A Guide to Personal
Statements
Wadham College, University of Oxford
What are universities looking for
in a personal statement?
• People with the skills and attributes tailored to the course.
• People ready for university style learning.
• People who genuinely enjoy the subject that they are
applying for.
• Your personal statement should demonstrate these.
English Language and Literature
1. Evidence of wide, engaged, and thoughtful reading
2. Analytical skills and writing
3. Enthusiasm for literature
4. Response to new ideas and information
5. Capacity for independent thought
Skills for Course
Example
STUDENT A
• School Prefect
• Volunteers
• Enjoys reading
• Plays flute
• Enjoys going to the
theatre
Which student do you think a university
would prefer for English?
STUDENT B
• Enjoys reading sport
biographies
• Enjoys reading dystopian
fiction
• Writes for the school
newspaper
80% Academic
including
super -curricular
20% Extra-
Curricular
Super-curricular
• What have you read, watched, visited or listened
to that has inspired you?
• Why was it interesting?
• How do these support and compliment the
course you are applying for?
Extra-curricular
• Try and focus on transferrable skills
• Selection criteria for other four universities
Why do you want to study this course?
• Current studies
• Outside reading
• What has inspired you?
Opening Paragraph
Personal statement openings tend to follow a similar
format:
- Why you are excited about your subject?
- What you have done academically to show this?
- Keep it simple. Keep it short.
(Tip 1: Leave it until last)
(Tip 2: Draft 5 first sentences)
• Must be received by College in November
• Arts/Humanities subjects
• Think about your interests
• A piece of marked work submitted as part of
A-Level
• May be discussed at interview
• www.ox.ac.uk/writwork
Opening
Paragraph
Examples
“My first exposure to the concept of genetic disease was
whilst doing work experience at a deaf school. I found it
incredible that the assortment of four bases could have
such a tangible effect on health and development. This
sparked my curiosity in the theory of genetic mutation,
and was my first introduction to Biochemistry.”
Biochemistry
“My admiration for French extends beyond its beautiful sounds to the richness of
its history and culture. For my EPQ, I studied the Charter of Laïcité in French
Schools and the history of secularism in France. In order to determine whether I
believed it was coherent policy to ban religious symbols in schools, while
subscribing to a motto of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.”
French (and Arabic)
Being
Super-Curricular
How have you developed
your knowledge outside
the classroom?
What have you done,
read, visited, listened to
that has inspired you?
summer
school / EPQ
practical
experience /
work
experience
reading
podcasts /
lectures
WHERE ARE
YOU AT?
• What are your super-
curriculars?
• Have you got any lined
up?
“To find out more about the
complexity of the brain, I read
“So you want to be a brain
surgeon” by Stephan Sanders.
This has
given me a great deal of insight
into neurosurgery.”
Admissions Tutor Comment:
“While this illustrates that
the candidate is reading
around the subject, some
further significance [should]
be given.”
What looks really impressive is if you can...
…take your super-
curricular activity and
say what it made you
think or link it to things
you are have done or
are learning about.
(critical thinking)
Or…say what it made
you think, and use it as
a link to other activities
(Using it as a stepping
stone)
“After reading John Donne's "The Flea", I was
intrigued by his choice to represent love for a woman
through the conceit of a parasite, eating away at
himself. I saw this as an example of Donne's alleged
misogyny furthering the stereotype of women as
"cruel and sudden", in contrast to his predecessors
who idealized and even worshipped them. However, I
think it is equally interesting to consider the view
expressed by Ilona Bell that Donne does not present
the woman as singularly cruel, but as being capable
of independent thought and challenging patriarchal
authority, even if Donne himself viewed that in a
negative light and considered it a perversion of
gender roles.” English
Critical
Thinking
While reading A Very Short Introduction to Molecular
Biology, I was struck by a segment on regulatory RNA
molecules. I was particularly fascinated by the concept of
RNA used in the regulation of gene expression. This led me
to a Nature article about Riboswitches: RNA molecules that
can bind to a ligand and change their physical
conformation. This happens in the expression region of the
riboswitch, and determines whether the RNA is transcribed
or not, i.e. by forming hairpin loops, or cleaving itself. In
this way, RNA can control itself using a system that is both
simple and immediate. Taking biochemistry at degree level
would allow me to learn more about cell function and
control, but would also let me explore the full breadth of
the subject, by using chemistry to explain biological
processes. (Biochemistry)
Critical
Thinking
&
Stepping
Stones
Example: Stepping Stone Scaffold
1. Select something that you have
done.
2. What were you struck by? What
questions did it raise?
3. What did you do to find out more?
4. What struck you about this?
“Reading A Very Short Introduction to Molecular Biology (1), I was struck by a
segment on regulatory RNA molecules. I was particularly fascinated by the
concept of RNA used in the regulation of gene expression (2). This led me to a
Nature article about Riboswitches: RNA molecules that can bind to a ligand and
change their physical conformation (3). This happens in the expression region of
the riboswitch, and determines whether the RNA is transcribed or not... Taking
biochemistry at degree level would allow me to learn more about cell function
and control... (4)”
Biochemistry
Example: Stepping Stone Scaffold
1. Select something that you have
done.
2. What were you struck by? What
questions did it raise?
3. What did you do to find out
more?
4. What struck you about this?
Try and draft a paragraph
1. Reading/ Attending/ Listening/ Work Experience in/
Participating in
2. I was struck by/ I was particularly interested in/
3. This led me to/ To further my understanding/ In response, I/
Fascinated, I/ Extending my knowledge, I
“I got my first computer when I was X years old.”
The ten most frequently-used opening statements.
1.”I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in ...”
2. “From a young age I have always been interested in ... “
3. “From an early age I have always been interested in ... “
4. “Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career ... “
5. “For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with ...”
6. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only” ... “
7. “Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with ... “
8. “For as long as I can remember I have been interested in ... “
9. “I am an International Academy student and have been studying
since ...”
10. “Academically, I have always been a very determined and ... “
Top Tips
#1 Avoid
Clichés
Don’t Copy
“Ever since I accidentally burnt holes in my
pyjamas after experimenting with a
chemistry set on my eighth birthday, I
have always had a passion for science.”
Don’t Lie
Saying things you haven’t done.
Saying you’ve read something you haven’t
Top Tips
#1 Avoid
Clichés
#2 Don’t
Copy
(or Lie)
“My interest in
Biology began when
my pet cat Snuggles
died and I performed
an autopsy.”
Top Tips
#3
Don’t be
quirky
#1 Avoid
Clichés
#2 Don’t
Copy
(or lie)
"On the 20th of April a great figure in
history was born...It was me, who will
go on to make great changes in
history as we know it"
• What did you learn?
• What do you think?
• What questions do you have?
• What do you agree/disagree with?
Top Tips
#4
Don’t List
“My work experience at Salisbury Hospital's
Speech Therapy department also increased my
appreciation of the invaluable asset of
language.” French and Arabic
Work
Experience:
Link to
Course
“My first exposure to the concept of genetic disease was
whilst doing work experience at a deaf school. I found it
incredible that the assortment of four bases could have such a
tangible effect on health and development. This sparked my
curiosity in the theory of genetic mutation, and was my first
introduction to Biochemistry.”
“Shadowing a barrister encouraged me to go to court and
watch trials, allowing me to understand the role of a barrister,
and especially how it contrasted with the work of a solicitor,
to which I was exposed during a placement at Clifford Chance.
During my time in a clerk's office, I enjoyed reading skeleton
arguments, allowing me to understand the preparation
needed to construct an argument, which I used in a debate
they arranged on prisoners right to vote…” (Law)
Work
Experience:
Vocational
Course
“Work experience shadowing doctors at my local hospital allowed me to appreciate
the workload and challenges of the field. I witnessed coronary angioplasties, helped
to carry out ultrasounds, went on ward rounds and even sutured a banana. The
teamwork between staff demonstrated how patience and a readiness to undertake
responsibilities are indispensable. When a doctor had to persuade an elderly
dementia patient that she needed root canal surgery it was clear how important
compassion and communication are, particularly with the rise of neurological
illnesses.” (Medicine)
Link them to skills useful for university:
“Balancing my work in school as a language and student
council prefect, as well as working part-time, has greatly
improved my organisational skills, as well as teaching me
how to properly arrange my time.”
Classics
“…represent my school in hockey and netball, for which
teamwork and commitment are crucial.”
Human Sciences
Or keep it short and simple:
“To relax I play hockey and was captain of the team at
school. I enjoy Music and Dance; achieving Grade 8 in
Dance, Grade 7 in Piano and Singing, and competing at a
national level in Dance.”
Medicine
“Outside academia, I enjoy reading, playing hockey, and
taking part in drama productions, both on and off stage.”
Biochemistry
• Proofread. Aim for precision and economy in language.
• Make your language active
In the summer I was delighted to take the opportunity of
attending a summer school at the University of Oxford…
Attending UNIQ, I learnt…
• Avoid generalisations
I like law because I like right and wrong Fascinated by property law, I…
• Read aloud. Your ear will pick up what your eye has missed.
Editing tips
Next
Steps
Research criteria for your courses
at your universities
01
02
03
Identify super-curriculars to talk
about on your statement
Start drafting!
UNDERSTANDING YOU IN
CONTEXT
We want to understand your achievements in the context of your
individual background. To do this, we look at a range of publicly available
data.
This information helps us to understand more about each candidate's
particular circumstances and to compare them fairly with all other
applicants.
ox.ac.uk/context
cam.ac.uk/applying/contextual-data
Contextual Info at Oxford
School data
-School performance at GCSE level
-School performance at A-level or
equivalent
-Percentage of students eligible for free
school meals
Neighbourhood Data
-ACORN - a measure of socio-economic
disadvantage in a given area.
-POLAR4 - a measure of participation in
higher education in a given area.
Individual Data
An applicant’s experience in the care
system, extenuating circumstances
-Free School Meal eligibility
Contextual Info at Cambridge
School Data
-School performance at GCSE level
-School performance at A-level or equivalent
-Regularity of successful applications to Cambridge or
Oxford.
Neighbourhood Data
-IMD- A measure of relative deprivation
OAC2011- A classification based on the 2011 census
identifying socioeconomic characteristics and/or
progression to Cambridge.
-POLAR4 - a measure of participation in higher
education in a given area.
Individual Data
An applicant’s eligibility for FSM, extenuating
circumstances, experience in the care system
