1. Personal statements

2. Remember: The statement must reflect your own personality & have your voice You will have to validate what you write in interview You must not lie or say you’ve read highfalutin books when you haven’t!

3. Write your statement with your tutor Avoid asking other members of staff for help as you will get conflicting advice Your spelling, punctuation & grammar are important & must be correct

4. What to say Begin with why you want to apply for that course State what your academic strengths are & what units in your A levels you have enjoyed & why Consider your AS results (next September)

5. Be specific about your interests in that course: you should have researched thoroughly what you want to study Remember: not all English/history etc courses will offer the same courses of study. If you’re interested in mediaeval literature, say why

6. Put in what you do in school to help the larger community: toe by toe/CSLA etc Consider your outside interests: universities like to see how you spend your time

7. Be positive & specific Example: I did not gain the results I wanted to at AS but am determined to work hard for my resits to gain the grade I am capable of I tutor maths to a year 7 student after school and really enjoy passing on to him my love of number & pattern.

8. Finally You have to be proud of yourself & say what you can do without sounding arrogant. It may take several drafts to reach your final statement which is a strong & powerful reflection of you.