In a personal statement we are looking for applicants to: explain their reasons for wanting to study the subject. demonstrate their enthusiasm for and commitment to their chosen course. express any particular interests within the field.
What things look good on a personal statement?
What to Include in a Personal Statement
- Information about yourself.
- Why you want to study the subject.
- Your passion for the subject.
- What type of student you are.
- Any previous assessments that you’ve done that relate to the course that you’re applying for.
- Your achievements.
- Your hobbies.
What do Oxbridge look for in a personal statement?
Focus on your academic interests and achievements
You can show your interest and ability in your subject with examples of books you’ve read, an EPQ you’ve written, a prize you’ve won, lectures you’ve attended, documentaries you’ve watched, podcasts you’ve listened to, or really anything you can think of!
What do Cambridge interviewers look for?
The purpose of the interview is to find out how you think and to evaluate your demonstrable passion for your chosen subject as well as your academic potential. Look to keep an open mind when answering interview questions, demonstrating that you can evaluate ideas rationally and empirically.
Is a 400 word personal statement good?
Dr Adrian Bell, Admissions Tutor, Engineering, UMIST Page 2 2 Your Personal Statement should be between 350 and 500 words in length and contain a number of paragraphs that link together in a logical, well-written style.
What should you avoid in a personal statement?
7 Things to Avoid in Your Personal Statement
- Whining. Don’t whine in your essay!
- Someone else is the hero.
- Reads like a resume.
- Lack of focus.
- Leaves out personal growth.
- Overcomplicated language.
- Incorrect grammar or spelling.
How do I make my personal statement stand out?
8 Things You Can Do to Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out
- Plan before you write.
- Format correctly.
- Make your introduction clear and direct.
- Include examples (but make sure they’re relevant)
- Put the ‘personal’ in ‘personal statement’
- If you’ve done your research – brag about it!
Does Cambridge care about personal statement?
Admissions decisions at Cambridge are based solely on academic criteria (ability and potential). Personal statements are often used as a basis for discussion at interview. In a personal statement we are looking for applicants to: explain their reasons for wanting to study the subject.
What kind of students are Cambridge looking for?
An ability to think critically and independently
We’re looking for an indication of your willingness to think logically while keeping your mind open to new ideas. You also need self-discipline, motivation, commitment, and the desire and potential to go beyond what you’ve learned so far.
What subjects do Oxbridge prefer?
Consider Oxbridge’s preferred subjects
They are History, Geography, English Literature, modern and classical languages, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths/Further Maths. Cambridge’s Trinity College requires two of these just to get accepted into the college.
What percentage of people get a Cambridge interview?
Cambridge Interview Admissions Statistics
Cambridge, historically, have always interviewed a large proportion of candidates, especially compared to Oxford. Cambridge generally Interviews around 70% of applicants, which gives those who perform well in Interviews a better chance.
What percentage of Cambridge interviewees get offers?
Your chances of obtaining an offer from Oxford or Cambridge (before you have confirmed your course and college choice, sat your potential admissions test, and been invited up for interview) are roughly 17%, a figure that comes from around 46,000 applicants chasing 8,000 places at the two universities (for 2021 entry,
What percentage of people get interviews at Cambridge?
We invite the majority of applicants to attend an interview. In previous years, this has been around 75 per cent of Home applicants. Not everyone interviewed will be offered a place but everyone who is made an offer will have been interviewed.
Do I put my name on my personal statement?
In the absence of any guidelines provided by the graduate school, your heading should include the name of the document you are submitting (e.g., “Personal Statement”), the school and department for whom you are writing it (e.g., “Ohio University College of Education”), and your name.
Is 3 pages too long for a personal statement?
Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages. Aim for two pages, double-spaced.
Is 2 pages too long for a personal statement?
The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words. Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.
What makes a bad personal statement?
Avoid using up valuable words with obvious statements. Write succinctly and explain points without repeating yourself. Don’t tell the admissions tutor what they already know – instead, expand on how you’ve acquired certain skills and why they’re important.
What is a bad personal statement?
They’re full of clichés
Not only is it clichéd, it’s also pretty boring. Think of your personal statement as your ‘first impression’ – don’t encourage the admission tutor to make false assumptions without even meeting you. Avoid using any phrases that you’ve spotted online, or sentences that don’t really mean anything.
What is the most important part of a personal statement?
The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader’s attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.
Why is writing a personal statement so hard?
This document can be very challenging to write, as you will need to concisely outline your strengths, goals, experiences, and qualifications while demonstrating good writing skills. This can be a time-consuming project, so allow plenty of time to work on your statement.
What are universities looking for in a personal statement?
Understand what a personal statement is
“Admissions staff look for applicants with a strong interest in their course; good qualifications and relevant experience; and the resilience and motivation to complete their degree,” Annie adds.