If you’re applying to study abroad, writing an impressive personal statement is important. You need to show that you’ve got what it takes to succeed in a foreign environment.
To help you write a winning personal statement, we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you get started.
What Is A Personal Statement?
Personal statements are essays that explain why you applied to a certain school and why you feel you are a good match for the course of study offered there.
This is your moment to show that you’re a deserving candidate and to extol your passions, successes, and goals.
How To Start A Personal Statement
You need to get straight to the point when writing your personal statement. Start with a short sentence that captures who you really are and why you’re interested in the course you’ve applied for.
Avoid using clichéd phrases like “I am an enthusiastic student” or “I love to learn”—they won’t make a lasting impression. Instead, focus on communicating your passion and excitement for the subject and showing how it relates to your future career goals.
Starting off with someone else’s quote can be risky. If the admissions tutor doesn’t like what you say, then they will probably not care about what you think.
Don’t Copy and Paste
Admissions tutors aren’t interested in hearing what other people think. They’d rather hear what you believe. Don’t try to copy and paste somebody else’s opinion.
Instead, write your own opinion and let the rest of the essay flow organically from there. You don’t need to start the writing process from the very beginning either. Start halfway through the page and see where it takes you. Once you’re done writing, you might find writing an introduction easier.
What To Include In Your Personal Statement
Why Should You Study Abroad?
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to explore another culture and gain valuable life experience. New people, new perspectives, and a fresh look at the world await you when you travel.
Why You Should Study At This University?
Tell the admissions tutor why their university is the best place for studying abroad.
Why You Want To Focus On This Subject?
Show them how passionate you are about the subject you’ve chosen to specialise in.
Why You’re Interested In This Degree?
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject you’ve selected.
Why Do You Want To Do This Course?
Explain why you think this course is right for you.
Your Long-Term Career Goals:
Discussing what you want to achieve after graduating will demonstrate your commitment to your field and your ambition.
Your Language Skill:
Discuss your knowledge of relevant languages and the results of any proficiency exams you’ve completed.
Any Relevant Work Experience:
Mentioning any placements and internships you’re completing in the same field as you study will help you stand out among other applicants.
Volunteerism is an essential part of our everyday routines. All of us have a moral obligation to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Volunteering helps us gain valuable experience, meet new people, and grow professionally. It also gives us a chance to explore different areas of interest and see what we like best.
Study Abroad Personal Statement And Other Requirements
The documents you need to provide when applying for admission are: You will need to submit an application form along with any supporting documentation. If you fail to provide all the required information, you may not be accepted.
Candidates must also submit a personal statement as part of the application process.
When writing a personal statement for a study abroad scholarship, bear these considerations in mind.
This resource is designed to help you write a personal statement that will get you accepted into your chosen program. How Long Should Your Personal Statement Be?
The required length of your personal statements varies depending on what type of university you apply to.
If you’re studying in the United States, then you’ll need to write a short personal statement about yourself. You may also have to write a longer version if you’re applying to a graduate school.
If you choose to apply to study at a British university, your personal statement should be of standard length: a maximum of 4000 characters and 47 lines.
Your statement must be submitted through the UCAS application system. It’s always helpful to check the word count of the university you’re applying to before you start writing.
Familiarizing yourself with the requirements will help ensure you write an effective statement. It’ll show you have attention to detail and are willing to follow instructions.
How Do You Structure a Personal Statement?
- Start by outlining why you’re taking the course and what benefits you intend to acquire from it.
- You may also wish to discuss any previous experience you have had in the area covered by the course. If you feel like you need to justify your choice of course, then you can mention why you decided to pursue a degree in the first place.
- Your introduction should also explain why you think you will succeed in the course. This could include describing how you plan to apply what you learn in class to your current job or internship.
- Finally, you should briefly describe any extracurricular activities you have participated in related to your chosen topic.
1) Your academic record: What did you study before? How were you graded? Did you get an A+? B? C? D? Explain why you got the grade you did.
2) Your engagement with the subject: Why do you think you should be accepted into this program? Have you taken any other classes in the past?
If so, what was your experience like? Are there any extracurricular activities you’re involved in? Do are you connected to any clubs or organizations?
3) Your passion: Show us what you love about the subject. Tell us about a time when you had to solve a problem and how you approached it. Describe a project you worked on and how it went.
4) Your writing skills: Can you write well? Do you have any publications?
5) Your social media presence: Is there anything you’d like to share about yourself on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.?
6) Your personality: What kind of person are you? What are your interests?
7) Your leadership abilities: What do you see as your weaknesses and strengths?
8) Your motivation: What motivates you?
9) Your commitment to the field: How committed are you to pursuing a career in this field?
10) Your ability to communicate: How well do you speak English?
11) Your Professional Goals: What do you hope to accomplish by completing this program?
12) Your future plans: Where do you see yourself after graduating?
13) Your references: Who will vouch for you?
14) Your essay topic: What is the topic of your essay?
15) Your recommendations: Include at least three people who can attest to your character and qualifications.
16) Extracurricular Interests: Show you’ll be a well-rounded student. Talk about what you like doing in your free time and how those interests might translate to university life.
You may also wish to discuss your volunteer work, if applicable.
17) Conclusion: Wrap up by reiterating why you’re the best fit for the role and what you hope to gain from working here.
Reinforce why you’d like to join our team and the ambitions you have for your career.
How To Write A Good Personal Statement
To give themselves the best chance, admissions officers want to get to know the person behind the paper, so they will ask questions about you.
You should be honest about your strengths and weaknesses and avoid pretending to be someone you’re not. If you exaggerate your achievements, you may end up getting caught in an admissions interview.
Get the Basic Facts Right:
Poor spelling, grammar, and formatting can ruin a personal statement, especially if you’re applying to university. Do your homework before submitting your application for consideration.
Proofread:
Once you’ve proofread your piece, get your parents, siblings, and teachers to read it. They may spot mistakes that you’ve missed. If you’re unsure about something, ask them what they think.
Don‘t Rush:
Start writing early. You may not get all of the information you need until later, but you should still begin working on your statement well ahead of the due date.
This gives you time for multiple drafts and helps ensure that you cover everything you need to.
Don’t Cheat:
If you find yourself copying or buying someone else’s statement, stop immediately. Plagiarism is against our terms of service, and we will report you to the relevant authorities.
If you’re applying to a specific program, check its website to see if there’s any information available about the types of students who are accepted.
If you’re not sure what programs are interested in certain skills, try searching online. You might also consider creating an application that shows your skills and abilities.
Benefits of Study Abroad Programs
Study abroad programs are an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience while studying abroad. Students will get to explore different cultures and countries through travel and study.
These programs also provide opportunities for students to interact with other international students and professors.
Some of the benefits of participating in a study abroad program include:
- Gaining knowledge about another country
- Developing leadership skills
- strengthening relationships with others.
Sample Personal Statement For Why Do You Want To Study Abroad
I’ll Have Access To A Better Form Of Education
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to experience a different culture and get a broader perspective on life.
I wanted to see what other countries had to offer and gain insight into the world beyond my own. I also wanted to meet new people and broaden my network.
I am an ambitious student who wants to study abroad at a top university. My goal is to become a successful scientist and researcher.
To achieve this, I need to get the highest grades possible and gain valuable experience while studying abroad.
I Get To Develop A Deep Sense Of Appreciation For My Country.
I moved to Sweden because I wanted to experience something different. I didn’t move there to get away from my family and friends back home. I moved there to see what life was like in another country.
While I love everything about Sweden, I also realized that I missed many aspects of life in the Philippines. So, I decided to come back home.
I Can Find Attractive Employment Opportunities
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills while exploring a different culture. It also opens you up to a wider range of employment options once you return home.
International institutions offer students a wealth of resources and networking opportunities, making them a perfect place to study. You will not only get to meet new people, but you will also be exposed to different cultures and ways of life.
Being a graduate from an international university means you have a lot to offer your local employer. Employers value graduates with diverse experiences and perspectives.
