Avoid giving a list of all the books you’ve read, countries you’ve visited, work experience placements you’ve done or positions you’ve held. For starters, it’s boring to read. It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you think about it or have learned from it that matters.
As you craft your personal statement, it’s important to be strategic about what you choose to include. While this essay is your opportunity to share your unique experiences, interests, and goals, there are certain things you’ll want to avoid.
Here are 10 things you should not include in your personal statement:
Clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases or generic statements that admissions staff have seen countless times before. Instead, aim to provide a fresh, original perspective.
Controversial or Sensitive Topics: It’s best to avoid discussing highly controversial or sensitive topics that could be polarizing or make the reader uncomfortable.
Excessive Flattery: While you should highlight your strengths and accomplishments, avoid going overboard with flattery or arrogance. Maintain a tone of humility and self-awareness.
Irrelevant Personal Details: Focus on sharing information that is directly relevant to your academic and personal experiences. Avoid including unnecessary personal details that aren’t relevant to your narrative.
Complaints or Negativity: Keep your tone positive and upbeat. Avoid complaining about your circumstances or expressing any sort of bitterness towards others.
Verbatim Résumé Content: Your personal statement should complement, not simply restate, the information provided in your résumé or other application materials.
Excessive Humour or Sarcasm: A little humour can be effective, but avoid going overboard, and definitely don’t usesarcasm, which can be difficult to convey effectively in writing and is easily misunderstood.
Unsubstantiated Claims: Be sure to ground any claims or statements you make in concrete examples and evidence from your experiences.
Inappropriate Language: Maintain a professional and academic tone throughout your personal statement. Avoid the use of slang, profanity or inappropriate language.
Errors or Typos: Thoroughly proofread your personal statement to ensure it is free of any grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. These types of mistakes can detract from the overall quality of your writing.
Remember, the personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and make a lasting impression on the admissions team receiving it. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can craft a personal statement that is compelling, authentic and, ultimately, successful.
AISL has partnered with a number of educational learning centres to provide students with a wealth of experience in college selection and admissions support.
University Admissions Consulting Services You Might Be of Interest:
AISL Mall has partnered with many academic learning centres to assist with university admissions including personal statements and essays writing supports, exam preparation, and interview skills coaching.
Get a special discount by quoting code AMALL2024 during inquiry.
Ivy Consultants offers personalized mentoring programs to guide students through university applications and academic planning, helping them secure admission to top universities like Harvard, Oxford, and MIT.
Oxbridge Mind provides specialized support for students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, and other UK universities. Through mock interviews and feedback, they focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills to enhance interview performance.
Medic Mind offers tailored interview preparation for medical, dental, and veterinary school applicants, focusing on both traditional and MMI formats. They help students develop interview strategies and effective communication techniques.
CANA Elite Academic Coaching Program helps students develop skills in time management, study habits, and personal growth, with guidance from experienced coaches to support both academic and extracurricular success.
GoUni assists students in selecting language schools, boarding schools, and universities, offering free application support with a focus on prestigious UK institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and other G5 universities.
Simply Learning Tuition prepares students for university interviews with mock interviews, personalized feedback, and tailored strategies for various interview formats, equipping them for academic and real-world challenges.
Whether your child is aspiring to attend leading UK institutions like Oxford and Cambridge or seeking international admissions, our partners offer comprehensive guidance to support them every step of the way. Make the most of these services and exclusive discounts to help your child reach their academic goals. To explore more service providers, visit the AISL Mall product directory by clicking the button below.
