how to write personal statement sixth form

Studying in the UK

21 July 2021

How to Write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form

Need some tips on how to write a personal statement for sixth form? Read our guide for helpful advice on what to include in yours - and how to submit your most successful application possible.

by Katie Broadbent · 13 min read

Starting to think about where you want to study for sixth form? Perhaps you’ve already narrowed down your selection and are looking for further guidance on how to write a personal statement for sixth form. 

As part of your application for a sixth form place at a college or boarding school, you may be asked to submit a personal statement. The purpose of this is for the school to understand your motivations, interests and future ambitions, but it’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your successes and strongest attributes - highlighting to the college why they should offer you a place.  

Personal statements can be quite a daunting task at first, especially if you’ve never had to write about yourself before. But they don’t have to be. To help you get started with writing yours, read our guidance on writing a personal statement for sixth form - and make sure you submit the best application possible.

What is a personal statement?

Essentially, your personal statement is written information about you, your experiences and future aspirations. It summarises your skills, experiences and attributes that are relevant to the subjects and sixth form are applying to - illustrating to prospective admissions officers why you are a perfect fit for their college. 

Most importantly, your personal statement should be professional and always written in your own words. This is your first chance to introduce yourself to the sixth form you want to study at, who only have a very short snippet of writing to make their initial assessments. 

Admissions staff are curious, they want to know who you are and why you want to study the subjects and courses that they are offering. You want to always link back to why your personal attributes and achievements make you the ideal student for them, and what you can contribute in terms of academic ability, confidence and interests. 

How to start a personal statement for sixth form

Often, the most difficult part of writing your personal statement for sixth form is knowing how and where to start. How do you begin introducing yourself in a way that isn’t too generic or overly confident? 

If we’re being totally honest, there isn’t a right or wrong way to start a personal statement. As long as it’s effective at capturing the attention of the admissions officer reading through your application, it’ll do perfectly.

Some students like to begin by introducing themselves, where they study, and their ambitions for the future; some like to introduce themselves by talking about what personal qualities they have; while others like to start with a quote that has inspired them throughout their education. 

The way you choose to introduce yourself to the reader will ultimately fall down on you as an individual - the way you write, the way you like to interact with others, and how you want to set the tone for the remainder of your personal statement. It’s best to just try writing a selection of sentences that introduce you in different ways, and then choose the one you think best reflects you and your personality. 

And if you’re really stuck on how to start your personal statement, we recommend writing the main body of text to help you get into the headspace of writing in this way. Once you’ve finished talking about yourself, your achievements, interests and goals, you’ll have set the overarching tone for your personal statement, making it easier to return to the start and have another go at writing your introduction. 

How to write a personal statement: 5 essential elements to include

Personal statements offer a great opportunity to talk about your various achievements and aspirations. They are an open platform with which you can talk about all the reasons as to why you’re an ideal fit for that particular sixth form.

With that being said, there are still certain things that you should remember to include. Let’s dive into these in a little more detail.

1. Why do you want to attend that specific college or sixth form?

One of the big questions that admissions officers will have about your application revolves around why you want to attend their specific college or sixth form. Therefore, it’s important you dedicate at least part of your statement to talking about your reasons for wanting to study there.

Before submitting your application for sixth form, it’s highly likely that you have already conducted lots of research about the college, including the A-Level subjects it offers, the facilities it has, as well as its previous performance reports. 

Use this research as an opportunity to talk about all the things at the sixth form which captured your interest and made you want to study there. For example, if the college you are applying to is recognised for its science facilities, perhaps you could write something about how you believe their excellent science faculty - with all its resources and specialist equipment - will help you to excel in the future.

Of course, there are many aspects of a sixth form which you can include as part or all of your reason for studying there, including the following:

The schools’ ethos 

Facilities and equipment

Its academic specialism (if applicable) 

The teaching staff

The subjects it offers

Careers and university guidance support

The extracurricular activities on offer

2. What are your future aspirations?

Secondly, another key thing to talk about within your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about your goals for the future.

Sixth form colleges are passionate about making sure students are able to achieve their full potential, and they’ll want to understand your aspirations so they know whether they can offer you the support to make that happen. 

When writing your personal statement, remember to leave plenty of room to discuss what your plans for the future are, and why that sixth form can help you get there. Explain how the subjects you’ve applied for, as well as the college’s facilities, staff and students can help you achieve your goal.

Even if you’re not sure what you may want to pursue beyond sixth form, you should still talk about all the opportunities the sixth form could offer you. For example, does the college have a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities available, where you can build a portfolio of skills and experience? Or do they have a reputable careers and guidance service that can help you to narrow down your options?

3. What relevant experience do you have to support your future goals?

Your personal statement is an opportunity to really build a positive image of yourself, highlighting why you are the most dedicated, passionate student that the college could wish for. 

Therefore, when writing about your aspirations for the future, it’s important to try and include any relevant experience that proves your commitment to your chosen subjects and, (if decided on) career path. 

Here, try to illustrate how these experiences have given you new skills or made you think about your future plans. For example, has babysitting made you consider a career working with children as a teacher or child psychologist? Or has your paper round taught you how to manage time effectively, ensuring that you always get the job complete on time?

There really is no limit to the type of experience you can include in your personal statement. In fact, the more relevant experience you can add, the better it will be at helping to prove your commitment to pursuing a particular career path or subject in the future.

Just remember to only include relevant experience and link it back to your reasons for choosing the subjects and college you’re applying for. Personal statements usually have strict word or character limits, so you don’t want to waste words talking about experiences that won’t help to illustrate your dedication to a particular subject field.  

4. What are your personal qualities?

Another important aspect of your personal statement for sixth form needs to include some detail around your personal qualities and attributes, and how they can help you excel during your time at the sixth form college you’re applying to?

Now, this doesn’t mean you should simply write down every single good quality about yourself. Instead, it’s about selecting a few but well-descript qualities that you presume to be your best, as backed by solid evidence or experience. 

There’s no limit to what type of qualities you may want to include in your list. But a good place to start could be thinking about what type of qualities you think would shine well at the sixth form college you are applying to. 

Would you consider yourself to be a hard worker? Polite? Reliable? Well-organised with your time and tasks? You can even read through the sixth form college’s syllabus to see what type of  words they use to describe their students and ethos and then incorporate the ones you have into your personal statement. 

Remember to always back up your claims with specific examples. E.g., is it common for your teachers at school to call you a polite or hardworking student? Can your school mates depend on you during project work to complete your tasks ahead of deadlines? The more concrete evidence you have to support your points, the better - it gives more validity to everything you’re saying about yourself.

5. What extracurricular activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

Finally, another important element of your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about what you enjoy doing in your spare time, including any  hobbies or clubs you participate in. 

Sixth form colleges will be using your personal statement to gain insights about you as an individual - not just as a student at their college. Therefore, you should try and provide some details about what you do outside of school so they can gain a better understanding of you as a young person. 

What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy doing in your spare time and why? How often do you do it? After doing these activities, have you gone on to develop any skills? Are any of these skills transferable to the subjects you hope to study or your plans for the future?

It’s also important to include any that have gone on to earn you any certificates, medals or awards. For example, include any musical gradings you have obtained, any sports team awards you have won, or any extracurricular awards you have obtained, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award. 

The more information you can include to demonstrate your hard work, commitment and effort - the better. Sixth form colleges will be curious to learn more about your personality and see whether it fits nicely with their ethos and current student body. 

Lastly, some do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement for sixth form

Although we’ve covered the five essential elements of a personal statement, it’s important to be aware of some additional do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement - to make it the very best it can be. 

Write formally, using your best English: Be meticulous with your spelling and grammar checks to ensure there are no inaccuracies. Any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors may indicate that you’ve not taken the time to carefully proofread your work, which doesn’t present the best initial impression.

Show your enthusiasm: Include as much detail as possible about your dreams for the future and how the sixth form can help you achieve those dreams. The college will want to see that you are enthusiastic about studying with them, and will also look favourably on students who are passionate about learning, excelling themselves, and reaching their future goals.

Ask your friends and family to read your personal statement: It can be really beneficial to ask your friends, family, teachers and/or carers to read through drafts of your personal statement. Coming at it with a completely fresh view, they’ll be able to identify areas for improvement, highlight anything you may have missed, and ensure your spelling and grammar is perfect.

Leave it until the last minute: It’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to plan out exactly what you want to write in your personal statement, have time to draft a couple of versions, give it to others for feedback, and have room for final spelling and grammar checks. Don’t put off writing your personal statement until it’s too late for you to be able to produce your best version.

Exaggerate any details: If you are invited to interview at the sixth form college, you may be asked to talk about what you have written in your personal statement. Here, anything you’ve exaggerated will become obvious, and the admissions team won’t look favourably on those who have twisted the truth to advance their application.  

Let your nerves get the better of you: Writing a personal statement for sixth form can be nerve-wracking, especially when sitting down to write your first draft. Don’t let your worry stop you from applying - most colleges and sixth forms base their decisions on a combination of requirements, including your grades, interview and school references - personal statements make up only a proportion of the decision.

Writing your personal statement for sixth form is an opportunity for you to share information about yourself, your goals and achievements, in the way that you want to be portrayed. 

Colleges and boarding schools want to know all about you - what you want to study and why, what you do alongside your academia, and what matters the most to you - it’s a chance for them to understand what makes you tick and where your passions lie, so they can be sure you’re the ideal student for their institution. 

When writing your personal statement, keep in mind the various points we’ve included in the article above, so you can be sure you’ve covered all aspects of the personal statement which are most important to the sixth form college or boarding school. 

As daunting as it may sound, your personal statement really is a chance to help sell yourself to the school - so use it as a ground with which you can show off everything that’s so great about you. Your application is made up of several other factors, and your personal statement is only one part of that overarching submission.

Just remember, as long as you plan far enough in advance for you to be able to write a few drafts and obtain feedback from friends and family, you can take comfort in the fact that you’ve submitted your best possible statement. Keep calm, draft it out, and most importantly - good luck!   

Add an online learning experience to your personal statement

Looking to add some practical experiences to your personal statement? Want to demonstrate your commitment to your subject or to your passion for learning in general? Discover our collection of online learning programmes to start building a competitive edge over other applicants.

With a range of university-style subjects available, gain clarity over your future pursuits, explore the subjects that you find most interesting, and get ahead for the future.

You can even choose how you want to learn; study one-to-one with an expert tutor through scheduled Tutorials , or learn amongst a small group of students, online, with our 2-week Academic Online Courses .

The power of connection makes for endless opportunities. Study with some of the world’s very best tutors in the world, from the comfort of your own home. Study with Melio .

Submit an application to study with us or book a call with our admissions team for further information. 

© 2021 Melio

• Advice & Tips

Crafting Winning Personal Statements for Sixth Form: Examples and Steps

6 March 2024

Introduction

In today's competitive job market, both job seekers and employers face numerous challenges. Job seekers need to find a way to stand out from the crowd and showcase their skills and experiences effectively, while employers are constantly seeking qualified candidates who align with their company culture and values.

One crucial aspect of the job application process, especially for those in their final year of secondary school looking to enter sixth form, is the personal statement. A well-crafted personal statement not only highlights an individual's strengths and aspirations but also provides insight into their personality and potential fit within a specific academic setting.

Understanding the Importance of Personal Statements for Sixth Form

As students transition from secondary school to sixth form, the pressure to stand out among their peers escalates. Among the various requirements for sixth form applications, personal statements play a crucial role in showcasing a student's personality, academic achievements, and future aspirations. A well-crafted personal statement can be the key to unlocking opportunities for further education and future career prospects.

The Significance of Personal Statements in Sixth Form Applications

A personal statement is more than just a piece of writing; it is an opportunity for students to express their individuality and demonstrate their suitability for the chosen course or institution. Admissions tutors use personal statements to gain insight into a student's motivations, interests, and goals beyond what can be gleaned from grades and qualifications.

• Highlights unique qualities: Personal statements allow students to showcase what sets them apart from other applicants, such as extracurricular activities, work experience, or personal achievements.
• Demonstrates commitment: By articulating their passion for a particular subject or field of study, students can demonstrate their dedication and enthusiasm to pursue further education.
• Reflects on future goals: Personal statements provide a platform for students to outline their aspirations and how the chosen course or institution aligns with their long-term objectives.

Impact on Decision Making

Personal statements play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for sixth form admissions. They enable admissions tutors to assess a student's suitability for the course, their potential contribution to the institution, and their overall preparedness for higher education.

According to Sarah Johnson, Education Consultant at EduVision UK, "A well-written personal statement can make a significant difference in the selection process. It allows students to demonstrate not only their academic abilities but also their soft skills and personal attributes that are essential for success in sixth form and beyond."

In today's competitive academic landscape, a compelling personal statement can be the deciding factor that sets one student apart from the rest. As such, students must invest time and effort into crafting a personal statement that truly reflects their capabilities and aspirations.

Key Components of a Compelling Sixth Form Personal Statement

When crafting your personal statement for Sixth Form, it's essential to include key components that will make you stand out to admissions tutors. Your personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your accomplishments, skills, and aspirations, so it's crucial to get it right. Here are the key components that should be included in a compelling sixth form personal statement:

Educational Achievements:

Highlight your academic achievements, including subjects you excel in and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Admissions tutors want to see that you have a strong academic record and are passionate about your chosen subjects.

Extracurricular Activities:

Discuss any extracurricular activities you participate in, such as sports teams, clubs, volunteering, or part-time work. This demonstrates your commitment, time management skills, and ability to balance academics with other interests.

Skills and Abilities:

Showcase your transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and organization. Explain how these skills have helped you succeed academically and in other areas of your life.

Career Goals:

Articulate your long-term career goals and how studying at Sixth Form will help you achieve them. Admissions tutors want to see that you have a clear vision for your future and understand how further education fits into your plans.

Passion for Chosen Subjects:

Express your passion for the subjects you want to study at Sixth Form. Share why you are interested in these subjects, what motivates you to learn more about them, and how they relate to your future career aspirations.

Personal Qualities:

Highlight your personal qualities, such as resilience, adaptability, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning. Admissions tutors are looking for well-rounded individuals who will contribute positively to the Sixth Form community.

By including these key components in your personal statement, you can create a compelling narrative that showcases your strengths, ambitions, and suitability for Sixth Form education. Remember to tailor your personal statement to each institution you are applying to and provide specific examples to support your claims.

How to Structure Your Personal Statement for Sixth Form

Structuring your personal statement for sixth form effectively is crucial to make a strong impression on admissions tutors. A well-organized personal statement not only showcases your skills and experiences but also demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Follow these steps to create a winning structure for your sixth form personal statement:

1. Introduction:

Start with a compelling opening that grabs the reader's attention and clearly states your motivation for applying to sixth form. You can begin with an interesting anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a brief summary of your passion for the subject.

2. Educational Background:

Provide a brief overview of your academic achievements, including any relevant subjects, coursework, or projects you have completed. Highlight any specific skills or knowledge you have gained that are related to the course you are applying for.

3. Work Experience and Extracurricular Activities:

Discuss any work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities that have helped you develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, or problem-solving. Relate these experiences to how they have shaped your career aspirations.

4. Career Goals:

Outline your long-term career goals and explain how attending sixth form will help you achieve them. Emphasize your passion for the subject and your commitment to furthering your education to reach your objectives.

5. Skills and Attributes:

Highlight specific skills, qualities, and attributes that make you a suitable candidate for sixth form. This could include your ability to work independently, your strong work ethic, your creativity, or your attention to detail.

6. Conclusion:

End your personal statement by summarizing why you are a perfect fit for sixth form and reiterating your enthusiasm for the course. Finish with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Remember to keep your personal statement concise, focused, and relevant to the course you are applying for. Avoid including irrelevant information or going off on tangents that do not contribute to your overall narrative.

By following this structured approach, you can create a cohesive and persuasive personal statement that showcases your unique qualities and convinces admissions tutors of your suitability for sixth form.

Dos and Don'ts of Writing a Sixth Form Personal Statement

When crafting your personal statement for sixth form, it's vital to showcase your strengths and personality effectively. Here are some dos to keep in mind:

• Showcase your passion: Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subjects you want to study or the career path you aim to follow.
• Be authentic: Write in your voice and be true to yourself. Admissions officers appreciate genuine personal statements.
• Highlight your achievements: Mention any relevant academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, or work experience that set you apart.
• Tailor your statement: Customise your personal statement for each sixth form you apply to, highlighting why you're a great fit for their programme.
• Seek feedback: Ask teachers, mentors, or family members to review your personal statement and provide constructive criticism.

Avoid common pitfalls when writing your personal statement by steering clear of the following don'ts:

• Plagiarise content: Never copy someone else's work. Your personal statement should reflect your unique experiences and aspirations.
• Rely on clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases or generic statements. Be specific and original in your writing.
• Overshare personal information: Maintain professionalism by not divulging overly personal details that are unrelated to your academic pursuits.
• Use slang or jargon: Keep your language formal and professional. Avoid slang terms or industry-specific jargon that may not be universally understood.
• Leave it until the last minute: Give yourself ample time to write, edit, and revise your personal statement. Rushing the process can result in a subpar submission.

6: Tips for Making Your Sixth Form Personal Statement Stand Out

Crafting a compelling personal statement for sixth form can be the key to securing a spot in your desired educational institution. Here are some expert tips to help your personal statement stand out from the rest:

Highlight Your Unique Qualities

Focus on what sets you apart from other candidates. Whether it's a particular skill, experience, or passion, make sure to showcase what makes you unique.

Showcase Your Achievements

Provide specific examples of your accomplishments and how they have prepared you for sixth form. Highlight any awards, extracurricular activities, or responsibilities you have taken on.

Demonstrate Your Interest in the Chosen Field

Explain why you are passionate about the subject you want to study in sixth form. Show that you have a genuine interest and understanding of the field.

Be Genuine and Authentic

Avoid using clichés or trying to impress with overly elaborate language. Be honest, sincere, and let your true personality shine through in your personal statement.

Tailor Your Statement to Each Institution

Customize your personal statement for each sixth form you are applying to. Research the institution and mention specific aspects that attract you to their program.

Seek Feedback and Revise

Ask teachers, mentors, or family members to review your personal statement and provide feedback. Revise your statement based on their suggestions to ensure it is clear and impactful.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex sentences. Make sure your personal statement is easy to read and understand, while still showcasing your academic abilities and aspirations.

Start Early and Plan Ahead

Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, and revise your personal statement. Starting early will allow you to create a strong and polished final version.

Show Your Future Goals

Share your ambitions and career goals in your personal statement. Demonstrating a clear vision of your future can impress admissions officers and show your commitment to success.

By following these expert tips, you can create a standout personal statement for sixth form that captures the attention of admissions tutors and increases your chances of securing a place in your desired institution.

Expert Insights on Crafting an Effective Personal Statement for Sixth Form

Expert opinion: sarah johnson, founder of eliteprep uk.

"Crafting a compelling personal statement for sixth form is crucial as it provides insight into the student's personality, academic achievements, and future aspirations. It's essential to strike a balance between showcasing your strengths and demonstrating your passion for the chosen field."

Expert Advice: Dr. Alexander Hughes, Career Coach at Success Path Consulting

"When writing a personal statement for sixth form, students should focus on highlighting their unique qualities and experiences. Avoid clichés and generic statements, instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and potential contribution to the school community."

Expert Perspective: Rebecca Patel, Admissions Consultant at Insightful Futures

"Personal statements offer students the opportunity to convey their enthusiasm for learning and outline their goals for the future. Tailoring your statement to each school you apply to shows dedication and genuine interest in joining their academic community."

Expert Viewpoint: Professor James McGregor, Education Specialist at Global Scholars Institute

"A well-crafted personal statement can set you apart from other applicants and leave a lasting impression on admissions committees. Focus on narrating your academic journey, extracurricular activities, and future ambitions in a concise and engaging manner."

Seeking advice from industry experts like Sarah Johnson, Dr. Alexander Hughes, Rebecca Patel, and Professor James McGregor can provide invaluable insights into the art of creating a standout personal statement for sixth form. By incorporating their recommendations, students can enhance their chances of securing a spot at their desired educational institution.

Real-life Examples of Successful Sixth Form Personal Statements

1. example 1: passion for economics.

"During my GCSEs, I discovered my passion for economics while studying business studies. I was fascinated by how economic theories influence global markets and decisions. To deepen my understanding, I attended online lectures and read publications by leading economists like Paul Krugman. This motivated me to pursue a career in economics and contribute positively to society."

2. Example 2: Commitment to Social Change

"Growing up in a socio-economically diverse community, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by marginalized groups. This inspired me to volunteer at local charities and organize fundraisers for social causes. Through these experiences, I developed empathy, leadership skills, and a strong sense of social responsibility. I aim to study sociology to drive positive change and advocate for underrepresented voices."

3. Example 3: Innovation in Technology

"From a young age, I have been fascinated by technology and its potential to revolutionize industries. My participation in coding workshops and hackathons honed my technical skills and sparked my interest in artificial intelligence. I aspire to study computer science to innovate solutions that address real-world problems and shape the future of technology."

These real-life examples illustrate the diversity of interests and motivations that can be showcased in a compelling sixth form personal statement. By sharing personal anecdotes, aspirations, and experiences, applicants can stand out to admissions tutors and demonstrate their suitability for their chosen course.

Statistics on the Impact of Well-Written Personal Statements in the Job Market

Personal statements play a crucial role in the job application process, especially for sixth form students looking to make a strong impression on prospective employers. Let's delve into some statistics that highlight the impact of well-crafted personal statements in the competitive job market:

1. Increased Interview Opportunities:

Studies have shown that candidates with well-written personal statements are 50% more likely to secure interview opportunities compared to those with generic CVs.

2. Higher Chance of Job Offers:

According to research conducted by JobSearch Insights, applicants who include a tailored personal statement in their applications are 40% more likely to receive job offers from employers.

3. Enhanced Employability Skills:

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reports that employers highly value communication and self-presentation skills, with 75% stating that a well-crafted personal statement can significantly enhance a candidate's employability prospects.

4. Positive Employer Perception:

A survey conducted by HireNow revealed that 90% of employers consider personal statements as a key factor in forming a positive perception of applicants, showcasing their passion and commitment to the role.

5. Stand Out from the Competition:

Research by Career Insights UK indicates that 60% of recruiters are more likely to shortlist candidates who provide compelling personal statements, allowing them to stand out in a sea of applications.

These statistics underscore the significance of investing time and effort into creating a standout personal statement when applying for sixth form opportunities. A well-written personal statement can be the key differentiator that sets you apart from other candidates and paves the way for a successful career journey.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As you navigate through the process of crafting your personal statement for sixth form, remember that this document is your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations. It serves as a crucial tool in capturing the attention of admissions tutors and highlighting why you are an ideal candidate for the course.

Final Words of Advice

Remember to tailor your personal statement to each specific institution and course, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Be genuine, reflective, and enthusiastic, as these qualities can make your statement more compelling and memorable to readers. Use the tips and examples provided to guide you in creating a standout personal statement that sets you apart from other applicants.

Continued Support from Experts

Experts like Sarah Johnson, Founder of Academic Success Consultancy, emphasize the importance of seeking feedback on your personal statement. "Don't hesitate to reach out to teachers, careers advisors, or online platforms like EssayHub for professional guidance and constructive criticism," Johnson advises. "Objective feedback can help you fine-tune your statement for maximum impact." With dedication, creativity, and attention to detail, you can create a personal statement that effectively communicates your passion and potential. Best of luck as you embark on this important step towards your academic and professional future!

How to Write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form College – Guide for 2024

In A-Level by Think Student Editor January 15, 2021 1 Comment

Writing your personal statement can seem like a daunting task, and here at Think Student, we would like to provide you with some useful tips on how you can write a successful personal statement. We have compiled a list of 15 do’s and don’ts for writing your personal statement for college, to make your life easier. Perhaps you are confused about structure, what information you should include, or how long your personal statement should be. We hope that this article will answer any questions you may have about the techniques you should use when writing your personal statement.

1. Don’t Be Too Clever With Your Introduction

Your introduction is the first impression that you are going to make on the reader of your personal statement. It should describe you, and be as interesting and engaging as possible, but make sure you don’t overcomplicate it!

You have to remember that you are not writing an essay, and don’t need to summarise what you will talk about. It is simply (as the name would suggest) a way of introducing who you are as a person . Try to make this concise so you can discuss your achievements and interests for the majority of your personal statement.

2. Don’t Repeat Sentence Starters Too Much

One of the ways that you can make your writing more interesting is by varying the sentence starters you use throughout your personal statement. There are many different ways that you can do this, but the most important thing that you should remember is that your sentences should not all start with ‘I…’.

You will be aware of some sentence openings from your English lessons, but here are some examples of words you could use to help you out:

• Adverb Openings: Similarly, Slowly, Fortunately….
• Verb Openings: Learning, Working, Being part of…
• Connective Openings: Although, Despite…

There are many examples of words that you may like to use to start your sentences, and this is simply a small limited set of examples. However, you should also be aware of the sentence openings which are most commonly used, so that you can try to stay away from them to make your personal statement stand out! Some examples of these can be found here .

3. Do Use Vocabulary That You Understand

One of the common mistakes that people make when writing their personal statements is using complex vocabulary in the wrong context, which can make their writing weaker and reduce the quality of their personal statement overall.

Instead, you should be using the vocabulary that you understand. Your personal statement should be a reflection of your understanding. If you can include some complex vocabulary – great, if not however, you shouldn’t worry.

As long as you personal statement is coherent, and gets across the messages that you want it to (like your achievements and reasons for applying for a particular course), it is better that it makes sense than to try to overcomplicate things by using strange vocabulary!

4. Do Talk About Your Extra-Curricular Activities

Your extracurricular activities showcase who you are outside of your school life. You may play an instrument or a sport, or enjoy something like creative writing in your free time. Whatever the hobby or extra-curricular activity you do, it is certainly worth mentioning.

Talking about your extra-curricular activities shows how you spend your time to further your skills, outside of academia. This is important for enabling your potential sixth form to see how many skills you have. It is even better if you can link the skills you have developed to the subjects that you are interested in studying at sixth form!

5. Don’t Just Talk About Your Extra-Curricular Activities

Although the extra-curricular activities that you do should be mentioned in your writing, it is important that they don’t take over your personal statement. They are important, but your personal statement is not intended to be a way to only showcase these!

You need to make up the majority of your personal statement with other aspects – namely your academic achievement, and how and why you are interested in the subjects that you would like to study at sixth form college.

You should make sure that your personal statement has a good balance of information about achievements within school, outside of school, and reasons for your interest in the subjects that you want to take.

6. Do Make it Specific to You

Your sixth form college will receive many applications from prospective students, and you want to make yours stand out. The information that you choose to include needs to be relevant, and most importantly, specific to you.

Obviously, you will have to include similar types of information to everyone else, but it is absolutely essential that you do not copy any part of your personal statement from online sources, or even your friends.

In order to make your personal statement specific to you, you should consider the things that make you stand out from other candidates. These could be skills that you have developed that are relevant to your course, or (as I said before) extracurricular activities.

Avoiding things like common sentence starters (as mentioned in point 2), will also make your writing style more unique, and specific to you.

7. Don’t Include Cliché Analogies

I won’t go into this one too much at all. We all know what kind of sentences fit into this category. If you are stuck, here’s two to avoid:

• “Since the very first day I was born, I wanted to become…”
• “From a young age, I’ve always dreamt of becoming a…”

8. Don’t Lie About What You Have Achieved

Lying about achievements is a bad idea all the time, but this is especially true when writing a personal statement. Your chances of being found out are incredibly high, and it serves you no purpose in the long run.

You should be proud of your actual achievements, and be able to promote yourself without lying. In fact, a personal statement is intended to be something that showcases who you are as a person, and so lying presents you as a liar – which is not a label that you should want.

However tempting it is to add a couple of extra achievements to your list, it is not worth it, and will not benefit you at all. Starting at sixth form college is an opportunity to start a new chapter in your life – meeting new people and studying new subjects – and you don’t want to start out by lying.

9. Do Show Genuine Interest Towards Your Chosen Subjects

The subjects that you choose at A-Level should be the subjects that you find the most interesting and want to pursue in the future . Because of this, you shouldn’t find it difficult to communicate your interest in your subjects to your sixth form.

If you’re not sure where to start, you could talk about:

• Why you have chosen the subjects
• How they relate to your GCSE subjects
• What you would like to do with the subjects that you have chosen in the future (more about this in point 15!)
• What things you do outside of school that relate to the subjects that you have chosen (if there aren’t any, don’t worry – these are just an extra!)

Your interest in your subjects should come across all the way through your personal statement, because of your writing style and general tone , though this can sometimes be hard to achieve, which is one of the reasons that you should leave plenty of time for writing and editing your personal statement!

10. Don’t Come Across as Arrogant

Although you want to showcase your achievements in the most positive way possible, you should make sure that you don’t come across as arrogant – try not to sound like a know it all! You are moving on to your next stage of learning, and you want it to come across that you are willing to put in the effort to learn the things that you don’t know!

As with showing your interest in you subjects, this is more of a tone thing than anything else, so make sure you leave plenty of time for amendments. You can do this using feedback from teachers, parents or even friends, but make sure that you check that you have come across positively.

11. Do Keep an Eye on Your Word Count

Your personal statement needs to be a general overview of your interests, skills and experience. This may seem like a lot to cover but luckily, you don’t need to go into too much detail.

Your colleges will be receiving a lot of personal statements in a short amount of time so you need to make sure that your personal statement includes all of the relevant information, without making it too wordy.

You should try and limit your writing to roughly one A4 page. By doing this, you can ensure that you only include important details, and whoever ends up reading your personal statement can get all the information they need relatively quickly.

If you are struggling with condensing your writing down to the appropriate amount, try and include things that you can elaborate on in a future interview. If you state your skills and achievements without talking about them individually in great length, you will be able to include a greater variety of things.

12. Don’t Forget About Your Personal Statement’s Structure

Your personal statement requires planning, and so should have a structure which is logical and well thought out. This is not to say that there is only one way to structure your personal statement, but you do need to plan out your personal statement so that it flows in a coherent way.

You could choose to follow your introduction with paragraphs which are categorised into subjects, each one including the reasons for you wanting to study it, any potential extra-curricular activities that you do which are related, and why it would be useful for your future goals.

Alternatively, you could categorise your paragraphs into reasons that you want to study your subjects, your extra-curricular activities, and future goals separately.

Whatever way you would like to structure your personal statement, try to plan it in advance, so that your final personal statement has a good flow and is logically set out.

13. Don’t Forget About Punctuation and Grammar

One of the ways that you can showcase your abilities is by making sure that your personal statement is an example of the best written communication that you are able to produce. One of the important parts of this is the use of correct punctuation and grammar.

This is one of the things that you will be able to perfect in your editing of your personal statement. You may, again, also find the feedback of someone else useful for this – it is often easier to identify someone else’s mistakes than it is to find your own!

You may want to also use online tools to identify mistakes, such as grammarly . The techniques used in your written communication are important, and this is something that (with time) is fairly easy to get right, especially as you have such a long time to write your personal statement.

14. Don’t Rush Your Personal Statement

Making your personal statement something that is specific to you, and well written, is something that will take time and planning. Therefore, you need to make sure that you do not leave writing your personal statement until the last minute! Your school are likely to give you internal deadlines to follow, and it would be useful to make sure that you stick to them, as to ensure that you don’t have to write your personal statement in a state of panic!

It is also important to note that writing a personal statement is something that you will have to do more than once in your lifetime, and so taking advantage of this opportunity to practice writing one well is something that will be useful to you in the future.

You need to make sure that you leave enough time to get feedback from teachers, as well as to edit your writing for clarity and conciseness. Even if you work well under pressure, writing your personal statement is certainly a task that you should be doing in advance of its due date!

15. Do Talk About Your Future Plans After Sixth Form College

Your future plans are something that your sixth form college will be interested in hearing about in your personal statement. They are a way of showing why you are choosing the subjects that you are, as well as demonstrating that you have goals which you are directing your attention towards.

Talking about your future career aspirations is one of the things that can show your sixth form that you are focused on achievement, and have an idea of how you would like to progress. This could give the impression that you will be more hardworking on your college courses.

Keep in mind that your future plans don’t have to be too specific – after all, it is very difficult to know what you would like to do for the rest of your life when you are only 16! If you don’t know what specific career you would like to go into, you may want to simply mention which field you might be interested in going into.

Also remember that providing some information about your current future plans does not commit you to those plans. You can always change your mind about what you would like to do , but it is nice for your college to be able to see that you are planning ahead as best you can when you apply.

Very helpful but frequently 6th Form Admissions ask for the PS to examine why their particular school is the one of choice and just seen one asking me to describe what I will bring to their 6th form

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How to Write a Sixth Form Personal Statement

The sixth form personal statement is a staple in the application process for academically selective schools. It aims to gauge how well-prepared you are to write anything of that sort in a year’s time when applying for undergraduate programmes. In this sense, it is a dress rehearsal for UCAS personal statement writing and should be treated just as seriously. However, there is nothing to worry about, so long as you have the right approach!

Let’s take a look at how to approach the writing process.

Observe the word limit and guidelines

This will give you an idea of the length of your personal statement, and the sort of thing you should include. Adhering to the word limit and submission deadline will start you off on the right foot, signalling to Admissions officers your attention to detail and sense of professionalism.

Do your research

What make this school stand out for you? Is it the programme, facilities, extra-curricular activities, or the culture perhaps? Make sure to include specific examples about why you have chosen to apply to the school and what makes you a good fit. This will demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and are a serious candidate.

Pay attention to structure

A well-structured personal statement and a sense of direction and ‘flow’ between paragraphs and ideas can turn a good personal statement into a great one. Ensure it has a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion. Top tip: reading your personal statement out loud to yourself will help you better understand where it may be lacking flow and coherency.

Back yourself (and back up your claims!)

Use this opportunity to present yourself in the best light. Avoid exaggerating or lying as you may well be caught out later in your interview. You can set yourself apart from other candidates by showcasing your unique, individual interests, qualities, achievements and background.

Of equal importance is including specific examples to back up your claims. How have you engaged with your chosen subjects outside of class? What have your hobbies taught you? You can use these experiences as a gateway to talk about the skills you have gained and can offer alongside your academic ability.

Be succinct

Whether the word limit is 500 or 5000, maximising what you can say in the fewest words possible will demonstrate your range of vocabulary and ability to express your thoughts concisely.

Look to the future

No one expects you to have your whole career mapped out at this stage, but it can be useful to have some ideas of where you want to get to, and how the school can help you get there. Ask yourself what your motivations are for studying your chosen subjects at a higher level, and try to draw links between your interests, the course you want to pursue, and your goals in life.

Be yourself

Your personal statement should be individual to you and let your personality come through. Is there a specific experience or time in your life that was important to you? Use this context as a way to help the reader understand how you think and what inspires you.

Check your spelling and grammar

Proofreading and fine tuning your personal statement may feel tedious, but accuracy is crucial. Mistakes only cause the reader to trip up and lose sight of your main message. Make use of grammar and spell checkers or ask a family member to cast their eye over it to ensure no mistake slips through unnoticed.

Ask for help

Friends, family, and teachers are excellent sounding boards and can help you brainstorm ideas. However, if you are in need of any extra help, please get in touch! Whatever stage you are at in your academic career, our tutors will give you the tools to write a personal statement that leaves a strong lasting impression and sets you apart from other applicants.

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How to write a personal statement that catapults you on to your chosen course

S elling yourself in under 4,000 characters to an academic you've never met is pretty daunting even for the most confident sixth-form student. So we've put together some dos and don'ts to make sure you show yourself in the best possible light.

Here are eight don'ts

Don't spend ages trying to come up with a perfect, snappy first line – write anything and return to it later.

Don't use cliches. According to the Ucas Guide to Getting into University and College , the most overused opening sentences this year were variations of "from a young age I have always been interested in…" This looks formulaic and is a waste of characters.

Famous quotes should be avoided, as these will be found in countless other applications. For instance, this line by Coco Chanel was found in 189 applications for fashion courses this year: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only."

Don't list your interests, demonstrate them. Professor Alan Gange, head of the department of biological sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London, says: "Actually doing something, for example joining a national society or volunteering for a conservation organisation, tells me that students have a passion."

Style matters. Don't be chatty and use slang, but on the other hand, don't be pretentious. Cathy Gilbert, director of customer strategy at Ucas, says: "If you try too hard to impress with long words that you are not confident using, the focus of your writing may be lost."

Don't ask too many people for advice. Input from teachers is helpful, but it is important that the student's personality comes across.

Nicole Frith, 19, who has just started a BSc in Geography at the University of Durham, asked two teachers for advice on content. "I would seriously advise against asking teacher after teacher," she said. "There is no such thing as a perfect personal statement, and everyone has different opinions." Most admissions offices are happy to give general advice, and the Ucas website has video guides on how to plan and write your statement.

Don't be tempted to let someone else write your personal statement for you. A recent news report says sixth-formers are paying up to £350 on the internet for personal statements written by university students. Ucas, which uses fraud detection software to identify cheating, warns of "serious consequences".

Dont' skimp on paragraphs, despite their negative impact on line count. You want your statement to be readable.

And eight dos

Organisation is the key. Caroline Apsey, 19, who started a medical degree at the University of Leeds this term, says: "Before I started writing, I made bullet points of everything I wanted to include, and ordered them from most important to least."

Leave yourself plenty of time for editing. "Start writing early, so that you have lots of time to re-read it with fresh eyes," Caroline says. Then edit and edit and edit again.

Be specific. Lee Hennessy, deputy head of admissions and recruitment at the University of Bath, says: "Don't just say, you're interested in a subject because it's interesting. Ask yourself, what it is, specifically, about the subject that interests you?"

Lee Marsden, associate dean of admissions for the faculty of arts and humanities at the University of East Anglia, agrees: "We want to know what excites the student: perhaps a book they have read or a play they have seen. There needs to be a hook."

Show you are up to date with developments in your subject: perhaps you could analyse a recent journal article or news event.

"You need to tune in to what's current in your subject," says Louise Booth, assistant director of sixth form at Fulford school in York. "For example, if you're a politics candidate: have you been to see the prime minister or your local MP speak?"

Around 80% of your statement should be dedicated to your studies and work experience, and 20% to extra-curricular activities. Hobbies are valuable, but must be used to reveal something relevant about the applicant.

"A simple 'I have done' list is not useful," says Helen Diffenthal, assistant principal for advice and guidance at the Sixth Form College, Farnborough. "Saying that you were captain of the cricket team doesn't make any difference unless you use it to show that you can manage your time effectively."

Be original but treat humour with caution – jokes can fall flat.

"Original is excellent," says Gange. "I once saw a statement written in the style of a tabloid journalism article. It was factual and entertaining; the student gained a place here and got a first."

"We let through quirky statements if the student is quirky," says Booth. "Don't try to be funny if that's not you – it won't work."

Correct spelling and grammar is vital, so use the spell-check on your computer and get other people, such as teachers, to proofread your statement.

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How to write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form

As part of your application for a sixth form place, you may be required to produce a personal statement. Natallia Patsaluyonak, Director of UK Operations at Gabbitas, shares her top tips on how to write a personal statement for sixth form.

Writing a Sixth Form Personal Statement

The purpose of the personal statement is for the school to see your motivations, interests and writing skills, but it is also an opportunity to show off your talents. You should be aiming for a statement that covers 3 main points: what you love, your plan for the future and why this school.

All of your points must be backed up as much as possible with evidence of your achievements, or by showing that you have researched the matter. You should aim to write at least 500-1000 words.

How to structure your Personal Statement

A good personal statement, like an essay, will contain a basic structure which will help you present yourself in the best light possible. This can be broken down into the following sections:

1. Introduction 2. Your main passion (academic/non-academic) 3. Your chosen subjects for A-Level or IB 4. Other interests 5. Conclusion Of course, there will be overlap between the sections, and the end result may not completely resemble this structure, but it is a good way to help you prepare your first draft.

1. Introduction – who are you?

In your introduction, you should summarise your argument. Briefly describe where you currently study, what your aims and objectives are and why this school is the right choice for you. Remember, this is your core pitch, it should be concise, clear and individual to you.

2. Your passion – what do you love?

Here is where you get to talk about what makes you, you. You should be able to talk about your greatest achievements and plans for the future. Your greatest passion could be an academic subject, sport, hobby or musical instrument, but whatever it is, you need to be able to demonstrate how the school can help you develop this passion and why you love it.

3. Your chosen subjects

Here you need to be able to demonstrate why it is that you have chosen these subjects. You should mention what it is about the subject you love, examples of particular topics that you find interesting, and how studying this at A-level/IB will help you succeed in the future.

You may want to add something specific about how you’ve followed up on your interest in this subject outside of school . Furthermore, you should be able to describe how your other interests have helped you grow into the person you are today.

Also your A-Level/IB choices should reflect what you want to do in the future, if you can draw links between your future, your studies and your interests, this is how you create a lasting impact.

4. Other interests

You should mention here anything else about yourself that you believe will help your application. Talk about your other interests, achievements, books you have read, and your background. If you have recently read a news article recently that is relevant to your chosen subjects or yourself, say what you thought about it. Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through!

5. Conclusion

Here you should concisely reiterate your main argument of why you want to study at the school and why you are an ideal candidate for the school.

Final top tips

You should always keep in mind these 5 points when writing your personal statement to help keep it relevant, persuasive and interesting:

• Do your research

The school wants to know why you want to go there, think about why they are your number one choice and what makes this school standout for you. You might get more of a feel for the school through a visit.

No need to ramble on or use unnecessary language, you’ll make a bigger impact if you stick to the most important points. If you’re given a word count, make sure you stick to it.

• Think about your future

Make sure you demonstrate how this is an essential stepping stone for your future education or career. They want to see someone who has a clear idea of their future and what will be required to get there.

• Be passionate about your subjects

Have conviction in your subject choices and use examples of how you have previously shown interest or aptitude for them.

• Be yourself

Don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality out as well.

Writing a personal statement gives you the chance to think about what you have achieved and what you want to do with your future, it will help with any interview preparation as well. Remember this is your chance to sell yourself on paper and Gabbitas consultants are always on hand to help! You can contact us by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 026 7443.

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How long should my personal statement be?

The 'word' limit is 47 lines of text, or 4000 characters. This equates to (roughly) 600 words.

UCAS recommends that you write out your personal statement in a word processor before copying and pasting it into their online application form.

To help you with this, use our personal statement length checker when writing your statement.

When should I start writing my personal statement?

Nobody can write a brilliant personal statement in one draft, so it's important you start early on to make sure your statement is the best it can be.

We recommend you begin jotting down some notes for your initial draft during the summer holidays (July and August) so you have something down before you go back to school/college in the autumn.

How do I write a UCAS personal statement?

To write a great personal statement that will give you the best chance of success, we recommend you:

• Start with why you've chosen your course and what aspect(s) of it interest you most
• Let your passion and enthusiasm shine through
• Don't include over-used phrases such as "From a very young age..." and "I've always wanted to be...".
• Try to be original and give it your own unique voice
• Don't use quotes, humour, jokes or cliches - now is not the time!
• Round off with a summary of what you want to do in the future and how your degree will help you achieve this.

For more tips and advice, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

Where can I get more help and support with my personal statement?

At Studential, we also offer a range of UCAS Personal Editing & Review Services , including ones for:

• UCAS Undergraduate
• UCAS Oxbridge
• UCAS Postgraduate

Our professional editors are here to help those who are struggling with their personal statements, and need a little extra help with putting together a final draft.

You can also use our Personal Statement Template to help you put together your first draft.

What should I not include in my personal statement?

When writing your UCAS personal statement, it's best to avoid the following:

• Humour or jokes
• Cliches and quotes
• Over-used words and phrases
• Lies or stretching the truth
• Not getting feedback from family and friends
• Forgetting to include your skills, work experience and/or personal traits.

For more information, please take a look at our 10 Personal Statement Don'ts .