Advice with personal statement?

[Nutty Nat]

Hi, I am currently writing my personal statement for university and i am just wondering how your suppose to set it out, how big each section should be or i should aim to be.

[Fairy Poppins]

When I wrote mine, I found the information linked on this page really useful.

I printed out and completed the statement mind map and also the worksheet, as well as read everything else.

Once you know what you are going to put in each section, it's easier to work out how big each one will be.

[Snufkin]

The first time I wrote my personal statement I followed guidance from my school and a few websites I was told to check out. I received 1 offer out of 5. The second time I applied I wrote it myself, explaining why I have an interest in the subject I'm applying for and why I want to do that course without following any kind of template. I received 3 offers. I think you ought to write it yourself with no outside influence (except maybe for grammar and spell-checks) because that way your style of writing shines through, and it might even stand out more because it won't feel like it has a template.

Just my two cents.

[Fairy Poppins]

I feel I should point out that I only used the mind map and worksheet to make sure I included everything that should be included, as well as things I wanted to include.

I didn't write the statement in the order that the worksheet was in, nor did I write a paragraph for each point. I mixed it all up so that (as Scott mentioned above) my own personal style was evident.

It did the trick, might I add.