Post-18 Options: What parents need to know
This is the most challenging section of the UCAS application to complete. A maximum of 4000 characters or 47 lines is allowed to show who you are and what you can bring to the course and the University. It is not meant to be a list of activities or achievements. Instead, Admissions tutors are looking for a genuine interest in the subject you want to study evidenced with wider reading, involvement in academic competitions, independent online learning beyond the curriculum, debating or lecture attendance.
A good personal statement will not only claim skill progress but will give evidence of how those skills have been gained with examples. These skills are critical at University when discussing academic books and possibly comparing different perspectives and viewpoints on topics and the wider context of the subject.
Completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) requires pupils to read beyond the curriculum and critically examine ideas or theories. So it is a good idea to include a section on this if you have done it.
Work experience is most relevant to vocational degrees including Medicine, Veterinary Science and Engineering. It is less important for traditional academic degrees such as History or English where reading around and beyond the subject is essential.
Additional activities allow a pupil to show they can manage a high workload and be committed elsewhere. Preference is given to relevant extra curricular activities such as volunteering in a nursing home if applying to Medicine or joining Model United Nations if applying for International Relations for example.
All applicants produce several drafts so it is important they begin the process early and keep seeking advice on how to improve the document.