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How To Write A Personal Statement For Sixth Form

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

At this stage in your education you might not have made a solid decision about your chosen career path. This is completely fine and not uncommon. Your choice to delve into higher education demonstrates that you want to better yourself, gain qualifications and explore your options further with a range of subjects. 

On the flip side, if you have a clear path ahead for your future plans and know what career you’d like to pursue, then it’s important to include this in your personal statement and why your chosen course will help you fulfil this dream. Some forms will ask about your career aspirations or university wishes, so be prepared to think this through thoroughly and put down an honest answer.

THE FINER DETAILS

A personal statement isn’t just a few paragraphs about yourself. It’s also an opportunity to show that you can conduct yourself well in writing. Therefore it’s important that you check the spelling and grammar carefully, as a misplacement of ‘you’re’ or ‘your’ could put off the reader as it shows lack of care and attention. 

Another point is to not stretch the truth. It’s easy nowadays to do an online search of candidates and more often than not, you’ll be asked questions about your specific skill set and history. This not only puts you in an uncomfortable position but also puts you in a bad light if you are caught out. 

Finally, do exactly what the form asks. It sounds simple but answering all the bullet points correctly and filling out the right boxes demonstrates your attention to detail and delivering what they are asking for.

IMPORTANT STEPS BEFORE SUBMITTING

• Just before sending off your personal statement and awaiting sixth form/college offers to come in, there’s a few things to double check before you hit send. if there is a limited word count have you fulfilled this? 
• Also, get your peers, teachers or family to read your personal statement to have a second eye over the content to double check that there are no mistakes. It’s likely that you would have spent much time reading it over and over that you’re oblivious to any parts which might be wrong. They may also suggest a few additions to make. 
• As people who know you well, it’s good to get an outsider's view on your character and may put a different spin on how you can present yourself. Alternatively they may read it and think that some sections are too ‘waffly’ and can help amend it to make it read better. 
• Lastly, don’t leave it to the last minute. A deadline is set for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you have to submit your personal statement on the last day. By sending early, not only is this a weight off your shoulders it also shows that you are good at time management and keen to enrol with your chosen sixth form or college. 

Whilst writing your first personal statement can be tough, it’s also a great experience to officially write down your strengths and educational background - whilst looking ahead to the prospects of an exciting future. This is your opportunity to project your potential and put you on track to success with your sixth form or college education.

TOP TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR SIXTH FORM PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Speak From the Heart: Infuse your personal statement with genuine enthusiasm, highlighting your passions and showcasing why you're an ideal fit for your chosen sixth form or college.
• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on impactful details rather than overwhelming with information. Ensure every word serves a purpose, making your personal statement concise and compelling.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Demonstrate your skills and accomplishments through vivid examples. Whether it's your dedication to extracurriculars or your work history, let your experiences shine.
• Tailor to Perfection: Personalise your statement for each sixth form or college. Emphasise why their specific courses and offerings align with your aspirations, showcasing meticulous research and genuine interest.
• Embrace Constructive Critique: Don't shy away from feedback. Seek input from others to refine your statement. A fresh perspective can uncover blind spots and elevate the overall impact of your personal statement.

VISIT RENDCOMB COLLEGE

Throughout the academic year, we hold a number of events for those looking to join our day and boarding sixth form. Our Sixth Form Information Evening offers attendees the opportunity to meet our subject teachers, Heads of Department, Houseparents, pastoral team and current Sixth Form students. It is the ideal insight into life at Rendcomb College Sixth Form, and we hope that you will be able to develop a better understanding of the exceptional environment that we have here.

To attend our Sixth Form Information Evening, please contact our Admissions Team on [email protected] or 01285 705 952 , and they will be delighted to put the arrangements in place for you.

If you’d like to find out more about our sixth form, please do not hesitate to get in touch - our team should be delighted to answer your questions. Please drop us an email at [email protected] or give us a call on 01285 708 171 . Alternatively, you can visit us on one of our open days throughout the academic year.

For UK Admissions enquiries, please call the above number or email   [email protected] .

For International Admissions enquiries, please call the above number or email [email protected] .

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21 July 2021

How to Write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form

Need some tips on how to write a personal statement for sixth form? Read our guide for helpful advice on what to include in yours - and how to submit your most successful application possible.

by Katie Broadbent · 13 min read

Starting to think about where you want to study for sixth form? Perhaps you’ve already narrowed down your selection and are looking for further guidance on how to write a personal statement for sixth form. 

As part of your application for a sixth form place at a college or boarding school, you may be asked to submit a personal statement. The purpose of this is for the school to understand your motivations, interests and future ambitions, but it’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your successes and strongest attributes - highlighting to the college why they should offer you a place.  

Personal statements can be quite a daunting task at first, especially if you’ve never had to write about yourself before. But they don’t have to be. To help you get started with writing yours, read our guidance on writing a personal statement for sixth form - and make sure you submit the best application possible.

What is a personal statement?

Essentially, your personal statement is written information about you, your experiences and future aspirations. It summarises your skills, experiences and attributes that are relevant to the subjects and sixth form are applying to - illustrating to prospective admissions officers why you are a perfect fit for their college. 

Most importantly, your personal statement should be professional and always written in your own words. This is your first chance to introduce yourself to the sixth form you want to study at, who only have a very short snippet of writing to make their initial assessments. 

Admissions staff are curious, they want to know who you are and why you want to study the subjects and courses that they are offering. You want to always link back to why your personal attributes and achievements make you the ideal student for them, and what you can contribute in terms of academic ability, confidence and interests. 

How to start a personal statement for sixth form

Often, the most difficult part of writing your personal statement for sixth form is knowing how and where to start. How do you begin introducing yourself in a way that isn’t too generic or overly confident? 

If we’re being totally honest, there isn’t a right or wrong way to start a personal statement. As long as it’s effective at capturing the attention of the admissions officer reading through your application, it’ll do perfectly.

Some students like to begin by introducing themselves, where they study, and their ambitions for the future; some like to introduce themselves by talking about what personal qualities they have; while others like to start with a quote that has inspired them throughout their education. 

The way you choose to introduce yourself to the reader will ultimately fall down on you as an individual - the way you write, the way you like to interact with others, and how you want to set the tone for the remainder of your personal statement. It’s best to just try writing a selection of sentences that introduce you in different ways, and then choose the one you think best reflects you and your personality. 

And if you’re really stuck on how to start your personal statement, we recommend writing the main body of text to help you get into the headspace of writing in this way. Once you’ve finished talking about yourself, your achievements, interests and goals, you’ll have set the overarching tone for your personal statement, making it easier to return to the start and have another go at writing your introduction. 

How to write a personal statement: 5 essential elements to include

Personal statements offer a great opportunity to talk about your various achievements and aspirations. They are an open platform with which you can talk about all the reasons as to why you’re an ideal fit for that particular sixth form.

With that being said, there are still certain things that you should remember to include. Let’s dive into these in a little more detail.

1. Why do you want to attend that specific college or sixth form?

One of the big questions that admissions officers will have about your application revolves around why you want to attend their specific college or sixth form. Therefore, it’s important you dedicate at least part of your statement to talking about your reasons for wanting to study there.

Before submitting your application for sixth form, it’s highly likely that you have already conducted lots of research about the college, including the A-Level subjects it offers, the facilities it has, as well as its previous performance reports. 

Use this research as an opportunity to talk about all the things at the sixth form which captured your interest and made you want to study there. For example, if the college you are applying to is recognised for its science facilities, perhaps you could write something about how you believe their excellent science faculty - with all its resources and specialist equipment - will help you to excel in the future.

Of course, there are many aspects of a sixth form which you can include as part or all of your reason for studying there, including the following:

The schools’ ethos 

Facilities and equipment

Its academic specialism (if applicable) 

The teaching staff

The subjects it offers

Careers and university guidance support

The extracurricular activities on offer

2. What are your future aspirations?

Secondly, another key thing to talk about within your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about your goals for the future.

Sixth form colleges are passionate about making sure students are able to achieve their full potential, and they’ll want to understand your aspirations so they know whether they can offer you the support to make that happen. 

When writing your personal statement, remember to leave plenty of room to discuss what your plans for the future are, and why that sixth form can help you get there. Explain how the subjects you’ve applied for, as well as the college’s facilities, staff and students can help you achieve your goal.

Even if you’re not sure what you may want to pursue beyond sixth form, you should still talk about all the opportunities the sixth form could offer you. For example, does the college have a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities available, where you can build a portfolio of skills and experience? Or do they have a reputable careers and guidance service that can help you to narrow down your options?

3. What relevant experience do you have to support your future goals?

Your personal statement is an opportunity to really build a positive image of yourself, highlighting why you are the most dedicated, passionate student that the college could wish for. 

Therefore, when writing about your aspirations for the future, it’s important to try and include any relevant experience that proves your commitment to your chosen subjects and, (if decided on) career path. 

Here, try to illustrate how these experiences have given you new skills or made you think about your future plans. For example, has babysitting made you consider a career working with children as a teacher or child psychologist? Or has your paper round taught you how to manage time effectively, ensuring that you always get the job complete on time?

There really is no limit to the type of experience you can include in your personal statement. In fact, the more relevant experience you can add, the better it will be at helping to prove your commitment to pursuing a particular career path or subject in the future.

Just remember to only include relevant experience and link it back to your reasons for choosing the subjects and college you’re applying for. Personal statements usually have strict word or character limits, so you don’t want to waste words talking about experiences that won’t help to illustrate your dedication to a particular subject field.  

4. What are your personal qualities?

Another important aspect of your personal statement for sixth form needs to include some detail around your personal qualities and attributes, and how they can help you excel during your time at the sixth form college you’re applying to?

Now, this doesn’t mean you should simply write down every single good quality about yourself. Instead, it’s about selecting a few but well-descript qualities that you presume to be your best, as backed by solid evidence or experience. 

There’s no limit to what type of qualities you may want to include in your list. But a good place to start could be thinking about what type of qualities you think would shine well at the sixth form college you are applying to. 

Would you consider yourself to be a hard worker? Polite? Reliable? Well-organised with your time and tasks? You can even read through the sixth form college’s syllabus to see what type of  words they use to describe their students and ethos and then incorporate the ones you have into your personal statement. 

Remember to always back up your claims with specific examples. E.g., is it common for your teachers at school to call you a polite or hardworking student? Can your school mates depend on you during project work to complete your tasks ahead of deadlines? The more concrete evidence you have to support your points, the better - it gives more validity to everything you’re saying about yourself.

5. What extracurricular activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

Finally, another important element of your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about what you enjoy doing in your spare time, including any  hobbies or clubs you participate in. 

Sixth form colleges will be using your personal statement to gain insights about you as an individual - not just as a student at their college. Therefore, you should try and provide some details about what you do outside of school so they can gain a better understanding of you as a young person. 

What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy doing in your spare time and why? How often do you do it? After doing these activities, have you gone on to develop any skills? Are any of these skills transferable to the subjects you hope to study or your plans for the future?

It’s also important to include any that have gone on to earn you any certificates, medals or awards. For example, include any musical gradings you have obtained, any sports team awards you have won, or any extracurricular awards you have obtained, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award. 

The more information you can include to demonstrate your hard work, commitment and effort - the better. Sixth form colleges will be curious to learn more about your personality and see whether it fits nicely with their ethos and current student body. 

Lastly, some do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement for sixth form

Although we’ve covered the five essential elements of a personal statement, it’s important to be aware of some additional do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement - to make it the very best it can be. 

Write formally, using your best English: Be meticulous with your spelling and grammar checks to ensure there are no inaccuracies. Any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors may indicate that you’ve not taken the time to carefully proofread your work, which doesn’t present the best initial impression.

Show your enthusiasm: Include as much detail as possible about your dreams for the future and how the sixth form can help you achieve those dreams. The college will want to see that you are enthusiastic about studying with them, and will also look favourably on students who are passionate about learning, excelling themselves, and reaching their future goals.

Ask your friends and family to read your personal statement: It can be really beneficial to ask your friends, family, teachers and/or carers to read through drafts of your personal statement. Coming at it with a completely fresh view, they’ll be able to identify areas for improvement, highlight anything you may have missed, and ensure your spelling and grammar is perfect.

Leave it until the last minute: It’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to plan out exactly what you want to write in your personal statement, have time to draft a couple of versions, give it to others for feedback, and have room for final spelling and grammar checks. Don’t put off writing your personal statement until it’s too late for you to be able to produce your best version.

Exaggerate any details: If you are invited to interview at the sixth form college, you may be asked to talk about what you have written in your personal statement. Here, anything you’ve exaggerated will become obvious, and the admissions team won’t look favourably on those who have twisted the truth to advance their application.  

Let your nerves get the better of you: Writing a personal statement for sixth form can be nerve-wracking, especially when sitting down to write your first draft. Don’t let your worry stop you from applying - most colleges and sixth forms base their decisions on a combination of requirements, including your grades, interview and school references - personal statements make up only a proportion of the decision.

Writing your personal statement for sixth form is an opportunity for you to share information about yourself, your goals and achievements, in the way that you want to be portrayed. 

Colleges and boarding schools want to know all about you - what you want to study and why, what you do alongside your academia, and what matters the most to you - it’s a chance for them to understand what makes you tick and where your passions lie, so they can be sure you’re the ideal student for their institution. 

When writing your personal statement, keep in mind the various points we’ve included in the article above, so you can be sure you’ve covered all aspects of the personal statement which are most important to the sixth form college or boarding school. 

As daunting as it may sound, your personal statement really is a chance to help sell yourself to the school - so use it as a ground with which you can show off everything that’s so great about you. Your application is made up of several other factors, and your personal statement is only one part of that overarching submission.

Just remember, as long as you plan far enough in advance for you to be able to write a few drafts and obtain feedback from friends and family, you can take comfort in the fact that you’ve submitted your best possible statement. Keep calm, draft it out, and most importantly - good luck!   

Add an online learning experience to your personal statement

Looking to add some practical experiences to your personal statement? Want to demonstrate your commitment to your subject or to your passion for learning in general? Discover our collection of online learning programmes to start building a competitive edge over other applicants.

With a range of university-style subjects available, gain clarity over your future pursuits, explore the subjects that you find most interesting, and get ahead for the future.

You can even choose how you want to learn; study one-to-one with an expert tutor through scheduled Tutorials , or learn amongst a small group of students, online, with our 2-week Academic Online Courses .

The power of connection makes for endless opportunities. Study with some of the world’s very best tutors in the world, from the comfort of your own home. Study with Melio .

Submit an application to study with us or book a call with our admissions team for further information. 

© 2021 Melio

How to Write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form College – Guide for 2024

In A-Level by Think Student Editor January 15, 2021 1 Comment

Writing your personal statement can seem like a daunting task, and here at Think Student, we would like to provide you with some useful tips on how you can write a successful personal statement. We have compiled a list of 15 do’s and don’ts for writing your personal statement for college, to make your life easier. Perhaps you are confused about structure, what information you should include, or how long your personal statement should be. We hope that this article will answer any questions you may have about the techniques you should use when writing your personal statement.

1. Don’t Be Too Clever With Your Introduction

Your introduction is the first impression that you are going to make on the reader of your personal statement. It should describe you, and be as interesting and engaging as possible, but make sure you don’t overcomplicate it!

You have to remember that you are not writing an essay, and don’t need to summarise what you will talk about. It is simply (as the name would suggest) a way of introducing who you are as a person . Try to make this concise so you can discuss your achievements and interests for the majority of your personal statement.

2. Don’t Repeat Sentence Starters Too Much

One of the ways that you can make your writing more interesting is by varying the sentence starters you use throughout your personal statement. There are many different ways that you can do this, but the most important thing that you should remember is that your sentences should not all start with ‘I…’.

You will be aware of some sentence openings from your English lessons, but here are some examples of words you could use to help you out:

• Adverb Openings: Similarly, Slowly, Fortunately….
• Verb Openings: Learning, Working, Being part of…
• Connective Openings: Although, Despite…

There are many examples of words that you may like to use to start your sentences, and this is simply a small limited set of examples. However, you should also be aware of the sentence openings which are most commonly used, so that you can try to stay away from them to make your personal statement stand out! Some examples of these can be found here .

3. Do Use Vocabulary That You Understand

One of the common mistakes that people make when writing their personal statements is using complex vocabulary in the wrong context, which can make their writing weaker and reduce the quality of their personal statement overall.

Instead, you should be using the vocabulary that you understand. Your personal statement should be a reflection of your understanding. If you can include some complex vocabulary – great, if not however, you shouldn’t worry.

As long as you personal statement is coherent, and gets across the messages that you want it to (like your achievements and reasons for applying for a particular course), it is better that it makes sense than to try to overcomplicate things by using strange vocabulary!

4. Do Talk About Your Extra-Curricular Activities

Your extracurricular activities showcase who you are outside of your school life. You may play an instrument or a sport, or enjoy something like creative writing in your free time. Whatever the hobby or extra-curricular activity you do, it is certainly worth mentioning.

Talking about your extra-curricular activities shows how you spend your time to further your skills, outside of academia. This is important for enabling your potential sixth form to see how many skills you have. It is even better if you can link the skills you have developed to the subjects that you are interested in studying at sixth form!

5. Don’t Just Talk About Your Extra-Curricular Activities

Although the extra-curricular activities that you do should be mentioned in your writing, it is important that they don’t take over your personal statement. They are important, but your personal statement is not intended to be a way to only showcase these!

You need to make up the majority of your personal statement with other aspects – namely your academic achievement, and how and why you are interested in the subjects that you would like to study at sixth form college.

You should make sure that your personal statement has a good balance of information about achievements within school, outside of school, and reasons for your interest in the subjects that you want to take.

6. Do Make it Specific to You

Your sixth form college will receive many applications from prospective students, and you want to make yours stand out. The information that you choose to include needs to be relevant, and most importantly, specific to you.

Obviously, you will have to include similar types of information to everyone else, but it is absolutely essential that you do not copy any part of your personal statement from online sources, or even your friends.

In order to make your personal statement specific to you, you should consider the things that make you stand out from other candidates. These could be skills that you have developed that are relevant to your course, or (as I said before) extracurricular activities.

Avoiding things like common sentence starters (as mentioned in point 2), will also make your writing style more unique, and specific to you.

7. Don’t Include Cliché Analogies

I won’t go into this one too much at all. We all know what kind of sentences fit into this category. If you are stuck, here’s two to avoid:

• “Since the very first day I was born, I wanted to become…”
• “From a young age, I’ve always dreamt of becoming a…”

8. Don’t Lie About What You Have Achieved

Lying about achievements is a bad idea all the time, but this is especially true when writing a personal statement. Your chances of being found out are incredibly high, and it serves you no purpose in the long run.

You should be proud of your actual achievements, and be able to promote yourself without lying. In fact, a personal statement is intended to be something that showcases who you are as a person, and so lying presents you as a liar – which is not a label that you should want.

However tempting it is to add a couple of extra achievements to your list, it is not worth it, and will not benefit you at all. Starting at sixth form college is an opportunity to start a new chapter in your life – meeting new people and studying new subjects – and you don’t want to start out by lying.

9. Do Show Genuine Interest Towards Your Chosen Subjects

The subjects that you choose at A-Level should be the subjects that you find the most interesting and want to pursue in the future . Because of this, you shouldn’t find it difficult to communicate your interest in your subjects to your sixth form.

If you’re not sure where to start, you could talk about:

• Why you have chosen the subjects
• How they relate to your GCSE subjects
• What you would like to do with the subjects that you have chosen in the future (more about this in point 15!)
• What things you do outside of school that relate to the subjects that you have chosen (if there aren’t any, don’t worry – these are just an extra!)

Your interest in your subjects should come across all the way through your personal statement, because of your writing style and general tone , though this can sometimes be hard to achieve, which is one of the reasons that you should leave plenty of time for writing and editing your personal statement!

10. Don’t Come Across as Arrogant

Although you want to showcase your achievements in the most positive way possible, you should make sure that you don’t come across as arrogant – try not to sound like a know it all! You are moving on to your next stage of learning, and you want it to come across that you are willing to put in the effort to learn the things that you don’t know!

As with showing your interest in you subjects, this is more of a tone thing than anything else, so make sure you leave plenty of time for amendments. You can do this using feedback from teachers, parents or even friends, but make sure that you check that you have come across positively.

11. Do Keep an Eye on Your Word Count

Your personal statement needs to be a general overview of your interests, skills and experience. This may seem like a lot to cover but luckily, you don’t need to go into too much detail.

Your colleges will be receiving a lot of personal statements in a short amount of time so you need to make sure that your personal statement includes all of the relevant information, without making it too wordy.

You should try and limit your writing to roughly one A4 page. By doing this, you can ensure that you only include important details, and whoever ends up reading your personal statement can get all the information they need relatively quickly.

If you are struggling with condensing your writing down to the appropriate amount, try and include things that you can elaborate on in a future interview. If you state your skills and achievements without talking about them individually in great length, you will be able to include a greater variety of things.

12. Don’t Forget About Your Personal Statement’s Structure

Your personal statement requires planning, and so should have a structure which is logical and well thought out. This is not to say that there is only one way to structure your personal statement, but you do need to plan out your personal statement so that it flows in a coherent way.

You could choose to follow your introduction with paragraphs which are categorised into subjects, each one including the reasons for you wanting to study it, any potential extra-curricular activities that you do which are related, and why it would be useful for your future goals.

Alternatively, you could categorise your paragraphs into reasons that you want to study your subjects, your extra-curricular activities, and future goals separately.

Whatever way you would like to structure your personal statement, try to plan it in advance, so that your final personal statement has a good flow and is logically set out.

13. Don’t Forget About Punctuation and Grammar

One of the ways that you can showcase your abilities is by making sure that your personal statement is an example of the best written communication that you are able to produce. One of the important parts of this is the use of correct punctuation and grammar.

This is one of the things that you will be able to perfect in your editing of your personal statement. You may, again, also find the feedback of someone else useful for this – it is often easier to identify someone else’s mistakes than it is to find your own!

You may want to also use online tools to identify mistakes, such as grammarly . The techniques used in your written communication are important, and this is something that (with time) is fairly easy to get right, especially as you have such a long time to write your personal statement.

14. Don’t Rush Your Personal Statement

Making your personal statement something that is specific to you, and well written, is something that will take time and planning. Therefore, you need to make sure that you do not leave writing your personal statement until the last minute! Your school are likely to give you internal deadlines to follow, and it would be useful to make sure that you stick to them, as to ensure that you don’t have to write your personal statement in a state of panic!

It is also important to note that writing a personal statement is something that you will have to do more than once in your lifetime, and so taking advantage of this opportunity to practice writing one well is something that will be useful to you in the future.

You need to make sure that you leave enough time to get feedback from teachers, as well as to edit your writing for clarity and conciseness. Even if you work well under pressure, writing your personal statement is certainly a task that you should be doing in advance of its due date!

15. Do Talk About Your Future Plans After Sixth Form College

Your future plans are something that your sixth form college will be interested in hearing about in your personal statement. They are a way of showing why you are choosing the subjects that you are, as well as demonstrating that you have goals which you are directing your attention towards.

Talking about your future career aspirations is one of the things that can show your sixth form that you are focused on achievement, and have an idea of how you would like to progress. This could give the impression that you will be more hardworking on your college courses.

Keep in mind that your future plans don’t have to be too specific – after all, it is very difficult to know what you would like to do for the rest of your life when you are only 16! If you don’t know what specific career you would like to go into, you may want to simply mention which field you might be interested in going into.

Also remember that providing some information about your current future plans does not commit you to those plans. You can always change your mind about what you would like to do , but it is nice for your college to be able to see that you are planning ahead as best you can when you apply.

Very helpful but frequently 6th Form Admissions ask for the PS to examine why their particular school is the one of choice and just seen one asking me to describe what I will bring to their 6th form

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How to write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form

As part of your application for a sixth form place, you may be required to produce a personal statement. Natallia Patsaluyonak, Director of UK Operations at Gabbitas, shares her top tips on how to write a personal statement for sixth form.

Writing a Sixth Form Personal Statement

The purpose of the personal statement is for the school to see your motivations, interests and writing skills, but it is also an opportunity to show off your talents. You should be aiming for a statement that covers 3 main points: what you love, your plan for the future and why this school.

All of your points must be backed up as much as possible with evidence of your achievements, or by showing that you have researched the matter. You should aim to write at least 500-1000 words.

How to structure your Personal Statement

A good personal statement, like an essay, will contain a basic structure which will help you present yourself in the best light possible. This can be broken down into the following sections:

1. Introduction 2. Your main passion (academic/non-academic) 3. Your chosen subjects for A-Level or IB 4. Other interests 5. Conclusion Of course, there will be overlap between the sections, and the end result may not completely resemble this structure, but it is a good way to help you prepare your first draft.

1. Introduction – who are you?

In your introduction, you should summarise your argument. Briefly describe where you currently study, what your aims and objectives are and why this school is the right choice for you. Remember, this is your core pitch, it should be concise, clear and individual to you.

2. Your passion – what do you love?

Here is where you get to talk about what makes you, you. You should be able to talk about your greatest achievements and plans for the future. Your greatest passion could be an academic subject, sport, hobby or musical instrument, but whatever it is, you need to be able to demonstrate how the school can help you develop this passion and why you love it.

3. Your chosen subjects

Here you need to be able to demonstrate why it is that you have chosen these subjects. You should mention what it is about the subject you love, examples of particular topics that you find interesting, and how studying this at A-level/IB will help you succeed in the future.

You may want to add something specific about how you’ve followed up on your interest in this subject outside of school . Furthermore, you should be able to describe how your other interests have helped you grow into the person you are today.

Also your A-Level/IB choices should reflect what you want to do in the future, if you can draw links between your future, your studies and your interests, this is how you create a lasting impact.

4. Other interests

You should mention here anything else about yourself that you believe will help your application. Talk about your other interests, achievements, books you have read, and your background. If you have recently read a news article recently that is relevant to your chosen subjects or yourself, say what you thought about it. Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through!

5. Conclusion

Here you should concisely reiterate your main argument of why you want to study at the school and why you are an ideal candidate for the school.

Final top tips

You should always keep in mind these 5 points when writing your personal statement to help keep it relevant, persuasive and interesting:

• Do your research

The school wants to know why you want to go there, think about why they are your number one choice and what makes this school standout for you. You might get more of a feel for the school through a visit.

No need to ramble on or use unnecessary language, you’ll make a bigger impact if you stick to the most important points. If you’re given a word count, make sure you stick to it.

• Think about your future

Make sure you demonstrate how this is an essential stepping stone for your future education or career. They want to see someone who has a clear idea of their future and what will be required to get there.

• Be passionate about your subjects

Have conviction in your subject choices and use examples of how you have previously shown interest or aptitude for them.

• Be yourself

Don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality out as well.

Writing a personal statement gives you the chance to think about what you have achieved and what you want to do with your future, it will help with any interview preparation as well. Remember this is your chance to sell yourself on paper and Gabbitas consultants are always on hand to help! You can contact us by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 026 7443.

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English Personal Statement Examples

What is an English personal statement?

An English personal statement should explain what you enjoy about the subject and why.

University admissions tutors want to see reflective, well thought out piece of creative writing, displaying impeccable use of the English language.

As an English UCAS applicants, you will be expected to demonstrate confidence and flair for writing.

How do I write an English personal statement?

You should write in a concise, clear, formal but friendly style. If you want to prove that you know how to study English literature, then your personal statement should reflect this, not undermine it.

Read some of our English personal statement examples above to help get your creativity flowing, as well as our top rated statements .

Make sure you do some research before you start writing. Wider reading can help get you ahead, whether that’s broadening your horizons within fiction, drama and poetry (ask your tutor or librarian for pointers) or swotting up on literary theory.

The Internet also has many great resources for enhancing your English language and literature knowledge.

What should I include in my English personal statement?

• What are your reasons for wanting to study English at university? Have you enjoyed reading since you were a child? Do you love the global appeal of literature? Or how stories can change and influence society? Try to pin down what it is in particular that draws you to this subject.
• Think about whether any books you have studied at A level English have impaced you, or anything you have read outside of your school studies.
• Talk about your strengths and analytical skills, and give any examples you can of your commitment to the course and your creativity. Did you enhance these through your A level studies, through work experience, or through your hobbies or extracurricular activities?

For more help and advice on what to write in your English personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

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How to write a Post 16 Personal Statement

Subject: Student careers advice

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

30 December 2020

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Help your students prepare for Post 16 College and Sixth Form applications with this template for writing a Personal Statement.

Tried and tested over the years, this writing template with visual aids helps students of all abilities to order their thoughts and write coherent personal statements to attach to their applications.

Can be used as a standalone activity of part of an extended Careers/PSHE lesson.

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What's on this page?

What is a personal statement, why has the personal statement format changed, the new personal statement questions, what universities and colleges are looking for.

Your personal statement is a chance to get noticed for the unique talents and experiences you have. It’s an important part of the application process as it’s an opportunity to talk about yourself and your passions, outside of your grades.

We’re going to talk you through how to make the most of the 4000 characters and write a personal statement that stands out.

You may have heard announcements that the personal statement has changed from one longer piece of text to three separate questions. We wanted to make the process easier and more structured for you to really shine in your application. We know how daunting it can be to be faced with a blank page, so the new questions should help give you a starting point to shout all about you and your achievements, helping you to give strong examples to prove you're a good fit for your chosen course.

The three questions will help you to scaffold your answers and ensure you include exactly what universities and colleges want to see, to help you succeed in your applications. Each answer will have a minimum character count of 350 characters, which is clearly labelled on the question boxes, along with an overall character counter, so you can keep track. The 4000 overall character limit (including spaces) remains the same, as does what you're expected to include. 

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples of what you might talk about here are:

Have you been inspired by a key role model or moment in your life? Maybe it’s a subject you love and want to pursue further. We’re all driven by something and it’s important to talk about how yours has led you to this course or subject area.

Perhaps there’s a particular subject area you’ve researched and can’t wait to learn more about. A book or subject expert doing great things that have sparked your interest? Universities and colleges want to see you’ve done your research so they can be confident this is something you will enjoy and excel in. Universities and colleges want to see you have done your research so they can be confident this is something you will enjoy and excel in. This is a great place to highlight super-curricular activities as evidence of curiosity and interest in the subject outside of the classroom. 

If you already have a particular profession in mind you could talk about how you’ll use this to launch your career. If you don’t, think about what’s important to you and your future, and how the knowledge gained from your chosen course(s) will help you achieve this.

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

• How your studies or training relate to your chosen course(s) or subject area This could be current or previous studies within a school, college, training provider, or even a short online university course – any form of formal education. The main thing here is to focus on what’s most recent and relevant to your chosen course(s). If you are no longer in full-time education, use section three to talk about your experiences since leaving.
• What relevant or transferable skills you have that make you a great candidate Maybe there are a couple of subjects that have helped you develop a core set of skills required for your chosen course(s). Or, a particular module that helped you understand where your interests and strengths lie.
• Any relevant educational achievements Universities and colleges will see your grades elsewhere on your application so don’t waste time talking about these. Consider accomplishments like winning a school or national competition, serving as a student ambassador or team captain, or landing the lead role in a play.

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

• Work experience, employment, or volunteering Whether it’s in-person work experience at your local school or virtual work experience through  Springpod , or volunteering at a dog shelter, the key thing here is for you to reflect on your experiences and the skills gained relevant to your chosen course.
• Personal life experiences or responsibilities Is there a situation you’ve personally overcome that has influenced your decision? Are there responsibilities such as caring for a family member that has helped you develop essential qualities for the course like resilience and empathy?
• Hobbies and any extracurricular or outreach activities Think sports, reading, community work, summer schools – any activities outside of your studies that help further showcase why you’d make a great student.
• Achievements outside of school or college This could be a position of responsibility such as captain for your local club, a music, competition you won, or a qualification you’ve attained outside of the classroom.
• Post-education activities If you’re no longer in full-time education, it’s a good idea to detail what you’ve been doing since and how this has equipped you with the skills and qualities for your desired course(s).

When reading your personal statement, admissions tutors are looking for evidence that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the subject area you’re looking to study further and have the relevant skills, experiences, and potential to be a great student. 

Helen Bousfield-Myatt

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8 Top GDPR Consent Form Examples to Ensure Compliance

August 28, 2024

21 min read

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How to make gdpr-compliant consent forms.

• GDPR consent form example #1: CookieYes - cookie consent banner
• GDPR consent form example #2: Epic Games - account registration
• GDPR consent form example #3: Jaquar Group - Data subject consent form
• GDPR consent form example #4: CookieLawInfo - newsletter signup
• GDPR consent form example #5: National Nuclear Laboratory, UK - photo consent form
• GDPR consent form example #6:Boston Dynamics - contact sales form
• GDPR consent form example #7:Spotify - multi-step signup form
• GDPR consent form example #8:Spotify - data download request

What information should be recorded in GDPR-compliant consent forms?

Faq on gdpr consent form.

For businesses handling personal data within the European Economic Area (EEA), ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a critical step. A key element of this compliance is obtaining clear, informed consent from users. In this article, we aim to guide you through the process by showcasing eight diverse GDPR consent form examples across various industries, helping you visualise how to seamlessly integrate compliance into your user interfaces.

• Guide to EU GDPR
• Guide to GDPR consent

Creating GDPR-compliant consent forms goes beyond just ticking legal boxes. It’s about making them easy to understand and encouraging users to consent. Here’s how you can do that effectively:

• Use clear language : Write consent forms in plain language that’s easy for everyone to understand. Avoid complex legal terms to prevent confusion, and make sure to cover all relevant privacy laws, including those for sensitive data like political opinions, sexual orientation or philosophical beliefs.
• Be transparent : Clearly state why you’re collecting data, like IP addresses or biometric data, and how it will be used. Let users choose what data processing activities they consent to, ensuring that all activities align with a lawful basis, like legitimate interest.
• Keep it concise : Provide essential information without overwhelming users. Summarise key points and use links or expandable sections for those wanting more details, which is especially helpful in eCommerce scenarios where quick decisions are key.
• Require active consent : Use checkboxes or buttons for users to actively opt-in , avoiding pre-ticked boxes. This affirmative action ensures users know exactly what they consent to, especially for sensitive data categories.
• Use visual aids : Incorporate icons or diagrams to make consent requests more engaging and easier to understand, such as when requesting consent for marketing emails or confirmation emails.
• Offer easy withdrawal : Make it straightforward for users to withdraw consent, like providing a link in a pop-up or privacy notice. This approach builds trust and respects users’ rights under GDPR.
• Include essential legal info : Instead of just linking to legal details, directly include key information, such as disclaimers about data retention or the role of the data protection officer. This increases trustworthiness and helps keep users engaged.

Now, let’s dive into some real-world GDPR consent form examples that illustrate these principles in action and key takeaways from them.

GDPR consent form example #1: CookieYes – cookie consent banner

CookieYes offers a customisable cookie consent banner that allows websites to comply with GDPR by obtaining user consent for using cookies. The banner clearly explains the purpose of different types of cookies (e.g., necessary, analytics, marketing) and allows users to accept or reject specific categories of cookies.

Key takeaways :

• Informed consent and transparency : The banner clearly explains the types of cookies used and their purposes, ensuring users understand what they consent to, which is crucial for GDPR compliance.
• Granularity and user control : Users can accept or reject specific categories of cookies, giving them granular control over their data preferences.
• Consent withdrawal : The banner includes an easy-to-access option for users to withdraw their consent anytime. This feature ensures users can change their cookie preferences, maintaining control over their data even after initial consent.
• Customizability : The banner can be tailored to match the website’s design and compliance needs, integrating seamlessly with the user interface while ensuring GDPR compliance.
• User-friendly interface : Designed for ease of use, the banner lets users make informed choices quickly without interrupting their browsing experience.

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GDPR consent form example #2: Epic Games – account registration 

Epic Games incorporates GDPR-compliant practices throughout its account registration and verification process. The registration form requires explicit consent for terms of service, followed by an email verification step that enables two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

• Explicit consent : During registration, users must actively check a box to agree to the terms of service. The checkbox is not pre-selected, ensuring that users consciously provide their consent. Additionally, a separate checkbox allows users to opt into receiving newsletters, surveys, and special offers, giving them control over their communication preferences.
• Informed decision-making : The form links to the “terms of service” and “privacy policy,” allowing users to review these documents before consenting. This transparency ensures that users are fully informed about the terms and conditions they agree to.
• Security and data protection : After account creation, users are prompted to verify their email address by entering a security code sent to their email. This step not only confirms the validity of the email but also sets up two-factor authentication (2FA), enhancing the security of the user’s account and protecting their personal data.

GDPR consent form example #3: Jaquar Group – Data subject consent form

Jaquar Group uses a comprehensive Data Subject Consent Form to obtain explicit consent from individuals before processing their personal data for various purposes, such as personal data sharing with third parties, direct marketing, or image processing. The form also provides clear instructions on how users can withdraw their consent at any time.

• Purpose specification : The form clearly outlines the specific processing activities for which consent is sought, such as data sharing, marketing, or image processing. This ensures that individuals are fully informed about how their data will be used, aligning with GDPR requirements for informed consent.
• Withdrawal flexibility : The form provides detailed information on how users can withdraw their consent, offering multiple methods, including email and postal mail, to designated offices. This flexibility ensures that users can easily manage their consent preferences.
• Formal documentation : The form requires a signature and date and serves as a formal record of consent, essential for compliance and accountability under GDPR.
• Global applicability : Including various Jaquar Group office addresses in different countries highlights the company’s commitment to complying with data protection laws across multiple jurisdictions, reflecting a robust approach to global data privacy.

GDPR consent form example #4: CookieLawInfo – newsletter signup

CookieLawInfo provides a transparent and user-friendly consent form for their newsletter subscription. The form is designed to inform users exactly what they are signing up for. Users must actively check a box to consent to receiving the newsletter, ensuring GDPR compliance.

• Transparency : The consent form clearly states that users will receive newsletters related to data privacy and cookie compliance updates by signing up. It also includes a link to their Privacy Policy, which explains in detail how the user’s data will be managed.

GDPR consent form example #5: National Nuclear Laboratory, UK –  photo consent form

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) uses a GDPR-compliant photo consent form to obtain explicit consent for using photographs that include individuals. The form is designed to ensure that the users (or their legal guardian, if the user is underage) fully understand and agree to use their image for various purposes, such as appearing in the organisation’s publications, websites, and advertisements.

• Purpose specification : The form clearly outlines the specific purposes for which the user’s image may be used, such as inclusion in publications, websites, and advertisements produced by the organisation. This explicit detailing ensures that the user is fully aware of how their image will be utilised.
• Consent validity and withdrawal : The form specifies that consent is valid for one year and gives the user the right to withdraw consent after this period. This clause not only complies with GDPR requirements but also empowers the user by giving them control over the long-term use of their image.
• Legal age consideration : The form includes a section to confirm whether the user is of legal age. If the user is underage, the consent must be provided by a legal guardian. This consideration ensures that the consent obtained is legally valid and appropriate.
• Data protection : The form assures the user that their images and personal information will be handled in compliance with GDPR guidelines. This assurance builds trust by affirming that the organisation will manage the data responsibly and securely.

GDPR consent form example #6:Boston Dynamics – contact sales form

Boston Dynamics utilises a contact sales form to gather information from potential customers interested in their robotics solutions. The form is designed to collect essential details such as name, email, company, and intended applications while obtaining explicit consent to receive communications from Boston Dynamics.

• Transparency and informed consent : The form includes a clear statement explaining that the user’s data will be used to send product news, updates, and other announcements. It also informs users that their data will not be shared with third parties and that they can unsubscribe anytime. Additionally, they have mentioned why they ask for user’s email address. This ensures that users are fully aware of how their data will be used, aligning with GDPR requirements.
• Explicit consent : At the bottom of the form is a checkbox where users can agree to receive communications from Boston Dynamics. This checkbox is unchecked by default, requiring users to actively provide their consent, which is crucial for GDPR compliance.
• User control and privacy : The form links to the Privacy Policy, allowing users to access more detailed information about how their data will be managed. Additionally, the option to unsubscribe any time gives users ongoing control over their personal information.
• Seamless integration : The consent checkbox is part of the form’s natural flow, ensuring it is easily accessible without disrupting the user experience.

GDPR consent form example #7:Spotify – multi-step signup form

Spotify ’s signup process is designed to be user-friendly while ensuring compliance with GDPR. It includes multiple steps: users provide their email, create a password, enter personal details, and review terms and conditions. The final step involves obtaining explicit consent for marketing communications and data sharing. Users can sign up even without consenting to the options.

• Step-by-step process : The signup process is divided into clear steps, guiding users through the information they need to provide. This approach reduces complexity and makes it easier for users to understand what they consent to at each stage.
• Granular consent options : In the final step, users are presented with two checkboxes: one to opt out of Spotify’s marketing messages and another to share their registration data with Spotify’s content providers for marketing purposes. Both options are unchecked by default, ensuring that any consent given is explicit and informed.  
• Specific consent : Users must agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use by default as part of the signup process. However, the consent for data sharing and marketing messages are kept separate and not bundled with the acceptance of terms and conditions. 
• Transparency : Spotify provides direct links to its “Terms and Conditions of Use” and “Privacy Policy,” allowing users to easily access detailed information about how their data will be collected, used, and protected. This transparency is essential for GDPR compliance.
• User control : Spotify gives users control over their personal data by offering options to opt out of marketing communications and data sharing. Users can make informed decisions about how their data will be used, which aligns with GDPR’s emphasis on user autonomy and consent.

GDPR consent form example #8:Spotify – data download request

Here is another example from the music streaming platform. Though not a traditional consent form, Spotify’s privacy policy provides a user-friendly interface for users to request a copy of their personal data. The interface offers different categories of data that users can download, such as account data, extended streaming history, and technical log information. The form is designed to allow users to select the specific data they want to download, with clear explanations of what each category includes.

• Transparency and clarity : The form provides detailed descriptions of each data category, such as playlists, streaming history, payment data, and more, allowing users to understand exactly what they request. This transparency ensures that users are fully informed about the contents of their data download.
• Granular control : Users can select specific categories of data to download, such as their account data or extended streaming history. This level of granularity gives users control over what personal data they access, aligning with GDPR’s principle of data minimisation.
• User-friendly interface : The design is intuitive, with each category clearly labelled and explained, making it easy for users to navigate and select the data they wish to download.

To ensure GDPR compliance in managing consent, it’s crucial to track and record the following key details:

User identity

Record the name, email address, or identifying information linking the consent or opt-out to a specific user. This ensures that the consent is attributable to the correct individual.

Document the exact date and time when the user provided or withdrew consent. This timestamp is vital for demonstrating compliance and managing the validity of the consent over time.

Method of consent

Capture how the user provided or denied consent—whether through an online form, a checkbox, a verbal agreement logged in records, or another method. Ensuring the consent is explicit and affirmative (e.g., checking a box or clicking “I agree”) is essential.

Specific purposes

Clearly document the user’s consent to receive marketing communications, share data with third parties, or engage in other processing activities. Additionally, record any specific data processing activities they opted out of.

Withdrawal details

If the user withdraws their consent, record the date and time of the withdrawal along with the specific retracted consent. This information is crucial to ensure that data processing activities stop immediately for the purposes tied to the withdrawn consent.

Further reading : GDPR compliance checklist for websites

Additional reading : The Role of Consent Form Design Under GDPR

• Clearly state why personal data is collected and how it will be used.
• Specify what personal data is being collected.
• Include an opt-in mechanism (e.g., checkbox) for explicit consent.
• Inform users of their right to withdraw consent at any time.
• Specify how long data will be stored or processed.
• Mention if data will be shared with third parties and why.
• Outline rights like access, rectification, and erasure.
• Provide contact details for data protection.
• Freely Given : Consent must be a genuine choice without any pressure or negative consequences for refusal.
• Informed : Individuals must be fully informed about what they consent to, including who is collecting the data, how it will be used, and any third-party involvement.
• Specific : Consent should be given for specific purposes, and each purpose must be clearly explained.
• Unambiguous : Consent must involve an explicit, affirmative action, such as ticking a box or clicking a button, that indicates agreement.
• Easily Withdrawn : Individuals must be able to withdraw consent as easily as they gave it, without any complications.
• Operating within the EU, regardless of where the data processing occurs.
• Outside the EU that offers goods or services to, or monitors, users’ behaviour within the EU.

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Personal Statement:Sixth form 11 - The Student Room

Sixth form personal statement.

I am a year 11 student in secondary school. I did my work experience in year 10 at the Archaeological Resource Centre in York, which is a"hands-on" museum for school groups and the public. I had to help take groups round and help any children that didn't understand. I enjoyed working with people, and helping others. I also developed my communications skills, which are needed when dealing with the public

I felt very much part of a team there

I am studying History, I.C.T., Science, German, Mathematics, English language, English Literature, RE, Electronic Products and Citizenship at GCSE level. I have already got French at GCSE level. I enjoy History, I.C.T. and Citizenship. I enjoy I.C.T. because I enjoy learning about the rapid developments in technology in the present century, while I find the subject very useful as IT skills are used in all areas of day-to-day life. I feel that a good knowledge of computing will help me in most career paths. For Further Education, I would like to study Psychology, History and I.C.T. as A levels and Law and Biology as AS

I hope that my commitment to my chosen career comes across through my enthusiasm and determination. I am confident that I have the characteristics necessary for success. I am very excited by the prospect of college, as I am sure I will enjoy the experience. I will also be eager to take part in social activities, and am greatly looking forward to meeting new people.

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