What to Write in Your UCAS Personal Statement

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) manages higher education program applications in the United Kingdom. In addition to providing information about their academic history, candidates must produce a personal statement as part of a UCAS application. Because UCAS processes a minimum of 2 million full-time undergraduate study applications per year, the personal statement is a student's opportunity to show admissions personnel what sets him or her apart from other candidates.

Explain the reason(s) why you wish to attend the college or university and study in the program to which you are applying. Whenever possible, link your hobbies and interests to the experience and skills necessary for your chosen area of study. For instance, if applying to an art program, discuss the drawing classes you took at the local community center outside of school hours. If you have many interests and extracurricular involvements, and are unsure of which to include, begin by writing them in list form. Go through the list and identify the activities or interests that best reflect your skills and attributes. This step is particularly important if you are applying to an academic area to which you have not had previous exposure. If you do not attend school full time when submitting UCAS materials, discuss any paid or unpaid work experience that is relevant to the program to which you are applying. For example, a part-time student should discuss a sales job if applying to a marketing program. Describe any responsibilities involved in each work experience that make you a suitable candidate for your chosen area of study. Discuss the things that you believe distinguish you from other candidates. Mention any achievements that you are proud of, i.e., being the president of your school's student union or winning the citywide spelling bee. Talk about positions of responsibility that you have held, such as coordinating a local clothing drive for the homeless. This is also a good opportunity to discuss characteristics that make you special or interesting. For example, being a biracial child makes you particularly aware of multicultural and international issues. Being truthful in your personal statement is important. Including false information or exaggerating your involvement in an activity will backfire if you are called interviewed and asked to elaborate on the experiences mentioned in your personal statement. If you are unable to discuss the experience in detail and make convincing points, your standing will suffer.