how to write a good pgce personal statement

What to Include in Your PGCE Personal Statement

How your pgce personal statement should be structured, example personal statement, final thoughts, pgce personal statement.

Updated November 24, 2021

A PGCE personal statement is written as part of the application process for teacher training and gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills and attributes.

PGCE candidates will only write one personal statement, which is used to apply for all of their preferred choices. Students upload their personal statement to the UCAS Teacher Training system, and it is submitted for all choices in both phases of the application process (‘Apply 1’ and ‘Apply 2’). No changes can be made once it is submitted.

The personal statement is often used as the deciding factor for choosing whom to invite to interview . This piece of writing should explain the experience you have and how this translates into your abilities in the classroom.

It should also present what you might be like as a teacher – how will your personality and interests help engage students and get them enthused about the subject?

A lot is riding on your personal statement and writing it can be a daunting task. This guide will outline what your PGCE personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.

The admissions team will want to know about the skills, experience and personal qualities you have that would make you perfect for a teaching career. They need to see you have the dedication and passion to complete your PGCE and have a successful future.

Simply saying, “I would be good at this role and am well suited to it” isn’t enough. The PGCE provider needs to read real examples that demonstrate your skills and abilities and meet their requirements.

Here are some details you may want to include in your personal statement:

1. About You

A teacher’s personality and personal experience will be highly influential, therefore your own experiences are relevant to your application.

Before you start writing, it’s a good idea to spend a few minutes jotting down some key facts that are relevant to teaching. These might include:

• Your interests
• Qualifications/achievements
• What motivates you
• Your upbringing
• Relevant skills

Remember to include examples in your list. Coaching a sports team in your spare time suggests you are experienced in motivating young people and getting the best out of them. Maybe you play an instrument and use music in class. Including qualities like these will make your application stand out.

2. Why You Want to Teach

A key element of your application is explaining why you have chosen teaching as your future career. Show an awareness of how teachers can inspire individuals and also the benefits you might see in yourself.

Try to broaden your answer further than simply saying you are passionate about teaching or children. Every applicant will say they are passionate.

Give details of experiences that moved you towards this career or, perhaps, even the moment you realised this was what you were born to do. By using genuine examples, your passion and excitement will shine through.

3. Why You Are the Best Candidate

Try not to pull out a cliché like “I am passionate, dedicated and reliable” – make your application stand out by using a paragraph that the provider won’t see in any other application that day.

Think about what makes you different from any other candidate. Other applicants may say they can take charge of a class and have experience dealing with challenging children, but will they sing an entire lesson just to get the pupils to engage with them, like you did in your work experience? Or will they bring in a structure made out of Lego to demonstrate osmosis, like you did on your degree placement? Think of what makes you, you.

4. Why a PGCE?

Include details of why you have chosen to go down the route of a PGCE rather than doing a full teaching degree. Perhaps you dipped your toe into teaching while travelling after your degree and realised how much you love it, or maybe you are passionate about biology and wanted to decide at a later date whether to go into teaching or industry.

Show that you have done your research and understand the structure of the PGCE and what will be required.

5. Teaching-Related Experience

Include details of any experience you have gained working in schools or with children in another environment. This might include:

• Work experience
• Visits to schools
• Teaching assistant roles
• Voluntary teaching/supervision roles (like helping out at a scout hut, etc.)
• Experience via the Get School Experience service
• Classroom observations

With every experience you discuss, note the skills you gained and how they will benefit you as a teacher and how they have improved your understanding of the education system.

6. Other Professional Experience

Teaching demands a range of different skills – it’s not simply a case of delivering information.

Talk about past positions you have held:

• Did you manage people?
• Did you work within a team?
• Did you negotiate?
• Have you trained or coached others?
• When have you communicated information to different audiences?

The skills you have gained throughout your education, work and personal life can be highly relevant to your application. Be sure to include details of why these skills will make you excel as a teacher.

7. What You Learnt During Your Degree

Whether your degree was in the subject you intend to teach or not, it’s important to talk about the skills you developed throughout your learning and how they will benefit you as a teacher.

If you’re struggling to find transferable skills , here are some ideas:

• Think about how you communicated (presentations, critiquing the work of your peers, etc.)
• Give examples of how you organised yourself
• Describe times you helped others with their learning

Remember to talk about the benefits your initial degree will bring when studying for your PGCE and how your interest in it has inspired your desire to teach.

8. Your Knowledge of What Training to Be/Being a Teacher Entails

It’s important to stress your commitment to your training. To do this, you should demonstrate that you have done your research and are fully aware of what is to come.

Although teaching is a highly rewarding career, no one applying for teacher training will do so without being aware of the challenging nature of the profession.

There is no need to ignore these challenges in your application; actually, it will work in your favour if you show that you have thought about these challenges and are sufficiently prepared.

Talk about the positives and negatives that you expect to experience in your training and within your career, and how your core strengths will help you deal with them.

9. Your Future Plans

Discuss your plans beyond the PGCE:

• Do you have the ambition to be a headteacher?
• Do you plan to take on pastoral responsibilities?

Show a keenness to immerse yourself in the school system and be open to opportunities that come your way.

10. Extenuating Circumstances 

Your personal statement is the place to openly discuss any extenuating circumstances, such as low grades or large gaps in employment/education. Make sure you show how you have overcome these challenges and what you learnt from them.

Write your personal statement in Word (or equivalent) and make sure you are happy with it before copying and pasting it into your application on the UCAS system.

You need to keep your personal statement to no more than 4,000 characters across a maximum of 47 lines of text . The UCAS Teacher Training system may differ slightly to your word processor, so be prepared to amend slightly once you have copied it into the UCAS page.

To keep to the character limit and cover all the suggested material above, you will need to be succinct. Make sure you only talk about topics that are relevant and delete any waffle.

Your opening statement should be strong and memorable – a good idea is to state why you have decided to get into teaching. Back up all details with examples and be sure to say what you learned from the experience or how you can bring the skills you developed into the classroom.

Split your statement into three sections:

• Introduction – Introduce yourself and talk about why you want to do a PGCE
• Middle – Use the notes above to cover the key details
• Conclusion – Tell the reader why you are the best person for the place they are offering

Avoid using bold, underlining or italics, and write in English (or Welsh if applying for Welsh PGCEs). The UCAS system will strip all special formatting out of the personal statement (except paragraph breaks) so ensure you keep it simple.

When you are happy with the content, make sure you ask someone to check your work . Spelling and grammar in personal statements should be accurate. Make sure you have not copied anyone else’s work at all – UCAS screens all applications for plagiarism.

Below is an example personal statement which covers all of the key points you should include in this piece of writing:

A teacher at my secondary school single-handedly transformed my passion and ability for maths; I was predicted an ‘F’ at GCSE and in a matter of months, she helped me achieve a ‘B’ and start to enjoy the subject. I can’t think of a more satisfying job than one in which you can inspire young people in the way my teacher inspired me. After achieving a ‘B’ in maths at A-Level, I went on to study the subject at University College London and graduated in 2018 with a 2.1. It was in the final year of my degree that I had my first taste of teaching the subject, as several of the modules involved presenting topics to large groups of first-year students. I was thrilled when students asked to see me afterwards to share their observations of what I had been discussing – it was clear my enthusiasm had rubbed off on them and they were excited by maths, which is exactly why I want to teach. I currently work as a teaching assistant at St Andrew’s School, where I have been for six months. This position has given me a great insight into the skills needed to be a fantastic teacher; the school has several SEN pupils and I have been exposed to the more challenging side of the profession. Being trusted to run activities with the entire class has helped me build confidence and learn how important it is to adapt lesson plans to engage students who have different abilities. I have gained valuable skills in implementing strategies such as gentle competitiveness between pupils, and tactical seating plans to get the best out of each student. Before working at St Andrew’s, I completed a work experience placement at Bell Lane Academy where I shadowed teachers working across the five different year groups. This experience helped hone my skills in addressing different age groups in different ways. My ability to get the best out of students is further strengthened by the experience I am currently gaining in the position of assistant coach at my local netball team. Having worked with the girls for the last 18 months, I have developed different ways of motivating individuals, helping push them outside of their comfort zones and encouraging them to take on new challenges. In my spare time, I enjoy playing netball and rugby and would be keen to take on extra responsibilities at a school in the form of after school clubs or teams. I also have a keen interest in management styles and personality types. The knowledge I gain from books on these topics helps me understand pupils and their differing learning styles – what works for them and what doesn’t. It also helps me look inwardly, analysing my own leadership style and methods of teaching. I have chosen to do a PGCE because I am passionate about maths, and I wanted to spend three years of a degree course exploring the subject further, rather than embarking on teacher training straight from school. My degree course has helped me with my confidence and my ability to speak in front of large groups of people. Teaching first-year students during my degree course helped me think about how to deliver the subject in an exciting and creative way. The experience I have had so far has clearly shown that teaching is an extremely challenging profession, but one which I believe is undeniably my calling in life. I adore maths and I want to bring the subject alive, helping children learn in an exciting, rewarding environment. A few weeks ago, I took it upon myself to ask the headteacher for permission to get the whole year group involved in a human percentages exercise – the children loved it. I believe I should be offered a place on your PGCE programme because I can commit to dedicating myself to a role in which I will strive to inspire and excite every pupil I teach.

The personal statement is your one opportunity to capture the attention of the PGCE provider and set yourself apart from other candidates. Teaching is about bringing your personality into the classroom and inspiring students, so avoid a formulaic application and speak from the heart, giving a full picture of who you are.

Your answers should convey enthusiasm for inspiring young people, a passion for teaching, creativity, excellent organisational skills and energy.

Demonstrate an awareness of this challenging profession but conclude with excitement and enthusiasm for your chosen career path.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Postgraduate / Further Study sections.

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Writing a pgce personal statement.

If you’re applying to train as a teacher you’ll be required to write a personal statement as part of your application.

Take your time writing your personal statement. It’s your first chance to make a good impression so it's well worth investing time to develop a clear structure and style of writing.

It’s a good idea to proofread your statement thoroughly and get others to read through and check for typos, grammatical errors, style, and tone.

What's the personal statement for? 

The personal statement is crucial to your PGCE application; it is used primarily to decide whether to invite you for an interview. A poorly written personal statement could end your teaching career before it has started!

This is your chance to demonstrate what you have to offer as a teacher. You should also explain why you want to teach a particular subject or age range, and how your skills and experience will help you become a great teacher. It’s your chance to show your motivation, commitment and teaching potential and an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for teaching a particular subject or age group.

Remember, you only get one opportunity to write a personal statement for both cycles of applications, so it’s important to keep in mind that you should avoid creating tailored personal statements for each university.

How to write and structure your personal statement

The personal statement is split into two sections totalling a maximum of 1,000 words. It’s important to make sure you do not repeat yourself and to take time to ensure that each section is organised coherently. Divide your writing into paragraphs, each dealing with a particular aspect of the question.

Section 1: Why do you want to teach?

(Up to 600 words).

This is the place to talk about why you think you would make a great teacher. You can include:  

• what has led you to choose teacher training
• your understanding of the demands and rewards of the PGCE course and of the teaching profession
• the personal qualities that will make you a valuable asset to a school
• details of any paid or unpaid experience you have of working with young people and what you learnt
• details of any other experiences which you can bring to the teaching profession. Think about any ‘transferable skills’ or qualities which you have developed which may be relevant to teaching.
• If you are a career-changer, what have you been doing and what are your reasons for the switch to teaching?
• your thoughts on children’s wellbeing and the education system

Your personal statement should tell us why you want to teach, your skills and about any experience you might have of working with young people or in the education sector. If you are taking any exams or additional study before starting the course, particularly if this relates to your eligibility to join the course, we want to hear about it.

It should also show that you understand the education system, what challenges teachers face and that you’re engaged with issues around education.

If you’ve not taught before, think about any other things you’ve done that might demonstrate the skills you’ll need to be a teacher (your transferable skills).

Although it’s a good place to expand on your skills and experience, this shouldn’t be the main focus of your personal statement as the rest of the application will showcase this.

Section 2: Why are you suited to teach your subjects or age group?

Up to 400 words.

Remember to not repeat anything you have already said in section 1!

If you’re writing a personal statement for secondary teacher training, use this section to describe your knowledge and experience of the subjects you’ve chosen. Any work experience in the field will be of interest.

What universities are looking for

Universities want to see your passion for teaching and understand why you think teaching this subject or age group is the right career for you.

Your personal statement should be original and honest. Try and avoid clichés or writing what you think we want to hear. All we really want to hear are the real reasons you’re applying to study a PGCE and become a teacher.

If you’re writing a personal statement for primary teacher training, say why you’d like to teach this age group. If you are particularly interested in certain primary subjects or have relevant experience in them, you can talk about that here too.  

You could talk about:

• any relevant work or unpaid experience
• your degree and degree modules
• your other relevant qualifications, such as A levels
• any relevant skills, interests or achievements
• your understanding of the national curriculum

Questions your personal statement should answer

• Why do you want to be a teacher? 
• Why do you want to teach a particular subject, Key Stage or age group? 
• What are your strengths? 
• What experience do you have and how has this influenced your desire to teach? 
• What skills do you have that would be useful for teaching

The finer details

Your personal statement should be:

• no more than 1000 words
• written in the first-person 
• grammatically correct - we suggest writing in a document before adding to your application
• your own work, don’t copy from anywhere online 
• structured correctly with a clear introduction, evidenced paragraphs and a conclusion 
• proof-read before being submitted

And finally, be prepared to answer questions about what you’ve written in your personal statement at the interview stage!

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How to write a PGCE personal statement

29 th September 2021

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Advice on how to write a PGCE personal statement that shows you’d make a great addition to a teacher training course.

What is a teacher training personal statement?

What to write, pgce personal statement tips.

When applying for a PGCE or postgraduate teacher training, you’ll probably have to write a personal statement. This is your chance to say why you’d make a great teacher by highlighting your relevant experiences and passion for teaching.

If you’re applying directly to a university or school, you should tailor your statement precisely to the course you’re applying for.

If you’re applying through UCAS Teacher Training, you can send your application to more than one university. Therefore, your statement should be more generic so that it applies to each one you’re applying to.

In both cases, make sure that your personal statement reflects the nature of the course or courses you’re applying for. Think about, for example, is it school- or university-based training? What age of students will you be teaching? Will you be specialising in a particular subject?

Before you start writing, look at any information you can find about the course and what you must do to apply. Has the university provided any guidance or topics of what you need to cover?

If not, can you speak to one of the course tutors to discuss what they might want to see in your statement? Or can you talk to a current PGCE student and ask what they wrote in theirs?

When you have a good idea of what admissions tutors will be looking for, create a mind map or list:

• Your relevant academic and practical experiences
• Areas of the course that you’re most interested in
• Anything else the university wants you to include

When structuring your statement, you can use your mind map or list to plan what information to put where.

Your structure can look something like:

• Introduction – about yourself and why you want to do the PGCE
• Middle paragraphs – relevant information of your academic achievements and experiences of working within education
• Concluding paragraph – tying up the main points of why you’re the best candidate for the course

If you’re applying directly to the university, check what the word limit for your personal statement is.

If you’re submitting to UCAS Teacher Training, your personal statement can be up to 47 lines of text or 4,000 characters.

Expanding on your mind map or list from before, think in more depth about why you want to teach.

• What qualities do you have that would make you good at teaching?
• What do you think are the challenges and benefits of being a teacher?
• Why have you chosen this particular age group and/or subject?
• What have you learned from your previous experiences in education?
• Will you be completing any extra exams or relevant experiences before the course starts?

If you studied education at undergraduate level, your course was probably focused on the theoretical side of the subject. Your PGCE course, however, will be about applying those theories to real-life situations in schools. Your personal statement should reflect your understanding of this.

If you haven’t taught before, what other activities or events in your life suggest that you would make a good teacher? Have you worked with children in different environments?

Admissions tutors don’t just want to see why you think your experiences make you a good teacher. Instead, they want to know that you’re aware of the importance of teaching and the demands that come with it.

• Why is it important to reflect on your abilities as a teaching practitioner?
• How will you work on your own development to become a great teacher?
• What interests you about the education system and its challenges?
• Do you have any thoughts are on child welfare and social justice?

When writing, make sure to use evidence and examples to back up your points. Through your tone of voice, try to show that you are positive and passionate about the work.

To see more information on how to style your personal statement, see our postgraduate statements guide.

• Ask someone you know to check it through. Even better if you can get feedback from a teacher
• See if you can speak to other students applying for a PGCE to share thoughts and ideas of what to write
• Similarly, reach out to PGCE staff at your university – or a teacher you know – they have experience that might be valuable to you!
• Any time you can spend in a school will be a valuable addition to your application. If you haven’t already, see if you can arrange to volunteer with one locally
• If you’re invited to an interview, you’ll be asked about what you’ve written on your statement, so be prepared to talk about it in more detail

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• How To Write Your Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate study

• Qualification types
• What are the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement?
• Why study postgraduate?

What's on this page?

What is a personal statement, preparing to write your personal statement, opening your personal statement, work experience and future plans, ending your personal statement.

Your postgraduate personal statement is your chance to get noticed for your expertise and experience you’ve gathered. It’s an important part of the application process as it allows you to talk about yourself and your passions and prove the value you can bring to your chosen university.

In this article, we’re going to talk you through how to write a postgraduate personal statement that stands out and gives you the best chance of being offered a place on the master’s programme you’re applying for. 

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

You’ll have already written a personal statement for your undergraduate study, so you’ll know the importance of preparation. There are two things to think about when you’re planning:

• The practical and factual information you need to get across.
• Then, the more emotional, human parts of you that make you different to everyone else. 

Before you start writing, take some time to think about the key things you’d want your chosen university to know about you, and get them down on paper.

Questions to focus your mind

• Why have you chosen this master’s programme?
• Why are you passionate about this subject matter? 
• How has your undergraduate study influenced your decision to apply?
• Have you got any work experience that might help you?
• What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
• What achievements can you talk about to support your application?
• Why do you want to study at this particular university?
• What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Three top tips

Be specific.

Remember that a postgraduate personal statement needs you to talk specifically about the university you’ve chosen.

Demonstrate experience

Universities will be looking for postgraduate students who are able to demonstrate expertise in a particular subject – so include that.

Show what you've learnt

Tell the university about your university life as an undergraduate and include any clubs or societies you were involved in.

Admissions tutors will be reading a lot of personal statements so it’s important to grab their attention right from the start. 

You can find a full guide on How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber but here are the main things for you to think about. 

• Don’t overthink the opening . Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve.
• Avoid cliches . Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. 
• Keep it relevant and simple . You’re limited on how much you can include so avoid long-winded explanations. Why use 50 words when ten can make your point?

Talking about the course

Now you’re ready to start talking about the course and subject you’re applying for.

There are four main areas you’ll need to cover in this section of your personal statement. 

• Why are you applying for this master’s?  Think about your undergraduate study and how this master’s will develop your expertise further. Do you have career aspirations this course will help you achieve?
• Why does the subject interest you? This is your chance to show your passion and really demonstrate who you are. If you have work or volunteering experiences related to the subject, include them here.
• Why do you think you’ll be an asset to the university?  Your personal and practical skills combined together create a unique picture of who you are and why you’ll be a successful postgraduate student, so include both. 
• How does your previous undergraduate study relate to the course? Showcase your enthusiasm for your current study and take the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge now, and how you want to build on that. 

Next, you’ll need to write about your personal skills and achievements.

Universities like to know the abilities you have that’ll help you on the course, or generally with life at university. Don’t forget to include evidence to back up why you’re so passionate about the programme you’ve chosen.

Your personal skills and achievements

Be bold and talk about the achievements you’re proud of., include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school., what are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique .

Your work experience and future plans are important to include in your personal statement. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course. 

• Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that’ll make you successful on your course.
• If you know what you’d like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience you’ll gain.

It’s always good to connect the beginning of your statement to the end and a great way to reinforce what you said at the start. You want to see the ending as your chance to end in a way that’ll make the university remember you. 

This final part of your personal statement should emphasise the great points you’ve already made and answer the question of why you should be offered a place on the course. 

Read our full guide on How to finish your statement the right way .

Aakriti Labra – MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology, University of Surrey

Now you’ve written your postgraduate personal statement, you’ll need to do a couple of final things before you submit it. 

• Have you proofread your personal statement? Don’t just rely on spellcheckers. We’d recommend reading it out loud as that’s a great way to spot any errors as well as checking it sounds like you. 
• Have you asked for feedback? Ask friends, family or your undergraduate university tutors to have a read through your personal statement and take their feedback on board.
• Check out our personal statement dos and don'ts Have a look at the common pitfalls against your final draft to make sure you haven't made any obvious errors!

Postgraduate

More advice.

Use the UCAS’ personal statement tool alongside this guide to help you structure your ideas.

Do you want to understand the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement? Take a look at our guide here.

Why study a postgraduate course? Find out here.  

What funding is there for postgraduate courses?  

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Writing a personal statement for a PGCE

How To Write a PGCE Personal Statement

Your personal statement is crucial to the success of your application and must be well written, concise, well-structured. It must also clearly demonstrate your reasons for choosing teaching and your commitment and suitability for this career in only 47 lines!

Before applying, do your research. Find out what being a teacher is really like. Get experience in a school, talk to teachers and read careers information.

General Tips:

• Compose your statement in Word and cut and paste it into your online application. This will allow you to ensure it fits, that you have used spell check and have proofread it to ensure its word perfect. Personal statements with a poor level of written English will be rejected.
• Use Verdana 12 as this is the size and font used by UCAS.
• Ensure it has a good structure with an introduction, a middle and a conclusion.
• Get someone to check your final draft who is knowledgeable in this area and whose judgement you trust.
• Research the Training Provider you are applying for. Which skills/experience/qualifications do they expect?

Your Personal Statement should:

• be persuasive
• be fluent, realistic, relevant and specific
• mention young people- it is about enabling them to learn rather than why you want to teach
• overuse of short sentences all beginning with ‘I’
• general statements and narrative
• I feel/think/believe – instead, use positive action words e.g. planned/managed/implemented/organised
• making a statement without having evidence to back it up

Sections in your Personal Statement:

• Introduction- why teaching and why you?
• The relevance of your work experience
• What subject you want to teach and why?
• Additional factors
• Concluding paragraph

1.Introduction

Why teaching?

• What is your motivation? What has influenced your decision to teach? Avoid ‘I have always wanted to teach’ or ‘I believe teaching is worthwhile’ or ‘I like children’.
• Concentrate on what influenced your decision to teach, how the idea has developed and what can you offer in terms of personal skills and attributes.
• Have certain people influenced you? Why? How?
• Show your desire to work with young people and refer to evidence.

Make a list of skills and qualities that you have that can be linked to all the key skills that make an effective teacher and how you can demonstrate this with examples:

• Organisation
• Communication
• Energy & enthusiasm
• Responsibility
• Love of subject
• Team player

2.Relevant Experience

School-based experience:

• Where? Try to avoid visiting the school you attended as a pupil
• How long for? One day is probably not enough time to see what it means to be a teacher, you need enough time to gain a good understanding of teaching and schools.
• What did you do? Did you observe lessons, work as a TA, attend meetings/training/ research curriculum/teaching and learning/had a focus on EAL or SEND pupils?
• What Key Stages did you experience? Make sure it is relevant to the specific PGCE course you are applying for.
• What techniques did you observe? Effective and not effective and why?
• Lesson-planning
• Classroom organisation
• Classroom management
• Inclusion/ diversity issues e.g. English as an additional language (EAL); special educational needs (SEND); disadvantaged pupils and gifted and talented pupils.

Always say what you have done and how it demonstrates the skills required as a teacher. For example, ‘reading with a group of pupils showed me that…’ or ‘working with a low ability group allowed me to…’

Other work with young people (paid/unpaid): 

• Youth groups
• After school groups
• Summer camps

What if you don’t have any relevant experience?

Highlight the other experiences you have engaged in and use these to demonstrate your understanding of teaching and schools.

3. What subject you want to teach and why?

• For Secondary, you need to show that you are passionate about your subject area and passing on that enthusiasm to young people.
• Link to relevant work experience, what have you observed and match your skills to this.
• Refer to any research you have done regarding your subject and also the curriculum/ examinations you would be required to teach at that Key Stage
• Link your qualifications and wider reading to your subject knowledge, if your qualifications are not relevant you need to show how you are going to develop your subject knowledge in order to teach the subject.
• State why you have applied to this particular type of PGCE course e.g. school-based/ flexibility/ reputation.

4. Additional Factors

• Hobbies linked to the profession/ skill set e.g. value-added skills such as sport, music, language etc.
• Additional courses you have completed/ completing e.g. ICT, subject knowledge enhancement course etc.
• Further experiences planned for the future prior to commencing a PGCE course.

5. Concluding Paragraph

• State your commitment to the course, acknowledge that teaching requires dedication, stamina, time management, being pro-active
• Reinforce your reasons for being committed to teaching
• Demonstrate awareness of the physical and mental demands of the course and the profession
• Career plan – what is your goal for your teaching career?

A teacher’s must-have qualities:

• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to think of their feet
• Good time-management

Background Reading

www.ucas.com/ucas/teacher-training 

Times Educational Supplement ( www.tes.com )

www.theguardian.com/education

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Writing a Postgraduate Teacher Education personal statement

Updated on 7 July 2023

Guidance on how to write a PGDE/CE personal statement and an example to help demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching.

A personal statement is a short piece of writing (47 lines/4000 characters) which you are asked to submit in support of your application to study a PGDE/CE made through UCAS. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching.

Before you start

Remember that this is a very important part of your application. Take your time to carefully plan out and practise your statement. It is a good idea to draft your statement in a word document and get some feedback on it before committing to the final version..

• Don't waste space with irrelevant or repetitive information. Be succinct and avoid complicated language and overly long sentences.
• Be specific about what you have to offer. Detail what you have gained from your experiences in schools/working with children. Give appropriate evidence of the skills you possess for teaching.
• Indicate the relevance of other types of experience or skills you possess, e.g. supervising people or sports
• Avoid using negative language. Present any gaps in skills or experience positively.
• Finish with a summary of what you have to offer     leave the selectors with a clear understanding of your suitability for the course.
• Let your enthusiasm for teaching and working with children shine through in everything you say.
• Check grammar and spelling thoroughly! Do not rely on the spelling and grammar check on your word processing package alone. Ask someone to proof read it for you.
• If you are cutting and pasting from a word document, remember to check the formatting.

Questions to consider when structuring your Personal Statement

• Why do you want to be a teacher? - What has inspired you; who/what influenced you?
• Why do you want to work with young people? - What appeals to you about working with this age group; what skills do you possess that will help you?
• Why do you want to teach your subject? For primary: demonstrate a breadth of knowledge across a range of curriculum areas. For secondary, show how your subject knowledge is relevant to the curriculum.
• What have you gained from working with young people? - Have you had any experience in schools or working with children in other settings? Reflect upon what you did, what you observed, what you learned.
• What else can you offer? Skills in sports, music, languages, arts and crafts, ICT etc.

This is an example personal statement. There is considerable room for improvement and the notes make suggestions to help you with writing yours.

I am applying for the PGDE course because I have always wanted to be a teacher. I really like working with children and think that I have the right kinds of skills to become a good teacher .

• The above statement is far too short: you are allowed 47 lines/4000 characters so use them.
• Remember to specify whether you are applying f or primary or secondary courses.
• It is not enough to say that you have developed the "right kinds of skills". Be specific about them.
• It is important to have a strong opening statement . It is the first thing the selectors will read so you want to make an impact. 
• Think about why you have always wanted to teach and clearly demonstrate.

New Paragraph

At school, I was involved with the Primary 1 class when I was in final year. I helped the less able children with reading on a one to one basis. I also help out at my local Brownie pack every week, keeping the girls busy with various activities. I have applied to do the Student Tutoring Scheme.

• When describing experience with children, make sure you are specific about what you learned from the work and the skills you developed.
• You need to demonstrate (by providing evidence) that you have developed/ have the potential to develop skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, organisation, planning and time management.

At school I studied a wide range of subjects but the one I enjoyed most was History so that is what I have studied at university. I also took Psychology and Politics in first year and Politics in second year too.

• When describing your studies, remember to show how this is relevant to the subject(s) you will be teaching.

I have been a babysitter for two children for several years and enjoy helping the older child with his homework now that he is at school.

• When describing your experience remember to demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained in this role that would be relevant to teaching. For example with babysitting you could link to the skill of 'behaviour management'.

I am very interested in education generally and keep up to date with current issues by reading the BBC website.

It is not enough to say that you 'keep up-to-date' here. Give a summary of what you have to offer and stating why you should be offered a place on the course.

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Primary Teacher PGCE Personal Statement

If you are applying to PGCE Primary, you will need to prepare a good personal statement. Learn how to prepare your application for PGCE from our Primary PGCE Personal Statement example .

Primary Teacher Personal Statement Example

One day, I hope to become a primary teacher. Primary and secondary education have both been highly positive experiences for me. It is my desire to inspire and encourage children of all abilities to achieve their full potential that drives me to apply for primary education.

I gained valuable experience working in a primary school setting from the perspective of a teacher. The uniqueness of each child and the way each day is different is what I enjoyed most about my job. I am also applying for a History degree since this would allow me to study a P.G.C.E. after I complete my undergraduate studies. I have always enjoyed Art, particularly the early modern era up until the 20th century, a period I find fascinating. Researching the history of my family and the local area is my favourite aspect of Art history. I have arranged a work experience placement at a local primary school on Monday morning during my free periods. I have gained a great deal of insight into the challenges and situations primary school teachers face. As a teacher, I have been able to provide extra support to students who are underachieving in literacy and numeracy. I have improved my interpersonal skills immensely as I have had to communicate with children of different abilities, cultures and religions from Primary 1 to Primary 7. In addition to being challenging, it is also extremely enjoyable. I am most enjoying helping with small group work and projects with Primary 3 to 7 classes, assisting the pupils in History and English lessons, and using ICT as an educational and motivational tool. When I see pupils who struggled in these areas improve, it is very rewarding for me.

I have also participated in the school’s Community Care program, where I visited a residential care home once a week and spoke with the residents. Their personal perspectives on childhood experiences and the past were enjoyable to hear. By performing songs on guitar, accordion, and voice for residents, and reading novels and poems to them, I have become more approachable, confident, and trustworthy. I have served as Chairperson of the Eco-School’s Committee for four years in school.

Further, I have enjoyed attending debates and lectures from renowned historians such as Senia Paseta, Richard Grayson, and Philip Orr as a member of the Omagh Academy History Society. In my free time, I’m a member of the Bridge Club of Leeds.

My Queen’s Badge is something I’m aiming toward having recently earned my President’s Award. I assist in the Boy area, which serves boys between the ages of 4 and 7, in order to obtain more experience working with kids. It is my obligation to organize and present drills, games, and Bible tales. I also like to play a variety of musical instruments, such as the lambing drum, accordion, guitar, and flute. I am actively involved in the Omagh Community Youth Choir and am pursuing my Grade 5 on the guitar. I have performed with the choir as a support act for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at the SSE Arena in Belfast.

I learned how crucial it is for primary school teachers to be able to play an instrument at school concerts and events through my work placement. I have joined the Fintona Taekwondo Club with enthusiasm. It has helped me become more tenacious, determined, polite, and disciplined. Taekwondo has helped me stay physically active, and I intend to continue practising it when I’m in college since I find it to be a wonderful stress reliever. I think I’m a good fit for this profession because I want to be a teacher in the long run. My decision to apply for primary courses has been solidified by my great experiences with work placement and volunteer work with the Boys’ Brigade’s Anchor Boys section.

Recommended reading:

• Personal Statement Examples
• How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
• How to Write UCAS Reference Letter

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Teaching personal statement examples

Giving you the chance to show why you'd be a great teacher, your personal statement is an important part of your application and worth taking the time over

What is a teaching personal statement?

Your personal statement is used to explain why you want to become a teacher and your suitability for the role. While your application form briefly outlines your qualifications, skills and work experience, your teaching personal statement is where your personality shines through.

Take your time with it. Many candidates often spend a few weeks on this part of the application as you don't have to write it all at once. You should get someone to read over it and be prepared to receive constructive feedback and write a few drafts before you send it off.

It's important to:

• use examples based on your recent teaching experience
• tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group
• use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'
• be original and honest
• avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'
• demonstrate a passion for teaching.

While it's crucial to get it right, your teaching personal statement is only a small part of the application process. Find out how else you'll need to prepare to  get a teaching job .

How to write a personal statement for teaching

Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1,000 words. It's crucial that you  don't copy  and that the statement you provide is  your own work .

This is your opportunity to:

• write about any relevant skills and experience you have
• explain your understanding of why teaching is important
• detail why you want to become a teacher
• list any extra skills or experience you have, such as volunteering or first aid.

See  personal statements for postgraduate applications  for more guidance.

The nature of your personal statement will vary, depending on the type of teaching you'd like to pursue. Take a look at some of our example personal statements to get an idea of how they differ.

Personal statement for PGCE primary

As well as focusing on roles in which you've gained experience with primary-age children, a PGCE primary personal statement should demonstrate your well-rounded personality and any skills that could be useful for the range of extra-curricular activities primary schools provide (such as the ability to read music for recorder lessons, or drama experience to help with school plays).

Personal statement for PGCE secondary

Many good PGCE secondary personal statements acknowledge the challenges involved in teaching older pupils and provide examples of where the candidate has worked to overcome these problems. As secondary teaching roles are geared towards teaching a specific subject, training providers are looking for more evidence of your subject and degree knowledge.

Personal statement for School Direct

If you're applying for the salaried School Direct route, you should discuss the experience you've gained in the classroom prior to your application. One of your references will need to be from an employer, or someone who can comment on your work ethic and suitability for teaching. Don't worry if your degree is unrelated to the subject you'd like to teach - you may still be able to apply by completing a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course .

Find out more

• Discover how to structure a teaching CV .
• Find out what it's really like to be a primary or secondary school teacher .
• Search postgraduate courses in teaching .

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Teacher training personal statement example (primary pgce) 6.

My ultimate goal is to become a primary school teacher.

I have a fondness for children and believe that they can be taught valuable life lessons during their time in primary school in addition to the content of the National Curriculum. This will help them to grow emotionally and mentally into mature young people and it is this that I want to be a part of. I also remember the teachers that earned the respect of their classes which inspired me to learn when I was in primary education.

I am passionate about having this positive input into the lives of young children. It is widely recognised that males are under-represented in the teaching profession as a whole, but in the primary age range in particular and it is my ambition to become a good male role model for the next generation.

I have work experience in an educational environment and have voluntarily worked as a teaching assistant at a Primary School where I rotated between years 2 to 6 helping children with their work and various projects; for example I assisted a group of children from year 4 in building an electronic car and contributed to the year 6 leavers' assembly by examining the quality and progress of their work.

I also worked in a Roman Catholic Primary School on a voluntary placement, again as a teaching assistant. I spent the week supporting the teaching of year 6 children, dividing my time between helping out the class as a whole and providing extra support for pupils with learning disabilities, such as Asperger Syndrome. In addition to this I supervised children of all ages in before and aftercare, outside the school opening hours.

Before continuing my studies I decided to take one year out from education and to gain more experience before September 2009. I have applied to become a teaching assistant in order to add to my first-hand experience in the classroom and to enhance my interpersonal skills so that I am fully prepared for both the academic and vocational aspects of this course.

This temporary position will also provide me with a clear understanding of the full role and responsibilities of a qualified teacher such as planning lessons and contributing towards school events. Consequently this current year will also prepare me for life after graduation, as well as within the classroom environment.

I have many interests outside academia and spend my leisure time listening to a diverse range of music genres, going to my local gymnasium, walking, reading around history, and playing computer games. I also enjoy socialising with friends and going to the cinema.

The prospect of studying primary education at a higher level is greatly exciting to me as I feel that the challenges presented by this will help me to develop as a person and give me the opportunity to instil a love of learning and the value of education in young children. I am also confident that the work placements throughout the course will provide relevant, practical experience alongside my studies and refine my written and spoken communication skills still further.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by greatatuin for application in 2009.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Fair play dude, great.

Thu, 22/10/2009 - 19:54

fair play dude, great statement.

thats a really good personal

Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:06

thats a really good personal statement, you have really shown that you both understand the roles of a primary teacher, and that you have what it takes to become a primary teacher. I am writing my personal statement for the BEd degree at the moment, and your's is very influencial to me thank you! :)

excellent statement thanxz

Thu, 14/10/2010 - 21:46

excellent statement thanxz this really has helped you really know what your on about now am just nervous for the oncoming interview PLEASE HELP!

Fri, 25/02/2011 - 22:13

fantastic statement it is very helpful for me thanks

great statement dude

Thu, 10/03/2011 - 22:47

great statement dude Its da first one i've read that actuali makes sense

this is very goood!!!

Sat, 19/11/2011 - 22:53

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How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement: Tips and Strategies

Crafting a compelling personal statement is crucial when applying to universities or jobs. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, achievements, and motivation. To create a statement that stands out to admissions committees or employers, follow these essential tips.

1. Start with a Clear Purpose

Before you begin writing, identify the main goal of your personal statement. Whether you’re aiming for a spot in a competitive program or seeking a job in a specific industry, knowing your purpose will help you stay focused and relevant. If you need guidance in refining your statement, consider using services that can help you edit personal statement .

2. Highlight Your Unique Strengths

Your personal statement should emphasize what makes you unique. Think about your experiences, skills , and qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Be sure to connect these strengths to the goals of the program or job you’re applying for, demonstrating how you can contribute effectively.

3. Be Concise and Specific

Avoid general statements and clichés. Instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points. Whether it’s a particular project you worked on, a challenge you overcame, or a skill you developed, providing concrete details will make your statement more engaging and memorable.

4. Reflect on Your Experiences

Use your personal statement as an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve shaped your aspirations. Discuss how your background, education, and any relevant work or volunteer experiences have prepared you for the role or program you’re applying for. This reflection not only shows self-awareness but also demonstrates your commitment to the field.

5. Keep the Tone Professional Yet Personal

While your personal statement should maintain a professional tone , it’s important to let your personality shine through. The statement should be a reflection of who you are, so write in a way that feels authentic to you. Admissions committees and employers appreciate honesty and a genuine voice.

6. Edit and Revise Thoroughly

Writing a strong personal statement requires multiple drafts. Once you’ve written your first draft, take the time to revise and refine it. Pay attention to clarity, coherence, and flow.

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from others, whether it’s friends, mentors, or professional editing services. A fresh perspective can help you catch mistakes and improve the overall quality of your statement.

7. Tailor Your Statement to the Specific Audience

Each personal statement should be tailored to the specific program or job you’re applying for. Research the institution or company, and align your statement with their values, culture, and goals. Customizing your statement shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the opportunity.

8. Stay Positive and Forward-Looking

Finally, maintain a positive outlook throughout your statement. Focus on your achievements and how they position you for future success. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead and how you plan to contribute. A forward-looking approach will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Writing the perfect personal statement is a process that requires careful thought, reflection, and revision. By clearly defining your goals, showcasing your unique strengths, and tailoring your message to the specific audience, you can create a statement that truly stands out.

Remember, a well-written personal statement can be the key to unlocking your future opportunities, so invest the time and effort to make it shine.

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The Bartlett School of Planning

Writing an urban planning personal statement

Are you applying to study an urban planning master’s degree but don’t know where to start with your personal statement? This guide gives tips on how to write an urban planning personal statement.

This guide shares some tips on what you should include in your statement. Whilst we’ve given generic examples, your statement is personal to you. Give specific examples relevant to your life experiences. The admissions tutors want to learn more about you as an individual, your motivations and ambitions. 

A final tip – avoid using AI tools to write your statement. It’s more obvious to us than you might think.

What to include in your personal statement

1.   introduce yourself.

Introduce yourself, briefly sharing why you want to study your chosen urban planning degree. What are your interests in the field, and what sparked them? Was it a particular event, experience, or realisation? 

2.   Give your academic background

You may have already studied urban planning in the past. You also might have studied another relevant degree or want to move into the urban planning field using transferrable skills from another academic background. Either way, you should demonstrate your interest in the master’s degree and how you past degree fits with your urban planning interests and ambitions.

3.    Share your career goals and professional experience

Share with us what is it about this course at this time in your personal and professional development that interests you? If you have previous professional experience, tell us about it. You may have already worked for a few years or have undertaken internships in a relevant field. You can discuss specific relevant projects you worked on, focusing on what you contributed and the impact of your work. 

4.    Tell us about your skills and competencies

What existing skills and knowledge do you bring to the course? This could be technical skills, such as using software or design skills relevant to the urban planning degree you have chosen. It could also be transferable skills such as problem solving, teamwork or leadership. Demonstrate how your unique skill-set fits with your degree of choice.

5.   Explain why you want to study this particular course

Let us know why you want to study this degree at UCL’s Bartlett School of Planning. You might mention specific faculty members, courses, or resources that align with your goals. Discuss your long-term career aspirations and how this master’s degree will help you achieve them. You can be specific about the types of roles or organisations you aspire to work in.

6.    End with a concluding statement

Wrap it all up summarising your main points and reiterating your enthusiasm to study this degree. Leave a lasting impression about your passion for the field.

Final thoughts

Hopefully these tips have sparked some ideas for how you can write an impactful personal statement. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

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Education Blog Ideas For Students, Tutors, Teachers

Personal statement for application to pgce in teaching.

PGCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and it is among the most popular teaching courses. The objective of this course is to train and enhance the teaching capabilities of the students. Currently, this course is offered in England, Wales, and Northern Island.

Why Enrol in a PGCE Course? Although a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) training course suffices to score a teaching job in England, a PGCE will enable you to expand your knowledge on a larger spectrum. Furthermore, the PGCE teaching course will enable you to adopt the flexibility to teach globally.

What are the Different Types of PGCE? There are three different types of PGCE that are discussed below:

1. Primary: This prepares an individual to teach the children up to the age group of eleven. This is the most popular class since the demand for such teachers is high. This course focuses on the curriculum syllabus; however, you may specialize in certain courses.

2. Secondary: This branch of PGCE focuses on particular subjects’ specialization and allows an individual to teach the students aged eleven to sixteen.

3. Advanced/Adult Education: If you want to teach at a college level, then this type of PGCE is for you. Simply, enroll yourself in this course and get a chance to conduct classes at a higher level.

It is to be noted that all the mentioned types require the enroled aspirants to serve for a minimum period of four weeks in schools or allocated key stages.

What Type of PGCE is Suitable for You? Only you can answer this question; however, other people can only assist you in reaching a conclusion. The following sources can help you find your calling:

Attend Open Days And Fairs: You can visit numerous universities on their open days and meet the representatives. Inquire them about the prospects of the PGCE course at the particular institute. To make the most of this option, educate yourself about the open days and events of different universities.

Talk To Current Students: In order to learn about the course content and workload, the current students can present a clear picture for you to ponder over the available options.

Consult a Career’s Service: The advisers can help you with your options and assist you in narrowing down the course choice for you. Furthermore, they can assist you with your application formulation.

Take Feedback from the Alumni: You can ask the alumni about the journey they had at a particular institution. Inquire them about their experience and ask them to educate you about the advantages or disadvantages associated with the PGCE course offered by the said institution.

What Should You Ask From Concerned Personnel? When meeting the relevant personnel, you should ask the following questions so as to shortlist your option:

• What is the cost of the course?
• Do you get any school experience? How much is it?
• Are there grants or student loans available?
• Is the employment record after completing a PGCE course positive?
• What are the institution’s credibility and does the department possess a good reputation?
• How many lectures and tutorials are required to be taken weekly?

How to Apply for the PGCE? In order to apply for the PGCE course, you are required to fill in an application form. To adequately perform the said task you should:

• Read about the details that should be included in the application.
• Go through authentic personal statement examples to devise a plan to fabricate your statement.
• Think about the references that should be included in your application.

What is a Personal Statement? Apart from the personal statement, the elements mentioned above are well-known. A personal statement is a document bearing explanation why you want to become a teacher and what makes you the best fit for the job. As the application briefly provides a snapshot of your qualifications, work exposure, and skills, the personal teaching statement is what brings your personality into the limelight.

It is vital that you invest ample time to formulate your personal statement and craft multiple drafts before shipping the final document. Ensure that your document touches the below-mentioned dimensions:

• Infuse glimpses from your past teaching experiences.
• Fabricate the personal statement as per the school or age group you are applying for.
• Make use of crisp English, and your sentences should be formulated in a coherent tone to deliver the message across the board.
• Be yourself and don’t try to present yourself as something you are not.
• Don’t be cliché to include statements like “I always wanted to be a teacher.”
• Reflect your passion via your personal statement writing.

How to Write Personal Statement for the Different Types of PGCE? Although all the elements mentioned above are to be included in the personal statement, there are certain specifications to be infused in different types of PGCEs:

Requirements of Personal statement for Primary PGCE: In this type of PGCE personal statement document, you should describe your adaptability trait and demonstrate the set of skills which can be useful for the primary schools’ extracurricular activities. For instance, you can include your expertise in conducting stage dramas which can help the particular school with their plays.

Requirements of Personal statement for Secondary PGCE: A good PGCE secondary personal statement is considered to be the one which discusses the set of challenges involved in teaching the teenager age group and further presents glimpses of the past experience, where the candidate coped with such problems. Since the secondary role of teaching is more inclined towards a particular subject, the trainers are interested in gauging your prerequisite knowledge regarding the said subject. Therefore, make sure that you showcase a good chunk of academic knowledge in your personal statement.

Requirements of Personal statement for Adult Education PGCE: In this type of PGCE personal statement, you should incorporate all of the said details that make you an ideal candidate for the course. However, make sure to convey this information in a modest way without including statements such as. “I am the best.”

What is the Illustrative Sketch to Compose a PGCE Personal Statement? A personal statement is all about presenting yourself in a robust tone on a piece of paper. Therefore, you should depict yourself as the ideal candidate by including the following information:

Demonstrate Your Passion for Teaching: You should craft your personal statement in a way that presents a vibe of you being accustomed to the challenges of teaching ahead. Furthermore, you should talk about the endured past experiences and discuss your set of achievements plus shortcomings. Also, talk about the latest use of technology and your proficiency in this sector.

Provide a Logical Reason of Your Interest in a Particular PGCE Level: It is liable that the trainers will be interested to know the ignition fuel to your passion of getting an enrolment in a PGCE course. Thus, you should convey them an example from your work exposure and elaborate the impact it had on you at a personal level.

Highlight Your Strengths: In this competitive era, it is vital to present all of your strengths so that you gain an edge over other candidates. In this connection, you can include the relevance of your degree for the position or convey your set of knowledge required for the particular post. Also, you can include a volunteering experience involving children such as your services at a summer camp or coaching a sports team, etc. However, ensure that you jot connections of the outcome of these extracurricular activities to your refined teaching skills.

Include Your Positive Attributes: The positive attributes add a star to the personal statement document, and one should include examples of events that highlight the creativity, managerial ability, practical experience, team playing attribute, resilience, and time management skills. To add a foundation to these claims, you should back the mentioned skills with the authentic example that helped you develop such traits.

Be Original, Don’t Copy: Since the trainers are experienced personnel, they can tell an original personal statement apart from the fabricated one. Therefore, you should not copy the prevalent personal statements on the web and rather fabricate your own statement or hire a reliable custom writing service to perform the said task.

When Do the Applications for the PGCE Open? The applications are currently open, and you can apply until 20th September 2019. However, the trainers stop receiving applications if they amass enough quality candidates. The application submission mechanism may be restored amidst year, but it is recommended not to take any chances and apply as soon as possible.

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How to Write a Winning Private School Personal Statement

The personal statement is one of the most crucial components of a private high school application. It’s your chance to showcase who you are beyond grades and test scores and to make a compelling case for why you would be an excellent fit for the school. Crafting a winning personal statement takes time, reflection, and careful writing. Here’s how to create a standout essay that captures the attention of admissions committees.

Understand the Purpose of the Personal Statement

Before you begin writing, it’s important to understand why the personal statement is so significant. Admissions committees use it to:

• Get to Know You: Your personal statement provides insights into your personality, values, and interests.
• Evaluate Your Writing Skills: Schools look for students who can express themselves clearly and thoughtfully in writing.
• Assess Fit: The statement helps admission teams determine whether you’ll thrive in their academic and social environment.

With these goals in mind, your personal statement should reflect your authentic self and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school.

Reflect on Your Experiences and Goals

Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on your experiences, goals, personal growth, and values. Consider the following questions:

• What Are Your Strengths? Think about your academic achievements, leadership roles, and talents. What makes you unique?
• What Are Your Passions? What subjects, activities, or causes are you most passionate about? How have you pursued these interests? What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
• What Have You Learned? Reflect on challenges you’ve faced and how they’ve shaped you. What lessons have you learned from your experiences?
• Why This School? Why are you applying to this particular school? What do you hope to gain from attending, and what can you contribute to the school community?

Jot down your thoughts in response to these questions. This brainstorming process will help you identify the key themes and stories you want to include in your personal statement.

Craft a Compelling Narrative

A winning personal statement tells a story. Rather than listing your achievements or interests, weave them into a narrative that highlights your growth, challenges, and aspirations. Here’s how to do it:

• Start with a Hook: Begin your statement with an engaging introduction that draws the reader in. You could start with a personal anecdote, a question, or a powerful statement that relates to your main theme.
• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use specific examples to illustrate your points. Instead of saying, “I am passionate about science,” describe a project or experience that sparked your interest in science and how it influenced you.
• Be Authentic: Write in your voice, and be honest about your experiences. Admissions officers can tell when a student is being genuine, so focus on what matters to you rather than what you think they want to hear.
• Highlight Your Fit: Make connections between your experiences and the school’s values or programs. Explain why you’re excited about what the school offers and how you can contribute to its community.

Structure Your Statement Effectively

A well-organized personal statement is easier to read and more impactful. Here’s a basic structure you can follow:

• Introduction: Start with a strong opening that introduces the main theme of your statement. This could be an experience, a passion, or a challenge that has shaped you.
• Body Paragraphs: Develop your narrative in two or three body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your story, such as an achievement, a learning experience, or your future goals.
• Conclusion: End with a conclusion that ties everything together and reinforces why you’re excited about the opportunity to attend the school. This is also a good place to briefly mention what you hope to accomplish during your time at the school.

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

Writing a winning personal statement is a process that involves multiple drafts. After you’ve written your first draft, take the time to revise and refine it. Here’s how to polish your essay:

• Get Feedback: Ask a trusted teacher, mentor, or admissions consultant to review your statement. They can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement.
• Focus on Clarity and Precision: Make sure your ideas are clearly expressed and that your writing is concise. Avoid unnecessary jargon and overly complex sentences.
• Proofread for Errors: Spelling and grammar mistakes can distract from your message and make a negative impression. Carefully proofread your statement, and consider reading it out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or errors.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

When writing your personal statement, be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Clichés: Phrases like “I want to make a difference” or “I’ve always been passionate about learning” are overused and don’t add much value. Instead, focus on specific examples that illustrate your points.
• Overemphasis on Achievements: While it’s important to highlight your accomplishments, don’t just list them. Instead, focus on what you’ve learned from these experiences and how they’ve shaped your character.
• Lack of Personalization: Avoid writing a generic statement that could apply to any school. Tailor your essay to the specific school you’re applying to by referencing its programs, values, and community.

Final Thoughts

A winning personal statement is a powerful tool that can make a significant difference in your private school application. By reflecting on your experiences, crafting a compelling narrative, and revising your essay carefully, you can create a statement that not only showcases your strengths but also demonstrates why you’re the perfect fit for the school.

If you need expert guidance in writing your personal statement or navigating the private school admissions process and application process, our consulting firm is here to help. We offer personalized support to help you navigate the writing process with ease and create an application that stands out. Contact us today to get started on creating an outstanding application.

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