All students applying to university in the United Kingdom have to write a 4,000-character personal statement which is used by the university admissions team and subject lecturers to decide whether or not to give offers.
Personal Statement
The Careers and HE Departments and Heads of House are experts in helping students craft their personal statement, advising on what to include and what to avoid in order to make the best possible impression.
With so many of our students getting places at top universities, the College has amassed a whole library of top quality personal statements for students to study and learn from. Every August we invite our AS students to come back two weeks early to join us for a dedicated UCAS course where we help students finalise their personal statement and give them advice from our alumni, Dukes Applications and our careers and House Team so that the personal statement is written before term begins. For more information on the UCAS course please click here.
FAQs
How do I write a sixth form personal statement?
A sixth form personal statement explains why you want to study at that sixth form and why you have chosen your A level subjects. Keep it clear and specific. Say which subjects you want to take and why, show what you have done beyond the classroom that proves your interest, such as reading, projects, competitions or clubs, and explain what you hope to study or do afterwards. Finish with what you would bring to the sixth form community. Most sixth form statements are a page or less, so check each school’s guidance on length.
Is there an example of a sixth form personal statement?
Here is a short example of a strong opening: “I want to study Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at A level because I hope to read Medicine at university. Volunteering at a care home last summer showed me how much I enjoy working with people, and reading about new treatments for dementia made me want to understand the science behind them.” It works because it names the subjects, gives a clear goal and backs it up with real experience.
