TIPS TO ACE YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT WHEN APPLYING AT AN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

When you apply for a programme at an international university, there is much you need to do. The steps can be daunting, from finding the course and university of choice, clearing tests, gathering documentation, and more. Amid so much chaos, it is easy to overlook the personal statement you need to share as a part of the admission process. It is crucial, so you cannot take it casually. A personal statement can make or break your application, so it has to be outstanding. Here are some tips that can help you write a great one.

START WITH A DRAFT

Since you will have a character limit to follow, it is best to start with a draft without the character counter first. If you keep counting characters, you may end up being stressed and missing out on crucial details. Jot down all the essentials on paper, write them first, and fill in everything else you want to mention. You will probably cross the character limit, but it is possible to trim the information eventually. There are good chances you will have an impressive statement after finalizing the draft.

FIND THE RIGHT WORD AND EXPRESSIONS

Including the relevant information in the statement is crucial, but choosing the right words and expressions can do magic. Look for elegant and professional words that make the text stand out. You may require some help if you aren’t a native English speaker, but there are plenty of translation and synonym programmes online to help. You can even seek guidance from a mentor or teacher to polish your vocabulary and have perfect words and expressions in your statement.

MAKE A MARK WITH A PERFECT OPENING SENTENCE

The first impression always counts, and a perfect opening sentence can win the game for you. Start your personal statement with something witty, unusual, or interesting. The evaluator will definitely remember your application when you have something different on the statement. But make sure you do not overthink because it will not help. The best opening sentences strike you at a random moment, so wait until you can.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR STRENGTHS

When you have a limited character count to sell yourself to an international university, you need to choose the information smartly. The best way to do it is by highlighting your strengths. Cover your knowledge, experiences, and future plans. Steering clear of your weaknesses is also a smart move. Avoid mentioning that you hate maths, rather emphasise your love for languages and history.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN VOICE

Reading personal statements makes sense for international students as they can give a fair idea of what needs to be done. But it is the last thing you must do. Let your personal statement be your voice, work, and ideas because you are unique. There isn’t a perfect rulebook to follow, and the best rule is not to follow any rules. Let your writeup be about you, by you, and for you.

BE AUTHENTIC

Your statement should replicate honesty and authenticity. Trying to create a false image will only land you in trouble later because you cannot hide facts forever. If you aren’t good at something, skip mentioning it completely. You must share genuine facts if you are supposed to answer something specifically.

TAKE YOUR TIME

The last thing you should do is to write your personal statement in a hurry. Don’t expect to write a good one in a couple of hours or even a few days. Ideally, give yourself at least a couple of weeks to write and rewrite until you have a perfect piece ready. Consider taking a few days off if you run short of ideas.

READ AND RE-READ

Just as you shouldn’t write your personal statement in a hurry, avoid submitting it right away. The best piece of advice is to read and re-read until you are happy with the final draft. You will probably find something missing or something extra reading again. There could be vague parts or wrong information somewhere. Rewrite them and share the draft with a friend, parent, or teacher for final proofreading. A third perspective always helps you get even better with the final copy.

Finally, avoid reading your personal statement after you send it across with your applications. You may end up finding flaws or overthinking. Just do your best, and you can let fate take over from here! If you are honest and perfect with your work, there are good chances of acing a personal statement.

If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?


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