Agree that a good PS always contained what the 3 paragraphs/Qs focus on.
Schools and colleges have always directed students to focus on those things. But students often don’t or don’t understand what those things mean…..and those with more input will still be able to focus on them better.
Maybe if students are more aware of the 3 areas they will write about at the START of yr12, it will help them focus on ensuring they do other stuff outside the curriculum that they can write about that is relevant to their course they will apply for. It’s super-curriculars not extra curriculars which are most valued….ie subject related activities/reading.
Does this really level the playing field? Possibly vv slightly. The same kids as before will have greater input in the writing of the answers and more input in ensuring they’ve done stuff to have things to write about.
It’s always been the case that lots of advice about what a good PS includes is available to anyone who looks online. But often the key thing is you do t know what you don’t know. Students from less prepared backgrounds only start looking at this in July of yr12 or Sept of yr13 or later….often as the UCAS deadline approaches. Those who are moor clouded up are looking at it and thinking about it from the start of yr12. Their parents know, their teachers know and it’s part of their culture to be thinking about it early enough to be able to engage with their subjects within and outside the classroom to develop strong PS.
For most courses at most places, predicted grades are always the key and often only determinant if who gets the offers. But people don’t realise just how many students have all A star predictions or all A star and one A grade predictions and that to get offers on the most competitive courses, their predicted grades will need to exceed the standard offer and a great PS will play a role too.