The prospect of writing a personal statement can be daunting. It is not simple to sum up your character, achievements and academic skills in 4,000 characters. I wrote almost 10 drafts over the span of three weeks until I was satisfied. While arguably unnecessary, dedicating a substantial amount of time to your personal statement will pay off. As you are lined up next to thousands of other straight A candidates, the personal statement can often be the deciding factor. This is particularly so at LSE, who are explicit with their focus on the personal statement.
Indeed, the content of the personal statement is only as good as the writing and structure. If you are applying for an essay based subject, the personal statement will be a reflection of your ability to write succinctly and maturely. My recommendation is to have a line of argument, theme or underlying notion throughout the personal statement. Admissions see potential in such candidates as when you get to university, sustaining an overall idea in an essay is essential.
Including a diverse range of pre-reading helps to illustrate a deep interest in your chosen subject. I included four books, two of which I analysed in depth. I also touched on articles, podcasts, videos and lectures. Work experience is not essential and does not have to be directly related to your field: it is more important to discuss the transferrable skills acquired. It is not enough to merely state what you have done without engaging with it: say why you are interested in it; your opinion on the academics; or argue against it.
LSE tend to favour a higher proportion of academic content to extra-curricular (about 80%). I took this to an extreme and used a 90/10 split. Most students that I have spoken to wrote around a quarter on extra-curricular. Indeed, if your extra-curriculars are highly applicable to your chosen degree, it may be worth focusing on them more. Indeed, whatever you choose to discuss, ensure that you interconnect it to the subject that you are applying for. When discussing activities unrelated to academia, try and explain how the skills that you have learned from them can be applied to your future studies.
On a more niche note, if you happen to be in the situation I was and have a “non-preferred subject” such as Art and Design, I recommend using the personal statement to assert the relevance of your subject choice to your degree. More generally, it is useful to link your chosen school subjects to your degree programme and illustrate how they are useful and connected.
In terms of receiving help, your school is a good place to start. Teachers can offer useful insights, as can former pupils, if you can contact them. I would also recommend utilising the vast support available online. For me, listening and reading to the personal statements of those who had already received places at top universities was the most useful way of understanding the level of writing required to succeed. Many are available on YouTube, while other advice on the topic can be found on The Student Room. While this can be valuable, remember to take others’ opinions with a pinch of salt.
While challenging, the personal statement is your opportunity to present your personal qualities and academic skills that will distinguish you from others. The success of your personal statement is very much dependent on the work you put in. My best advice is to take it seriously as it will play a key role in dictating the next stage of your life.
