Let’s get this organised and make a game plan. Firstly, figuring out possible helpers is a good idea.
1. Family: They may not be great at expressing it, but your parents and siblings know you best because they have lived with you. Do not pester them to help you with the actual writing part of it (unless your mother is a teacher or your father an educational counsellor). But do discuss your plans with them, for expressing your thoughts will actually help you to get it all organised. Please ensure that you do not end up getting pressed or motivated into choosing your parent’s profession in the bargain.
2. Friends: They are your competitors now, and that has changed everything suddenly. But they are still a source of that valuable ‘third party opinion’. It will also help you decide whether you are really choosing what you want to do and have the capacity to do, or just following a fad.
3. The UCAS site: Visit it, please. It is really helpful to know what they have to say in this regard. After all, it was their idea to start this, and they have a guideline on this, which is the first thing you should read concerning the personal statement. Yes, even before discussing it with your best friend.
4. The University Site: Of course, you have visited it. But only as one seeking admission, right? Now go back to do a thorough research. Who are the illustrious alumni, your future faculty, the research topics chosen by the doctoral students of your department, what the student forums have to say, press reports on the university et al. What is the use of all this labour? Once you know your university thoroughly, you will have a better idea about what is wanted from you.
5. Internet: Look through all the sites that look friendly and precise. Check them thoroughly before subscribing to any of them.
6. Educational counselors: Professional counsellors can be of great help; they will let you do all the organising and writing and thinking, while remaining as guides rather than dictators. Please do not trust someone who is more eager to hand you a highly priced photocopy of statements (no matter how inviting the thought of copying and pasting is), rather than listen to you.
7. Your teachers: If you have had a good relation with your teachers at school, then now is the time to ask for their help. Have a discussion with them, and note what they have to say. The meeting may not go very well, but if they make any valid points against your statement, it may be worthwhile to note them down. If your teacher wasn’t convinced after knowing you and liking you then the chances of a complete stranger who has to read loads of statements getting convinced is even slimmer.
Companies and Services
The net is flooded with companies offering help with personal statements. The best way to choose among them is by going through their services comprehensively.
1. Is it all advertised as “Free, Free, Free”? Be careful, because it is also probably useless. No one is out here for charity.
2. Good companies will have copies of actual personal statements, a guideline for writing one yourself, and other more customised services. They would also have a credentials section and a few press clips. If they are unwilling to communicate in any way apart from the net – once again – be on guard.
3. A good company will always discourage you to click, copy and paste. In fact, they would want you to think on your statement yourself, and only look upon them as helpers.
A Sample Site
This is a site that comes in the first page of Google search if you are looking for help on personal statements in
1. Their freebies come only if you buy something.
2. They have a very neat, tailor-made services section.
3. They have the testimonials, experienced staff, and seem eager to communicate.
Now that things are beginning to settle down, go on. The world is waiting for you.
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are a UK or Overseas student applying for a place in a UK University, to stand out from the thousands of others, it is essential to have striking Personal Statement, for more information and professional guidance, see http://www.personal-statement.co.uk
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