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Personal Statement

Started by AdamWebb 8 replies 1k views
Original Post
AdamWebb
AdamWebb
As I've already mentioned on this forum countless times, I'm currently in the process of applying to University to study a games related degree (BSc Computer Games Programming). But I need some more help... The Problem Time is starting to be a real issue and I still haven't wrote a Personal Statement that I'm happy with. Having already asked for advice from this board on how to write the statement, I set out writing a draft that I was relatively pleased with it. However, the advice I'm getting from college completely opposes what I'm being told here (from people who actually got on to this type of degree). Here, I was told to make the statement scream games. The advice from school is to limit the amount I talk about my chosen subject to no more than a decent sized paragraph. Now, as I see it games programming isn't your every day subject to study at Higher Education, so do the same rules apply? I really need to get this sorted before next Monday, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ad
evolutional
evolutional
The 'rules' as I see is are that you should show that you'd benefit from the education, but also that you're not one-dimensioned. What Unis are lookign for (or were, when I was applying 6 years ago) was that you will give back to the uni in some way (social events, student clubs, etc) as well as being hard working and capable of completing the course. You need to show that you're a person first and a student second. At least that's what I was told.
d000hg
d000hg
Show your true fascoination by the subject but try not to sound like a huge nerd too much. Mention about your other interests and your personal skills as well as academic/intellectual.

So your advisors sound about right.
OrangyTang
OrangyTang
IMHO, as long as your english is reasonably good, and you don't say things like "I'm going into X because of all the money!" then it probably doesn't matter too much what you say.

Cavets: "all teh monay!" is probably an acceptable answer if you're after a financial degree, and high profile places like Oxford and Cambridge might look more closely at it.
ChemicalImbalance
ChemicalImbalance
I agree with the statements above.
This is a writing and grammar test. They don't really care why you want in the major (unless it's a really bad reason).
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Whoisdoingthis.com - my stupid website about warning labels.
FooMonk
FooMonk
I don't know about the university you are applying to, but it's my understanding that they are looking for four things:
1) communications skills (as mentioned by other posters)
2) that you would benefit the program
3) that the program would benifit you
and
4) that you can bring something different to their program (note that this is different than
number 2)

Also, it's your chance to give them information that is not asked for in any of the application forms.
Sneftel
Sneftel
Talk about how your Bavarian-Taiwanese parents were murdered by nuns when you werre 6, and how that sent you spiraling into the throes of heroin addiction but eventually you decided to Make A Difference and turned your life around and cured cancer at the age of 15 and also worked in soup kitchens.
Monder
Monder
Quote:
I agree with the statements above.
This is a writing and grammar test.


I disagree. The personal statement and you reference (you don't generally even get to read this, so you can't do anything about it) are the things an admissions tutor needs to actually find out what you're like. Generally people applying for your course are going to know what the requirements are in terms in grades and hence most people that apply are going to be capable of fullfilling the requirements and if there's some competition the personal statement is the only thing you've got to differentiate yourself from everyone else that's applying.

Personally I'd advise to write around a paragraph on why you want to do the course everything else should be about you, hobbies you have etc. Try and get a nice, short summing up paragraph that includes your main reasons for applying to the course without actually repeating anything as well.
ukdeveloper
ukdeveloper
Can I ask which University this is? Is it Abertay?
Avatar God
Avatar God
Quote:
Original post by Sneftel
Talk about how your Bavarian-Taiwanese parents were murdered by nuns when you werre 6, and how that sent you spiraling into the throes of heroin addiction but eventually you decided to Make A Difference and turned your life around and cured cancer at the age of 15 and also worked in soup kitchens.
See, at least one person understands.
gsgraham.comSo, no, zebras are not causing hurricanes.

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