The new UCAS format
Students have historically struggled with the personal statement and its unspecified structure. Mediocre waffle is usually the response. For this reason UCAS has, this year, changed the format from one undefined block of prose to three specific questions which are:
- Why do you want to study the course of subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
It’s a sensible move and whilst it will help to give students some direction, the same pitfalls remain. To help you avoid some of the classic ones, here are my five top tips.
5 top tips for an outstanding UCAS statement:
- Keep it personal – the clue is in the name. It needs to centre around the pronouns “I” and “me” e.g “I enjoy how…” and “It encourages me to…”. And that also means avoid generics e.g. “Psychology is a fascinating study of human behaviour”. So what?!
- Don’t write an academic essay e.g. when discussing your love of (N.B don’t say “love”) Napoleonic history… “In 1978 Napoleon led a French force into Egypt”. So?! Again, it must be personalised e.g. “I am particularly interested in Napoleon’s Eastern conquests…”
- Be specific. Note the use of the word “particularly” above. Hone down your interests to the Nth degree, so… what Napoleonic war specifically? –> what battle specifically? –> what about that battle specifically?
- Give examples. It’s not enough to list your interests; you have to prove them! What have your read, watched, listened to, visited in pursuit of said interest? THEN, what did you learn from that text, discussion, lecture, exhibition? Anyone can cite books, podcasts, Tedtalks, galleries. An admissions team won’t be impressed or convinced by them unless you can demonstrate engagement with that material and how it shaped your way of thinking.
- Go off syllabus! A stand-out statement is one that showcases an independent and curious mind. It’s entirely reasonable to cite an A Level topic as a springboard off into to wider exploration but stay in the exploration, not the genesis. Think of a child following a bouncy ball down a street: the more bounces you include, the more standout your statement will be.
It’s about qualities
Keep in mind that it’s really about the qualities behind your words. Every admissions team is looking for subject passion (show don’t tell), genuine (and not school demanded) interest; curiosity; independence; critical faculties; integration of learning.
Good luck with it!
Melissa taught Classics and History of Art at Highgate School for 6 years and before that King’s College Wimbledon and North London Collegiate,. She has worked with students to help to shape their personal statements for the last 15 years. She offers 1-1 personal statement / university admissions mentorship and has a 100% record of students getting offers at their top university choices. She also tutors students in Classics (Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation), History of Art, and the 16+ General Paper.
