By James Walsh

‘Personal Statement’ is a very unusual and special kind of writing. This is required in many colleges or universities and is considered as important part of the application. It provides an opportunity for the students to express themselves freely and give them a chance to bring out their personality through the writing. This is the statement where one is able to present themselves to the university and also convince the academic officers of the university regarding their ability.

One must be able to provide the officers necessary information as well as give a good impression of their personality. There are some people who find it difficult to write about themselves, as they consider it as boasting. Still, one must mention their positive qualities though they do not feel it much. At the same time, there should not be too much of boasting. The academic officers will evaluate your ability based on the personal statement. Therefore, it must be clear and concise, grammatically correct and error-free. This statement might even form the basis of an interview discussion. So it becomes important for candidates to keep a copy of their statement so that it might be of use at the time of interview. As the personal statements are creative, one must use it to convince the officers why they want to spend three or more years studying the chosen subject at the university.

This is the statement where there is a chance to clarify the distinctions between applicants whose academic records are quite similar and makes you unique. It is a forum for candidates to express how factors outside their school environment have improved or hampered their ability to increase existing academic and intellectual prospects.

Let us move on to the contents of the personal statements. As such, there is no one proper way to inscribe personal statements. However, generally, the academic officers who read your essay will be interested to look into two important aspects emerging from the statement. One being how you are presenting the evidence of your achievements that is not reflected anywhere else in your application; the other being the description of how and why the episodes of your life have shaped your attitude, focus, and, of all your intellectual verve.

The most convincing personal statements often consist of your academic records, accomplishments, and extra-curricular activities. It may also include any incredible circumstances, challenges, or adversities you have faced and the manner in which those bottlenecks have been overcome. There is nothing wrong in mentioning about your initiative, inspiration, headship, perseverance, and your ample experience in moving with other cultures. In short, all positive qualities or all achievements in light of the opportunities available to you can be mentioned.

Apart from this, interest in the subject can also be mentioned. To start with, one needs to explain the reasons for choosing the course. With this, they must also show that they have researched about the course and that they are keen to do it really. It may hold good if you tend to explain what you hope to achieve after the completion of the course. The good personal statements also include interests and hobbies of the candidates and, in particular, any responsibilities they had at school. Show the officers that you are good both for team work as well as individual efforts; show them that you are able to communicate well with others. You must not forget to tell them that you are not afraid of taking any responsibility on your shoulders. If you are smart enough, you may also add certain lines stating your expectations from the university.

Having known about the importance of personal statement, the next question emerging in our mind is that how to write it? Take a blank piece of paper and brainstorm a list of your skills, work experience, personal interests and qualities which are relevant to your application. Jot down these issues before you carve sentences and paragraphs. Be personal and concrete. Tell issues which makes your application unique from others. Be enthusiastic and show what you have actually done, and why you found them interesting.

It may be very difficult for the academic officers to select you if your personal statement is not up to scratch, particularly when there are thousands of other candidates to choose from. You can qualify for the desired university only by writing a perfect personal statement; otherwise you may miss a chance, though you are academically sound.

About the Author: For more information on getting a Personal Statement online see

personal-statement.co.uk

Source:

isnare.com

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