Balfron High School

Library

Personal Statements

Whether you’re preparing to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for a place at university or planning to apply for an apprenticeship, placement on a gap year programme or other avenue of learning and development, the summer holiday is an ideal time to write the first draft of your personal statement.

Some pupils may consider postponing writing their personal statement until the end of the application drafting process.  Drafting your personal statement as early as possible will be time well-spent. The personal statement is the only opportunity to personalise your application. The personal statement is used to supplement and enrich other information provided by you in the rest of your application. It gives a much fuller picture of you.  Universities, colleges, apprenticeships and voluntary programmes may have more applicants than placements, so a concise, well-written personal statement can make a strong contribution to the decisions made regarding your application.

The school library has a collection of materials to support the application process, such as sample personal statements, instruction sheets on personal statement writing, college and university guidebooks, GAP year guidebooks, and more. Former BHS pupils have generously donated a copy of their personal statements to the school library. Photocopies of these have been made, and are available for BHS pupils to use when gathering ideas for their own personal statements. 

PlanIt Plus (Scotland's most comprehensive careers, learning and school information website) has, in addition to a wealth of valuable information to support applications and career development, an excellent article on personal statement writing:  http://www.planitplus.net/useful/general/general/articles/57.aspx  The article includes outlines of personal statements, the common mistakes of personal statement writing, and online examples of personal statements.   

UCAS website  http://www.ucas.com/apply/applying_online1.pdf  Scroll down to the section which provides instruction for writing your personal statement. 

Oxford & Cambridge

If pupils are considering making an application to either Oxford or Cambridge University, there is additional information available through the library, such as the book  “Getting into Oxford & Cambridge”. Pupils who are considering an application to these universities are strongly advised to contact Dr Price (BHS Chemistry Department) or Miss Hurman (Social Subjects Department) as early as possible, as they can offer valuable advice. Pupils who are considering submitting an application to these universities are reminded that applications for them will be submitted in the Autumn.  Pupils are advised to seek information regarding these dates from the university prospectus or website.    

Medicine / Veterinary Medicine / Veterinary Science / Dentistry

If pupils are considering making an application to university to study medicine, they are reminded that these applications should be submitted in early October. Pupils are advised to seek information regarding these dates from the university prospectus or website.  As soon as possible, pupils should inform the principal teacher (for their home area) of their intention to apply for a place to study medicine.

Funding The library also has a collection of informative materials for pupils and parents regarding funding for education such as bursaries, and via SAAS (The Student Awards Agency for Scotland). www.saas.gov.uk

Get writing! There’s a wealth of information available to help you begin the first draft of your personal statement. Stop by the library before the summer holiday to see samples of personal statements and the other resources available. If you have a good first draft prepared when you return to BHS in August, you’ll be steps ahead in the application process.

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