My August blogs are devoted to aspiring university students set to begin the application process in September. Yes, it’s the middle of your summer holiday; no, you don’t want to be drafting your personal statement right now. In 15 minutes each week, this series of steps will help you build a solid first draft of your personal statement, to make the process easier and more productive.

Step 4: Clarity and Cohesion

As the fourth and final step in drafting your personal statement, it is important to ensure that your statement is clear in declaring your academic intention, and cohesive in presenting an integrated and holistic portrait of your candidacy for university. Once you have outlined several key experiences in the main body, then the last step is to add clarifying and concluding features that bring your whole statement together.

In my post published last September, I outline 5 action points for an outstanding personal statement, and the second of these is to state your intent. I listed this as the second action because of where in the statement it should be done: at the end of your introductory paragraph which first recounts your origin story.

Step 4: Instructions

GENERAL GUIDANCE: In the academic world, the personal statement is also called the statement of intent or statement of purpose. To ensure clarity, state explicitly what you intend to study at university. The last line of your introduction is the place to do this. For example: ‘It is with the goal to contribute research on poverty to urban planners that I aim to study Geography at university.’ There is no substitute for being clear in this expression, as leaving the reader to infer your intent gives the impression of uncertainty. Describing why you love your favourite novel may suggest you want to study English, but you must still state that intention.

To ensure cohesion, your statement should conclude by reiterating this clear intention on your part. This can be done by mentioning your chosen course again, as the decision culminating from your story and experiences, and from the knowledge and skills you’ve gained so far in your life and education. To add a touch of flare to your conclusion, touch back on your framing concept - an idea that is mentioned at the start and perhaps the mid-point of your statement. For example, if a stimulating modern art exhibit first sparked your desire to study Graphic Design, conclude by stating your desire influence others with visual work.

STEP 4 ASSIGNMENT: To complete your first draft of your personal statement, include your statement of intent at the end of your first paragraph, and write a short conclusion that sums up and encapsulates that intention. These gestures will complete the framework of your statement, and ready you to meet with your mentor.