Has anyone gone to university?

Question

I need to write a really good personal statement. The thing is I want it to be really excellent how did any of you write them.
Also what university are you going to? How did you choose?

Duh I don't want you to write it for me. I just wanted ideas.

Whatever jinx!!!! I might as well ask a cat on the street for advice it would more helpful then you people.

Answer 1

Yes, I've gone to university (BSc in Leeds, MSc Leicester & PhD Leicester) and now work at a University.

Your personal statement should be exactly that -- Personal. Get ideas from other people but the more "you" it is the better it will be especially if you get an interview. Just be honest, don't be afraid to make things sound better/more important than they were (everyone does it) but don't bull $hit -- it will be obvious in the interview!!

As to where? Do you want to be a specific distance (min/max) from home? Do you want to study a subject where one uni is far better than other? Do you want to go to a pre- '92 or post- '92 Uni (YES it matters in some subjects)
Your best bet is answer these questions get out a map and vistit as many cities and Uni's as you can. Even if it's not an organised event if you give the Student Union a heads up most will accomdiate you with a little tour of the campus.

Good luck and enjoy -- will be the best years of your life!
:-)

Answer 2

A good way to start a personal statement is by asking why should the university want you? What do you as an individual bring to the school community?

If you think your personality is an asset to a school community or if you think you have great school spirit, tell them that and give a little story about when showed your good personality or school spirit and how it helped.

If you think your brains are the answer highlight some of your proudest academic achievements. Be careful with this though. Most schools also like to see extra-curricular activities as well. They like well-rounded individuals (so they claim).

Whatever it is you choose to write about - leadership qualities, sports talent, music talent, academic awards, club membership, whatever - give a little story as an example of what you did (preferrably a true one).

Also take it from the angle that - if you were an admissions officer, why would you want this person to come to your school. In other words, let them know in your personal statement why you'd be perfect for their school and that they would be happy to have you and won't regret it.

There's no need to give too long a life story. Just give them a taste of everything that's wonderful about having you as their student.

Hope I helped a bit.I got accepted to a couple of universities based mostly on my statement - before I had A'level results.

Answer 3

I am at university at the moment at Sheffield Hallam (they are really good for lecturers, and getting well respected), I am part time and work full time so it can get a bit hectic, if you look at a lot of the internet sites they can give you some good information. Also if you remember that you are selling yourself first and foremost dont put any bad points or if you do always make sure you say how you found a way round it. I have always been told it has to be like a sales pitch almost.
Good luck with both your personal statement and uni (I love it and wish I had done it sooner)

Answer 4

When writing your personal statement you want to show the university that you are actually interested in the course so use the first half to write about your course. For example I am doing science so wrote about the maths challenge and an engineering scheme I went on in the first half of my personal statement. My sister on the other hand is doing English and is writing about books she has enjoyed reading (shes being careful not to mention set texts as that looks like she has only read what she was forced to for her course). Use the second half to show them what a well rounded person you are mentioning things like prefecting, d of e or anything else you can think of.

And I go to Cambridge uni.

Answer 5

I tried to show my enthusiasm for my chosen course (maths & philosophy) in the personal statement, to try and show that I was dedicated to my subject, but also I tried to put in a little bit about extra-circucular activities, as I was told that this was important. However, make sure you are honest in your personal statement!

Although the personal statement is indeed important, in my interviews (and I had 7 of them in the end!), only one of the interviewers mentioned something that was on my personal statement. It does depend where you go to be interviewed though-some uni's are much more interested in your academic potential, grades etc rather than your personal statement, but others will want to know more about your personality.

Good luck!

Answer 6

In Australia you dont need to write a personal statement to get into uni

Answer 7

Look up some college essays on the internet.

I am not yet in Uni but I have been accepted to the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. Start in Jan 2007.

Answer 8

I closed my eyes, and chose which course I wanted to do by sticking a pin in the big ucas book.

Then I stuck the pin again six times to choose the uni.

Answer 9

i am at uni. i chose what kind of subject i was interested in and then i looked univirsitys on the gardian top uni charts.
to make a good personal statement be honest, stick to the facts about you. if they want to know more they will contact you.

Answer 10

it might help if you discuss this matter with your school guidance councilor/ favorite teacher/ or anybody close to you in school.. find out what you want to be and see if your choice of profession matches your grades or the subjects you re good at. (of course it will be hard for you to be a chemist someday if you're poor in math). check out the university websites, each university has its "forte".