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Personal Statement FAQ

If you have a question that you think might be relevant to other students, send it to us at [email protected] with the subject line “Personal Statement – FAQ” and you will get a response. If it’s common enough, we’ll post it here too!

What is the difference between a personal statement and a letter of intent?

How long should a personal statement be, is there a particular structure or format i should use, a lot of the examples of personal statements online seem to start with an exciting or dramatic story. i'm in biology – do i need to compose a story in my personal statement, i’ve heard there are people who will write my personal statement for me for a fee. i’m not a great writer, so would using one of these services be a good option for me.

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How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges

← What Is an Application Theme and Why Is It Important?

10 Personal Statement Examples That Work →

  Most of the college applications process is fairly cut and dry. You’ll submit information about your classes and grades, standardized test scores, and various other accomplishments and honors. On much of the application, your accomplishments must speak for themselves. 

The personal statement is different though, and it’s your chance to let your voice be heard. To learn more about the personal statement, how to choose a topic, and how to write one that wows colleges, don’t miss this post.

What is the Personal Statement?

Personal statements are used in both undergraduate and graduate admissions. For undergrad admissions, personal statements are any essays students must write to submit their main application. For example, the Common App Essay and Coalition Application Essay are examples of personal statements. Similarly, the ApplyTexas Essays and University of California Essays are also good examples .

Personal statements in college admissions are generally not school-specific (those are called “supplemental essays”). Instead, they’re sent to a wide range of schools, usually every school you apply to. 

What is the Purpose of the Personal Statement?

The personal statement is generally your opportunity to speak to your unique experiences, qualities, or beliefs that aren’t elsewhere represented on the application. It is a chance to break away from the data that defines you on paper, and provide a glimpse into who you really are. In short, it’s the admissions committee’s chance to get to know the real you.

So, what are colleges looking for in your personal statement? They are looking for something that sets you apart. They are asking themselves: do you write about something truly unique? Do you write about something common, in a new and interesting way? Do you write about an aspect of your application that needed further explanation? All of these are great ways to impress with your personal statement.

Beyond getting to know you, admissions committees are also evaluating your writing skills. Are you able to write clearly and succinctly? Can you tell an engaging story? Writing effectively is an important skill in both college and life, so be sure to also fine-tune your actual writing (grammar and syntax), not just the content of your essay.

Is your personal statement strong enough? Get a free review of your personal statement with CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review.

How To a Choose A Topic For Your Personal Statement

Most of the time, you’re given a handful of prompts to choose from. Common personal statement prompts include:

• Central aspect of your identity (activity, interest, talent, background)
• Overcoming a failure
• Time you rose to a challenge or showed leadership
• Experience that changed your beliefs
• Problem you’d like to solve
• Subject or idea that captivates you

One of the questions that we hear most often about the personal statement is, “How do I choose what to write about?” For some students, the personal statement prompt triggers an immediate and strong idea. For many more, there is at least initially some uncertainty.

We often encourage students to think less about the exact prompt and more about what aspects of themselves they think are most worthy of highlighting. This is especially helpful if you’re offered a “topic of your choice” prompt, as the best essay topic for you might actually be one you make up!

For students with an interesting story or a defining background, these can serve as the perfect catalyst to shape your approach. For students with a unique voice or different perspective, simple topics written in a new way can be engaging and insightful.

Finally, you need to consider the rest of your application when you choose a topic for your personal statement. If you are returning from a gap year, failed a single class during sophomore year, or participated extensively in something you’re passionate about that isn’t elsewhere on your application, you might attempt to address one of these topics in your statement. After all, the admissions committee wants to get to know you and understand who you really are, and these are all things that will give them a deeper understanding of that.

Still, tons of students have a decent amount of writer’s block when it comes to choosing a topic. This is understandable since the personal statement tends to be considered rather high stakes. To help you get the ball rolling, we recommend the post What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College

1. approach this as a creative writing assignment..

Personal statements are difficult for many students because they’ve never had to do this type of writing. High schoolers are used to writing academic reports or analytical papers, but not creative storytelling pieces.

The point of creative writing is to have fun with it, and to share a meaningful story. Choose a topic that inspires you so that you’ll enjoy writing your essay. It doesn’t have to be intellectual or impressive at all. You have your transcript and test scores to prove your academic skills, so the point of the personal statement is to give you free rein to showcase your personality. This will result in a more engaging essay and reading experience for admissions officers. 

As you’re writing, there’s no need to follow the traditional five-paragraph format with an explicit thesis. Your story should have an overarching message, but it doesn’t need to be explicitly stated—it should shine through organically. 

Your writing should also feel natural. While it will be more refined than a conversation with your best friend, it shouldn’t feel stuffy or contrived when it comes off your tongue. This balance can be difficult to strike, but a tone that would feel natural when talking with an admired teacher or a longtime mentor is usually a good fit.

2. Show, don’t tell.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is to simply state everything that happened, instead of actually bringing the reader to the moment it happened, and telling a story. It’s boring to read: “I was overjoyed and felt empowered when I finished my first half marathon.” It’s much more interesting when the writing actually shows you what happened and what the writer felt in that moment: “As I rounded the final bend before the finish line, my heart fluttered in excitement. The adrenaline drowned out my burning legs and gasping lungs. I was going to finish my first half marathon! This was almost incomprehensible to me, as someone who could barely run a mile just a year ago.”

If you find yourself starting to write your essay like a report, and are having trouble going beyond “telling,” envision yourself in the moment you want to write about. What did you feel, emotionally and physically? Why was this moment meaningful? What did you see or hear? What were your thoughts?

For inspiration, read some memoirs or personal essays, like The New York Times Modern Love Column . You could also listen to podcasts of personal stories, like The Moth . What do these writers and storytellers do that make their stories engaging? If you didn’t enjoy a particular story, what was it that you didn’t like? Analyzing real stories can help you identify techniques that you personally resonate with.

3. Use dialogue.

A great way to keep your writing engaging is to include some dialogue. Instead of writing: “My brothers taunted me,” consider sharing what they actually said. It’s more powerful to read something like:

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

Having dialogue can break up longer paragraphs of text, and bring some action and immediacy to your story. That being said, don’t overdo it. It’s important to strike a balance between relying too much on dialogue, and using it occasionally as an effective writing tool. You don’t want your essay to read like a script for a movie (unless, of course, that’s intentional and you want to showcase your screenwriting skills!).

Want free essay feedback? Submit your essay to CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review and get fast, actionable edits on your essay. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements

1. giving a recap or report of all the events..

Your essay isn’t a play-by-play of everything that happened in that time frame. Only include relevant details that enrich the story, instead of making your personal statement a report of the events. Remember that the goal is to share your voice, what’s important to you, and who you are. 

2. Writing about too many events or experiences. 

Similarly, another common mistake is to make your personal statement a resume or recap of all your high school accomplishments. The Activities Section of the Common App is the place for listing out your achievements, not your personal statement. Focus on one specific experience or a few related experiences, and go into detail on those. 

3. Using cliche language.

Try to avoid overdone quotes from famous people like Gandhi or Thoreau. Better yet, try to avoid quotes from other people in general, unless it’s a message from someone you personally know. Adding these famous quotes won’t make your essay unique, and it takes up valuable space for you to share your voice.

You should also steer away from broad language or lavish claims like “It was the best day of my life.” Since they’re so cliche, these statements also obscure your message, and it’s hard to understand what you actually mean. If it was actually the best day of your life, show us why, rather than just telling us.

If you want to learn more about personal statements, see our post of 11 Common App Essay Examples .

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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York University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The University of York. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

History Personal Statement Example 2 I am captivated by the diversity and depth offered by a History degree; attracted by the way it encourages us to be analytical of the values and patterns of past societies. It was in my final year of secondary school that I was awarded the History Attainment Award, although my desire to study History dates back to an earlier age when I visited the site of the allied landings in Normandy at just eleven years old...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement Example 4 The era in which we live goes through constant turmoil and shifting powers. Not a day goes by without a change somewhere on our planet, which in turn has an effect on yet another change to come elsewhere...

International Relations Personal Statement Example Being of Pakistani heritage means I am at the heart of multiculturalism that many would say defines Britain today. Growing up as a British Asian in the last decade has allowed me to experience life embedded in a world of politics, not only from a Western perspective but also that of other cultures...

Economics and PPE Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study economics at both advanced and degree level has stemmed from my lasting interest in current affairs and world development. These issues require an application of economics in real-life situations and can be related to many diverse subjects such as politics, philosophy and psychology...

Physics Personal Statement Example 4 The elegance of the scientific subjects, in particular physics is what has established my eagerness for a deeper insight into the subject. What sets physics apart from the other sciences, in my opinion, is that it can be practically applied to all instances of life...

Languages Personal Statement Example 10 At the age of eight, a friend introduced me to Guy Hamilton's 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'. This instilled in me two things: my doomed childhood ambition to be a Spitfire pilot, long since grudgingly abandoned, but also, perhaps ironically, a love for the sound and feel of the German language that has stayed with me all through the intervening decade...

History Personal Statement Example 7 It isn't an exaggeration to say my devotion to History has moulded me into the diligent and ambitious person I am today. History continues to shape our contemporary world and my opinions have been formed from an intellectual curiosity about the resonances between the past and the present...

Biology Personal Statement Example 5 Outside was always my favourite place as a child, splashing in puddles, inspecting insects under magnifying glasses and having snail races with my brothers. The living world fascinated me. My enthusiasm has only increased over the years and living by the sea has inspired me further...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 2 Science is not just a subject taken in school, or a body of knowledge; it is a state of mind as well – always inquisitive and wondering. As a child, the world around me constantly captivated me and inspired questions, and I found delight in having my questions answered, always wanting to learn more, from fundamental particles, to atoms and molecules, to organisms, planets, and the universe...

Biochemistry Personal Statement Example 1 The need to survive is a remarkable thing, for it has allowed evolution to equip organisms with a range of extraordinary capabilities in order to stay alive. Since reading 'Why Geese Don't Get Obese' by Widmaier, my interests have developed in the molecular adaptations of animals; for example, the antifreeze protein that prevents the blood of Antarctic Notothenioid fishes from turning into ice...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

Biology Personal Statement Example 8 My interest in Biology started at a very young age due to spending a lot of time outdoors. I am intrigued by the functioning of living organisms and how they are all linked; one small change in one species will affect a whole range of others...

Maths and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 By skimming through a daily broadsheet or examining journals such as ‘The Economist’ it is clear to see that economic issues affect everyone both locally as well as on a global scale. However, I have been interested by Mathematics for many years and have found my enjoyment for it has increased as the depth of my understanding has grown...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

English and Philosophy Personal Statement Example English has always been at the forefront of my mind, whether it be writing storybooks as a child, play-writing as a teen, or analysing literature at A Level. I enjoy the thrill of writing creatively but equally enjoy composing non-literary pieces where I can put across my views, inform or debate...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example (IB background) Few aspects of life fall outside the scope of chemistry and this is what fascinates me about this dynamic and fundamental science subject. From a young age I have enjoyed and excelled in mathematics which reflects my logical and enquiring mind...

English Literature and Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 I once aspired to be a visual artist, a photographer or painter. However, I later discovered the unique ability of poetry and the written word to maintain its power and resonance in a world saturated with images and messages...

Midwifery Personal Statement Example 4 From a young age I have had a desire to help and care for people. Once I was old enough to understand the uniqueness and beauty of all stages of pregnancy and birth, I knew that I wanted it to be a part of my everyday life...

Social Work Personal Statement Example 14 What can be more rewarding than finishing work, going home knowing you have made a difference in someone's life? In society we have individuals who need caring and support for them to have quality lives and be healthy beings...

English Literature and Sociology Personal Statement Example Since I have begun to study A Level English Literature, it is the way in which writers use expression within their writing to influence and manipulate the reader's emotions which has most intrigued me...

History Personal Statement Example 37 My interest in history lies in the simple fact that I have always been fascinated by the past. At eleven I won a full academic bursary to attend my current school. This was a way into a community in which my intellectual curiosity would be valued and where I could further my enthusiasm for history...

Physics Personal Statement Example 13 Attending university has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since my childhood, I have been told that I should, and I have always agreed with the sentiment. If I were asked to pin down an exact reason, however, I would be forced to confess that I do not know - I just enjoy learning new things and exercising my mind...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 10 I have, for a long time, been interested in the inner workings of society: how and why subcultures develop. Also, how political policies shape the direction of society for years and I wonder why people act in the way they do (here, I have sympathy with Robert Owens' view that we are mostly the mere products of our environment), not only how we shape society, but how it shapes and changes us...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 17 The realisation I wanted to study Chemistry at degree level came with my growing appreciation of its contribution and significance in shaping modern society, coupled with an increasing interest in the subject as my knowledge and understanding have developed...

Business Management Personal Statement Example 7 The role of a leader can be tough. Motivating people, supporting people, making decisions and learning from your mistakes are only just a few things you can expect from managing a team. However if you, your team members and your business prosper and succeed, it gives you a sense of achievement like no other...

English Literature & History Personal Statement Example 1 Throughout my education, I have constantly been captivated and inspired by my History and English studies. I have recognised how the two disciplines entwine and coexist to create an invaluable tool with which to explore the past and future...

Mathematics & Computer Science Personal Statement Example I have found mathematics a fascinating subject since my early years. I enjoy it as it is challenging and logical. I am particularly interested in decision mathematics as it is a field that is directly related to real-life applications of mathematics and can be used to solve problems, such as finding the optimal solution for transporting materials from one place to another while minimising the cost...

PPE/Politics and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 I have a strong interest in the close relationship between political events and economic developments, highlighted by a study of Russia in the lead up to the 1917 revolution. I was grabbed by the film adaptation of Ten Days That Shook the World, with its emphasis on its power of the masses...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 70 Quid est homo? Why do different people act dissimilarly in the same situations? Why are some people affected by mental illness (like my mother) and others are not? These and other questions have aroused my interest in the only subject that can answer these issues - psychology...

Archaeology Personal Statement Example 6 I have always enjoyed learning about different cultures and civilisations, reflected in my enduring love of history, and more recently, archaeology. Compared to modern history, archaeology carries a sense of enigma which makes it much more stimulating for an imaginative and inquisitive mind...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 20 I was once told by a writer at Bath "LitFest" that literature is "all about control". At a young age, his words seemed obscure, but years later, I am finally able to grasp his meaning. On one side of a barrier of ink and paper, a writer aims to understand and control their world, whilst a reader attempts to lose control in a boundless, imaginary world...

Mathematics Personal Statement Example 16 I have always had a passion and a thorough understanding of the subject of Mathematics. This helped me to progress academically because, unlike a lot of people, I have not had to worry about passing my GCSE Maths exams...

Law Personal Statement Example 84 The reason I want to study law, is that it has always intrigued me; there’s never been any other option for me it has always been law. I am captivated in the development of the law as it interests me the way the law is changing around the needs of civilisation...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 12 A Gospel choir tour around South Africa was the catalyst for my fascination with human culture. As I travelled I was able to directly experience a multiplicity of cultures even within this one country...

Mathematics & Physics Personal Statement Example 2 My enthusiasm for Mathematics and Physics comes from the fact that they are both used to further our understanding of the universe and have applications in all other areas of science. My main area of interest in Physics is particle physics as this tells us how fundamental parts of our universe interact with each other...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 56 Computer Science - the most exciting insight into humanity's mission to conquer the future. It has been my favourite and most fascinating preoccupation since childhood, though back then I did not even know it...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

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Personal statement FAQs

We've gone through some of the most commonly asked personal statement questions and put all the answers in one place

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Your personal statement is a big part of your uni application. It's where you can show universities why they should give you a place on your chosen course. Read on for quick tips on writing your personal statement. We'll cover what sort of things to include, along with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that crop up over on our sister site The Student Room .  If you can't find an answer to your question here, try posting it to the personal statements forum on The Student Room .

When should I start writing my personal statement?

It’s never too early to start thinking about it! However, you'll need a good idea of what course you’re going to apply for before you launch into writing it. On the other hand, don’t leave it too late as it's quite a long process and you're likely to have a few drafts before reaching your finished product.

Remember:  your referee will need to see your personal statement before they can write your reference. If you get yourself organised over the summer, you can start by jotting down a few ideas over those few weeks - ready to start writing it when you arrive back to school or college in September.

The Ucas application deadline for most undergraduate uni courses starting in September 2024 is 31 January 2024. If you're applying to Oxbridge or for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science courses to start in 2024 there's an earlier deadline – 16 October 2023. You can find all the key Ucas deadlines and application dates for 2024 entry in this article . 

• Read more: universities reveal all about personal statements

How long can the personal statement be?

Statements are limited to whichever is shorter of either:

• 4,000 characters (including spaces)  OR

Be aware that software such as Microsoft Word may not give a character or line count that completely matches what the Ucas form says. The character count should be reasonably accurate, but the line limit is more difficult because lines may wrap at different points depending on the software you're using.

The only way to be 100% sure what the character and line counts are is to copy your draft statement into your online Ucas form (but be careful not to submit it unless you're sure it's the final version). You can edit and save your personal statement without submitting it as many times as you like, and you'll only be able to mark the section as complete when you're on the preview screen. 

If testing out your personal statement draft on your Ucas form still feels too risky, you can get a good indication of where you're at by using the Courier New font, size 10, with the default margins, to get a reasonable estimate how many lines your personal statement will be. If you've left a line between paragraphs, then you will probably reach the line limit before the character limit.

• Read more: how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Where do I start?

Most people won’t be able to just start writing the statement off the top of their head – so it’s a good idea to jot down a few notes first. The main things to think about are:

• What do I want to study? (if you can't answer this, you should probably concentrate on working it out before writing your personal statement).
• Why do I want to study it?
• What personal qualities, interests and experience do I have which show I am suited to this subject, and to study at university?

Many people have trouble writing about themselves and their personal qualities. If you’re struggling with this step, it can be helpful to look up some information on writing a CV - there are a lot of parallels in how to put yourself forward effectively.

• Read more: five practical tips to help with your personal statement

What sort of structure should I use?

Most people write their personal statement in an essay style, starting off with the course, and why they want to do it, then talking about their relevant work experience and skills and finishing off with extracurricular activities.

As a guide, spend around two thirds of the space talking about your course and how you’re suited to it, and one third on your work experience and other activities. Exactly how you write your statement depends on your subject – generally people write more about work experience for vocational subjects like medicine and law than they would for subjects like maths or English where work experience is less important.

• Read more: avoid these ten biggest personal statement mistakes

No formatting of any type is allowed in your personal statement (except using capital letters), so any bold, italic, or underlined words will disappear in the preview.

Tabs and multiple spaces will be condensed to a single space, so it is not possible to indent lines. Single spaces at the beginning of lines will also be removed.

You have a very limited set of special characters. Common symbols that aren't allowed are € and the special quote characters “ ‘ ’ ” which will simply be removed from your statement, so remember to replace quotes with " and '.

Backslashes (\) are also not allowed, but will be replaced with forward slashes (/) and curly brackets will be replaced with normal ones.

What’s the most important part of the personal statement?

Write about your aspirations in a meaningful way. The crucial bit about a personal statement is where you talk about the subject you are applying for and why you want to do this at uni. Admissions tutors will always focus on this bit – so make this interesting and not just a list of books. Your personality should emerge here – they should be able to understand what is driving you to apply for this course, as well as getting a sense of your energy and enthusiasm.

• Read more: how to write your university application

Should I talk about what I want to do after university?

You could, but only if you have a good idea of what you want to do. If you sound sure about what you want to do after uni it gives the impression that you’ve thought carefully about your course and what you want to do with it. It's also a nice way to round off your statement, rather than finishing on less important stuff like extra curricular activities. If you don’t have any future plans, then leave this bit out – you don’t want to be asked about them at interviews.

Should I talk about my qualifications?

No. There’s already a section on the Ucas form for this, so don’t waste the space on your personal statement. If you have something important which doesn’t go in the qualifications section, ask your referee to put it down in your reference – it will sound better if it comes from them than from you. This goes for module marks as well. Some people are told they should try to link each A-level to the course they are applying for. It can be far more effective to focus your time and space on talking about the subject you are applying for – that is what matters.

How do I write it for two different courses?

There’s no easy way to write a personal statement for two totally unrelated courses. If the courses are similar you may find you can write a statement relevant to both, without mentioning either subject by name. If the courses are completely unrelated, it may be impossible to write for both subjects without your personal statement sounding vague and unfocused. Instead you will need to concentrate on just one subject and just ignore the other – it sometimes works!

What are admissions tutors looking for?

Different admissions tutors are looking for different things, but in general they will be thinking things like:  “Do we want this student on this course?” , and  “Do we want this student at this university?”  And most will be looking for an interest in the subject you are applying for that goes beyond simply your A-level syllabus/reading list. 

Remember, most universities and departments now publish information on applications and writing personal statements, so reading the subject section of their website might list more specific information on exactly what they’re looking for. If in doubt, google the name of the university along with the subject/course and admissions statement.

• Read more: 6 steps you need to take to apply to university

Is it worth doing loads of extracurricular stuff to make it sound good?

There’s no point doing extra things just to try and make yourself look good to universities – you won’t enjoy it and it probably won’t help much either. An interest and aptitude for the course is likely to be more important to admissions tutors than lots of extracurricular activities. If you do want to do something to boost your application, read relevant books or do work experience related to the subject instead. 

What happens if I lie on the personal statement?

If you aren't confident that the universities will accept you based on your predicted grades or something else, you might reconsider applying. 

It's best not to write anything which you can't back up in interview if necessary. Interviewers can and do bring up nearly anything in a personal statement as a basis for questions. 

Any last tips?

What have you done that's relevant to your subject, that is unique, and that it's likely no one else is going to write about in their personal statement? Many people have similar interests and work experience, so you need something to separate you from the crowd. For example, everyone who applies for economics seems to read The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Guardian. So if you put down those, don't expect them to be amazed by your reading around the subject. Have a deeper think – what makes you special? 

• Read more: how to write your personal statement in an evening

And the most important thing?

Finally, remember that it’s your personal statement, and you can write  whatever you want  on it. If everything in this guide conflicts with what you’ve got already, but you think you still have a killer personal statement, then use that. A personal statement is about  you , and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you what to put – sticking blindly to a formula will just stop your true personality showing through.

Tricks to squeeze more in

• Remember it's a personal statement, and leave out anything unnecessary.
• Don't repeat yourself.
• Cut out the waffle – be concise!
• Get rid of pointless words, such as very specific details or unecessary adjectives
• Ask your referee to mention some stuff that you cannot
• Get some structure to your statement
• If you can't get it under the line/character limit, you may just have to chop whole sentences

What should I do once I’ve written it?

Get people's opinions on it! Show it to your friends, parents, teachers, career advisors and so on and note down their comments. The most useful comments are likely to come from your teachers in the subject and the people at your school or college who handle Ucas applications. If you have enough time, leave your personal statement for a couple of weeks to a month and come back to it – if you’re not still happy with what you wrote, it’s time to start redrafting.

Definitely do not post it on an internet forum or discussion board. If your personal statement is published online before your application is complete, it may get picked up by Ucas' plagiarism detection .

You may want to look at these...

The ucas personal statement is changing in 2025.

A question-based personal statement will be required as part of university applications from autumn 2025 onwards

Teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Writing a personal statement is one of the most important things you will do when applying to university. Here is some useful advice and insider knowledge from Mrs Kinetta, who has more than 25 years of experience as a sixth form tutor.

How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps

Help and advice on putting your application together

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Personal statement examples by subject: complete list

Take a look at how other students have written their personal statements

When you're writing your university personal statement, a little inspiration can be handy.

On The Student Room, we have hundreds of real personal statements written by students when they applied for university in previous years.

You'll find all of these listed below, in order of subject. 

For more help with writing your personal statement, our personal statement section  is a good place to go. You can also find tips and discussion in the personal statement advice forum .

If you've already been to university, you can  add your own personal statement to the library  to help others.

And don't forget our sister site The Uni Guide , which has expert advice on getting your personal statement sorted.

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September 22, 2020

Mature – Personal Statements

Whether you apply through a UCAS application, or through the Mature Learner entry scheme, you will need to write a personal statement. 

This is a body of text where you describe your skills and experience and how this makes you an ideal candidate for the course you’re applying for. 

Your personal statement is often the only way that admissions officers get to see the person behind the application and it’s your chance to impress. We want you to demonstrate that you are passionate about your chosen subject area and that you’ve done your research and are fully informed about the area you want to go into. Watch this video to find out more, or keep reading below. 

We expect you to talk about your experience that relates to the field in question. For example, if you’re applying for an Occupational Therapy course, you may mention your experience of working in a caring capacity such as work experience in a hospital or a care home. If you’re applying for Business, you may mention your experience of being involved in the business admin or accounting side of your job. 

As a Mature Student, you may have been out of education for a while. Use this to your advantage and discuss how your time out has given you real-world experience in the world of work. Don’t worry about trying to sound too academic – as long as your writing is professional and grammatically correct you will be fine. Don’t feel pressured to use longer words, a concise personal statement which is clear and easy to read is best. A piece of writing that is difficult to read or understand is not a good way to introduce yourself. 

There are lots of ways you can structure your personal statement and there are lots of online tools to help you get started. I’ve listed some below

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/how-write-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement

https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/ucas-personal-statement-worksheet.pdf 

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/writing-personal-statement/introducing-personal-statement-tool

TOP TIPS 

• Don’t lie or exaggerate
• Don’t plagiarise – we use tools to check how similar your personal statement is to others. This is a historic tool, so has a bank of personal statements from previous years.
• Don’t use quotes, humour or get too opinionated 
• Don’t rely on spellchecker – make sure you have other people read it and check your spelling and grammar. If you need more help, Grammarly is a really good app to use (it s free)
• Don’t leave it until the last minute – you’ll need to do multiple drafts, and ask someone at your college or someone you trust to read it through and give you feedback. 

If you want more support with your personal statement, please email [email protected] 

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Inside Uni of York’s colleges: We asked for your honest opinions on first year accom

Literally everywhere is getting slated

College rivalry really isn’t that strong at York, but there is definitely a sense of judgement that comes with your accom. You got David Kato? That’s cool, I guess. Alcuin? Where even is that? Goodricke? Boring. Plus, it’s not just the college reputations that students have to deal with – it’s the buildings themselves. Let the horror stories roll in.

We asked current students over on Instagram for their best Uni of York freshers advice, and then asked for any guidance about the college accommodation. Because let’s be honest, the one thing that new students wanna know is where they’re going to be living. The York Tab’s ultimate guide to the colleges does a pretty good job of summing them up, but I’m sure you wanna hear the real and wild truths – straight from the students mouth.

‘Langwith is best 100 per cent’

Starting off strong with Uni of York freshers advice on accommodation. Our messages were filled with pledges to Langwith College, an accom that can seem to do no wrong. You’ll hear a whisper now and then of something mad going on in a Langwith flat, but then it’s never brought up again. That’s the magic of being a little separated from the rest of Campus East, and having a karaoke bar right there in the middle of the buildings. If you get Langwith for your first year accom, congrats. Just know your Freshers’ Week and the whole rest of the year will most likely be amazing.

‘Alcuin is definitely underrated, yes there isn’t a massive party lifestyle but it was incredibly wholesome!’

Someone vouching for Alcuin! I think the real moral of the story with Alcuin College is that people who live there, love it. And then people who have never even been inside like to violate it at every opportunity they get. For example,

‘Worst accom is Alcuin so dead’

Bit of a sharp contrast here, but it really does just depend on your personality I guess…

‘The £99 Halifax college rooms are actually vibes, Vanbrugh is not as nice as you think!!’

Slating one college to big up another, amazing. Halifax is definitely terrored the most for technically being off campus, but the little college village is quite cute and very social. Plus, of course, it is by far the cheapest of all the uni accommodation – so if you like it, bargain!

‘Don’t ever put Halifax high on your preference list, worst year of my life lol’

The “lol” really tells you how serious this one is. Hope you’re okay, genuinely. To be fair, I think you could put Halifax anywhere on your preference list and you would still get it. Sometimes I think they give you your last choice just for a bit of fun x

‘My Halifax house went to war with another house in first year over a stolen sex doll (we threw 100 eggs)’

Classic Halifax. What is going on over there?

‘West colleges are so much better than east colleges, think of a cold bus at 8:30am’

Bit of a unique opinion here, as East colleges are in much better condition than West. However, the trek between the two campuses is really rough, especially in the winter, so you can’t have the best of both worlds. Cold accommodation or cold walk to lectures?

‘Vanbrugh has great vibes but the older accom is a bit run down’

True to campus West accom, Vanbrugh is quite old and generally just filled with cobwebs. The kitchens aren’t great, but being right in the centre of West means it’s pretty easy to take a much needed break from your flat. Anything to keep those great vibes going x

‘My dad saw Vanbrugh Band 2 on an open day and said he’d rather stay in a prison’

Dad’s always speak to brutal truth. He has a point, but I dread to think what he would do if he saw Derwent.

‘Worst is Derwent’

This is kinda similar vibes to Alcuin – if you live there you love it, but if not it’s just plain ugly. Derwent has probably been compared more to a prison than a university accommodation, but we’ll move past that quickly. The charm of Derwent really doesn’t come from its buildings, but the people, who really love a good party. I would personally never miss a pres at Derwent x

‘Flatmate had a harmonica, he played all the time for the whole year’

I can’t decide if this is good or bad, who doesn’t like a bit of music while studying? If he was playing through the night, when did he sleep? Might have just sent me to transfer to YSJ.

‘Best accom is the newest builds, David Kato and Anne Lister’

This is probably true, but also a bit boring. Yeah there’s a communal lounge, pool tables, lockers, outdoor areas, brand new flats, etc – but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Every student needs something to complain about in their accom, it’s character building. What do people in Kato and Lister even talk about?

‘Constantine, someone shat on the shared sofa in first week’

Well, this has took a bit of a turn. The first week is absolutely lethal, like did we get a new sofa? Have we been sat on the floor for the whole year?

‘Catered accom is worth it if you’re scared about cooking or scared about uni kitchens!’

Catered 100 per cent makes life a lot easier. If you’re worried that you should have gone self-catered to have a bit more freedom, when uni kicks in and you’re getting in past 6pm, you’ll be thanking yourself that you don’t have to cook. If you’re the opposite and wishing you were catered, you’ll soon get into the flow of cooking each night – time spent in the kitchen is often the best of flat life! Plus, the uni does offer certain meal packages to buy so that you can be partially catered whilst in a self-catering accom.

Related articles recommended by this author:

•We asked Uni of York students for their best advice for incoming freshers

•The 14 things no one tells you to prepare for when becoming a York student

• From Halifax to James, here’s how the students of Uni of York colleges spend their summer

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Besides enjoying some much needed time away from aggressive geese…

If you’ve done these 13 things, you’re definitely ready to graduate from York

Don’t worry, Popworld is not included

Calling all York graduates, here are five must-have gifts to treat yourself

Because you deserve them all x

Whether you’re first or third year, these places need to be on your York summer bucket list

Before the dreaded start of next semester…

Over 1,000 sign petition opposing University of York’s decision to vacate Kings Manor

Part of the university estate since 1963, the Grade I-listed Manor was used for history and archaeology teaching

University of York drops nearly 20 places in new global university ranking

We may be a sustainability legend but the job prospects aren’t looking good

Statues, merch and a murder confession: Everything that’s happened in the year since we lost Long Boi

It’s been one year since our beloved longthy king sadly passed away (RIP Long Boi)

Student repeatedly punched in face by bouncer at York Uni ball after headbutting him

The student was later arrested on suspicion of assault

BBC Radio 1 has released official Long Boi merch, designed by Greg James

The t-shirt and bucket hat were available at Radio 1 Big Weekend and are soon to be sold online

Erm, a Lancaster student has confessed to killing Long Boi but the uni has said otherwise

An anonymous confession claimed to have put the duck in a plastic bag and thrown him in the lake

Uni of York Pro-Palestine encampment spreads to second lawn after one week of occupation

Demonstrators have been demanding the uni fully cut ties with weapons manufacturers

Pro-Palestine students rally on campus to ‘end University of York’s complicity in genocide’

Demonstrators are demanding the university refuse research funds and grants from arms companies with ties to Israel

Students launch Palestine solidarity encampment on University of York campus

Demonstrators demand that the university fully cuts ties with weapon manufacturers through grants and research funds

Here’s exactly how House of the Dragon ends, if you don’t wait to wait till season three

We’re expected to wait till 2026 to know who wins the Iron Throne?!

‘You’re my type on paper’: Here’s why people prefer Love Is Blind UK over Love Island

Viewers agree that Love Is Blind UK is just a far superior dating show

Inside Freddie from Love Is Blind UK’s wholesome life, when he’s not winning hearts on the show

Where can I find myself a Freddie?

People think Justin revealed the original It Ends With Us poster and it’s so much better

The new one really focuses on one person in particular…

Erm, Blake Lively is actually a huge nepo baby and people are only now realising it

Her parents even took her to their acting classes instead of getting a babysitter

Matt Rife defends prior joke about domestic violence: ‘Not all see themselves as victims’

‘Sometimes people need to laugh to heal through the things that make them uncomfortable’

Um, Karma by JoJo Siwa is outperforming Katy Perry’s new single on Spotify?

Yesterday, JoJo’s five month old song got more daily streams than Katy’s latest single

‘You’re telling me what I want to hear’: All of Jasmine’s green flags on Love Is Blind UK

Jasmine they could never make me hate you

George RR Martin reveals major regrets about Game of Thrones books

If only he wrote books as fast as Taylor Swift writes albums

It Ends With Us set had ‘Team Blake’ and ‘Team Justin’ camps further fuelling their feud

The competition reportedly led the two to ‘stop talking’

Seeing ‘Clairo shade’ all over your timeline? Here’s what the memes actually mean

I promise this article is NOT Clairo shade!!!

Two old interviews where Blake Lively says a transphobic slur have resurfaced and it’s BAD

What was she thinking?

Inside the low-key life of Isabela Ferrer, Blake Lively’s bestie and It Ends With Us star

She even has Blake’s famous face mole…?!

All the Love Is Blind UK cast members’ desperate attempts at fame before the show

So many of them have been on reality TV before

It Ends With Us cast ‘scared’ of Blake Lively as she has ‘no plans’ to address messy drama

Apparently she wants to ‘put the ordeal behind her’

‘Angry and pissed off’: Diego’s actor slams Five and Lila’s romance in The Umbrella Academy

Let’s be honest, it was really weird

Are Young Sheldon stars Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord secretly in a massive feud?

There’s a concerning amount of evidence

Tommy Fury ‘tried to win Molly-Mae back’ hours after split and ‘will fight’ to make it work

He’s ‘gutted’ by the split and is doing what he can to get her back

Jojo Siwa just hard launched her new girlfriend, so here’s what we know about Dakayla Wilson

The couple met when Jojo was a judge of So You Think You Can Dance

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After Molly and Tommy’s split, here’s a recap of every Love Island 2019 couple that broke up

It’s official – every 2019 couple is over

University Statements

Update on cornell-uaw negotiations.

Dear Ithaca campus community,

As you may know, the university and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) have been working on a new collective bargaining agreement since April 2024. The UAW represents about 1,300 of our employees across campus, including in Dining, Building Care, Facilities, CALS, CVM and the Statler Hotel. The university and the UAW have had a productive labor-management relationship for more than 40 years, and we are committed to the continued success of this relationship and to reaching our next agreement.

Despite the best efforts of the university, the parties have not yet reached a new agreement. The parties have been successful on a number of key issues concerning the bargaining unit, such as health and personal leave (“HAP”), vacation consistent with university policy, and health and safety. We have proposed to the UAW that we use the federal mediator assigned to the negotiations or a mediator of the UAW’s choice to assist the parties in reaching a complete agreement. The UAW has rejected this suggestion.

The University’s latest offer to the UAW includes the following:

• 6% wage increase in the first year, with additional increases in each of the additional proposed years.
• Changes to wage rates based on years of service which, with the 6% increase, result in wage increases of at least 10% for more than half of the unit.
• A reduction of the time for new employees to reach the job rate for their positions, from three years to one year.
• An increased wage for our most senior employees, recognizing them at 10 years and 25 years of service.
• Bonuses recognizing the longevity of employees at 5 and 15 years of service.
• Increases to clothing and shoe allowances across the unit, including provision of these allowances to additional groups of employees.
• Increased pay rates for employees providing peer-to-peer on the job training.
• Increased eligibility for shift differential.
• Support for tipped employees with retirement savings.

We are committed to continuing to bargain with the UAW to reach a new agreement.

The university is aware that the UAW has voted to authorize a strike and has scheduled a rally for today at Bailey Hall. If a strike is called, employees represented by the UAW may decide to join the strike or they may elect to report to work. We respect employees’ right to make this decision.

If the UAW calls a strike, the university has contingency plans in place to maintain essential services. Any shifts in operations, such as reduced dining hours or offerings, will be communicated on a rolling basis as these impacts may vary day to day. Employees with questions should consult with their supervisors for additional guidance on contingency plans.

The university continues to bargain in good faith. We remain hopeful we will find common ground on the remaining open issues and reach a tentative agreement acceptable to the employees represented by the UAW.

Christine Lovely Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Stuck bridges, buckling roads − extreme heat is wreaking havoc on America’s aging infrastructure

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington

Disclosure statement

Suyun Paul Ham does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Texas Arlington provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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Summer 2024’s record heat is creating problems for transportation infrastructure, from roads to rails.

New York’s Third Avenue Bridge, which swings open for ship traffic on the Harlem River, was stuck for hours after its metal expanded in the heat and it couldn’t close. Roads have buckled on hot days in several states, including Washington and Wisconsin . Amtrak warned passengers to prepare for heat-related problems hours before a daylong outage between New York and New Jersey; the risks to power lines and rails during high temperatures are a growing source of delays for the train system.

It doesn’t help that the worsening heat is hitting a U.S. infrastructure system that’s already in trouble.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of C- in its latest national Infrastructure Report Card, released in 2021. While there has been some improvement – about 7.5% of U.S. bridges were in poor condition, compared with over 12% a decade earlier – many bridges are aging, making them difficult to maintain. Forty percent of the road system was considered in poor or mediocre condition, and maintenance costs have substantially increased .

The rate at which a bridge or road deteriorates depends not only on the materials and construction methods used but also on the climate during the structure’s life span. Extreme heat, in particular, significantly affects transportation infrastructure. As climate change progresses, the frequency and intensity of heat waves are expected to increase, exacerbating these issues.

I lead the Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory at the University of Texas at Arlington, where my team works on ways to better monitor the structural health of infrastructure. Here’s why infrastructure struggles in the heat – and how engineers are innovating to help extend its life.

Buckling highways pose a hazard for drivers

When a road is built, it is cut into segments to create space for the pavement to expand during high heat or to contract in the cold. Without that space, the pavement can buckle when the road material heats up. Buckling of concrete pavement has become a serious problem in several states .

Pavement becomes vulnerable to buckling for a number of reasons. The roadway’s design, the materials it is made out of, the climate when it was built and the weather during its lifetime can affect its life span, as can damage to the road and improper repairs.

Extreme temperatures and heavy precipitation can cause significant damage to roadways and jeopardize the structural integrity of rail systems. Additionally, sea-level rise is accelerating coastal erosion that can undermine roads and rail lines . The deterioration of pavement leads to traffic delays and damaged vehicles. And, most critically, it can cause traffic accidents.

Hot rails can expand and also buckle

Rail expansion is another significant concern, especially with continuous welded rails like the main lines that trains use.

When temperatures rise, rails expand due to the heat. This expansion can create high pressure and tension within the rail material. Combined with the forces exerted by moving trains, this pressure can cause the tracks to buckle to the side and become misaligned . It is sometimes referred to as a “ sun kink .”

Buckling rails are a serious safety hazard that can cause derailments. That’s one of the reasons Amtrak slows its speed in extreme heat, often leading to schedule delays. Washington, D.C.’s Metro cuts its trains speed to a maximum of 35 mph once rails reach a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius).

Predicting these thermal stresses can be challenging. Rail temperature measurements alone are not enough, because there are many unknown factors related to the track’s structure and how it moves. This makes it difficult to accurately forecast how much the rails will expand or contract.

Engineers can reduce rail expansion risk by using heat-resistant materials, such as hypereutectoid rail steel and martensite rail steel, adjusting track design and ensuring timely repairs.

To prevent roadways from buckling, engineers also have protective measures, such as using single-cut sawed joints filled with sealant to provide flexibility while keeping water out. They can also implement cold weather concreting practices that avoid pouring concrete during low temperatures or on cold bases, and they can use stronger and more durable concrete. Performing timely repairs when pavement cracks and becomes damaged can also help avoid buckling.

Keeping infrastructure healthy

Infrastructure health is similar to human health: If doctors detect problems such as tumors or cancer only in the later stages, it is often too late. Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.

One area my department works on is nondestructive evaluation methods for monitoring infrastructure without causing damage or requiring long road closures .

We use mobile scanning systems that are almost like portable MRI machines to look for weakness or defects in bridges, roads and runways. We are also developing advanced sensors that use mechanical and magnetic field phenomena to assess the condition of infrastructure, and we are using artificial intelligence to spot problems in the materials.

Infrastructure will face increasing challenges as the climate changes and roads, bridges and other infrastructure age. The large number of buckling roadways and other problems this summer highlight the urgent need for resilient infrastructure to stand up to the future.

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• Civil engineering

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Former Cornell student gets 21 months in prison for posting violent threats to Jewish students

FILE - A Cornell University sign is seen on the Ivy League school’s campus, Jan. 14, 2022, in Ithaca, N.Y. Patrick Dai, a former Cornell University student arrested for posting violently threatening statements against Jewish people on campus last fall after the start of the war in Gaza was sentenced to 21 months in prison Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A former Cornell University student arrested for posting statements threatening violence against Jewish people on campus last fall after the start of the war in Gaza was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison.

Patrick Dai, of suburban Rochester, New York was accused by federal officials in October of posting anonymous threats to shoot and stab Jewish people on a Greek life forum. The threats came during a spike in antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric related to the war and rattled Jewish students on the upstate New York campus.

Dai pleaded guilty in April to posting threats to kill or injure another person using interstate communications.

He was sentenced in federal court to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release by Judge Brenda Sannes, according to federal prosecutors. The judge said Dai “substantially disrupted campus activity” and committed a hate crime, but noted his diagnosis of autism, his mental health struggles and his non-violent history, according to cnycentral.com .

Dai, 22, had faced a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“Every student has the right to pursue their education without fear of violence based on who they are, how they look, where they are from or how they worship,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a news release. “Antisemitic threats of violence, like the defendant’s vicious and graphic threats here, violate that right.”

Dai’s mother has said he she believes the threats were partly triggered by medication he was taking to treat depression and anxiety.

Public defender Lisa Peebles has argued that Dai is pro-Israel and that the posts were a misguided attempt to garner support for the country.

“He believed, wrongly, that the posts would prompt a ‘blowback’ against what he perceived as anti-Israel media coverage and pro-Hamas sentiment on campus,” Peebles wrote in a court filing.

Dai, who was a junior at the time, was suspended from the Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York.

• Personal statement dos and don'ts

Applying to university

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• Filling in your application
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• How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses
• How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
• Fraud and similarity
• How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
• How to end your personal statement
• Introducing the personal statement tool
• What to include in a personal statement
• Using AI and ChatGPT to help you with your personal statement
• Using your personal statement beyond a university application
• Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
• Personal statement guides
• References for mature students

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

UCAS asked admissions tutors – the people who read and score your personal statement – for their advice on what you should and shouldn’t do when writing your personal statement. 

The most common piece of advice was not to worry about it – and don’t be tempted to copy anyone else’s.

Read our step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement

Then follow our simple tips below.

• Do talk about why you’re a good candidate – talk about you, your motivations and what brings you to this course.
• Do be enthusiastic – if you show you’re interested in the course, it may help you get a place.
• Do make it relevant . Connect what you’re saying with the course and with your experiences.
• Do outline your ideas clearly .
• Do avoid the negatives – highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths.
• Do expect to produce several drafts of your personal statement before being totally happy with it.
• Do ask people you trust for their feedback.
• Don’t be modest or shy . You want your passions to come across. 
• Don’t exaggerate – if you do, you may get caught out in an interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement.
• Don’t use quotes from someone else, or cliches.
• Don’t leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out.
• Don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement , but don't just rely on a spellchecker. Proofread as many times as possible.
• Don’t copy and paste – make yours original.
• Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or on social media or share your personal statement with anyone including your friends and family, unless asking for feedback from people you trust.
• Don’t worry about it – we have all the advice you need to help you stand out in your personal statement. 

The personal statement tool image

Don’t be tempted to copy or share your statement.

UCAS scans all personal statements through a similarity detection system to compare them with previous statements.

Any similarity greater than 30% will be flagged and we'll inform the universities and colleges to which you have applied. 

Find out more

Ana ghaffari moghaddam – third year law student and careers coach, university of liverpool.

You’ve got this. Follow those simple steps and use your personal statement as your chance to shine .Use the below as a checklist to make sure you've avoided all common pitfalls.

Want more tips on what to include in your personal statement? Use the links below.

• Get started with our personal statement builder . 
• Five things all students should include in their personal statement. 
• See how you can turn your personal statement into a CV, apprenticeship application or covering letter. 
• Read How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber .

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Postgraduate taught

Written work requirements

Some courses require a sample of your written work to demonstrate your suitability.

Departmental requirements

Details of what to include in your sample of written work will be provided during the application process. Not all courses require written work as part of your application. Please check the relevant course page for further information.

Where a sample of your written work is needed, it will be assessed for your analytical and critical thinking skills; your ability to construct and defend an argument and your powers of expression.

To help you to prepare before you start your application, you can find out about course-specific requirements below.

Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.

If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 322142

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Supply at least two examples of your recent written work.

These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study.

MA Eighteenth Century Studies

Supply two examples of your recent written work.

These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.

We are looking for self-directed high-quality work which shows that you are suitably prepared for postgraduate study.

Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended). The best essays have:

• a clear argument, built by using good materials and examples to back up your points
• engagement with existing scholarly work
• accurate references
• a clear conclusion.

It is usually better to select of piece of work written later in your degree, as this will be your strongest work.

A section from a research essay or dissertation might be ideal, but don't send the whole work.

Select a good six to ten-page section and give a very brief introduction explaining how this section fits into the bigger work.

These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.

MA Renaissance and Early Modern Studies

These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study. Ideally, at least one will relate to the Renaissance and Early Modern period.

MA History of Art and pathway degrees

You should submit one sample of academic-style writing, maximum 1,500 words in length.

Where possible the subject matter should concern art history, but if your background lies in other areas, we would welcome work in another field such as literature, history or other subjects. The writing sample should:

• demonstrate your command of the subject
• have an argument
• engage with primary sources (such as a work of art or architecture) and with specialist scholarship.

The writing sample should have a scholarly apparatus (including footnotes, bibliography, and a list of illustrations); this apparatus does not count towards the word count.

Your writing sample might typically be an excerpt from a previous essay or dissertation, or a new text written specially for the application. If you are submitting an excerpt from a longer piece of writing, please add a note at the start to clarify the context from which it is taken.

If you have any questions or concerns about the writing sample, please feel free to contact the Graduate Chair in History of Art for advice.

Please note that if you submit your writing sample electronically, you may need to remove digital images from your work so that the file size does not surpass 1MB. We will read art-historical writing samples without images so long as your text indicates which images were originally included in a list of illustrations.

MA Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management

The written sample for the MA in Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management does not have to be on a stained glass topic, but needs to show use of scholarly mechanisms and an ability to construct arguments.

MA Medieval Studies

You should include two essays as part of your application.

Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended).

The best essays have:

Your essays can be from the same or from different disciplines, ie one from literature and one from art history; but one must be on a medieval topic.

It is usually better to select pieces of work written later in your degree rather than your first year.

You may even choose to write an essay specifically for the application, especially if you've been out of education for many years.

MA Culture and Thought after 1945

You should include two examples of your recent written work which demonstrate some links to the MA content.

They should be at least 3,000 words in length but not significantly more.

You may write something specifically for this application if you wish.

MA Music Production

Provide a short portfolio of extracts (no longer than five minutes) of some of your previous work in music production.

You can attach an mp3 (320kb/s) file along with your application, or you can provide a text document containing an external download link for your portfolio (in mp3 320kb/s or higher resolution formats).

Please also provide a short written statement (maximum 500 words) describing the portfolio items and how they were produced. Also, provide in under 500 words a short written statement describing the musicianship, scholarship or research that is relevant to the production work that you wish to do.

MA Music Performance

If you wish to specialise in performance, you should provide a video recording (or a link to an online video recording) of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire that includes Western art music. Please refer to the entry requirements for the programme for more information.

• Music Performance: Vocal Studies
• Music Performance: Historical Performance Practices
• Music Performance: Piano Studies
• Music Performance: Solo Voice Ensemble Singing

 MA musicology 

If you wish to specialise in musicology please supply a sample academic essay with referencing on a music-related subject of your choice.

MA Philosophy

Please supply a 2,000- to 4,000-word essay written on a philosophical theme. This could be an essay written for a previous Philosophy degree.

MA Film and Television Production with Cinematography

To accompany your application, please send us a short portfolio highlighting your best creative work through filmmaking.

A recorded personal statement video 'self tape' lasting no more than four minutes, clearly answering: (1) What is it about cinematography that interests you? (2) What filmmaking experience do you have working in cinematography? (3) What qualities do you possess that you feel would make you a good cinematographer? (4) Why do you want to come and study the MA with Cinematography at York?

A portfolio highlighting your best creative work through film- or television-making. These should be provided in a PDF or Word document providing weblinks to personal websites or video streaming sites such as Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, etc. for your work to be viewed. Portfolio projects must also include production credits for your name to be identified, and in English where possible. Alongside your portfolio weblinks, provide one written paragraph explaining your role in camera or lighting for each film example shared.

Provide further evidence of any development work you carried out in your role for each portfolio piece provided, which could include annotated script notes/breakdowns, mood boards, location stills, storyboards, behind the scenes footage or photographs, etc.

If you have difficulties uploading, please contact us by email.

MA Film and Television Production with Producing

Ideally, you will have some experience of film, television or video production. However, we will consider applicants with experience in other performance arts or media, such as theatre or music, who have an interest in producing. In all cases we want to see examples of your media production work and details about your specific role in creating it .

To accompany your application, send us a Word or PDF document with web links to your work, eg YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox etc, so we can view it directly. We cannot accept physical media.

These sample projects can be in any genre, such as narrative, non-fiction or animation. They should demonstrate your talent and ambition.

We prefer to see entire works but you may also include a link to a showreel, so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well.

If you have difficulties uploading please email us.

In a separate Word or PDF document, describe your specific role in the creation of each project , eg producer, production manager or director. You should also indicate whether this was a project you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise. This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.

MA Film and Television Production with Directing

To apply to this course you must have some prior experience in directing film, television or video.

To accompany your application, please send us a Word or PDF portfolio document with web links to your sample directing work so we can view it online, eg Youtube, Vimeo or Dropbox. We cannot accept physical media.

Sample projects can be in any genre, eg narrative, non-fiction or animation. They should demonstrate your talent and ambition. You may also include a link to a showreel so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well.

We consider quality over quantity, so please only send links to your best work.

If you have difficulties uploading to your application, please contact us by email.

In a separate Word or PDF document , give details for each project listed in your portfolio document including:

• your specific role(s) in the creation of it
• whether it was a project you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise
• a brief description of your specific creative objectives for it.

This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.

MA Playwriting

Supply at least two examples of recent written work .

One should be a piece of your own creative writing (for example, a play script).

The second should be a piece of analytical writing. It may be an essay which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

MA Theatre-Making

You must include one piece of recent written work for your application.

This should be a piece of analytical writing of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words . It may be:

• an essay that you have written for a present or past course
• material you've prepared for some other purpose
• something you have written especially for your application to York.

Additionally, you may choose to submit a recording of some recent creative work , eg an acting or directing project. Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo and OneDrive are recommended.

MA/MSc Film and Television Production with Sound

Alongside your application, we would like to see a short portfolio of your creative work . This could include samples of sound design-related work you've been involved with, for example:

• a short film or television/video programmes with an original soundtrack
• sound or music recordings
• audio applications you have programmed.

Include in a separate document (one page maximum) details of your role in these projects. These examples should demonstrate your talent and ambition and also link to your portfolio work submitted. There is no need to send many examples – just what you consider your best work.

Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo, and OneDrive are recommended.

MA Film and Television Production with Editing

Alongside your application, we would like to see a  short portfolio of your creative work . This could include samples of editing in which you have been involved, for example

• a short film
• television or video programmes
• animations.

You should include in a separate document (one page maximum) details of your role in these projects. These examples should demonstrate your talent and ambition. There is no need to send many examples - just what you consider your best work. 

Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo and OneDrive are recommended.

If you have difficulties with uploading, please contact us by email.

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At News Conference, Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Entitled to Personal Attacks’ Against Kamala Harris

Mr. Trump suggested he has no plans to moderate the tone of his campaign even as some Republicans have pushed him to emphasize policy issues.

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Reporting from Bedminster, N.J.

• Aug. 15, 2024

Toward the end of a meandering news conference, former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday insisted he was “entitled” to continue his barrage of personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, even as Republican allies are pushing him to shift his tone and emphasize policy issues.

Saying he was “very angry” at Ms. Harris, Mr. Trump told reporters outside the clubhouse of his golf course in Bedminster, N.J., that “I think I’m entitled to personal attacks,” and that he had little respect for his Democratic opponent.

“I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence, and I think she’ll be a terrible president,” he said, adding, “She certainly attacks me personally.”

The former president said that he didn’t need to moderate his tone to win the Republican primary, insisting that he was now running a “very calm campaign” — and even a calm news conference. “I didn’t rant and rave,” he said of his own performance as he was in the middle of it on Thursday. “I’m a very calm person.” Still, Mr. Trump repeatedly cast his opponents as “radical” and “sick.”

His nearly 80-minute news conference was intended, in part, to show his renewed emphasis on the economy, inflation and other policy issues. He had props displayed on either side of him in anticipation of such a focus: a grocery-store haul that included three gallons of milk, seven Campbell’s soup cans, at least three dozen eggs and a box of Cheerios cereal that Mr. Trump said he wanted to take home with him.

But during both his remarks and a question-and-answer session with reporters, Mr. Trump bounced between his proposals to fight inflation, his dry recitation of economic figures that he used to criticize Ms. Harris and the Biden administration and a number of other wide-ranging tangents, including complaints about Hillary Clinton, windmills, the news media and President Biden’s decision to exit the race.

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