It’s time to make decisions. We are in a key month in which you may have to decide your future. Enrolling in a foreign university is a great option. But what happens if you decide to enroll in a university in the United Kingdom? Writing a good “Personal Statement” has a great weight in the final decision of the universities.
UK university admission criteria. The importance of writing a good “Personal Statement”
Unlike in Spain, to access a university in the United Kingdom we will find a methodology that follows different criteria. The average grade continues to be a yardstick for measuring our abilities, but in the United Kingdom they give equal or greater importance to the human aptitudes of the candidate. For this, they use what they call a Personal Statement or cover or motivation letter. Do you need help writing a good “Personal Statement”?
Tips for writing a good “Personal Statement” and standing out in the selection process
At Plan Zero we want to give you some TIPS for writing a good “Personal Statement” and help you stand out as the best option for any academic institution. Let’s go!
1. The importance of the first paragraph
Let’s start at the beginning. The goal is to hook. Yes, yes, engagement is also important here. Transmitting noteworthy information so that the person responsible continues reading the letter is vital. We must avoid boring beginnings and clichés and show your innovation, your difference… How? Tell an anecdote.
2. No plagiarism
Be completely original. You can get inspiration from resources you find on the internet, but never copy and paste. Most applications for registration at British universities are managed through UCAS (the British centre that manages university places), and they have a sophisticated programme for detecting plagiarism.
3. Show your skills and abilities
Focus on skills and abilities that make you stand out and that will qualify you for the studies you have chosen. There is a strategy you can follow called the ABC rule (Action, Benefit, Career):
- Action. What have you done to get closer to what you are passionate about? Include examples from your experience related to your choice or how you have managed to increase your skills in relation to your aspirations (reading, research, etc.).
- Benefit. How have you taken advantage of the knowledge you have acquired on the subject in question? Don’t be shy about giving examples; people like to hear stories.
- Career. What do you want to study? Focus on what you want to study. Let your contributions and examples serve to demonstrate that you are the right person for that career. For example, highlighting your painting skills will be positive if you choose an artistic career, but it will not be of much interest if you want to dedicate yourself to biology.
4. Detail achievements and extracurricular activities
Add academic or extracurricular achievements such as activities related to music or sports or others that demonstrate skills such as leadership, teamwork, etc. Responsible people want to see proactivity. Previous experiences abroad, volunteering or courses related to the chosen career are good tactics to highlight.
5. Get to the point!
Please note that the UCAS online application is limited to 700 words (4000 characters), so you should summarise the information you want to provide, avoiding fluff and focusing on what is relevant to the person who will be assessing your application. To do this, create a mind map beforehand. Take a pencil and paper and create a list of attributes, skills, experiences and even references to books or news you have read. Then, try to find the commonalities between the list and your studies and organise it as best suits you (by date, by relevance, etc.). You will have a structured starting point to begin writing.
6. Write positively
If you have to talk about complicated situations or personal aspects that could be negative from the reader’s point of view, turn it around! Transform them into learning experiences. Always show positivity! Negativity has no place in a motivation letter.
7. Epic ending
After stating your interest in the studies you wish to pursue (do not name specific universities, as the same motivation letter will be submitted to different institutions) and having outlined your skills and abilities, you should focus on creating a rounded conclusion. The ending should make an impact on the reader and you should make sure to explain how you believe that, if you are the chosen person, these studies can benefit you in terms of your future and expectations.
You now have the keys to writing a good “Personal Statement”, the first serious challenge that will help you achieve your goals and gain access to a British university. Now you need to put effort, motivation and a lot of enthusiasm into it. And, if you need help, you know, you can count on Plan Zero!
