Personal Statement:Sociology 6

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I have chosen to read Sociology due to my interest in how society and people impact on each other. I often look at society critically and strive to help resolve problems such as abuse and social inequalities in areas such as education and the media. Sociology is the perfect subject for examining these issues and challenging the 'common-sense' ideas that many of us hold. While studying Sociology I have enjoyed looking at issues such as gender difference in society and the role of education as these are issues I previously questioned prior to studying Sociology. I am keen to expand my learning in a range of issues such as healthcare inequalities and conflict using sociological thinking and research. I am also looking to extend my knowledge of sociological theory and the works of sociologists like Durkheim and Bourdieu; such works have helped break the intuition surrounding different social issues and have proved influential in my own thinking. This year I will be a Leader in Learning at school and will help to mentor other Sixth Form students studying Sociology, working with them to help them understand and enjoy it.

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

During my Health and Social Care studies I did a research project on coping strategies for Dyslexia. I also entered the British Sociological Association's National Sixth Form Competition with an essay on why Sociology is important in today's world: Using research from textbooks and charity websites such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, I argued that it is relevant in that social research is key to examining and combating social problems as well as challenging the widely held ideas of today's world. From writing my essay I am better educated as to how anyone can use Sociology to investigate the causes of and deal with issues like poverty and overcoming disability discrimination.

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

I did work experience at St. Mary's Primary School in 2011. An interesting part of working there was looking at the methods used to teach the children, how well they worked for different children and the action taken by teachers towards the children. I noticed, for example, that when scolding children for misbehaving, the teachers were harder on the boys than they were on the girls. I was a member of my school's TalkSense peer listening team where after six hours of counselling training I worked with younger students in the school to explore, understand and resolve any personal problems they were facing. I used this opportunity to develop my communication skills, which I know will be valuable throughout a Sociology course, and to prove that I am a reliable, confident person who will constantly endeavour to help those in need. I volunteer at the Brendoncare home in East Grinstead by helping to entertain the residents through activities and conversation. I believe my social interaction with the residents enhances their experience at the home as they are otherwise segregated from the outside world, especially due to ageism in society and beliefs that the elderly should be "locked up and put out of the way" due to their lessened independent abilities. I have considered becoming a social researcher as this would help me to actively promote Sociology and integrate it further into my everyday life and the lives of others.

In my spare time I play piano and write lyrics to help me discuss my own feelings. Sociology has heavily impacted on my writing as I sometimes find myself discussing social issues through my lyrics. For example, I have written lyrics that speak from a Feminist viewpoint and discuss how women can be oppressed in a supposedly very patriarchal society.

I am confident my love for Sociology and my thirst for knowledge of society will allow me to develop my understanding so that I will leave a lasting impression on those I work with.

Universities applied to:

• University of Sussex
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• University of Portsmouth
• Brunel University

Grades achieved:

• Sociology (A2) - A*
• Health and Social Care [Double A-Level Award] (A2) - AB
• Critical Thinking (AS) - B
• Maths (AS) - D

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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