Blog post by Koko Lotharukpong | October 2020
Brainstorming ideas? Check.
Structuring your Personal Statement? Check.
Actually start writing it? … laughs nervously
Putting pen on paper can be really difficult, especially when you don’t know how to start writing your Personal Statement. Here’s some useful information to help you get started.
Please be aware that there are many different ways to write a successful Personal Statement - this is just how I approached mine. So do whatever feels right to you! The Personal Statement is the only place where you’re able to reveal some aspects of your real self to the university. That's why it’s really important that the tone and content of your PS reflects YOU - otherwise, even if you get into your dream university and course, you may end up not liking your experience there.
When I wrote my first draft for my Personal Statement, I spent a lot of time trying to craft the ‘perfect’ opening sentence. This is something a lot of students struggle with!
I totally understand - it’s really easy to fall into a mindset where you convince yourself that only the best, most aggressively flashy opening sentences will ensure your Personal Statement will even be considered.
That being said, most students I know eventually settled into writing an opening sentence that got straight to the point. The first few lines of your Personal Statement are there for you to clarify why you’re applying to a particular course.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t be enthusiastic, or have a killer opening sentence. It just means that - whatever you decide your first sentence will be - it needs to add substance to your Personal Statement.
There’s no need to write a flashy but ultimately empty beginning. Focus on writing something that clearly conveys the purpose of your Personal Statement.
Some things to think about:
If you do it right, this section’s where your Personal Statement will really shine!
Here, you should be focused on clearly and succinctly explaining why you’re suitable for this course.