Tips on writing a personal statement for my ucas application?

Question

I'm applying for social work and I'm completely stressed out about my personal statement. I haven't really worked cos I had my kids at a young age and stayed home with them until they went to school. Have no experience that I can think of, what the hell do I write?

I'm in the middle of a first draft and have tried to use my experiences as a mum....but is it enough? Won't they see through it and realise that I've actually done nothing since leaving school but bring up my 2 kids?
My tutor on an access course I'm taking says that it's enough but I'm not sure.

Answer 1

Focus on why you want to do social work, and also on why you're choosing to return to education.
I'd say that choosing to stay at home with your children before continuing on with your education makes you a great candidate for social work - you've obviously worked hard to provide a stable environment for your kids without losing sight of your own educational goals. Bravo, I say!

Answer 2

Start off basically highlighting why you want to do social work and what interests it about you. Then add in any relevant experience you have had that may come in handy such as work experience, working with people, and skills you have like being able to communicate etc and include you alevels and any extra curricular actitivies u take part in. Then towards the end add in what sort of person you are and why you would be good for doing the course. hope that helped and good luck! It'll be fine!

Answer 3

I'm sure you can think of a way of making your experiences as a mother relevant. Have you ever had to counsel your kids?

Why don't you concentrate on why you want to do the course as well. Most university tutors are more interested in your motivations for doing a course than whether you have experience. (After all they are supposed to be teaching you about the subject so they won't expect you to be an expert already or you wouldn't need to do the course!) Good luck.

Answer 4

In your personal statement mention your experiences as a mom, with kids statement your valuable experiences raising a family. Plus how this has giving you an insight on certain issue that Social worker have to face on a daily basics

Answer 5

http://www.getintouni.com under the "writing guide" has some great advice on getting the UCAS personal statement right. They also have examples of work on their website which you may find helpful.

Hope this helps and good luck :-)

Answer 6

Write about your interests, why you have chosen this course etc... Having kids is great experience for social work!

Best of luck with it, I wrote mine last year and it was probably the most stressful part of the application but I got accepted (start monday in fact - aargh) :o)

Answer 7

When i wrote my personal statement to gain entry onto a nursing course, i spoke from the heart, included as much experiences and hobbies as possible and positive things about myself without seeming as if i was blowing my own trumpet. If i can get excepted by uni, you can. Go for it!!!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

write about your academia, your interests, your intentions and ambitions and then end on a high say how much you are looking forward to studying, you just hope you get in now!! i know that's not hilarious but it shows you have a bit of humour as well

Answer 10

read others
you wll get various ideas
also www.studential.com is absolutely fab.
or just type personal statement in yahoo search engine u will get loads of tips

just write all ur best assets and include events in ur life that have shaped u , e.g death, divorce etc.