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How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself  

What is a personal statement? 

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length. 

What can I write about? 

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions. 

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind. 

• What experiences have shaped who you are? 
• What’s special or unique about you or your life story? 
• Who or what has inspired you the most? 
• What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
• What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals? 
• If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene? 
• What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn? 

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay. 

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement? 

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:  

1. Freewrite, then rewrite 

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want. 

2. Establish your theme 

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme. 

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged. 

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell  

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are. 

Related:  How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice 

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe. 

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting. 

Examples of personal statements 

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts: 

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal. 

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand. 

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author. 

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling. 

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films. 

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube. 

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family. 

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees. 

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss. 

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like.  Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help.  It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end.  It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling. 

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him. 

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now. 

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that. 

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home. 

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school. 

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life. 

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t. 

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer. 

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too.  This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom.  Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life.  Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job.  But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts 

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application. 

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see:  Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

• It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
• Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
• Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
• Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

Frequently asked questions about writing personal statements 

How do you write a powerful personal statement, what makes an amazing personal statement, how do you start an amazing personal statement, scholarships360 recommended.

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What is Access to Higher Education?

For students who have yet to study an undergraduate degree, there is a kind of degree out there, that is just for you. Enter the Access to Higher Education Diploma!

For students who left school without formal qualifications like A-Levels or mature students looking to study for a degree,the Access to Higher Education Diploma can help you.

Those who are looking to study a BA, a Higher National Diploma , the Certificate of Higher Education or even the LNAT will now have an easier way to study at the university of your dreams!

What is the Access to Higher Education Diploma?

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a diploma to prepare students for an undergraduate degree at university. The diploma (sometimes referred to as the Access to HE Diploma) is mostly aimed at mature students , but younger students who left school without any formal qualifications, like A-Levels can also take it. After you complete the Access to Higher Education diploma, you will have a qualification that is held in the same regard as A-Levels.

The course usually takes around one year of study time for full-time students and two years for part-time students. An Access to Higher Education diploma is often related to a contextual offer for students, as many students with a contextual offer end up trying an Access to Higher Education diploma prior to attending university.

What is Access to HE Diploma equivalent to?

Technically speaking, Access to HE Diploma courses are equivalent to a Level 3 qualification. This means that the work you do is generally about A-Level standards.

Previously, the Access to Higher Education also included GCSE equivalent qualifications as well, but that has since been dropped in favour of more of a focus on Key Stage 4 learning.

What are the UCAS Points for the course?

Your UCAS tariff points are hugely important for getting into university. For an Access to HE Diploma, the tariff points are anywhere between 48 and 144 points, depending on the grade you received from the awarding body.

What is the Access to HE Diploma grading system?

Much like with a standard BTEC , you are graded by four potential grades:

• Distinction

There are obviously variants on that, such as Distinction with Merit etc, but these are the main grade schemes for the course. Access to Higher Education university places may be harder to come by if you haven’t got the right grade. Some universities are very adamant about the grades you’ll need to achieve.

What universities accept Access to Higher Education?

This will vary depending on where you apply. A lot of universities do accept the ACHE as a formal qualification and are happy to consider students with them as well. However, many universities do not consider the ACHE as a high enough level of qualification to merit a place on their course.

Lots of students want to know if Russell Group Universities accept the ACHE too. The ACHE is accepted by some Russell Group universities, but not all of them. The entry requirements for each university change every year, so if a university did not accept the ACHE one year, they may accept it the next.

Oxbridge have been known to accept Access courses too. Again, this may change depending on the year, but generally speaking, you should be okay.

Is the Access to Higher Education right for me?

This depends on you and whether you think the course is right for your career path. The courses are designed for students who have been away from education for a while or without the right qualifications to get into university.

That’s not to say that other people cannot study it too! Access to Higher Education courses provides students with a chance to learn new skills and to reach a new level for university study.

How hard is Access to Higher Education?

Difficult with vary from person to person. The course itself covers lots of different Access to Higher Education modules, including but not limited to:

• Business courses
• Computing courses
• Engineering courses
• Health courses
• Humanities courses
• Law courses
• Medicine courses
• Midwifery courses
• Nursing courses
• Science courses
• Social Science courses
• Social work courses

You can see for yourself that the course a wide range of topics, so choose an area you’re interested in and plays to your strengths.

Where can I do an Access to Higher Education Diploma?

The ACHE isn’t necessarily run at your normal college or school, there have to be approved vendors of such a qualification. You can find a list of accredited providers, using the Access to Higher Education website .

The website also has other information. You can check out where you can study your course as the place you can study may differ dependent on the course you’re looking for. Some examples include Access to HE Diploma Humanities, Access to HE Diploma distance learning, Access to HE Diploma Nursing or an Access to HE Diploma in Computing.

What is Combined Studies Access to Higher Education?

A Combined Studies Access to Higher Education is a bit like a joint honours degree . It’s a chance for students to combine one or more subjects with a primary-course selection. This allows students to have a higher grade in other subjects or possibly improve on a previous grade.

Combined Studies are fairly common for diplomas, so the ACHE is no different.

Is an Access for Higher Education Diploma valid abroad?

It’s unknown if it is valid in all countries. There will be a number of foreign universities that do accept it as a valid form of qualification. The best thing you can do, is check in with your university before you apply and see what they say.

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Five tips for writing your UCAS personal statement

11 January 2023

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The UCAS deadline 2023 is now only two weeks away (25 January 2023). If you are an Access to Higher Education student, this is a crucial time of year for you as you complete your application, including your all-important personal statement.

The personal statement is a vital part of the application, as it provides you with an opportunity to sell yourself, showcase your personality, and convince admissions tutors that you should be offered a place on your chosen course.

Here, we have picked out five of the most important things to keep in mind as you finalise your statement.

Commit fully to your chosen course

Admissions tutors want to offer places to applicants who will be fully committed to their course and will see it through to its conclusion, so you should aim to convince the reader that you are set on your chosen path. Write about your career ambitions, plans for the future, and how the course will help you to achieve them.

To show that you have made an informed choice of course, you could mention relevant open days, summer schools and lectures that you have attended while researching your choices. You could also make use of university prospectuses and websites to ensure that your statement is closely tailored to the course requirements.

However, remember that your personal statement is seen by all of the institutions to which you apply, so you should not mention specific universities or course titles by name.

Show that you can meet the demands of the course

You may be returning to education after several years away, so it is important to demonstrate that you can rise to this challenge. If your course has unusual requirements, such as a need for travel or working unusual hours, make it clear that you are aware of this and can cope with it.

Furthermore, show the admissions tutor that you will be able to adapt to your new environment at university, and to the demands of a full-time higher education course. Anything that emphasises your work ethic, resilience and adaptability will be worth including.

Always include specific examples

While it is important to mention your personal qualities in your statement, you should always include supporting evidence. If you state that you are ‘enthusiastic’ or ‘hard-working’, you should then give examples of when you have demonstrated these qualities.

As an Access student, one advantage that you have over other applicants is your level of work and life experience. You may have spent several years in the world of work, and this will have given you a wealth of knowledge and skills that you can use to strengthen your application. Similarly, any previous studies or voluntary experiences may also be valuable.

Let your personality shine through

Always keep in mind the purpose of the personal statement; the university will receive a huge number of applications, and you are making your case for why they should choose you over other applicants. You want your statement to be original and stand out from the crowd.

Think about what makes you unique. Aim to personalise your application and show how you have developed through your experiences and achievements. It is also a good idea to mention your hobbies and interests and how these have contributed to your personal growth. This gives the admissions tutor an insight into your personality and shows that you know how to relax outside of your studies.

Make every word count

You have a limited amount of space – 4,000 characters and 47 lines – so everything you write should be relevant. Avoid repeating points within the statement and, similarly, do not repeat things that are already mentioned elsewhere on your UCAS form.

You should also ensure that your statement is clear and well written. Keep your writing style simple and do not feel you have to use elaborate language. Proofread your statement several times to check your punctuation and grammar too. It is also a good idea to ask your tutor and family members to read it and provide feedback.

You should expect to produce several drafts of your statement before you are completely happy with it. Once your application has been submitted, you cannot make any further changes, so it is worth taking the time to ensure your statement is as good as it can possibly be.

We wish you all the best with your UCAS application. You can find more tips in our 100 Do’s and Don’ts document available to download here .

Are you an Access to HE student? Visit our Student Information Hub for more useful information.

We have a useful student information section with lots more information to help you with your studies.

Visit our student information hub.

ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMAS

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How do you manage student retention at challenging times?

4 January 2024

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6 October 2023

Access to HE Key Statistics – five insights that stand out

21 August 2023

Are Access to HE Diplomas worth the financial cost?

22 March 2023

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Your personal statement

Guide to writing your personal statement

If you are applying for a further education course (e.g. NC/NQ, SVQ or up to SCQF Level 5/6) please follow the guidance in the first section. If you are applying for a higher education course (e.g. HNC/D, degree or postgraduate) please follow the guidance in the second section.  

Further Education (e.g. NC/NQ, SVQ or up to SCQF Level 5/6)

The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to explain why you want to do the course you have applied for and show why you are suitable. Your Personal Statement is used to help the College and the interviewer understand more about your reasons for applying, your skills and experience. You should try to use correct spelling, punctuation and grammar, but these are not marked. If you would like assistance or guidance with this aspect, please contact the College. This statement might be used by the interviewer for your course to help them ask questions that are personal to you.

Your choice of course

Think about why you are applying for your chosen course - why does this subject interest you?

Why do you think you're suitable for the course – do your current or previous studies relate to the course that you have chosen or have you taken part in any other activities that demonstrate your interest in the course?

Your interests

Think about what things you enjoy doing and are passionate about:

• Are you a practical person, do you enjoy making things, cooking or baking, fixing things that aren’t working – give examples?
• Are you inquisitive? Do you enjoy finding out about things - how they work, enjoy learning about history or politics, reading novels or searching the web?
• Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams? Are you involved with any projects in your local community?

Your skills

Think about any additional skills you might have that could relate to the course and attributes that make you interesting, special or unique:

• Are you creative or have a hidden talent - play a musical instrument, take part in sports, enjoy musical theatre, draw or paint, enjoy writing, or take photographs in your spare time?
• Do you have managerial skills – do you organise or look after any groups, control a budget or look after staff or finances?
• Are you compassionate – are you a carer for someone? Have you ever raised money for a charity?
• Are you multi-lingual – if you speak more than one language this should definitely be included!

Achievements

Remember and include any other achievements you’re proud of, positions of responsibility that you hold or have held both in and out of school.

Work experience

Also include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course. Try to link any experience to skills or qualities related to the course.

Your aspirations

And finally, if you know what you’d like to do after completing the course – whether it’s to further study or employment, explain how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain.

Higher Education (e.g. HNC/D, degree or postgraduate)

The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about your suitability for the course that you hope to study. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and explain your reasons for choosing the subject. You may or may not be interviewed so try to make your application stand out by giving detailed thought to your personal statement.

Tips for writing

• Explain your interest in the subject, why you want to study that course
• Be prepared to answer questions on it if you are interviewed
• Take care over your written work, thoroughly check it for grammatical errors
• Include relevant hobbies and achievements which are relevant to the course; that is those which demonstrate your skills and personality and link this to the skills and experience required for the course
• Include any work or life experience that is relevant, i.e. which says something about yourself and your ambitions or goals in life
• include interesting detail on your experience or activities which demonstrates your suitability for the course, but keep your writing concise
• Include any future plans or thoughts you may have on how you will use the knowledge and experience gained through the course
• Do not exaggerate
• Keep the statement focused, don’t get sidetracked into things which are irrelevant.

Tips for preparation

• Make sure you understand what the course entails, check the prospectus, website or contact the Information line , or call 01463 279190 if you would like further information or to be put in contact with the course leader
• Make a list of ideas or items to be included so that you can determine what is relevant to include
• Expect to produce several drafts before producing a final copy
• Ask people you trust for feedback
• But make sure the statement is your own work and accurately conveys your own personality and ideas

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The birth of a new career for rachel, mum chases creative dream after 15 year break, inspiring success.

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Study for a valuable stand-alone qualification, as your first step towards a degree, or just for interest and personal development.

Our Access to Higher Education Diploma is designed for adults and focuses on coursework rather than exams. Classes are held in the evening so your studies can fit into your life. Helpful tutors, inspiring sessions and regular guidance are designed to help you reach your full potential.

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Get a university degree, climb the career ladder, for personal development, what can you study.

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals ((ENUNSDG))

215 Accesses

Definitions

The ways in which higher education institutions, their governance, and higher educational policies ensure or aspire to ensure that all potential students have equal and equitable opportunities to gain access to higher education institutions and allow these students to take full advantage of their educational opportunities.

Equity in higher education can be divided into two separate concepts. Equity of access refers to the opportunities to enter higher education and “to access programs at various academic levels and with distinct qualities.” Equity of outcomes refers the opportunities “to progress and complete tertiary studies and also to achieve particular returns to tertiary education” (OECD 2008 , p. 14).

Post-secondary education and the programs offered by universities or other types of tertiary institutions.

Introduction

The development of policies and governance mechanisms for influencing access and equity raises some fundamental...

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Faculty of Management and Business/Higher Education Group, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

Vuokko Kohtamäki & Emmi Nicola Kaila

School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Department of Media, Aalto University, Finland

Emmi Nicola Kaila

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Correspondence to Vuokko Kohtamäki .

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European School of Sustainability, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

Walter Leal Filho

Center for Neuroscience & Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

Anabela Marisa Azul

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo, Brazil

Luciana Brandli

Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey

Pinar Gökcin Özuyar

International Centre for Thriving, University of Chester, Chester, UK

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Ulla A. Saari

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Kohtamäki, V., Kaila, E.N. (2020). Access to Higher Education. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P., Wall, T. (eds) Reduced Inequalities. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71060-0_1-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71060-0_1-1

Received : 10 July 2018

Accepted : 30 October 2018

Published : 13 November 2019

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-71060-0

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-71060-0

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