Personal Statement:Natural Sciences 32

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

What really interests me about the sciences is that they are always changing and offer a real chance to do something new, to make a difference. It is because new disciplines are constantly opening up that I am applying for Natural Sciences. I feel that a strong grounding in several fields is most likely to support research in tomorrow’s world.

The idea of a scientific career has interested me ever since I decided that becoming an astronaut was improbable. I have greatly enjoyed being introduced to more complex theories at A level, and how they can be tested by well-designed experiments. The links that emerge between different areas - particularly biology and chemistry - strike me as particularly useful tools for thinking up new ideas and explanations. I thought this principle was particularly well shown in an article I read recently about selective breeding of bacteria to yield novel enzymes that could greatly reduce the cost and environmental impact of commercially important reactions.

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

I am familiar with the realities of a scientific career, having undertaken work experience in both commercial and academic settings. I spent two weeks in the R&D lab of a commercial pharmaceutical company, where I learnt the importance of purity and efficiency. This summer, I have been working at Newcastle University, studying how pathological spike-wave discharges develop from delta waves in rodent brain tissue. During this time, I learnt about some of the mechanisms involved in neurophysiological processes, as well as having a chance to use specialist equipment and resources I would never usually have access to, and experiencing the sense of community in the research department.

In year 10 I designed an extended project on gender differences in thinking patterns, a topic that had interested me. Although sample size limited my conclusions, I was introduced to ideas of bias and experimental limitations, as well as some statistical methods, before I encountered them in class.

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

I read “New Scientist”, ‘Scientific American’ and ‘Focus’ magazines, as well as an eclectic range of popular science books. I am an avid reader of fiction: from traditional literature, to dystopian fiction and satirical comedy, and believe this range, and the exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking it brings, to be important in a scientific, and indeed any, career. Because of this, I play a large role in promoting reading in my school, such as being involved in running my school library for the past 6 years, including whilst the employed librarian was ill last year for a term. This has improved my organisational skills, and demonstrates that I can manage my workload effectively.

I have improved my public speaking and presentation skills, which I know are important when presenting research and ideas, by becoming a member of the debating society, and of the school’s European Youth Parliament team. We attended the National Session in Liverpool, where I received a special commendation for my leadership skills, and our team for our background research. Both working as a waitress at a local conference centre and participating in a residential gifted-and-talented languages summer school at Durham University have also developed my confidence.

I am a school prefect, have acted as a tutor to younger pupils in maths, biology, German and chemistry, and currently am maths prefect, responsible for organising a tutorial program with the maths department. I also participate in numerous other activities, including helping at a Brownie unit and a holiday club, playing the violin in school and county orchestras, and singing in a choir.

I believe I can rise to the challenges of a degree in Natural Sciences, and I hope I will be given a chance to prove myself.

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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