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Original poster

Personal statement dilemma

53 replies

JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 20:22

What do you do when you want to apply for a course which is only taught in one university? Therefore, your other 4 choices have to be in a different subject to the first choice. My DS has been told by his head of year that admissions will look unfavourably at his statement as they'll think he isn't truly invested in a subject area, but what else can he do? He can't just apply for one degree course. The two subject areas he is interested in are vaguely linked and he's tried to stress this in his statement. But his heart really lies in the BSc which is unique to one uni, so he wants to stress his passion in the statement without alienating the second interest in computer science. Any suggestions on what to do for the best would be appreciated.

OP posts:
potatoheads · 23/10/2023 20:39

It would help if you told us the course he wants and the alternative courses. This is an anonymous forum. Giving a little more information would be helpful

TizerorFizz · 23/10/2023 20:45

It’s going to depend on whether the PS is part of the selection process anywhere. Is it? Have you read the admission criteria for all the courses @JamieandRoybromance You may well find it’s only used for borderline cases.

My DD had exactly this problem. What you cannot do is write it wholly for one course. You don’t have to be utterly precise either. If you look at what Bristol want for CS (not sure what unique subject is) - it’s quite general. See the attached. So can he not widen these 3 areas out for both courses ? That’s what dd did but not the same subject area. It’s fairly clear that related activities are useful so that can definitely cover both courses and academics surely covers both too?

Personal statement dilemma
Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 20:54

He wants to do the transport management BSc degree at Aston university. There is nothing else like it across UK universities. Due to his autism, he is only looking at a small number of local universities. He has a back up plan of computer science (he is doing this at A level).

OP posts:
Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 20:57

@potatoheads Sorry I was trying to be vague but obviously it doesn't help!! It's transport management no.1 choice, then computer science for the other choices.

OP posts:
clary · 23/10/2023 21:01

DD applied for classical civ and eng lit - I agree a bit closer than your DS's @JamieandRoybromance - but she wrote a PS which illustrated her passion for both, but to the exclusion of neither, It was amazing actually - how she came to love stories of classical mysthology and this led to her love of books blah blah.

Could he do something similar - what appeals about the transport degree? what does he hope to do with it? Can he link that to CS as well?

He can just apply for one degree course, btw. Is that the only one he really wants to do?

Spirallingdownwards · 23/10/2023 21:03

I would contact Aston and ask whether they are prepared to accept a separate personal statement by email and do a general CS statement for the others. If not still do a general CS statement as unis that do one off courses are well aware that he would need to apply to other courses too.

Runningonempty01 · 23/10/2023 21:06

I would personally focus on the niche, unique course. They need to know why this course is a good match for him. If he makes realistic back up choices for computer science ( you state he is looking for local universities) I suspect the PS not being that focused on computer science courses as long as mentions what he has gained from is A level study of computer science will be fine. The speed that my student get offers back for a lot of courses suggests that PS are not being poured over.

Madcats · 23/10/2023 21:07

I am getting mixed messages about Personal statements (3rd hand), but I suppose schools need to cater for every Uni and Course.

Can you contact the Uni/dept to ask? Alternatively could you ask existing students via Student Room?

Good luck!

Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 21:07

@clary Thank you. I have been looking at the 'extra' option, for if you get no offers by Feb, but they say you still have to use the original personal statement. I did wonder whether to just apply for transport, then if nothing, apply for computer science using the 'ucas extra' option. But having to use the same statement throws a spanner in the works. The transport degree requires BCC and he is predicted BBB so he should receive an offer but I'd like him to have an insurance option too.

OP posts:
Knottgorse · 23/10/2023 21:09

Some universities do accept an additional personal statement especially when only a couple of universities offer a unique course. I would also advise contacting Aston directly rather than getting information second or third hand.

Catopia · 23/10/2023 21:12

I would see if can link them in - traffic management systems, programming, modelling etc.... If that's the sort of thing that he would be genuinely interested in doing and using any computer science degree skills for there's not any harm in the computer science schools reading about that passion - if anything it shows he has a vision about what he wants for his future.

Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 21:15

Thank you everyone who has replied. My DS really struggles with having a passion for things, but he absolutely loves public transport, railways, timetabling etc so to find a degree that matches has been wonderful. But we don't want him to put all his eggs in one basket and only apply for transport in case he just doesn't get an offer.

We've emailed the course leader but heard nothing yet. In his personal statement he has said how he wants to develop advanced computer skills for a career within the transport industry. The 3rd year industry placement in computer science can be network rail or something similar so its not a million miles away.

This idea of one statement for all course applications is really annoying for those who have a less than straightforward situation.

OP posts:
BookwormDadUK · 23/10/2023 21:17

I was on the interviewing panel for a university. I vividly remember a personal statement that was passionately about a completely different field and it was an immediate no. Perhaps the better approach is to explain his motivations without being explicit about the field. There may be commonalities in which aspects interest him.

Whiskers4 · 23/10/2023 21:19

Dd had something similar, only three courses to apply for in her chosen subject. She contacted other two options and one said she could submit a separate personal statement - she got an offer from them.

One option, would he be prepared to just apply for his ideal course this year? If no offer, take a year out working, then apply for computer courses the following year.

Pinkpinkplonk · 23/10/2023 21:22

He can apply to Aston now.Leave the other four blank until the January deadline. If he gets rejected from Aston in this time, he can apply to the others and put in amendments to statements

Pinkpinkplonk · 23/10/2023 21:23

You do not have to fill all five spaces up on your first submission

TizerorFizz · 23/10/2023 21:28

In addition to CS, what else is he studying? Maths? I have to say the Aston course is a bit odd - unique! It’s a hybrid of lots of topics but channeled into transport so is limited in some ways because it’s difficult to see a professional route after the degree. However the very good industry links seem to be hugely beneficial. Someone with this degree overseeing the construction of HS2 would be a stretch I think.

Its difficult to know if it’s competitive. I suspect not. They don’t ask for high grades and Aston say they don’t necessarily expect students to achieve them. They appear silent on the role of the PS or how they assess applicants so I’d bet it’s not read very often!

I’d try and pick out cross over academic interests and achievements. Look at how these apply to both courses. Then look at interests that can apply to both courses.

Just a thought. Why CS and not Transport logistics/management at Coventry or deMontfort?

Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 21:30

@Pinkpinkplonk Wow, mind blown!! So, have I understood you correctly? He applies for transport at Aston, using a statement which covers only transport. If he gets a reply saying no before the Jan 31st deadline, he can go back onto his application and then add the computer science courses and readjust his statement, getting rid of transport and changing it to computer science focused?? Is this possible?

OP posts:
ThePeachIsSoUnusual · 23/10/2023 21:30

His HoY has no clue. Disappointing, but not uncommon. This happens a lot and a university providing the only course in that particular subject will meet it all the time. It is perfectly fine to spend just under 1/2 of the statement writing about his interest in and suitability for the first choice course and what he likes about that university. He doesn't have to say "this is my first choice" as that will be obvious if he starts with it and devotes most space to it. Then he can write about a quarter, maybe a bit more, with regard to "I am also interested in... because..." for the other courses. And the rest of the statement could be about specific achievements or general qualities about himself he would also like the admissions tutors to be aware of.

titchy · 23/10/2023 21:30

Not sure how big a trawl you/he have done but this might be a closer fit for an insurance:
https://www.gre.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/business-school/business-logistics-transport-management-ba-hons

BrideToBe2313123 · 23/10/2023 21:31

TizerorFizz · 23/10/2023 21:28

In addition to CS, what else is he studying? Maths? I have to say the Aston course is a bit odd - unique! It’s a hybrid of lots of topics but channeled into transport so is limited in some ways because it’s difficult to see a professional route after the degree. However the very good industry links seem to be hugely beneficial. Someone with this degree overseeing the construction of HS2 would be a stretch I think.

Its difficult to know if it’s competitive. I suspect not. They don’t ask for high grades and Aston say they don’t necessarily expect students to achieve them. They appear silent on the role of the PS or how they assess applicants so I’d bet it’s not read very often!

I’d try and pick out cross over academic interests and achievements. Look at how these apply to both courses. Then look at interests that can apply to both courses.

Just a thought. Why CS and not Transport logistics/management at Coventry or deMontfort?

From the website of a professional body, it says that the only 'transport focused' degree that really matters is a transport MSc.
https://tps.org.uk/profession/degrees

So Aston might be unique in having a related BSc, but there are also other degrees with a bit of transport, such as:

https://www.gre.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses/business-school/business-logistics-transport-management-ba-hons

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/international-tourism-management-transport

OP if he does want to do transport he'd be far better off with a degree in business, operations or logistics. Quite frankly computer science would be a waste of his time.

I'm a software engineer. Of course, you can work for transport/rail etc but the reality is even if he works for Network Rail he's unlikely to be anything directly connected to trains. Only boring things like booking systems, or internal data, etc.

It's a bit like saying 'I'm going to become an accountant because I enjoy medicine so I can work in a hospital'.

Also business skills, presentation, planning and preparation aren't really focused on in Computer Science.

If he wants to take that route anyway I would be careful to take a course with an element of business, such as 'business and computing', or those with modules involving other skills like project management, data analysis etc which will be useful in getting a transport planning MSc.

Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 21:33

We are limited by the fact that his university needs to be a commutable distance from home (due to mental health and an autism diagnosis).

OP posts:
ThePeachIsSoUnusual · 23/10/2023 21:34

To be clear, the other universities should also have seen this issue before and not hold it against him; for example, students are often advised to apply to another course (often Biomedical Science but not necessarily) as well as Medicine and not use all 5 choices for Medicine. These students still get offers for Biomedical Science or whatever else. There are lots of links between Transport Planning and Computer Science although it will require a bit of thought as to what these are; referring to the course descriptions should help. I assume he's strong in Maths?

Original poster
JamieandRoybromance · 23/10/2023 21:37

Yes he is strong enough in maths, got a 9 at gcse and is on course for an A or B at A level.

OP posts:
BrideToBe2313123 · 23/10/2023 21:42

ThePeachIsSoUnusual · 23/10/2023 21:34

To be clear, the other universities should also have seen this issue before and not hold it against him; for example, students are often advised to apply to another course (often Biomedical Science but not necessarily) as well as Medicine and not use all 5 choices for Medicine. These students still get offers for Biomedical Science or whatever else. There are lots of links between Transport Planning and Computer Science although it will require a bit of thought as to what these are; referring to the course descriptions should help. I assume he's strong in Maths?

Transport requires an engineering mindset which is evident in Computer Science. Also orchestration and, at a more abstract level both involve the use of algorithms! Planning stations, routes etc using things like Shortest Path.

The additional bit of transport planning, especially in the current climate are the social, economic and environmental considerations.

I've had a quick look (https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/transport-planner) although i do know a couple of people who work in the field. Simulation and modelling is a big field in computer science and is also an aspect of what a transport planner does.

The key thing to note though is that a lot of it is about people and planning. Wider factors, conflicting priorities, situations where there's no straight answer. Those with business/social science degrees tend to be looked upon more favourably for those.

Can you post the CompSci courses he's looking at - see what elements of their syllabus has these skills in common, then we can draw out the similarities.