Whether you’re applying to undergraduate or postgraduate courses, your personal statement is a really important part of your university application. It’s your chance to sell yourself to a university and explain exactly why you’d be a great fit for your chosen course.
Natalie Travis, deputy head of admissions at The University of Law, explains that “a university personal statement is important because it is your chance to tell the admissions team who you are beyond your grades and test scores.”
“It is your opportunity to showcase your unique talents, experiences, and passions, and to explain why you are a good fit for the university and the programme you are applying to,” Natalie finishes.
Ultimately, if it comes down to a choice between you and another applicant with the same grades, it could make all the difference as to whether or not you’re made an offer.
And for law applicants, there are a few extra elements that are worth bearing in mind when you start writing. We’ve spoken to the experts at The University of Law to get their tips on nailing your personal statement.
Plan it out first
It can feel really daunting to sit down and start writing: where to even begin? Take a bit of pressure off by scribbling down some rough notes first, without worrying about the word count or writing in polished sentences.
In terms of the type of thing you should be jotting down, Kelly Black, postgraduate admissions manager at The University of Law, explains that “the main thing to remember when writing a personal statement is that it should be individual to you and detail your experience, motivations and personality.”
Once you have a rough plan that covers everything you want to include, you’ll be able to start crafting your personal statement without the risk of forgetting any key points.
Keep it relevant
When writing your personal statement, you’re going to be limited to whichever is shorter: 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of 95 characters (including spaces). Although this may sound like a lot, you could easily find yourself quickly running out of space – so it’s important to keep it tight and only include the most relevant information.
Don’t waste time talking about your educational qualifications, as these will be listed elsewhere on your application. Instead, you’ll want to cover any relevant work experience you’ve had, why you’re interested in the course, any relevant skills or qualities you have that make you a good fit, and any other hobbies or interests that are relevant to your studies.
Natalie explains what admissions teams will be looking for: “We want to see a personal statement that is well-written, thoughtful, and informative. We want to get to know you as a person and to assess your potential for success in university and beyond.”
And Kelly has some advice specifically for postgraduate students applying to a law course: “Focus on the things you have learnt at undergraduate level and speak about your passion for the subject you wish to study.”
Start it strong
An engaging opener could help your personal statement really stand out from the crowd. A strong start will grab your reader’s attention from the get-go, and make them want to find out more.
Natalie has some practical advice: “Begin with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a personal anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question.”
Shout about your strengths
Don’t be shy about highlighting any achievements that you’re particularly proud of; your personal statement definitely isn’t the place to be humble. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for the admissions team to understand why they should offer you a place.
“Clearly articulate your strengths, skills, and qualifications. Use specific examples from your academic and professional experiences to demonstrate how you possess the qualities that make a successful law student,” comments Natalie.
Connect it to law
Your personal statement should explain why you want to study law specifically: “Be clear about why you would like to study law. Write about what motivates you to study law over other subjects,” advises Natalie.
“Think about what purpose a law degree will serve in your personal and professional development. You can also talk about why you would make a good law student and evidence that in your personal statement. For applicants who haven’t previously studied law, explain what attracted you to the discipline and draw on your own experiences,” Natalie shares.
It’s also worth thinking about how things you’ve achieved could be linked to law, even if the connection isn’t immediately obvious. Were you involved in a debating club at school, for example, or did you conduct a particularly in-depth research project?
“Link your past experiences, whether academic, professional, or personal, to your interest in law. Explain how these experiences have shaped your desire to pursue a legal education,” says Natalie.
For postgraduate students, Kelly advises “researching the course you are applying for to make sure it is the right course for you and detailing why you are a good fit for the course. Keep it clear, concise and use positive language.”
“Tailor your personal statement so that it is specific to your chosen course. You can do this by speaking about areas of the course that particularly interest you and how this links into your career aspirations,” Kelly finishes.
Be authentic
The clue is in its name: your personal statement should be personal to you. Natalie advises that you “don't try to be someone you're not. The admissions team wants to get to know the real you.”
“Reflect on challenges you've faced and discuss how these experiences have contributed to your personal and intellectual growth. Admissions officers are often interested in reading about your experiences and what led you to choose a particular subject,” Natalie continues.
And remember to let your love for the subject shine through.
Natalie explains that you should “convey a sincere passion for the law and a genuine interest in the specific law school to which you are applying. Research the program thoroughly and explain why it's the right fit for you.”
Avoid these pitfalls
Natalie has a few words of wisdom on common mistakes that applicants make in their personal statements.
First of all, “avoid using clichés and generic phrases. Admissions officers read many personal statements, and clichéd language can make your application blend in rather than stand out,” says Natalie.
Secondly, “don’t overuse quotes. While an occasional quote can be powerful, overusing quotes or relying too heavily on them may give the impression that you're not able to express your thoughts and experiences in your own words,” Natalie comments.
Triple-check for mistakes
Don’t let yourself fall at the final hurdle. Once you’ve whipped your personal statement into a shape you’re happy with, read it through a couple of times to check for any mistakes. It’s also well worth asking family and friends to cast their eyes over it too, just in case anything has slipped through that you’ve missed.
“Proofread carefully to avoid grammatical errors, typos, or other mistakes. A well-written and polished statement demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism,” Natalie comments.
Once you’re happy that your personal statement is error-free and truly represents you, you’re ready to hit that submit button – and hopefully the offers will start rolling in. Best of luck!
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