This is the most important takeaway:
- Do NOT use AI (like ChatGPT) to write your personal statement for you, or copy and paste large parts of it.
- UCAS uses similarity detection software that will flag applications with more than 30% similarity to others, including AI-generated content. This could lead to offers being withdrawn or you not receiving any offers at all.
- Universities want to hear your personal thoughts and feelings, not generic, bland text that AI produces.
How AI Can Help (the Right Way): AI tools can be useful if used correctly, as a tool to assist you, not to write for you.
- Brainstorm ideas: Ask AI to list relevant topics or skills for your chosen subject, then relate your own experiences to them.
- Structure: Get suggestions on how to structure your answers effectively.
- Check readability: Use it to suggest ways to rephrase sentences for conciseness or to check for grammar and spelling errors, but always verify yourself.
- Don't forget to check facts: AI tools can get things wrong.
Your personal statement will now be split into three distinct questions:
- Overall Character Limit: 4,000 characters (including spaces).
- Minimum per Question: Each question has a minimum of 350 characters.
You'll need to answer each question separately, but ensure the entire statement flows as a cohesive narrative.
Before you start writing, take some time to brainstorm. This will make the writing process much smoother.
- Research your courses: Look at the course descriptions for the universities you're applying to. This will give you a good idea of what they're looking for.
- What makes you suitable? Think about your unique talents, experiences, passions, knowledge, and potential.
- Ask yourself these questions (these are similar to the actual statement questions):
- Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about it?
- Is your previous or current study relevant? How has it prepared you?
- Have you got any work experience, hobbies, or life experiences you can talk about? How are they useful?
- What achievements are you proud of?
- What skills do you have that make you perfect for the course and university life?
- What are your future plans or ambitions, and how will this course help you achieve them?
Here’s a breakdown of each question, with examples of what to include:
(Minimum 350 characters)
This is your chance to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and demonstrate why it's a good fit for you and your future.
What to include:
- Your Motivations: What has inspired you? Think of specific moments, role models, books, documentaries, podcasts, or subject experts that sparked your interest.
- Good example: Instead of "I enjoy law," say, "My interest in law began when I read 'Who was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?', a book about the US Supreme Court Justice whose arguments helped persuade governments to change policies on gender equality. The book made me aware of how the law can make a huge different to individuals around the world".
- Your Knowledge & Interests: What specific areas within the subject are you already familiar with or eager to explore? Show you've done your research.
- Highlight "super-curricular activities": These are things you do beyond your normal studies that show genuine curiosity, like extra reading, online courses, or subject-related clubs.
- Future Plans (if applicable): If you have a career in mind, explain how this course will help you launch it. If not, discuss how the knowledge gained will help you achieve your broader goals or what's important for your future.
Tips for Question 1:
- Be Specific: Don't just say "I enjoy psychology." Explain what you find interesting about it, and why.
- Avoid Clichés: Stay away from overused phrases like "From a young age..." or "For as long as I can remember...".
- No Quotes: Admissions tutors generally dislike quotes.
- Engage from the start: Show enthusiasm and understanding immediately.
- You can write this part last: If you're struggling to start, write the main content first and come back to the opening.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
(Minimum 350 characters)
This is where you "shout about" the relevant or transferable skills you've gained from your formal education.
What to include:
- Relevant Studies/Training: How do your current or previous studies (school, college, online courses, training) relate to your chosen course? Focus on what's most recent and relevant.
- Transferable Skills: What skills have you developed that are valuable for this subject? Think broadly: critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, empathy, communication, hypothesis formation, research skills, attention to detail.
- Example: If you studied sciences, maths, or economics, discuss skills like statistical analysis or critical thinking.
- Specific Coursework/Projects: Mention specific projects, essays, or modules that deepened your interest or developed key skills for the subject.
- Educational Achievements (Non-Grade): Universities see your grades elsewhere, so don't waste space listing them. Instead, mention accomplishments like winning a competition, being a student ambassador, or a lead role in a play.
Tips for Question 2:
- Connect skills to the course: Clearly explain how the skills you gained will help you succeed in the subject area.
- Provide examples: Don't just list skills; give concrete examples of when and how you used them.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
(Minimum 350 characters)
This is your chance to talk about activities outside of formal education or personal experiences that demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be very personal.
What to include:
- Work Experience, Employment, or Volunteering: This includes in-person work experience, virtual work experience (e.g., Springpod), paid employment, or volunteering. The key is to reflect on these experiences and link the skills you gained directly to your chosen course.
- Good example: "During my work experience placement, shadowing a solicitor, I attended the local Magistrates Court and saw how the process of cross examining witnesses works which was fascinating and something I feel my skills could be suited to".
- Personal Life Experiences or Responsibilities: Have you overcome a situation that influenced your decision? Do you have responsibilities (like caring for a family member) that developed essential qualities like resilience, empathy, or time management? Only include these if they are relevant to your future studies.
- Hobbies and Extracurricular Activities: Think about sports, reading groups, community work, summer schools, or clubs. How do these give insight into your personality and potential contribution to university life? Can you link them back to your subject interest?.
- Achievements Outside School/College: Positions of responsibility (e.g., captain of a local club), musical achievements, competitions, or qualifications attained outside the classroom.
- Post-Education Activities: If you're no longer in full-time education, detail what you've been doing since and how it's equipped you with skills for your desired course.
Tips for Question 3:
- Link skills to the course: For every activity, explain what skills you gained and how they are relevant or transferable.
- Think creatively: Even seemingly unrelated jobs (like working in a café) can demonstrate valuable skills like communication, teamwork, or time management.
- Show contribution: Think about how your activities suggest you would make a positive contribution to the wider university community.
The ending is your chance to leave a lasting impression and reinforce your main points.
- Connect the beginning and end: This is sometimes called the 'necklace approach'. You can link back to an idea you introduced at the start, perhaps showing how your initial motivation has now developed further, or how you are looking forward to developing it at university.
- Emphasise your suitability: Reiterate why you should be offered a place on the course, highlighting your enthusiasm and readiness for university study.
- Talk about YOU: Your motivations, what excites you, what brings you to this course.
- Be enthusiastic and make it relevant to your chosen course.
- Outline your ideas clearly and logically.
- Be specific and include evidence for your claims.
- Highlight your positives and strengths.
- Expect several drafts – it rarely comes out perfect the first time.
- Ask for feedback from trusted friends, family, or teachers.
- Proofread multiple times (read aloud helps!) for spelling and grammar, don't rely solely on spellcheckers.
- Use straightforward language and avoid sophisticated phrases you don't fully understand.
- Don't be modest or shy – let your passions come across.
- Don't exaggerate – you might be asked to elaborate in an interview.
- Don't use quotes or clichés.
- Don't leave it to the last minute.
- Don't copy and paste from any source, including AI or friends' statements.
- Don't post your statement online or share it widely, to prevent similarity flags.
- Don't waffle – be succinct.
- Don't make it too personal by overplaying personal circumstances or mental health issues, as studying psychology may not necessarily help. Focus on what fascinates you about the subject.
- Don't just list examples without explaining why they are useful or what you gained from them.