Thread: Personal Statement for Universities

I still have about a year before i even think of what i'm going to write for my personal statement, but i'd like a few pointers of how to write a good personal statements and things i could do now in the time between now and the time i come round to writing it, so that i could mention it.

i'm thinking of studying something in accountancy or possibly economics at university.

so far i have things such as grade 8 piano which i attained a merit in when i was 15 years old, i played in the school music band in the past (right now i'm playing the tuba but on electric piano, coz there's no tuba player!, but i have played the piano in bands several years before) and i still play in my spare time as i enjoy it.

i can speak cantonese chinese fluently and at present, i'm attending mandarin chinese classes. being able to speak cantonese gives me a huge advantage to people who don't speak any form of chinese dialect at all, because cantonese and mandarin are quite similar.
i have an A* in Cantonese chinese and am currently taking an entry level course for mandarin.
i enjoy travelling and have traversed many parts of china with my family. i've been to hong kong several times in the past and i was able to communicate with the people there in cantonese chinese.

at school i go to philosophy and ethics club at lunch times in which we have debates about ethical issues and i participate in these debates. not only has it helped to improve my debating skills, but i find all the topics we discuss very interesting and i believe it is important to discuss things no matter how controversial they are.

i've also recently taken an interest in the chinese-originated boardgame "go". i attend the club at school and play against people online. it's a game which really tests your logic and challenges players to really think and outsmart their opponent.


i've had work experience in an HSBC bank. i gained an insight to the financial industry and am interested to gain more in depth knowledge in the financial industry and in particular accountancy, because i think this is important not only for businesses but also for personal success. being able to manage one's own finance is vital.

at the moment, i'm hoping to take part in the amnesty international, young enterprise and mentoring schemes at my school? will this be enough to show i'm a hardworking committed student?

also, is it acceptable to mention that i have taught myself to upgrade hardware in computers, demonstrating my skills of researching and being able to independently learn to do things using sources of information around me such as the internet and magazines?

could i mention that i enjoy going out with friends, watching films? or is this pointless coz everyone does it and doesn't help to distinguish me from other potential students?

my school and the teachers keep stressing how important doing things outside of school is, to demonstrate your will to do things and to show that you will persevere with the course you want to do at uni and to show your commitment to things.

if you thought i was showing off, you should see the huge amount if things that two of my friends can mention in their personal statement. i'd say one of them does 3 times the amount of things i do outside of school. this is why i'm a bit worried that my personal statement will sound like i'm a slacker; i feel like i'm being outshone by my friend by a mile coz his personal statement will have so much more content.

thanks btw, this is most definitely not going to be anywhere near as my final personal statement. i'd spend more time making it sound better.

thanks for the words of advice and support. you'd make a great mom!