Focus your answers, show off your passion for the subject... and don't forget a spellcheck: how to write the perfect revamped UCAS personal statement
After 32 years, university applicants this autumn will no longer face having to fill a big blank box with 4,000 characters. The old-style UCAS personal statement is no more.
The university admissions body UCAS has overhauled the personal statement for the first time since it appeared on application forms in 1993.
It has replaced the free-form essay with three simple questions in a bid to make the process more transparent. The questions reveal what ought to have been in personal statements all along, but which eluded many who lacked parental or school input.
Critics have long argued that the old system favoured wealthy pupils whose parents could pay for the best schools and private tutors to guide them through the process. Previous UCAS research found 79 per cent of students reported finding the personal statement hard to write without support.
Anne Murdoch, senior adviser in at the Association of School and College Leaders, says: 'We think this is a positive move which will provide clarity to students over which information to include.
'The old system was too vague and tended to put students who were the first in their family to go to university at a disadvantage, as they were unable to draw on support from relatives with prior experience.'
Across the three questions, there is still an overall limit of 4,000 characters, and each has a minimum requirement of 350. So how best to tackle each of the three questions?
The old way of doing UCAS forms was said to be biased towards private school pupils
Lee Elliot Major called for the form overhaul
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
This question is designed to help pupils 'showcase their passion and knowledge' for the subject, according to UCAS.
Applicants are advised to mention a 'key role model or moment', a book, or even an internet lecture which inspired them to apply - as well as any relevant future career plans.
'Students should treat their personal statement as an audition with a world-leading academic expert who loves the subject even more than they do,' says Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, and one of those who called for an overhaul of personal statements.
'Mention anything that will demonstrate your passion for the discipline you want to study.
'Explain why the subject excites you, what you've learned so far, and how you're ready to take the next step. Admissions tutors want to understand your motivation and curiosity, not read rehearsed lines.
'Focus on what genuinely drives you to study your chosen course,' he said.
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This follows on naturally from your answer to the first questions and here, tutors want to know about how pupils developed their own knowledge within and beyond their A-level course, as well as any school activities such as prizes you won relevant to their course.
'If you mention a book you enjoyed at school or college, be sure to give reasons,' UCAS advises.
'This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you've gained from your formal education.'
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The third question is ostensibly about extra-curricular activities. However, tutors appear tired of unremarkable lists featuring the likes of rowing club, orchestra and swimming, and are more interested in hearing about how the student's life experiences have shaped them as a person.
For example, caring for a sick relative or helping out in a nursing home might be relevant to a medical application.
Other examples could be volunteering at a dog shelter for veterinary medicine or working in a shop for business-related degrees.
Cambridge discourages applicants from listing their run-of-the-mill extra-curricular activities
Cambridge even actively discourages mentioning 'any non-academic activities that are not related to your chosen course'.
'We do not recommend that you include lots of information about extra-curricular activities,' the university's guidance says. 'Participating in these activities will not increase your chances of receiving a Cambridge offer.'
Other universities state the most important thing is to show how any activity mentioned contributed to your personal development in your chosen field, for example, developing leadership skills from coordinating a debating contest.
Elliot Major adds: 'This is not about listing extracurriculars. It's about showing how your experiences - whatever they are - have prepared you to succeed.
'Be authentic. Show how your experiences, whether in school, work, family, or community settings have helped you develop skills relevant to the degree.'
UCAS recommends writing several drafts before pasting it into the online application form, and getting feedback from both parents and schools.
It also recommends running a spelling and grammar checker over the finished document.
However, it warns: 'Generating and then copying, pasting and submitting all or a large part of your personal statement from an AI tool... could be considered cheating by universities.'
UCAS staff routinely run software on personal statements to root out 'fraudulent' ones which have been entirely generated by artificial intelligence programmes such as ChatGPT.
'Essentially, it's fine to use technology to help, but not too much,' says Mark Corver, a former director at UCAS.
The fact that you're a keen rower is unlikely to influence the admissions department
However, he notes the system is still catching up, adding: 'The personal statement changes are really from a pre-ChatGPT world where generating unique, credible, structured text content was hard or costly to do. That is not the world we are in now.'
And while the statement should be formal, one of the biggest mistakes students make is attempting to adopt an overly flowery style.
Dr Luke Thurston, who recruits for English at Aberystwyth University, says one of his biggest 'turn-offs' is 'deep and meaningful philosophical statements, overlong sentences and baroque syntax'.
UCAS advises: 'While you need a strong writing style, try and avoid overblown language. Cut lines like "my achievements at school were vast".'
Do:
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Spend time making notes of the things you want to say.
Draft and redraft your answers, refining them over a period of time.
Study the course description in the university prospectus and make sure your answers are well targeted to that content. When writing about your interests or accomplishments, link them back to your chosen area of study as supporting evidence for your suitability.
Provide context by calling upon work experience or responsibilities, such as being a school team captain, to show the skills you have gained and how they relate to your application - for example, you're a team player or a problem solver.
Discuss how your interest in the course has developed and demonstrate your enthusiasm for it.
Pinpoint relevant academic experience. Explain what you've enjoyed most about your studies so far, and why you want to continue in this field.
Proofread your answers multiple times for poor spelling, grammar and punctuation - and show it to someone else, such as a teacher or a family member.
Don't:
Use ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence (AI) software to write all of your answers for you. It won't be your authentic voice, it won't sound personal, and UCAS will run checks to detect AI-generated content.
Be shy. Your answers should be bold and authentic, without being arrogant.
Use cliches or quotations from famous people. Admissions tutors will have read them many times before.
Use the words 'passion' or 'passionate'.
Don't write 'Ever since I was young...' or 'I've always been fascinated by...' Ever!
Plagiarise or lift content from a website. Universities run checks.
Exaggerate. You will get found out.
Make jokes. This is not a comedy club.
Dash it off. This is your chance to sell yourself and connect with the person who will decide whether or not to offer you a place. Dedicate time and effort to it.
