You sat for your exams, chose top universities for higher education and registered with UCAS. Now what’s next? It’s a personal statement for the University. You can’t sit idle and wait for the universities to welcome you for international education.
Thousands of students are standing in the queue to be the chosen one to study abroad, isn’t it? But have you wondered what will make you stand out in a room full of students? Plus, it is not like you book student accommodation and you are in. Getting shortlisted in any prestigious university requires a remarkable personal statement. For instance, if you are planning to get into the world-renowned Oxford University, you should make a stellar personal statement. Our blog provides a comprehensive guide to creating a standout personal statement for Oxford University. Let’s find out what you should do to increase your chances of acceptance.
Why Do You Need A Good Personal Statement?
Creating a standout personal statement requires careful thought on your self-reflection and a compelling narrative. Admission officers don’t just want to know what you do, your background and your academics but they want to know who you are.
Personal statements let the officer know about your personal insights, motivations, experiences and more. Moreover, a remarkable personal statement is essential as it provides an opportunity to showcase every aspect of your life. It is also your chance to express well what makes you different from other applicants. You can demonstrate your commitment and readiness for university life.
How to Create a Standout Personal Statement?
There is no hard and fast rule to follow. It is not like you follow a few steps and a great personal statement will be in front of you. Let us explain with an example. Let’s say you want to write a personal statement for Oxford University. Here are some key aspects you can follow:
1. Understand Oxford’s Requirement
Oxford University receives plenty of applications and mark our words, the process is quite competitive. This university application process has a specific expectation when it comes to personal statements. Admission officers often look for deep intellectual curiosity towards the chosen subject. So, try to understand what Oxford is looking for and curate your statement. Oxford also tries to see if your application and statement reflect and align prominently.
2. Start with an Engaging Introduction
Your personal statement should always begin with an engaging and captivating introduction which can catch the eye of the officer. It should capture your passion for your subject and avoid cliches. Try to avoid quoting famous personalities as it might be relevant or irrelevant. Instead, you can share a personal experience or event which can show your passion or interest.
3. Less is More
You don’t have to write a book on yourself. It is a simple rule to be specific and don’t waffle. Tutors don’t like it when you try to sound too smart or use overly-complicated words. Students often try to write complicated words and put as much as they can. However, it is necessary to stick to the less is more rule. Don’t mention every book you have read but try to write specific books that inspired you. Besides this, you can also showcase your motivation and reasons for your course application. This way, when there is an interview, you can answer in what you excel.
4. Highlight Relevant Extracurricular Activities and Personal Experiences
Your personal experiences and activities often reveal your true personality. This way tutors can analyze your work ethic, time-management skills, leadership skills and more. Try to include relevant experiences, extracurricular activities and more. For instance, if you have taken part in a debate or theater club, you can mention it in your personal statement. You can easily demonstrate how these experiences have shaped and prepared you for a life in student accommodation.
5. Mention Your Plan to Contribute to University & Student Housing Life
While you mention your academic life and extracurricular activities, you should explain your future plan. Oxford University often values students who are eager to contribute to university life. So, try to showcase your talent and what you can bring to the table. You can mention leadership skills, diverse perspectives, talent and more. In short, this is a good way to discuss your personal qualities and more.
6. Incorporate Familiarity with Oxford’s Resources & Opportunities
To stand out in the crowd, try to incorporate that you are aware of resources and opportunities, especially to Oxford.
You can write about any professor’s research or values of student accommodation. This will highlight your excitement to engage in university life. Plus, you can mention how living in on-campus student housing will enhance the Oxford experience.
7. Give a Memorable Conclusion
The conclusion of your personal statement should tie everything together. Remember to leave a lasting impression. You can simply end your personal statement by reaffirming your commitment and long term goals. Also, you can mention your eagerness to live in Oxford’s student apartments and more.
Life at Oxford University is all set to call you. Follow these steps and craft a thoughtful personal statement which highlights everything from academic passion to future student accommodation life. So, try your best and stand out in the crowd!
