Your comprehensive guide to crafting an outstanding Oxbridge Personal Statement

Oxbridge Personal Statement

To stand out during the Oxbridge admissions process, your Oxbridge Personal Statement must be unique and penned with great attention to detail. Whilst academic achievements are certainly important, the heart of these statements lies in portraying one's genuine passion and dedication.

To showcase your outstanding potential, follow this step-by-step guide, curated by Oxbridge professionals:

Give yourself a head start!

Unlike other universities, Oxford and Cambridge applications require rigorous preparation due to their earlier mid-October deadline. It is best to begin your brainstorming and planning by the end of Year 12, to ensure a well-written Personal Statement saturated with subject-specific detail.

Don’t settle on the first draft!

Oxbridge Personal Statements are rarely perfected in one go. If you start early, you can aim to have a few solid drafts by the beginning of Year 13. A good draft showcases your academic potential and encapsulates any additional readings or relevant experiences which make your application unique.

The best Personal Statements rely on detailed examples communicated through plain subject-specific language. Overly ornate vocabulary can compromise on clarity, and lend your voice an inauthentic feel.

Maintain a broad relevance throughout your Personal Statement. This makes sure that it resonates with all your university choices. Mentioning specific institution names can narrow your Statement’s relevance.

Showcase your academic potential

Even more so than other universities, Oxbridge prioritises academic prowess and potential over all else. By anchoring your Personal Statement around your academic achievements and relevant pursuits, you can prove to the admissions board that you deserve a place at your preferred university.

Academic achievements and relevant pursuits include anything which has moulded your perspective in relation to your subject choice. These can include, but are not limited to:

-       Books

-       Research projects

-       Lectures

-       Podcasts

-       YouTube videos

Show, don’t just tell!

When writing about your interest in your subject area, make sure you give specific details which demonstrate your passion in practice. If medieval history fascinates you, give an example of a book you read, or lecture you attended.

Here’s an example:

‘My affinity for medieval history began upon reading [insert name of book title/author], which introduced me to the fascinating topic of [insert name of a specific topic which interests you]’

If you’re stuck for content or need some inspiration, research the syllabus for the first year of your chosen course. Pick a book or lecture series included in the syllabus, learn more about it, and give specific details about it in your Personal Statement. This demonstrates your ability to grapple with first-year university content and suggests your potential to achieve above and beyond what is expected of you.

Don’t be afraid to give your opinion!

Ask yourself questions which truly interrogate your passion for the subject. How did a particular book challenge your pre-existing notions? Can you place two theories in conversation to showcase your ability to analyse?

Give the admissions board a thought trail to follow. Describe your intellectual journey to fully present your commitment to academic rigour. Try a structure like this:

‘Studying [Topic A] introduced me to [Resource X]. The section on [Topic B] particularly intrigued me, prompting further exploration through [Resource Y].’

Giving your opinion will ensure your Personal Statement is original and will set you apart from other candidates. Remember, the admissions board will read hundreds of statements, so it’s key to make sure yours stands out. Draw unexpected parallels or delve into unique interpretations which truly reflect your individuality as a candidate.

The proofreading is in the pudding!

Even a small oversight, typo or repeated word can tarnish the brilliance of your Oxbridge Personal Statement. Ensure you have reviewed your Personal Statement multiple times before submission, and ask friends, family and teachers to proofread it. They can offer you a fresh perspective on your work, and notice errors which you may have missed.

Research has shown that putting your work in a font you dislike can make you more critical of your writing, and more able to notice errors.

Smashing the interview

Oxbridge Interviews

Your Personal Statement serves as the basis of your interview. It acts as a conversation starter and forms the interviewers’ questions. This should make the interview less daunting- by strategically discussing certain topics and experiences in your Personal Statement, you can guide the direction of the interview.

That being said, don’t fall into the trap of inflating your achievements and experiences to over-impress at interview. Honesty is paramount! Before your interview, ensure you have substantiated every claim made in the statement, and make sure you have read everything you claim to.

Don’t be scared to say ‘I don’t know.’ Authenticity shines at interview! Oxbridge admissions boards are looking for teachability and genuine interest, not know-it-all students. Ask plenty of questions to demonstrate your curiosity, and if you don’t know the answer, just say so. Try using open-ended answers in these situations, such as ‘I don’t know the answer to that, but your question reminds me of [insert a topic/book/academic that is relevant]. You can then guide the conversation back to what you know and showcase some of your niche knowledge.