Personal Statement - Geography 6

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Stepping outside into the bustling multicultural streets of London, or standing at Embankment on a river terrace by the Thames, I enjoy putting all aspects of my life into a geographical context, which are the roots of my enthusiasm. I recently watched the BBC documentary series 'The Secret History of Our Streets', which examined the social changes on certain streets in the last century or so, using Charles Booth's maps of London. The series illustrated the social and economic reasons as to why areas of London had been gentrified and I was particularly captivated by the changes that occurred on Camberwell Grove, as I know the area well. I was amazed to see the grove move from middle-class affluence, to a cohesive working-class community and back to the middle-classes, who restored and gentrified the homes. Reading 'Gentrification' by Loretta Lees et al, increased my understanding about this phenomenon. Subsequently I attended a debate at the Royal Society of the Arts about large culturally-led regeneration projects, where I was interested by the theory that governments could use these projects to spark the regeneration of a whole area. However, this may lead to gentrification as certain social or ethnic groups could become alienated.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I also enjoy the interdisciplinary merits that Geography offers and I find it thoroughly gratifying when I am able to make links between it and my other studies. A level Physics supports the statistics and data analysis involved in Geography, while aiding aspects of physical Geography, such as the pressures involved in plate tectonics. I learnt more about this topic and Earth hazards while reading Bill McGuire's 'A Guide to The End of the World', which I found slightly sinister, yet riveting. I have also found my knowledge from Economics A level to be invaluable. While studying aspects of historical Geography in the AS population module, I was able to apply the contextual knowledge gained in English Pre-U. I made connections between Dickensian concepts of poverty and the ideas of Thomas Malthus, which I was particularly struck by. This led me to Fred Pearce's 'People Quake', which offers strong views and critical concerns about the world population. I found Pearce's optimistic view to be refreshing, in contrast to Malthus' doomsday-like predictions. Due to my Caribbean heritage, the views surrounding human strains on the environment struck an emotional chord because I have seen firsthand how rising sea levels and the consequent increased coastal erosion are threatening communities.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

My interest in the impacts of the fall of communism in Russia was what originally led me to read 'The Road Home' by Rose Tremain, where I found issues of migration and the psychological impacts compelling. I increased my knowledge in migration and added a political dimension when I participated in a Model UN conference where I debated refugee issues and quotas. Representing China, I gained a new perspective, as I had to consider the vast population and the communist government's ideals. I put forward an amendment, which was then passed successfully, that took account of a nation's GDP and habitable land when determining a refugee quota, instead of setting the same quota for all countries. Being a principal editor and Economics sub-editor for my school magazine, while volunteering twice weekly, working with young and disabled children at a theatre company, was challenging at times, but I achieved a healthy balance between this and my studies. These experiences have helped improve my confidence, decisiveness and communication skills, and I intend to continue with similar activities at university. I am certain that my experiences will aid me well in coping with the pressure of studying for a Geography Degree. I look forward to studying, conversing and being challenged by like-minded people in a highly stimulating environment and am eager to make a positive contribution to the Geography Department.

Universities applied to:

• Bristol
• Durham
• Edinburgh
• King's College London
• Oxford

Grades achieved:

• Geography (A2) - A*
• Economics (A2) - A
• English (Pre-U) - D1 (equivalent to A*+)
• Physics (A2) - B

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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