WHAT TO AVOID IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

Trinity College, Cambridge

Very few sixth formers have ever written a job-application yet, so the thought of having to produce  a convincing personal statement geared largely (but not totally!) towards getting into Oxford and Cambridge can be terrifying. Here, therefore, is a list of  key things to avoid, plus some financial information:

     Not checking which A-level subjects are essential for your chosen course:  there are rigid subject rules when it comes to some Oxbridge courses, while others, including Law, accept quite a wide range. Unless you read the entry requirements found in the University prospectus with care, you may be throwing away one of your UCAS choices. 

     Failing to show that you are by now independently exploring a degree subject beyond school requirements: what students do at university, above all, is read, so good applicants are avid readers. The statement of an applicant who has only ever read set school texts is unlikely to impress admissions tutors. So, including a brief list of relevant books or journal pieces relevant to your subject and what you learnt from them can be important. Maths applicants may want to mention a few intriguing maths problems they have engaged with instead.

     Not bothering to read the full course description in the Oxbridge prospectus: before mentioning a course aspect you are particularly keen on (such as medieval history), make sure it is actually offered by Oxbridge in conjunction with the course you picked. Getting this wrong may count as laziness.

     Thinking about your degree subject only in the context of your future career: far too many Oxbridge applicants write that they chose Economics because they are "hoping for a career in finance”. What admissions tutors want to know is which subject areas are of interest to you and how you are already exploring them.

      Giving too much space to extra-curriculars: you just want to show that you are organised enough to keep up with a couple of activities alongside your studies. It would be nice if one of these was also vaguely relevant to your course, has offered you some great insight or given you useful skills. Merely listing five different activities is pointless.

     Being too impersonal in your UCAS statement: admissions tutors want to know about you as an individual. By mentioning personal strengths, concerns, achievements or obstacles overcome you may become more memorable, as well as more convincing. 

     Sloppy writing: there is no need for formal language, but applicants are expected to use proper subject terms. Also, your statement must be grammatically correct and without spelling mistakes.

      Asking a well-educated relative or family friend to write your statement for you:  any admissions tutor can tell the writings of a middle-aged graduate from those of a sixth former. Also, the type of student Oxbridge seeks has somewhat changed over the years.

      Copying a UCAS statement found online: admissions tutors have for several years had the software to identify such statements. Do you want to be marked down as a plagiarist?

      Starting too late: Writing a good UCAS statement is a major job. If you leave it to the last minute, the end result could be not just typos but a confused narrative and damaging  omissions.

     Dropping the whole idea due to money worries: fearing that Oxbridge fees, plus living costs, are well beyond your family's means can make a student drop the whole idea of going there. Fees for UK students are, in fact, still the same at all Russell Group universities and there is no up-front payment. University fees are paid very slowly by instalments only once a student has graduated and is earning at least £25,725 a year. For details, see the advice by money expert Martin Lewis.

     As for living costs, both Oxford and Cambridge now offer poorer students very generous, non-repayable grants covering much of those as an alternative (or in addition) to government loans.  At Oxford, these grants are as high as £4,200 a year for students whose annual family income is no more than £16,000, and  even those with a family income of around £40,000 a year do still qualify for something. Cambridge offers £3,500 a year, plus lots of smaller additional grants. Both universities also offer special grants to some young refugees which cover all costs.  

    Need more help? You'll find full details on all aspects of your personal statement in my unique guide,  OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE: THE REAL RULES.                                                                                              

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