The topic explained
1 Discuss the question in pairs or small groups.
Period 5 / Integrated skills
- managing your time and dealing with stress
- time management and exam revision
- infinitive and -ing forms (revision)
- verbs that change meaning when followed by infinitive or -ing forms
- noun phrases made with on + noun
- writing personal statements
What belongs in a personal statement?
Many universities and colleges ask for a ‘personal statement’ together with every application for a course.
- Personal statement: goes together with every application for a course at a university or college.
- This page: think about what a personal statement should and shouldn’t include, then see what to DO and DON’T do.
| DO … | DON’T … |
|---|---|
| say why you are applying (and why for this course (1) ___) | make (1) ___ statements (e.g. ‘I have always been interested in Economics.’) |
| explain what makes you suitable (e.g. the skills you have) | make (2) ___ claims (e.g. ‘I am a very determined person.’) |
| give examples of things you’ve done (2) ___ (but only if they show something about you) | mention (3) _ points or make (4) _ for things you haven’t done |
| say what your (3) ___ are (if you’re not sure, just say what you hope to gain from the course) | use famous (5) ___ (they want to know what you think, not someone else) |
| make yourself (4) ___ from other applicants | try to be (6) ___ (it usually doesn’t work) |
| (5) ___ your spelling and grammar (and get someone else to look at it too) | use (7) ___, bold type, etc. for emphasis |
| (6) ___ and do plenty of research | (8) ___ from online examples (universities have ways of checking this) |
| make sure you keep under the (7) ___ | leave it till the (9) _ _ |
Period 6 / Writing
Planning and drafting your personal statement
Read the suggested plan for a personal statement.
- The plan: for each paragraph, what to give, say, explain, mention and describe.
- Paragraph 1: ___
- Give your reasons for choosing the course.
- Say why the subject interests you.
- Explain how your interest developed.
- Mention your ambitions for the future.
- Paragraph 2: ___
- Mention subjects you are studying (connected with the course).
- Describe any extra reading you’ve done around the subject.
- Give examples of activities (in and outside school) that show your interest.
- (These could include visits, talks, work experience, volunteering.)
- Paragraph 3: ___
- Give evidence that you are the right person.
- Mention skills that you have that will help you during the course.
- (These can include non-academic skills like teamwork or time management.)
- Say how your studies and extra activities developed these skills.
Now bring the plan, your notes and these sentences together in a draft.