Top 10 most overused personal statement opening sentences

1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in ...

(used 464 times)

2. From a young age I have always been interested in ... 

(309 times)

3. From an early age I have always been interested in ... 

(292 times)

4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career ... 

(275 times)

5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with ... 

(196 times)

6. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only” ... 

(189 times)

7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with ... 

(178 times)

8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in ... 

(166 times)

9. I am an International Academy student and have been studying since ... 

(141 times)

10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and ... 

(138 times)

Reproduced from the 'Ucas Guide to Getting into University and College' with permission of Ucas

Structured Peer Assessment for your Personal Statement

A great way to improve your personal statement is for another student to read it and give you feedback. 

Use the slide (W:\6th Form Files\UCAS) to guide your conversation to make sure your personal statement ticks all the right boxes.

(A little tip - it's often better if the person reading your personal statement doesn't know you that well!)

UCAS TV video

http://www.ucas.tv/ucas/video/69dr7

Ali Chandler's Personal Statement Presentation

Here is the presentation that Ali from Oxford Brookes gave on Friday morning.

If you missed this day, then make sure you collect a UCAS booklet from Mrs MacKay (or download it here) and get yourself registered with UCAS Apply (even if you are not planning on applying through UCAS next academic year - it's worth learning how to do it while you are here and staff and fellow students can help you with it). If you haven't already, get a first draft of your personal statement written by the end of the week (Friday 12th).