UCAS Personal Statement Examples

Please see below examples of personal statements from previous students. Use these to help guide & inspire you but don’t copy anything as UCAS have a system for detecting plagiarism!

The subjects covered are:Chemical EngineeringMarine BiologyMathsChemistryLawSportPsychologyMedicineEnglish LiteratureSport ScienceHistory Chemistry

Chemical EngineeringOur lives are being shaped and manufactured by engineers and scientists in so many differentways. The diversity of Chemical Engineering inspires me and will build on my strengths so Ican be a pioneer of the future. My greatest achievement to date is to have been elected Head Boy of my school by my peers. Myresponsibilities include speaking at numerous events, liaising with members of the localcommunity, organising activities for new students and presenting whole school assemblies. Thisis recognition of my personal qualities: someone who is respected and a role model among myassociates. I have naturally developed the skills needed for a career in Chemical Engineering. My love ofChemistry and Physics show that I can think logically, grasp ideas quickly and interpret data.I enjoy the problem solving element of Maths which I apply to my sciences and havedemonstrated in the Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenges. Geography helps me developdifferent skills such as essay writing and practical, hands-on fieldwork as well as buildingmy analytical ability. All these subjects are constantly evolving, their inter-relationshipand application is fascinating. I benefited from a work experience placement at Scott Wilson where I had to apply problemsolving to real engineering situations. This was stimulating and inspiring and I loved thesense of achievement. I also had a placement at Jaguar Land Rover where I was involved in manyaspects of the business, including attending meetings and negotiations. I participated in a2-day Engineering Experience at Loughborough University, undertaking taster sessions inChemical, Civil, Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. Experiencing some of the processes andskills involved helped me decide that Chemical Engineering is the route for me. I have gained sales, business and leadership skills through Young Enterprise. Gold Duke ofEdinburgh Award tested my determination and self reliance skills. Playing the trumpet up to

grade 7 standard demonstrates commitment and dedication as well as showing creativity. I makeuse of the skills by playing regularly in the school Jazz and Soul Bands. By travelling I haveexperienced different cultures and have gained a global perspective. I have been involved inFrench and German exchanges. I participated in a trip to China to promote the internationallinks of our school, where I saw for myself, evidence of their vast rate of growth. I haveraised the funds to go on an Operation Wallacea trip to Madagascar through individual andgroup fundraising which shows my team-working credentials. Through sport I have shown dedication, teamwork, a winning mentality and leadership. I am the1st XV rugby captain for school and have won league and cup doubles with my football team. Iam a level 7 referee. This has helped me grow in confidence, command authority and improve mycommunication skills. I have also had to deal with difficult situations, make quick decisionsand control difficult characters under pressure. I take an active role in my community; forthe past 3 years I have been voluntarily coaching a local junior football team and haveattained my Level 1 Football Coaching Badge. I have strong personal values, a sense of humour and a positive outlook. I have led a fulllife making the most of the many opportunities I have had to date and am relishing thechallenge of university.

Marine BiologyPlunging down into an alien world, 20m below the sea surface with just an air cylinderstrapped to my back, marine biology shouted out at me and I couldn't ignore it! The sea hasalways been a major part of my life, from surfing in Rhosilli Bay, snorkelling in the northAtlantic or diving the HMS Eagan Lane wreck, with a confused cuttle fish looking at itsreflection on my dive mask. This spurred me to learn more about these temperamental yetfragile creatures. The depths of the ocean intrigue me including the marine life below it, Ihope to be part of uncovering its mystery.I am a keen biologist and have always felt confident in this field. Biology has taught me toquestion aspects of science and appreciate the fragility of ecosystems. In addition, fieldtrips have taught me to adapt to science in fieldwork. During my course in Chemistry myconfidence has increased in practical experiments and emphasised the importance of precisionin this environment. Furthermore Business Studies has given me the ability to communicateinformation in both written and presentational respects, through effective research andevaluation. As an AS level, Maths has given me decision-making and analytical skills to put touse in challenging situations.During work experience at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, I enjoyed the challenge ofresearching all of the marine life and learning each of the creature's special adaptations totheir habitats really intrigued me. Conveying the information to members of the public wasthrilling and it surprised me how little the public knew about marine life. I was given theopportunity to give ten-minute talks on the octopus and shark tanks, which required researchand practice before talking to an audience of around 45 people. I also target fed the animals,learning the importance of caring for marine life. From the experience I gained a largerappreciation for marine life and our interactions with the underwater world, spurring me on tolearn more about it. I hope to take this knowledge to Madagascar in the summer of 2011 where Iwill volunteer with Operation Wallacea, diving off the coast and analysing the coral reef,preparing the research for investigations in a laboratory.

For two years I have been training as a chef, teaching me to work quickly in a pressuredenvironment and have a great deal of patience with timely dishes and preparation. Teamwork hasbeen a large part of my life through the kitchen and also through rugby, which I played fornine years, captaining my team for two of those years. I now play basketball for my school andhave been thoroughly enjoying this change of focus. I also have a job as a retail assistant inFat Face, improving my communication skills due to the constant public interaction. I am alsoa member of the Evesham branch of BSAC, gaining a sports diver qualification and I amcurrently completing my dive leader course. I have always been very passionate about divingand enjoy all aspects of it, especially the precision and endurance it requires. I have beenon numerous weekend trips with the club and have both led and participated in lots of dives,my favourite being the wreck in Lyme Regis called the Baggie. I have travelled to Crete andLanzarote and dived there, the difference in the variety of marine life really intrigued me byhow they interact with each other and how after a couple of years a sunken ship can sustain ahuge range of marine life. My interactions with sea creatures whilst diving has pushed me tolearn more about the marine world, from reading DIVE magazines every month, taking part inextra BSAC courses and having thorough discussions with my brother who is studying marinebiology.I have always been intrigued by what the sea has to offer, and that I want it to be asignificant part of my life. My passion and desire for marine life has always been strong andgrows stronger as my knowledge increases. I know that marine biology is my future.

MathsWhen people ask why I love maths, they don't often expect my answer: I love the "high" ofsolving a problem and the feeling of awe from its beauty. Unlike science, where empiricalevidence results in the constant renewal of theories, in maths, something proven true hasalways and will always be true. For a set of axioms, every statement must be true, false, orundecidable: a mathematician's job is simply to find which applies - to construct, throughintuition and trial-and-error, a flow of arguments to form a proof - a process I truly enjoy. Currently, I study Further Maths for A2. My favourite modules are the pure modules, although Ialso enjoy the applied, particularly mechanics. Since starting in year 7, I have received goldcertificates annually in the UKMT Maths Challenges, and entry into the Maths Olympiads,gaining a medal for a top 100 place in years 9, 10 and 11. In July 2009 I attended a week-longUKMT Summer School due to success in the Maclaurin Olympiad, which gave me the opportunity todiscuss maths with other like-minded people. Since then, I've been involved in the UKMTmentoring scheme, sending off proofs each month. I've also enjoyed creating logical andefficient algorithms for use in the National Cipher Challenge, where I won 2nd prizenationally in year 11, and 3rd prize in year 12, both awarded by Trinity College Cambridge.I also study Chemistry at A2. I did well in the Chemistry Olympiad in year 12 and, after aweekend of selection, was chosen as one of the team of four (along with 3 year 13 students) torepresent the UK in Japan in the International Chemistry Olympiad in July 2010. Mymathematical skills and understanding were crucial to success in both the selection and theInternational Competition, where I earned a silver medal. The experience increased my overallconfidence and I thoroughly enjoyed learning material in greater depth. My other A2 subject isPhysics, which comes easily to me due to its strong connection to maths. When I have sparetime in lessons, I enjoy exploring and deriving the formulae we meet. Last Spring I considered

the gravitational field around a sphere of uniform density: specifically, how much accuracy islost by modelling the sphere as a point-mass? After a few days of trying different approaches,I managed to derive that surprisingly, despite the complexity of the inverse-square law, noaccuracy is lost. Coming up with new techniques to explore the problem (such as integratingsymmetrically over cross sections) was really satisfying. The summer after my GCSEs I alsocompleted an Open University Science Short Course, entitled "How the Universe Works". For the past year, I have worked part-time at Halfords. As part of a team, I've had todemonstrate responsibility, initiative and time management. I'm also proud of my Gold FoilAward in Fencing and Bronze DofE. Whilst in Japan for the IChO, I missed the school's workexperience week, but decided to find a placement myself in the summer, working with Dr. DaveSmith and PhD students at the Maths Department at Birmingham University. They talked methrough their current research, and I learnt about how maths research works and about life asa post-grad student. To share my enthusiasm with eager students, I run weekly cipher andprogramming clubs for lower school, and I ran a 12 week science club at a primary school lastyear. These also taught me how to explain difficult concepts simply, a skill which is veryuseful when trying to explain mathematical reasoning either to my classmates (a commonoccurrence in my free periods!), or in proofs. Even my bedtime reading reflects my interest inmaths, for example reading "Music of the Primes". I am already looking forward to university: to the engaging and thought-provoking study ofmathematics, to the social experience, and ultimately to the skills and knowledge that I willacquire, and which will influence and enrich the rest of my life.

ChemistryFor me, science is about discovering how things work, something I have been interested in formuch longer than I have been studying science. I believe Chemistry in particular can answermany questions about the inner workings of things, right down to the actions of molecules andatoms. The book "Molecules at an Exhibition" by John Emsley particularly shows how Chemistrytouches all things in the modern world, from the obvious such as anaesthetics to the moremundane like Coca-Cola! Personally, the thing I find most fascinating about Chemistry is theway that, in answering some problems, many more questions and paths are revealed. In myopinion this is what makes science so rewarding and why I would love to study it further andto follow a tiny fraction of these paths.At A-Level, Chemistry has been extremely rewarding, as we have covered topics in much greaterdepth than in previous years. I have particularly enjoyed learning about spectroscopy, as thisgives a sense of how Chemistry works outside the classroom. I want to learn more about organicchemistry, as the intricacies of the molecules fascinate me. In Biology and Physics I haveenjoyed the ways in which both subjects have further explored ideas briefly touched uponbefore, for example the heart in Biology, and momentum in Physics. Maths has been key to mywork in the sciences, and is also of interest to me in its own right; my favourite module wasM1, as this shows the real-world applications of what we learn. I chose German as somethingtotally different from my other subjects as I really enjoy it. This shows I can communicatewell, be it in a foreign language or my own, and appreciate different cultures.Outside lessons I have been very active in taking up opportunities offered to me. I ran ascience club for local primary school students, which developed my leadership andcommunication skills; for this I earned my Silver CREST award. To further my knowledge beyond

the curriculum I have studied two Open University 10-point Science modules: "Molecules,Medicines and Drugs: A Chemical Story" and "Elements of Forensic Science". I found this a verydifferent style of learning from school, but one which I thoroughly enjoyed as I developed myindependent study skills. Last summer I was offered a Nuffield Bursary placement, which Iundertook at Aston University in the Biomaterials Research Unit. I studied the effects ofglycerol and glucose on the polymerisation of hydrogels, following on from my work experiencewith the same group. I found this introduction to the world of research fascinating andenjoyed the teamwork in the lab; this project will lead to a Gold CREST Award. I was entered ayear early into the RSC Chemistry Olympiad 2010, gaining a silver award; though this wasextremely challenging, I relished the opportunity to try difficult problems and apply myselfto them. I am also a Science Ambassador for my school, which involves talking to students andvisitors about science; I really enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for science with others!Away from science, I have also taken part in many activities which I have enjoyed, and haveexpanded my experience. I have completed Bronze and Silver DofE awards, and am on my way toGold. I have enjoyed working in a team for these and facing taxing challenges, but alsoworking alone for the individual sections, which required a lot of organisation andself-discipline. I run a lunchtime computer programming club for younger students at myschool; I hold a Cisco IT Essentials qualification which I studied in evening classes purelyfor interest. As well as designing websites, I also play guitar, and enjoy badminton andfencing.I started by saying that Chemistry asks as many questions as it answers; this is whatintrigues me about it and motivates me to continue expanding my knowledge to degree level andbeyond. What excites me most is that we'll never know everything, but I look forward to havinga go!

LawMy interest in Law intensified as I realised it underpins everything in long-establishedsocieties, and yet, like society itself, it is vibrant and dynamic. The law provides theframework for almost every society and without this structure, mayhem, conflict and possiblyanarchy would prevail. My interest in human rights has been heightened by reading about racial equality issues in theUSA and the influence of Martin Luther King. I was inspired by 'The Help' by Katryn Stockett,which depicts the struggle of three black maids in Mississippi in the 1960s. I recognised howpeople were unaware of their rights - as one maid said: "All my life I'd been told what tobelieve about politics...I realized I actually had a choice in what I could believe". I amnaturally curious about human behaviour and how society functions. 'Animal Farm' by GeorgeOrwell showed me how power can corrupt behaviour, the effects of destructive obedience, andthe evolution of political and legal systems. Studying Psychology has enabled me to make linkswith Law, such as questioning the reliability of eyewitness testimony. I have gained a widevariety of valuable skills from my other A level subjects: Maths has developed my ability toextend my thinking within a logical framework and my persistence has improved as a result.Studying French has given me a better understanding of the English language and equipped me toconstruct an effective argument. Regularly collecting and analysing data in Biology, I havedeveloped my ability to successfully evaluate and deduce; valuable skills in Law. The debate surrounding the effectiveness of juries intrigues me and I have found myself

questioning whether a jury influenced by media hype can give a defendant a fair trial. AsHarper Lee states in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', "A court is only as sound as its jury, and ajury is only as sound as the men who make it up". My passion for Law intensified further when,during a week spent at Coventry Crown Court, I witnessed at first hand the professionalism anddedication of the barristers, and saw the legal process at work. I had access to pre-sentencereports and witness statements and sat in the court room to observe trials, pleas andsentencing hearings for crimes as diverse as robbery, assault and arson. I formed judgments oncases, and discussed these at length with the judge at the start and end of each day. I seekto broaden my knowledge wherever possible - I recently attended a seminar at St PhillipsChambers in Birmingham, which opened my eyes to the diversity of opportunities available tothose with law degrees; a weekend course at Aston University; and undertook a futher week ofwork experience in a provincial law firm. I enjoy reading "ConVerse", a publication forprisoners, and listening to "The Moral Maze" and "Law in Action". My committed and persevering nature is demonstrated by my distinction at Grade 7 flute andthrough performing in the English Youth Ballet. I have represented my county in cross-countryand athletics, and my school in six different sports, and I relish the team environment. I amalso able to lead, organise and motivate others around me and was recently voted house captainby my fellow students. To further my understanding of different cultures, I intend toundertake voluntary work next summer helping children in South Africa. I am aware of the dedication and hard work required to succeed in a legal profession, and Ihave managed my time efficiently between academic studies, sport and my regular part time job,as well as gaining an insight into Law wherever possible. For me, Law is an interest and apassion, not just a subject I intend to study and it is this real enthusiasm that I believewill enable me to be successful as a Law student and, beyond that, in my career.

Sport"The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become". Thisdesire applies to me.It is currently an exciting time for sport within this country as major events are beingprepared for and hosted, such as the London Olympics. This will help fuel people's enthusiasmfor sport and hopefully get more people involved in many different capacities. My desire is tobe actively involved in sport and it would be a dream for that to be a part of my career.Business has a huge influence on all sports and I would love to be at the cutting edge ofbusiness decisions and roles, by being a part of a major sporting business and to be aninfluential individual, especially in the women's game. During my A level studies I wasawarded the year 12 Business prize for achievement which rewarded me for my hard work andcommitment. I am also studying Sports Psychology; which has given me an insight into themotives of performers within sport.During a work placement at Birmingham City football club, I worked within numerous differentdepartments, including marketing and sales. This enabled me to gain a good understanding ofhow the business works as a whole, seeing how each department links with another. It wasreally interesting to see how a major sporting club is managed efficiently. I have alsocompleted a placement at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital; it was enlightening to spend time inthe different departments that are essential for the running of the hospital. It was

interesting to see how a different kind of business is organised and run, as it is a publicsector business it has to comply with many regulations. As well as insightful work placements,for a six month period I have visited an old people's home, once a week, which has enhanced mycommunication skills.Sport has always played a major role in my life. From the age of eight I have been involvedwith girl's football. I have captained the team for numerous seasons, allowing me to developmy leadership skills. Being part of a team has enabled me to acquire good interpersonalskills. I have gained my level 1 football coaching badge which has helped me to become moreresponsible and confident and I am currently coaching a group of year eights and have alsotaken coaching sessions for an under 10s team within my club. Football is my main sport andhas allowed me to gain many awards. These include "Player of the tournament", awarded byCyrille Regis, "Best midfielder", chosen by Peter Shilton and "Top goalscorer". Training twicea week and playing a competitive game every weekend is demanding but I have managed to fitthis in along with my academic work which has developed my time management and organisationalskills. I have a passion for the game that drives me to achieve the best I can. I believe animportant way of learning is through observation; I enhance my learning of football as I am aseason ticket holder at Birmingham City. I have been to watch Ladies football on numerousoccasions and one of my ambitions is for Ladies football to become a higher profile sport andI would like to be a part of this either as a player, coach or within the business world.London 2012 is a very important event for the whole country and it is an excellent example ofhow business and sport intertwine. I am very much looking forward to it and I have applied tobe a volunteer. Inevitably the build up for the games will be exciting for all people; howeverthe actual process of creating 2012 will lead to many negative externalities which will needto be addressed. It is a huge project requiring many people to be a part of and I feel thiscourse would help my understanding.My desire and enthusiasm for this particular course is evident through my experience as a keenplayer, coach and spectator. Also my work placements and academic work have demonstrated myinterest in the business world, and I believe I have all the qualities required to succeed inthis course. PsychologyI recently read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon and wasreally intrigued by it. I'd never fully understood how a person with mental disabilities mightview the world and this book gave me a real insight. The narrator is able to form a trustingrelationship with one of his teachers and I think it would be incredibly rewarding, althoughquite challenging, to be in a position where you are a safe person and can be trusted bysomeone with mental disabilities who may find it hard to create such trust. Hence, I wish tostudy Psychology at university.The subjects that I have studied at A-level have given me skills which are essential forstudying Psychology. I studied German as it would enhance and expand my communication skills;which are essential for being able to communicate ideas successfully. I have donepresentations and used ICT frequently, which are also both essential skills. I am alsostudying Chemistry which has given me confidence in practical skills and has also developed myteam skills as it involves a lot of pair work. It has also required me to think logically,whilst challenging me, in order to solve problems. This is yet another skill essential toPsychology, as often you need to relate two factors to each other and explain why they affecteach other. Biology is the third subject which I study. It has given me a better understandinginto the biological approach within Psychology and has helped me to grasp how neurones and

genetics affect our behaviours. My final subject is Psychology which has been invaluable as Ihave drawn a great list of skills from it. Firstly it has taught me to always question whysomething is as it is and to approach every situation with an open mind. It has also taught meto always look for more evidence of a circumstance to back up my reasoning as there couldalways be alternative explanations for a situation. These skills are indispensable. It hasalso taught me to be concise in essay writing. Through choosing to study Psychology atA-level, I already have background knowledge of what Psychology entails and find many aspectsof it such as clinical and criminal psychology- really intriguing.I have read several books relating to Psychology, including the Curious Incident of the Dog inthe Night-time by Mark Haddon, Tricks of the Mind by Derren Brown and What Every Body isSaying by Joe Navarro, which I found particularly interesting as I had never reallyappreciated how much people can give away just by making a simple body gesture.For work experience, I had a week's work experience in a primary school where I worked withteachers and helped the children with their work. One of the pupils was a young boy who hadbehavioural problems and I found it very rewarding when I was able to help and work well withhim. I also travelled to Kenya in 2009 and volunteered in an orphanage there for a week. Thisgave me a sense of responsibility as I was often asked to help look after the children butalso to help as part of the team which developed my team work skills. I have a part time jobas a waitress. This shows responsibility as I am trusted to work without supervision, and italso shows that I am financially responsible as I handle money; all of these are usefulskills. One of my extra-curricular activities is dance. As part of this I have done variousshows and have also participated in fashion shows. Team work and trust are essential for danceand are also vital skills for a psychologist.I am a responsible person, who is caring, trustworthy and honest. I have a lot of drive to bethe best that I can be in a career in Psychology. I have also experienced the sort of work Iwill be undertaking so am less likely to drop out and quit at the first sight of a challenge,therefore I am an ideal candidate to study Psychology. Psychology is a challenging andfulfilling career and I believe that I have the necessary skills and qualities to succeed.Strangely it was after studying drama at GCSE, that made me want to study Psychology. Playingthe lead part in my GCSE drama piece and trying to get into the mind and behavioural patternsof a clinically depressed and desperate person, who was just barely managing to "tread water"as his world seemed to split apart around him. I started to think how someone would function,with emotion running so high and how people can get into the position of being so depressed? Iwanted to know why and how?Now at a new school, in sixth form I have been able to delve deeper into the never endingstudy of behaviour by taking up Psychology. I find myself glued to any book, documentary, ordrama on behavioural analysis and cognition to find the answer to why you, I, and everyoneelse behave as we do. Psychology, being my favourite subject, allows me to gain an insightinto what is to come at University. I have always been interested in how people learn anddevelop and why certain people develop quicker or differently to another. I understandPsychology is a Science based subject and this comes naturally to me due to my interest inforensics. I managed to get work experience in the Forensic Science Service (FFS), which wasone of the best experiences of my life. Being able to go into a lab environment and see reallife case evidence including weapons recently used in crimes, along with the hi-tech equipmentused, led me to an interest in forensic psychology. I want to understand what would motivatesomeone to commit a crime. Sports Psychology is something that this year has really appealedto me. What interests me in the sports approach of Psychology is the theories of motivationand if such theories as intrinsic motivation can be used in other branches of Psychology. I

also really enjoyed developing research skills when designing and carrying out studies fromthe social, cognitive, psychodynamic, and biological approaches. I have always enjoyedEnglish, being good at reading independently, and coming up with abstract and freshinterpretations and I enjoy writing essays. Through work experience in the sports section atthe Stratford Herald newspaper I got to write articles and see them published. BusinessStudies, has enabled me to develop mathematical, data analysis/statistics, presentation,interpretation, and project management skills which add great value and experience for furthereducation at University. I studied ICT, as I have a fascination for technology which comesnaturally to me. The course allowed me to work independently on finding solutions to problems,manage my time, and communication with a client is essential, which I believe will be helpfulfor studying Psychology.It is not just academic skills that I bring to my studies. Out of school I have playedfootball in a team, Warwick Juniors since the age of 6 and continue to do so to this day. Iplay football for the school first team and I am sports captain. This develops anddemonstrates my skills of leadership, teamwork, and communication are of very high quality. AtWarwick School I was in the Cadets force (CCF and RAF) which has allowed me to gain a smallinsight into Milgram's Agency theory and why Cadets might follow orders. Currently I work atSITEL an Outsourced Contact Centre. My job involves communication with customers to solveproblems as an inbound adviser as well as an outbound adviser where I use my analyticexperience skills, communication, and reasoning skills to sell products to customers. I havefound Psychology useful in this as the analysis of the customer's requirements and influencingtheir behaviour is essential to meet company targets.I believe my background, self motivation,broad experience and all round skills make me an ideal candidate to study Psychology. I hopethat you will offer me the opportunity to research my interest in behaviour and how the mindworks and allow me to develop the many skills that Psychology requires.

MedicineMy interest in medicine was ignited at the age of 13 when I suffered a prolonged illness. GPsand a cardiologist disproved several possible causes for my symptoms using blood tests and anultrasound heart scan. I remain both fascinated and inspired by their application of logic,knowledge and experience which eventually allowed them to diagnose post viral fatigue, causedby glandular fever. Still short of a cure, I visited a paediatrician, whose expertise andinsight enabled him to plan my recovery. This began the process of turning both mine and myfamily's lives around. I am excited that by studying medicine, one day I will have theprivilege of doing the same.I understand that this course is long and highly demanding. However, I am confident I willsucceed as I am a motivated, conscientious and committed person who thrives on challenge. Thisis reflected in my GCSE and AS grades and Year 12 Economics Award, which I accomplished usingsound time management, setting goals, and seeking improvement through challenges beyond thesyllabus. For example, I achieved Bronze in the 2010 Chemistry Olympiad and I read theBiological Sciences Review. My AS levels have equipped me with skills I believe are essentialin a doctor; to think logically, justify my actions and decisions and draw upon my knowledgeto solve unfamiliar problems. I read Student BMJ to understand current issues anddevelopments. Atul Gawande's 'Complications' has given me sharp insight into the immenseresponsibility of being a doctor.To consider life as a doctor, I worked within the NHS at Stratford-upon-Avon's Nicol ward for

the elderly. I was exposed to the harsh reality of healthcare, quickly grasping the concept ofdeath; patients refusing advice; and seeing those in situations beyond recovery. A surgeonwarned me of his 16 years of training, long and unsocial hours, difficult exams, and finallydescribed surgery as 'sparring with Titan.' Despite this, his energy and enthusiasm wereincredible. He ascribed this to appreciative patients who more than compensate for thedownsides. This view has been consolidated throughout 6 months at Alveston Leys care home,where I volunteer weekly, and at events such as the Summer Fete. I celebrated a resident's103rd birthday with her and as I left, she asked, "Will I see you again soon?" This confirmedthat there is no greater reward than knowing that your compassion, patience and empathy havemade a difference. A week at Welcombe Hills School with students suffering profound andmultiple learning disabilities required me to be reliable, calm and reassuring. Thishighlighted that each life is of such great and equal value and how widely the profession isneeded within the community. These experiences along with attending Medlink have allowed me toappreciate the reality and diversity of a career in medicine.For relaxation, I play the guitar, walk and surf. I have strengthened my team work skills andstamina through participation in Bronze and Silver D of E, and school athletics and hockeyteams. My enthusiasm for science has earned me a role as a Science Ambassador for my schooland prompted me to run a primary school science club for 12 weeks, culminating in my receiptof a Silver CREST award in 2010. This developed my ability to explain ideas simply andclearly. Working for 2 years as a waitress in a busy restaurant has funded a school trip toVietnam. I am occasionally left in charge of the floor, and regularly supervise new staff,relying on my ability to prioritise, lead, accept responsibility and communicate effectively.Balancing this with my studies and a healthy social life has aided my time management.I am a person with a realistic and genuine desire to study medicine; a confident communicatorand a conscientious and caring individual who always aims to achieve my full potential. Ibelieve that I possess all of the key skills not only to succeed in a medical degree, but alsoto thoroughly enjoy it.

English LiteratureI want to take English literature at university due to my love of the written word, somethingthat I feel is down to the multi-faceted power of literature. I enjoy the way that literatureputs forward ideas that I feel to be otherwise inexpressible and in a way that truly capturesthe reader's imagination. I like to explore the way different critical approaches can shedlight on a particular time in social history or a previously unexplored culture. At universityI want to take this passion to the next level by studying in greater depth how literatureworks, and I also want to take the opportunity to express and explore my imagination anddevelop my own creativity.During my time at school I have always relished the opportunity to get actively involved ingroup discussion. The way it enables me to develop my ideas through other people anddiscovering their opinions on a text is both rewarding and enjoyable, and I have found this tobe particularly relevant to both English Literature and Philosophy. Outside of school study, Ispend a lot of time reading around the subject, particularly looking into social andhistorical context. An example of this is when I went to the "Beat" museum and City LightsBookstore whilst in San Francisco in order to gain a better understanding of the culturedescribed in Jack Kerouac's "On the Road". Through visiting the Hay Literary festival andattending a live broadcast for Radio 4's "Poetry Please" I have been able to see authors and

poets such as Roger McGough and Simon Armitage. I also enjoy writing poetry and take greatpleasure in crafting the words to fit a cohesive whole that instils a sense of pride andcatharsis when I read it back.Outside of English Literature I am studying English Language and Philosophy which I believerelate well to the study of English Literature. Within English Language I particularly enjoylooking at the origins of our language and the way it is constantly changing. I findPhilosophy both challenging and rewarding due to the complex concepts that the subject putsforward, and particularly enjoy exploring moral and political philosophy because of the way itcan be so applicable to the modern day world. The study of philosophical texts requiresindependent reading in order to comprehend the theories, something that I embrace as part ofmy studies. I also took Geography for AS level to broaden my studies and it also relates to myinterests in the outdoors and the physical world.I have a wide range of interests outside of school; I have played rugby, cricket and football,working as a team and training hard to create an efficient unit. I have spent seasonscaptaining rugby and cricket teams where I organised and looked after my teammates, controlledthe games by leading and changing tactics and showed my strength as a leader as well as a teamplayer. I have a particular passion for cycling, winning over half of my races in my firstseason. I have trained hard for these wins, cycling five times a week and cutting unhealthyfood out of my diet. This, as well as my involvement with other sports shows my dedication anddrive to succeed in whatever new challenges I put my mind to.

English LiteratureI imagine to find myself filed systematically amidst the thousands, hundreds of thousandseven, of English applicants who "since a very young age..." have eaten, breathed and sleptliterature. For me, that is simply not the reality. Don't get me wrong, at the age of four Ienjoyed the work of Eric Carle as much as the next person, but my juvenile mind flitteredbetween career aspirations from an astronaut to a shop assistant (what seems so appealing to afour year old about scanning groceries will never cease to perplex me). In reality however, mylove for English, specifically Journalism, stemmed at a later date after a passion for readingand writing accumulated. I believe that, for me, writing is something that I did not fall inlove with until I became able to fully understand the world around me. As my passiondeveloped, it became my therapy: an escape from the humdrum life I was participating. I becamesomeone exciting, the protagonist in my own story, the hero, sometimes the villain, I becamefree.One of the most valuable tools a person can posses is experience. Through the course of myhigh school years and into my A-levels, I have taken every opportunity to be subjected to thesuccesses, failures, and - to some extent - humiliations of an assortment of tasks One ofthese being the Duke of Edinburgh award that I completed in June 2007 alongside four teammates. During this time I acquired valuable life-lessons; firstly, there is nothing moremotivational than the encouraging words of people you admire, and secondly, don't venture tothe Brecon Beacons without a raincoat. Amidst my pleasure of mountainous adventures, I havealso completed four years of ballet classes, subsequently taking part in two performances heldat the Civic Hall, before receiving a Distinction in my final exam.In an increasingly competitive society, I feel it is vital to possess characteristics such aspassion, ambition and determination. Recently, I travelled with a group to Tanzania in orderto carry out voluntary labour, working alongside a local school and orphanage within the townof Moshi. Over the course of two weeks I taught three classes consecutively from 9am 1.30pm,

Monday to Friday, and spent Sunday afternoons helping to cook and play with the children ofthe Uhuru orphanage. It is this dedication to routine and commitment, as well as the strongability to work well with others that I feel will be of use during the next few years of mylife.One of the main reasons I enjoy studying literature is due to its individuality. It can betorn apart, scrutinized, dissected from every fibre of its existence, and yet never appear thesame. Each person can look at identical text and interpret it differently; some may apply itto their own lives, others may step into a juxtaposing role. However we look at it, theoutcome is never the same, and it is these differences that help us to learn from each other.At seventeen, I feel I have more to say than even those with an impressive amount of patiencecould withstand. Ultimately, it is this desire, this need to communicate with anyone andeveryone who will listen that pushes me to achieve my best. Even if I can't change the world,someone's got to try, right?

Sports ScienceTeam-based challenges have also been prevalent whilst attaining the Duke of Edinburgh awardsfrom Bronze to Gold level. I have also undertaken conservation work in Cumbria for the BritishTrust of Conservation Volunteers and do voluntary and paid work with the National Trust, whereI spend a lot of time dealing with members of the public. These experiences along with recentwork experience at the advertising agency M & C Saatchi's in London, has greatly developed myindependence and ability to work with a wide variety of people. With regards to my future Iwish to pursue a career that fully utilises my passion for English Literature and am hopingthat my studies at university will give me specific career paths to follow.I think that what people write, and why they write it, is far more important to learn andunderstand than anything else. In my opinion, what we are really made of is what we have readand what we have written. It is through reading an author's innermost thoughts and feelingsthat we can begin to make sense of our own. I have always found it easy to understand thereason that dictators use censorship laws to ban books - literature can make you feel morepassionately than anything else. I want to continue studying it at a higher level because Iwant to keep feeling like that. Last summer I travelled to London to participate in a DebateChamber Literature course which showed me what studying English at university would be likeand I absolutely loved it.I have always read widely. Shakespeare has played a big part in my life and living inStratford has given me the opportunity to regularly enjoy his works being performed. Last yearI became a member of the RSC. I think that hearing his words spoken has given me a deeperappreciation for his plays and a better understanding of their written form. I am interestedin looking at texts from a historicist point of view. With this in mind a book I have recentlyenjoyed is The Children's Book by AS Byatt. The period of great social change she captures sobeautifully within the novel has led me into more books about the turn of the 19th Century.The context of the story and the author who wrote it are aspects of literature to which I amalso drawn; as with Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. It fascinates me that a young girl wholived in an isolated village could write a story which radiates passion and fire. It's sodifferent from other books written by women in the period and I think it is the stand-outnovel of the age.Another important aspect of my life is my own writing. I have had both a short story and apoem published in two separate anthologies of young adult writing. Over the last few years Ihave put a lot of effort into trying to make myself a more accomplished writer through

attending creative writing workshops and blogging regularly. I also co-run a writing group inschool. I think that writing helps me understand and appreciate the motivations of the authorsthat I study. Being a writer is frustrating but ultimately rewarding, and makes me who I am.It gives me a deeper interest in the writing of others, and what story they wished to give theworld.At GCSE, not only did I get a series of A* grades, but I also secured an A* at the end of Year10 after taking an extra Law GCSE after-school. While this was a time-consuming and oftendifficult commitment, it is one that I have learned a lot from and shows I am willing to workhard to achieve success. I was one of three pupils chosen from the Gifted and Talented classto aid the local community by filming a documentary about the history of Alcester's ChurchHouse and the campaign for its redevelopment. My A-Level subjects of History and ReligiousStudies have helped build up my essay writing ability and given me a wider context with whichto examine characters and events in literature.One of my great interests is travel; with my family I have toured 45 American States. Theexperience has enriched my life immensely and I have seen real and recent history. When wevisited the Deep South I saw where Rosa Parks sparked the Civil Rights movement and whereMartin Luther King gave his life for it. I was deeply moved and have developed an interest inSouthern literature such as Gone with the Wind and To Kill A Mocking Bird, which help enhancethe history of the country. Seeing the USA the way not many people do has taught me that tobegin to understand a country you need to immerse yourself in it. I have also travelledextensively in Europe; driving across the continent to Venice and, later, Austria. My futureplans include travelling Scandinavia and Russia, a country to which I have always felt astrong pull. Sports science fascinates me; it is the basis of my future ambitions. I have always looked tosport to relieve stress, entertain me and fulfil my desire for competition. I hope to mergethis fascination with my academics, particularly by looking at improving performance. Athletesnow have more awareness of the physiology and psychology behind sport and benefit from adetailed assessment of their techniques. This is an area I am keen to further my knowledge onbecause I enjoy learning more about it.

Sports ScienceI am studying A level PE with a particular focus and interest in exercise physiology and sportpsychology. One of the areas that has captivated me most in my PE course is the application oftraining principles. I have always shown an interest in psychology and took my GCSE at collegein an after-school initiative, when I was 14. I am also studying A Level Statistics, which hasgiven me an insight into the interpretation of data. This has provided me with skills thathave been supportive in the more practical side of psychology, including the ability to sortand analyse data. I was House Captain at my previous school, organising and leading the school teams; academic,sporting and musical. This key role required me to speak to my peers, at school assemblies andin classrooms. I was seen as a role model and promoted participation throughout the school.Following a two-day course I was awarded a Junior Athletics Leader qualification during whichI learned how to lead and coach sessions for young children. I enjoyed this as it gave me anopportunity to engage with children whose interest in sport was varied. With a combination ofthese experiences I was appointed Sports Captain at my sixth form. A similar role to myprevious position, however there was more focus on competition and achievement.

I have been fortunate enough to represent my district and county in athletics over a four-yearperiod. I was also given the opportunity to represent my district at rugby, for the past fiveyears, including South Warwickshire Under-19s at the age of 16. I found this to be a greatexperience as the team required a lot of time and commitment. This presented me with anopportunity to improve my time management, finding a balance between sport and school work. In 2008 I spent a week at Gateshead County Council during which time I helped organise andreferee tag rugby tournaments for primary schools with the RFU. I also spent a day withsecurity at Newcastle Falcons gaining an insight into a professional club and the growingrequirements to run it, including a detailed look at the depth of facilities and staffdedicated to improving performance. In 2010 I was very keen to ensure that my work experience was sports related. I spent a weekassisting my previous PE teacher where I was able to lead classes and organise extracurricular activities. This offered me the opportunity to work independently and lead groups,continuing to develop my confidence with responsibility and authority, which I felttransferred to my sport extremely positively. I am excited about the numerous opportunities to further my passion of sport into a career.The fact that Sport Scientists are becoming increasingly valuable to elite sport only furthersmy drive to involve myself in and reach the highest levels of sport possible for me in thefuture. As Vince Lombardi once said 'Dictionary is the only place that success comes beforework.'Ever since I was little I have dreamt of being involved in a sporting career. I know thatSports and Exercise Sciences will be a stimulating course and my enthusiastic and determinedpersonality will enable me to complete the course to the best of my ability. I have had along-standing interest in sport and the issues surrounding it, for example, the diet of sportspeople and the anatomy of the human body, and I wish to develop this knowledge even further.I carefully chose my A Level subjects, Home Economics, Physical Education and Biology as theyallow for the transfer of skills and ideas. Studying Physical Education at this level has anobvious benefit, as it not only looks at the anatomy and physiology of the human body but alsothe psychology and history of different sports. I've particularly enjoyed the anatomy andphysiology side of PE as I find how the body responds to exercise and the body's functions toretain equilibrium fascinating. My biological knowledge supports PE and I'm especially keen onthe genetics side of biology and what makes us who we are. My nutritional knowledge aids thelearning in both PE and biology and I thoroughly enjoy researching the diet of different typesof people.I have been offered the chance to spend time in Australia coaching a youth netball team and toplay in the local netball league. This was planned as a gap year opportunity to gain moreexperience and my Level 2 Netball Coaching Qualification. As a once in a lifetime opportunityI intend to make maximum use of it. However, due to recent government announcements concerningfees, I have decided to postpone this opportunity until I have completed my degree.Outside of school my interests lie with sport. I play netball to a high standard in the firstteam for Stratford Ladies. This practical involvement allows me to work with other people andhas required a lot of commitment and dedication. My determination increased after I had majorfoot surgery during the winter making me realise the physiological and psychological effectthat sport has on a person and I have since gained an interest in recuperation and

physiotherapy.In December 2009, I achieved my Level 1 Coaching Qualification and have subsequently used thisto run weekly coaching sessions for year 7 pupils and during a netball summer school, both ona voluntary basis. I completed a week's work experience with a local secondary school PEdepartment taking groups of children aged 11 to 16 in both the physical and theory elements ofPhysical Education. Since completing this work experience, my dream of working in sport hasgrown stronger and my determination has increased to make that happen.I also have a long lasting love for singing and have achieved my grade 5. I found this veryenjoyable and hope to keep it as a life long skill.I also spend my free time working at two part time jobs, one of them as a waitress at arestaurant in the local town. Working here allows me to develop my communication skills evenfurther and develops my time management skills by still leaving enough time for schoolwork andsport. My second job involves working as a sports hall assistant for a local sports centre. Iam in charge of all equipment use, security of the premises and setting up for differentactivities. This is thoroughly enjoyable and has given me a greater insight into the sportsand leisure industry.I have gained good experience and advanced leadership skills through my positions as a youngleader with the 2nd Alcester Guides and being house captain in years 10, 11 and 13. Takingpart in bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh has also shown that I am a good team playerand have good organisational skills.I am very excited by the numerous sporting opportunities that a sports science degree mayoffer me and I feel that my genuine love for sport and various skills will stand me in goodstead to get the most out of the course.

HistoryI have always been fascinated by history, as it explains the roots of modern social andpolitical issues. Equally fascinating is the different interpretations each generation puts onhistorical events. History has always the subject that I am passionate about and it was a natural progression tocontinue it at A-Level and degree level. Studying history has increased my understanding ofthe inter-relatedness of different events, such as the many influences on the development ofthe Cold War. At home, I read extensively to help me in my studies and for my own pleasure. Tofurther my understanding of my history course, I have read Robert Service's 'History of ModernRussia' to find out how Russia developed as its political doctrines changed. In addition tothe history curriculum, I enjoy reading about different periods in history, particularly Irishhistory as members of my family come from Ireland. I have also read Hugh Brogan's 'History ofthe USA', which has furthered my understanding of how the USA has been shaped by colonialismand by its own politics. I believe that I am a self-motivated student and I regularly extendupon the work done in lessons with my own research and reading. The essays required by Englishand History have helped me develop a coherent written style as well as having taught meimportant time management skills as I have had to work to tight deadlines. In addition, mysubjects have also helped me learn how to construct arguments based on the evidence that Ihave available and also to consider limitations of source evidence. Studying Biology at ALevel has assisted me to become more proficient at researching assignments and has improved mydata analysis skills and practical skills.

Outside of school, I spend some of my time clay pigeon shooting. Whilst it is not a commonhobby, it has helped me become more confident as a person, as I socialise with a wide range ofpeople. Beyond the English Literature curriculum, I tend to read classic science fiction, suchas John Wyndham's 'Day of the Triffids' and H.G. Wells' 'War of the Worlds' to discover howpeople viewed the future. Recently, I have volunteered to work with Alcester Town Council,particularly with the local history section, as I feel that it would be a good opportunity tosee how history is used and recorded in the local area. I have also completed work experienceat St. Bede's Middle School, working in the history department primarily and this has shown mehow history can be taught and I am considering teaching history in a middle or secondaryschool after qualification. Whilst at St. Bede's, I found the different styles of teaching thesame subject fascinating as they showed me how different aspects of the subject could be shownto students. In the last year of St. Benedict's, I had the opportunity to be involved with theschool play: 'The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew'. This gave me a different insight into EnglishLiterature as it taught me to visualise how a chapter of a book might be played out on stage.At my previous school, I was a member of the school council, which involved working as a teamby co-operating with others to achieve goals set by the council team. To get a wider range ofexperiences after I finish my studies, I would love the opportunity to travel around Europe,especially Rome as it is regarded as one of the cradles of civilization. In conclusion, I believe that I would be ideally suited to a history course as I have anardent interest in the subject and feel I am skilled enough to cope with the essay writing andresearch aspects of the course. I would relish the opportunity of new challenges that thiscourse would provide.

ChemistryChemistry offers an infinite number of opportunities as everything in the world is based onjust over 100 known elements and their reactions, potentially answering many importantquestions. As an inquisitive person I want to study Chemistry to find some of these answers. In Chemistry lessons, I have developed my problem solving skills through identifying unknowncompounds and examining theories. I particularly enjoyed the work on bonding and structuresbecause it deepened my understanding of the interactions between molecules. Further Maths Alevel has challenged and sharpened my analytical skills, while my Biology courseworkstrengthened my investigative skills through independent collection of data and analysis ofresults to draw a conclusion. Reading 'Foundations of Physics for Chemists' and 'Why ChemicalReactions Happen' reinforced my understanding of topics covered in class and I enjoyedexpanding basic ideas into more complicated theories, for example entropy. In year 12 I waschosen to participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad, achieving a silver certificate.As an extra challenge, I took Economics at AS level so I could understand more about theglobal economy as I aspire to a future in business. By continuing with four A levels I amdemonstrating my ability to cope under pressure and commitment to learning. I was chosen from a large number of applicants to participate in the Chemistry programme ofUNIQ, a one-week summer school at Oxford University. This was a fantastic insight intouniversity life with lectures, tutorials and lab sessions. We went beyond the A level courseand I particularly enjoyed the organic Chemistry work on chiral compounds and their role in

medicine. I was awarded a Nuffield Bursary and achieved my gold CREST award working at theUniversity of Warwick's Chemical Biology Department, developing a lesson for first yearChemists that included using restriction enzymes, bacteria and DNA inserts to run anelectrophoresis. I also organised experience in the Chemistry faculty at the University ofToronto where I explored experiments involving aldehydes and amines with ethyl lactate as asolvent. Both placements were highly rewarding, my practical skills improved immensely and Icould see the link from laboratory to real life application for example, the use ofrestriction enzymes to separate genes from bacteria plasmids that cause antibiotic-resistance.In the summer of 2009 having just completed my GCSEs, I passed an Open University course'Molecules, Medicines and Drugs', which opened my eyes to a continuously changing and relevantarea of science. In 2008 I was selected to attend a counsellor-training programme at a Canadian summer camp. Iwas responsible for planning and organising several activities where I used my initiative andleadership qualities. I have represented my school on several sports teams, played lead rolesin dramatic productions and have been on several foreign exchanges to improve my languages. Athome I often speak Swedish with my father and can converse comfortably in French and German.Since October 2009 I have worked as a waitress where I have to think on my feet and learnfast. Each week I teach a neighbour piano and I myself am a grade 7 pianist. Overall, I am a self-motivated, determined and passionate person who feels absolutely ready tomake the leap from high school to university. I believe Chemistry is at the centre of allsciences as it is such a broad subject and a doorway into a whole world of opportunity.