? Confused

CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 16:53

Ermmm, not reading application paperwork...marketing...

I am too simple to understand other explanations. It’s important to understand your customers.

SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 17:00

Ermmm, not reading application paperwork...marketing...

If you are appointed as an admissions tutor then it is your job to read applications but some courses are dealt with by a central admissions team..... how difficult is that to understand?

Marketing is done by the marketing team.

I am too simple to understand other explanations. It’s important to understand your customers.

'Customers' sigh .......
I understand my students and potential applicants but will never refer to them as customers.

Guymere · 18/10/2020 17:01

This is the advice from Leeds - 2nd attachment I think . They do want to see a decent PS. They are clear on what to include. The other admissions statement is from Bristol. They too consider the PS for geography but don’t give as much info regarding content. However it’s interesting they do look at music and sport in a tie break. Lots of posters seem to think this personal info is irrelevant, and it isn’t. So don’t guess at what the unis want.

The supply of food is very important. First hand knowledge of shortages and management of food availability is worth including. Does the course(s) have sustainable food modules or similar? Link her experience to the course and definitely highlight it as an interest.

Personal statement question
Personal statement question
CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 17:06

Sue Ellen. I am feeling suitable condescended. Your work is complete.

Guymere · 18/10/2020 17:06

By the way: don’t mention anything by listing it. So saying you went on a geography trip to Botswana is pointless. That just says you have rich parents. Saying what you learnt from it and how it sparked your interest in human geography is what’s needed. So outdoorsy stuff isn’t just a list. What did you learn and how does it link to a geography degree? If it doesn’t, just put it as a hobby like sport and music.

SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 17:07

@CraftyGin

Sue Ellen. I am feeling suitable condescended. Your work is complete.
Oh sorry ... do you think you could make sweeping insults about my profession and not get any kick back??
CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 17:09

Have you disclosed anything about your profession?

SueEllenMishke · 18/10/2020 17:11

@CraftyGin

Have you disclosed anything about your profession?
I'm a university academic.
HuaShan · 18/10/2020 17:29

My sons opening paragraph was literally 'My love for (subject) comes from (what he found challenging and how he approached it). The remainder of his PS was what specifically he loved about his subject, what lectures he had been to, what books he had read, what competitions he had entered, achievements, a personal research topic and why he undertook it and then 1 sentence at the end about hobbies. He got 5 fantastic offers and is now at Oxford

CraftyGin · 18/10/2020 17:54

Well done, min HuaShan. How is he finding Covid land?

Original poster
sashagabadon · 18/10/2020 17:55

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate everyone’s time to answer. You’ve all given helpful pointers and I will help her rewrite bits as I am clearer in what is relevant now. 🙂

OP posts:
Guymere · 18/10/2020 17:59

And if MN lore is to believed, the other 4 universities won’t have read that super ps!