Personal Statement Writing in Australia

How Do I Write a Good Personal Statement?

Interest and Enthusiasm are Contagious

• What factors influenced your decision to apply for the course?
• In what circumstances did you first get interested in this particular topic of study?
• Do you know of any books/materials/activities relevant to your field of study?
• What makes you think you'll be a good fit for this programme?
• What are your most vital assets in terms of knowledge and experience?
• After graduation, what is your goal?

• When it comes to your plans, how does the course relate to your current interests?
• In what ways do you plan to put what you've learned from this course into practice?
• In what ways do you envision your time at a university in another country helping you in your academic endeavours?

Your Words

• The following questions are meant to elicit information on your interests, hobbies, and social activities. What aspects of your personality and abilities do they demonstrate?
• Is there anything you've done in the past that you'd want to tell us about? How might they be connected to skills or attributes relevant to the course for which you are applying?
• What distinguishes you from others? What is it that motivates you?
   

Dos

• Make use of your best English and avoid allowing spelling and grammatical problems to detract from your point of view.
• Demonstrate that you are aware of your abilities and can effectively articulate your views. Make use of phrases that you are confident will be comprehended by the individual reading your statement.
• Show your enthusiasm for the course — demonstrating your enthusiasm for the course may assist you in obtaining a seat.
• You should plan to go through numerous draughts of your statement until you are delighted with it.
• Do solicit opinions from people you respect and believe in.

Don'ts

• When asked to comment on a noteworthy accomplishment, avoid exaggerating. You may be caught in the act during the interview process if you do.

• Proofread as many times as possible rather than relying on a spellchecker, which will miss inevitable mistakes.

• Avoid leaving it till the last minute; otherwise, your statement will appear rushed and vital information may be missed out of the document.