Applications  for  College  -­‐  How  to  Write  a  Personal  Statement  
Your  personal  statement  is  a  way  of  conveying  your  reasons  for  wanting  to  study  at  a  particular  college,  do  a  type  
of  course,  and  to  also  demonstrate  your  ability  to  complete  the  course  successfully.  The  application  process  for  
college  can  be  very  competitive  and  a  strong  personal  statement  is  crucial  to  ensure  your  chances  of  success.    

There  is  no  single,  right  way  of  writing  a  personal  statement.  However  below  are  a  few  suggestions  on  what  to  
include  (you  may  want  to  use  some  or  all  of  the  points  below  to  help  structure  your  personal  statement).  

Please  note:  Each  college  may  provide  its  own  guidelines  on  what  to  include  in  your  personal  statement  (this  
might  include  a  word  or  page  limit,  or  specific  content  requirement),  but  please  check  with  the  college/s  you  are  
applying  to.    

• Introduction  
Here  you  could  outline:  
ü Who  are  you  and/or  where  are  you  currently  studying  
ü What  are  you  applying  for  (e.g.  English  literature,  bricklaying,  childcare)  
ü Your  reasons  for  wanting  to  study  your  chosen  subjects      
ü Your  reasons  for  wanting  to  study  at  that  particular  college  (e.g.  what  makes  that  college  standout  for  
you?)    

You  should  demonstrate  enthusiasm  for  your  chosen  subject/s,  course  type  and  college,  and  show  that  you  have  
a  good  understanding  of  the  subject  area  and  college  you  are  applying  to.  Failure  to  personalise  your  personal  
statement  to  a  college  and  course  could  suggest  you  are  not  serious  about  your  post  16  college  choices.  

• Talk  about  your  school  subjects  

In  this  section  you  should  discuss  your  strengths  and  key  skills  and  relate  them  to  what  you  are  applying  for.  This  
will  demonstrate  that  you  are  capable  of  accomplishing  the  course/s  successfully.    

• Discuss  any  position  of  responsibility  you  may  have  had  

This  might  include  being  a  Student  Leader,  Prefect,  Peer  Mentor  etc.    
 
• Talk  about  work  experience  including  non-­‐GCSE  activities  in  school    
This  could  include  what  you  did  do  for  your  Year  10  work  experience.  Do  you  have  a  part-­‐time  job?  Do  you  
volunteer?  What  skills,  knowledge,  and  experience  have  you  developed  from  these  experiences?  How  useful  were  
these  experiences?  You  could  also  include  assisting  at  open  evenings,  taking  part  in  drama  productions,  school  
fundraising  events,  projects,  sports  teams,  meetings  etc.    
 
• Talk  about  extra-­‐curricular  activities  outside  of  school    
This  could  include  any  hobbies  or  interests  (rock  climbing,  keeping  fit,  youth  club  etc.).  You  could  also  talk  about  
any  additional  certificates/awards  you  have  achieved  such  as  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  sports  achievements,  music  
awards  (e.g.  Grade  4  Piano)  etc.  It  can  also  include  any  charity/fundraising  activities  you  have  taken  part  in  or  
organised  outside  of  school.  Don’t  forget  to  mention  if  you  are  signed  up  to  do  the  NCS  (National  Citizenship  
Service)  at  the  end  of  Year  11.  
 
• Write  about  your  plans  for  the  future    
In  this  section  you  could  write  about  what  you  would  like  to  do  in  the  future  and  why;  explaining  how  your  
chosen  subject/s  can  help  you  achieve  this.  
  
 

Useful  sentence  starters  for  writing  a  personal  statement  

I  am  a  Year  11  student  at  ……  School   My  favourite  subjects  are....     I  am  currently.....  
studying  GCSEs  in…...    
My  strengths  are…..   I  am  proud  of…..   I  enjoy…..  
My  greatest  achievement(s)  is/are....     I  plan  to…..     I  hope  to…..  
I  intend  to…..   This  year…..   While  at  school…..  
Outside  of  school…..   Alongside  my  school  work  I…..   Last  term  I…..  
Recently…..   During  the  summer…..   I  work  hard  to…..  
To  develop  my  skills  in…..   To  achieve…..   To  improve……  
I  find  /  have  found   In  addition…..   Furthermore…..  
.............................challenging/difficult  
 

What  is  a  Skill?  A  skill  is  something  that  can  be  developed  or  improved  upon  through  training  or  practice.  This  
could  be  in  a  work  place  or  education  setting.  

Skills  you  can  include  in  your  personal  statement  

Team  work   Verbal  /  oral  communication   Good  listener  
organisation   Time  management   ICT  skills  
Planning   Reading   Written  communication  
Analysing   Presenting   Researching  
Problem  solving   Leadership   Decision  making  
 

What  is  a  Quality?  A  quality  is  part  of  your  personality.  It  often  describes  the  way  you  interact  with  others  or  
behave.  

Qualities  you  can  include  in  your  personal  statement  

Adaptability   Flexibility   Proactive  approach  
Reliability   Caring  /  friendly   Inquisitive  
Patient   Polite   Punctual  
Responsible   Dedicated   Confident  
Positive   Ambitious   Conscientious  
Honest   Hard  working  /  diligent   Helpful  
Thoughtful   Proactive   Adventurous  

Useful  websites    
The  following  websites  provide  further  information  on  how  to  write  a  personal  statement;  including  top  tips,  Dos  
and  Don’ts,  and  example  personal  statements:  

• www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=15927-­‐sixth-­‐form-­‐college-­‐entrance-­‐personal-­‐statements  
• www.focuspoint.org.uk/s4-­‐6/applying-­‐to-­‐college/your-­‐college-­‐personal-­‐statement  
• http://chestertoncc.net/information/post-­‐16/    

Example  personal  statements  

Over  the  page,  you  will  find  three  example  personal  statements.  Evaluate  what  you  like  and  dislike  about  the  
example  personal  statements.  Consider  things  such  as:  is  the  content  clear  and  informative?  Is  the  content  free  
from  spelling  and/or  grammatical  errors?  Do  you  know  what  the  applicants  want  to  study  at  college  and  why?  
(Reviewing  example  personal  statements  can  help  you  to  develop  your  own.)    
  

       Example  1    

 
 

 
  
 

Example  2  

I  am  interested  in  joining  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  Sixth  Form  College  because  I  want  to  gain  A-­‐levels  and  
maybe  advance  into  university.  I  think  that  by  going  to  the  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  sixth  form  I  will  gain  these  
A-­‐levels  and  advance  to  university.  
 
I  have  good  attendance,  punctuality,  behaviour,  homework  and  classwork.  
I  have  good  skills  in  communicating  which,  I  developed  during  work  experience.  I  also  have  skills  in  
teamwork  and  have  strong  self-­‐confidence,  also  which  I  gained  from  work  experience.  At  work  
experience  I  learned  more  about  computers  and  how  they  work,  also  I  learned  more  about  architecture  
and  using  Information  technology  to  produce  architectural  drawings.  I  have  good  business,  computer  
and  mathematics  knowledge,  which  I  hope  to  gain  A-­‐levels  in.  I  am  very  pleased  with  gaining  an  A  grade  
in  both  Information  technology  and  business  studies  also  I  am  very  pleased  with  the  A  grade  in  Graphics,  
also  a  subject  which  I  hope  to  study  at  A-­‐level.  
 
I  have  recently  done  my  mock  GCSE's  and  I  have  learned  that  a  lot  of  preparation  has  to  be  done  for  
success  in  these  exams.  I  also  have  to  prepare  for  my  mock  interview.  Also  workload  in  school  has  been  
increasing  in  both  class-­‐work  and  coursework;  I  have  learned  that  if  we  do  not  meet  the  deadlines  then  
workload  increases  even  more!  
 
In  my  spare  time  I  go  out  with  my  friends  and  play  football  and  cricket.  I  used  to  play  cricket  for  a  club  
and  here  I  met  new  people,  where  I  gained  communication  skills  and  increased  my  self-­‐confidence  
I  am  also  a  season  ticket  holder  for  Bolton  Wanderers  and  I  have  met  new  people  at  the  ground,  and  
also  by  needing  to  communicate  with  people  at  the  ticket  office.  I  like  listening  to  music  and  playing  a  
lot  of  sports.  I  sometimes  help  my  uncle  with  decorating  and  I  meet  new  people  and  gain  more  
decorating  skills  
 
At  college  I  hope  to  gain  three  A-­‐levels  in  maths,  physics,  graphics  and  business  studies.  From  there  I  
hope  to  go  to  university  and  do  a  course  in  architecture,  interior  design  or  designing  cars.  I  hope  to  then  
work  in  architecture  or  for  an  automobile  firm.  
 

 
  
 

Example  3  

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
College  Interview  Questions  
 
1.  Tell  me  about  yourself.  
This  question  seems  easier  than  it  is.  How  do  you  reduce  your  whole  life  to  a  few  sentences?  And  it's  hard  to  
avoid  commonplace  answers  like  "I'm  friendly"  or  "I'm  a  good  student."  Of  course  you  want  to  demonstrate  that  
you're  friendly  and  studious,  but  try  also  to  say  something  memorable  here  that  really  makes  you  different  from  
other  college  applicants.  Did  you  teach  your  dog  to  play  the  piano?  Do  you  make  a  killer  wild  strawberry  pie?  Do  
you  do  your  best  thinking  when  on  a  100-­‐mile  bike  ride?  Do  you  read  books  late  at  night  with  a  flashlight?  

2.  Why  are  you  interested  in  our  college?  Be  specific  when  answering  this,  and  show  that  you've  done  your  
research.  What  specifically  about  the  college  distinguishes  it  from  others  you  are  considering?  The  interviewer  is  
hoping  that  you  are  interested  in  the  college  for  reasons  other  than  peer  pressure  or  convenience.  Similarly,  if  you  
say  you  applied  entirely  because  of  a  parent  or  teacher’s  recommendation,  you'll  be  suggesting  that  you  lack  
initiative  and  have  few  thoughts  of  your  own.  

3.  What  can  I  tell  you  about  our  college?  

You  can  almost  guarantee  that  your  interviewer  will  provide  an  opportunity  for  you  to  ask  questions.  Make  sure  
you  have  some,  and  make  sure  your  questions  are  thoughtful  and  specific  to  the  particular  college.  Avoid  
questions  like  "when  is  the  application  deadline?"  or  "how  many  subjects  do  you  offer?"    

4.  Who  in  your  life  has  most  influenced  you?  

There  are  other  variations  of  this  question:  Who's  your  hero?  What  historical  or  fictional  character  would  you  
most  like  to  be  like?  This  can  be  an  awkward  question  if  you  haven't  thought  about  it,  so  spend  a  few  minutes  
considering  how  you  would  answer.  Identify  a  few  real,  historical,  and  fictional  characters  you  admire,  and  be  
prepared  to  articulate  WHY  you  admire  them.  

5.  Why  do  you  want  to  study?  

Realise  that  you  don't  need  to  have  decided  on  a  particular  course  when  you  apply  to  college,  and  your  
interviewer  will  not  be  disappointed  if  you  say  you  have  several  interests  and  have  not  yet  decided.  However,  if  
you  have  identified  a  course,  be  prepared  to  explain  why.  Avoid  saying  that  you  want  to  study  something  because  
you'll  make  a  lot  of  money  one  day  -­‐-­‐  your  passion  for  a  subject  will  make  you  a  good  college  student,  not  your  
greed.    

6.  What  do  you  do  for  fun  in  your  free  time?  
"Hangin'  out  and  chillin'"  is  a  weak  answer  for  this  question.  College  life  obviously  isn't  all  work,  so  the  admissions  
folks  want  students  who  will  do  interesting  and  productive  things  even  when  they  aren't  studying.  Do  you  write?  
Fish?  Play  a  sport?  Use  a  question  such  as  this  one  to  show  that  you  are  well-­‐rounded  with  a  variety  of  interests.    

7.  Do  your  predicted  grades  accurately  reflect  your  effort  and  ability?  
In  the  interview  or  on  your  application,  you  often  have  an  opportunity  to  explain  a  bad  grade  or  a  bad  year  at  
school.  Be  careful  with  this  issue  -­‐-­‐  you  don't  want  to  come  across  as  a  moaner  or  as  someone  who  blames  others  
for  a  low  grade.  However,  if  you  really  did  have  extenuating  circumstances,  let  the  college  know.  

 
  
During  the  interview,  DO  NOT...  
1.  Be  Late  
Your  interviewers  are  busy  people.  Interviewers  are  probably  taking  time  out  of  their  full-­‐time  jobs  to  meet  with  
you,  and  admissions  folks  often  have  back-­‐to-­‐back  appointments  scheduled.  Lateness  disrupts  schedules  and  
shows  irresponsibility  on  your  part.  

2.  Underdress  

Business  casual  is  your  safest  bet,  but  the  main  thing  is  to  look  neat  and  tidy.  You'll  look  like  you  don’t  care  if  you  
show  up  wearing  ripped  jeans  or  low  cut  top.  

3.  Talk  Too  Little  

Your  interviewer  wants  to  get  to  know  you.  If  you  answer  every  question  with  a  "yes,"  "no,"  or  a  grunt,  you're  not  
impressing  anyone,  and  you're  not  demonstrating  that  you  can  contribute  to  the  intellectual  life  of  the  campus.  
 
4.  Chew  Gum  
It's  distracting  and  annoying.  
 
5.  Show  Disinterest  
This  should  be  a  no-­‐brainer,  but  you’d  be  surprised  what  some  students  will  say.  A  comment  like  "you're  my  back-­‐
up  school"  or  "I'm  here  because  my  parents  told  me  to  apply"  is  an  easy  way  to  lose  points  during  the  interview.  
 
6.  Fail  to  Research  the  College  
If  you  ask  questions  that  could  easily  be  answered  by  the  college's  website,  you'll  send  the  message  that  you  
don't  care  enough  about  the  school  to  do  a  little  research.    

7.  Lie  
This  should  be  obvious,  but  some  students  do  get  themselves  in  trouble  by  fabricating  half-­‐truths  or  exaggerating  
during  the  interview.  
 
8.  Be  Rude  
Good  manners  go  a  long  way.  Shake  hands.  Address  your  interviewer  by  name.  Say  "thank  you."  Introduce  your  
parents  if  they  are  in  the  waiting  area.  Say  "thank  you"  again.    

9.  Mobile  Phones  
Switch  off  your  mobile  phone  before  the  interview.  If  you  forget  and  it  rings,  apologise  but  don’t  answer  it!!  
 

 
  
My  space  for  notes:    
 

Through  this  document  you  are  informed  of  other  websites  which  are  not  under  the  control  of  EBP  South  Ltd.  
We  have  no  control  over  the  nature,  content  and  availability  of  those  sites.  The  inclusion  of  any  links  does  not  
necessarily  imply  a  recommendation  or  endorse  the  views  expressed  within  them.  

This  document  has  been  collated  by  EBP  South  Ltd  www.ebpsouth.co.uk  from  information  available  in  the  public  
domain  –  Oct  2017.  

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