Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

How to support students to complete a strong personal statement

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer

Kingston University

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

What do you want to find out/What questions do you have?

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Around 500,000 statements are written per year

That’s about 425 million words

Or about 1.9 billion characters

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Personal Statement Howlers!"What is physics? I don’t know; that’s why I want to take it at university."

“Ever since I watched 'Shaun the Sheep' on CBBC, i have been passionate about becoming a farmer.”

"I am hoping to pass my driving test so I can drive to -insert uni name here- everyday!"

"I am well-respected by my classmates. At school, I hold the position of head bog and it is a post I am performing well."

"'Eighty per cent of success is showing up.' I feel this attitude correctly demonstrates my passion for Literature where, indeed, you only have to 'turn up' and read the books and to fully understand the topic.

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

The Personal Statement UCAS: Course tutors read personal statements to compare different

applicants – so this is where you should describe your ambitions, skills and experience that will make you suitable for the course

Durham: It is primarily an academic statement and you must target it very directly towards the subject in which you are interested, though a University will also want to know something about your more general interests.

Birmingham: The admissions tutor needs to be persuaded that you have a genuine interest in your chosen subject and that you have the motivation to succeed.

Goldsmiths: It's your opportunity to stand out from the other thousands of applicants that we receive applications from.

Me!

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15Books

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Personal Statement in context

UCAS Application: Completed Qualifications Pending Qualifications Employment History (paid and voluntary) Reference Personal Statement

May also be… Interviews/auditions e.g. dance Portfolio e.g. fashion Admissions tests e.g. nursing

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Personal statement may become more important in certain situations: Applying to more competitive universities

Oxbridge- 5.4 applicants per place*

Russell Group- 7 applicants per place

Applying to more competitive courses (stats 2013/14 cycle)

Medicine- 11 applicants per place

Dentistry- 9.7 applicants per place

Nursing/Veterinary Medicine- 9.2 applicants per place

Which University website, “Course Search”, % applicants receiving offers

Personal Statement in context

7.7 applicants per place7.3 applicants per place5.4 applicants per place

Astronomy-Teacher training-Law-

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Personal statement may become more important in certain situations:

More complicated background to explain

e.g. break in education

Poorer than expected grades

Taking a dramatic change in subject area

Courses where written skills are extremely important

Personal Statement in context

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Who is reading it?

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research on Personal Statements

Dr Stephen Jones

Researcher in Education and Linguistics

University of Manchester

“Is the personal statement a fair way to assess university applicants?” (2012)

“Ensure that you stand out from the crowd: a corpus-based analysis of personal statements according to applicants school type” (2013)

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research Findings1. Writing quality

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research Findings2. Work related activity

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research Findings2. Work related activity

Mentoring and work shadowing vs. part time work (often service industry)

Easier to make relevant connections and points with the ‘higher prestige’ experiences

Not necessarily a barrier in itself, often experiences such as part time work not ‘sold’ in the best light

Importance of having a high-quality work experience programme for college students as one way to improve university applications and HE progression.

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research Findings3. Extra Curricular activity

Those from more privileged backgrounds had wider travel experiences and more ‘cultured’ extracurricular activity

Those from less privileged backgrounds were more likely to include examples that were not relevant in an educational statement

Importance of the personal statement as an academic statement

e.g. “to read”

Importance of clear goals and ambitions

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Research Findings4. Closing the statement

Examples from comprehensive school and SFC applicants:

I am confident that my hunger and drive will help me fulfil my ambition

I look forward to you reading my application

I can guarantee I’ll be an excellent sociology student

I want to succeed in business and I mean business

…..appeals to “where my heart belongs” rather than demonstrating the necessary experiences, interest and skills.

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

10 Suggestions to improve the quality of personal statements

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions1. Be unique

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

What is the top personal statement opening line?

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in… For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with… Academically, I have always been very determined and… Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with… I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in…. Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only… From an early age I have always been interested in… From a young age I have always been interested in….

Suggestions1. Be unique

85

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10

4

6

2

3

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions2. Be specific

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions3. Work experience

Is it an essential/desirable requirement? Do it early The quality of the experience matters…. ….as does the way it is described and ‘sold’ BE SPECIFIC!

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions4. How to get started!

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions5. Improving writing quality

Give students an example structure to follow Provide lots of good examples to model excellent writing Involve tutors and teaching staff Dedicate enough time Get them to read it out loud/ to a partner Important not to ‘swallow the dictionary’!

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions6. Check spelling, punctuation and grammar……a lot!

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions7. Remind students it is an academic piece of writing

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions8. Use the strengths of your learners

More life experience More project work and working to deadlines More practical, hands-on experience? Have clearly demonstrated commitment to their subject May have made sacrifices to come back into education or to

study whilst balancing other commitments Overcoming adversity First in family to go onto higher education?

Others….?

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions9. Talk about relevant skills and give examples

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Suggestions10. Demonstrate commitment to subject/career

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

What outreach/widening participation teams offer…

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

What outreach/widening participation teams offer…

Tim Dhir, Education Liaison Officer| 30/09/15

Questions?