opening sentence for personal statement midwifery

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Top tips on how to write a personal statement for midwifery.

To celebrate International Midwives Day on 5 May, current student Jess, shares some tips on how to write a personal statement if your applying for BSc (Hons) Midwifery.

Writing about yourself in general is hard enough but when you only have 4,000 characters to make a great first impression, mention all your transferable skills, talk about your experience, why you want to be a midwife and somehow make it exciting to read is one tall order!

Writing my personal statement I knew already how competitive it is when applying for a place on a midwifery programme. Limiting my chances by only applying to 2 university’s made the process even scarier! I started drafting my personal statement as early as I could, having been through the process before I had a personal statement to work from BUT i am so glad I scrapped the whole thing and started over. The best thing I did was get hold of a book for writing personal statements for midwifery. I made every mistake going when writing my personal statement at 17 and that truly was from a lack of research and understanding of the role of a midwife and not for lack of passion.

Here’s my top tips for writing a personal statement!

1) Start as early as you can! Even if you just start with a bullet pointed list of everything you want to put into your statement… it’s a start.

2) Draft, Draft and Re-Draft! Make the most of support from tutors or other professionals who offer to read your statement. It’s so important to make sure your sentence structure, spelling and grammar are up to scratch.

3) Read it out loud. It helps so much to read it through and you will pick up on so many more typing issues and mistakes by reading it out loud.

4) When you do start writing make sure you type it in a word document or keep a hard copy rather than typing straight into UCAS as this makes it easier for spell check and checking the word limit.

5) If your a few characters over make sure you check the end of your sentences and paragraphs as I didn’t realise that I always put extra spaces on the end which does take up characters and line space!

Now for midwifery specific tips!

1) Don’t talk about babies! The role of a midwife is about supporting women, and that should be the focus of your statement.

2) Research the skills and qualities of a midwife and try to talk about how you have those skills. Try to follow the format of what is the skill? show evidence of you having it ( talk about experience) and then why that skill is important in midwifery practice.

3) BUZZ WORDS! the 6 C’s of care are a great place to start and if you don’t know what they are go and read up about them! Also consider the importance of non-judgemental care especially in the context of the diversity of women and families that you may encounter through midwifery care.

4) The NMC’s code of conduct is a great resource and I would definitely make sure you’ve read it at some point before interviews.

5) Find something about midwifery that gets you excited and talk about it, get that passion across. Look up current ‘hot topics’ if your ensure.

6) Bring that reader in with that very first sentence! I would make use of your buzz words or show something about your understanding of the role of a midwife in that very first sentence!

7) Don’t worry if you can’t summarise why you want to be a midwife! Its not about the why its about how you’ve got to this point now, what have you done to prove that this is the career for you!

8) Remember your applying for a degree and not a job as a midwife just yet, so try and make some acknowledgement to being able to cope with the academic side of the course and your ability to manage your time especially as the midwifery course is 50% study and 50% placement.

9) Make sure you finish that personal statement with a really powerful ending. That will be the very last thing they read and if they haven’t made their mind up by that point that could be what sways it!

10) Make sure that it truly represents you and DON’T LIE! your personal statement will be the only thing they have about you when it comes to interview so they will talk about it with you if you can’t expand on what you’ve said or you seem to not know much about that 6 year placement you did in Antarctica setting up a midwifery unit for Eskimo’s they will realise it was probably a lie!

Just be yourself and if you haven’t got experience or struggle to get it that’s fine! So many transferable skills can come from other jobs. Retail work is about working with people, communicating with customers. Having patience when dealing with frustrated customers. Its all transferable skills so talk about it!

I hope these tips help anyone writing their statement and good luck on your journey to becoming student midwives!

Jess Correia, Midwifery student.

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BSc (Hons) Midwifery

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Midwifery Personal Statement

Perfect your Midwifery personal statement following this example from a UCL applicant. Use it as a guide to writing your personal statement for the Midwifery course . See below the personal statement example for Midwifery .

Midwifery Personal Statement Example

As a future midwife, I am passionate about providing compassionate care to mothers and their families during one of the most pivotal moments in their lives. I am excited about the opportunity to study midwifery at UCL University and contribute to the field through research and clinical practice.

I have always been drawn to the medical field, and I have been working as a labour and delivery assistant for the past three years. This experience has solidified my desire to become a midwife and has taught me the importance of communication, empathy, and clinical competence.

I have a strong background in science, having completed my undergraduate degree in biology with a focus on women’s health. I am also currently pursuing my Master of Science in midwifery, which has provided me with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of midwifery care.

I am confident that studying at UCL University will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become a successful midwife. I am eager to join the vibrant midwifery community at UCL and contribute to the field through my research and clinical practice. I am committed to providing high-quality care to mothers and their families, and I am dedicated to lifelong learning and professional development. Thank you for considering my application.

In addition to my academic and professional experience, I am also a member of the Midwives Association of North America, where I have had the opportunity to attend conferences, network with other midwives, and stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in the field. I am also a volunteer at a local pregnancy resource centre, where I assist pregnant women and new mothers with information and support.

I am excited about the prospect of studying at UCL University and becoming part of the rich history and tradition of midwifery at the institution. I am committed to working hard and achieving my goals, and I believe that studying at UCL will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become a successful midwife. Thank you for considering my application.

Over the course of my school career, I have always been recognized for my hard work and dedication. Both independently and in a group, I am able to perform at a high level. Having the ability to work independently and as part of a team is important for midwives. As a result, he has been given important leadership roles, such as house captain and prefect. Moreover, public speaking has helped me to improve my communication skills so that I can clearly convey my ideas and thoughts to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Midwifery Personal Statement Tips

When writing your midwifery personal statement , include the following:

• What inspired you to choose Midwifery
• Why do you wish to work as Midwifery
• What you know about midwifery
• Qualities and abilities that will make you a great midwife
• Working with babies is a plus, add experience if have it
• Demonstrate your knowledge of midwifery
• The degree, modules, and dissertation topic you chose were relevant.
• Skills, hobbies, and achievements relevant to the midwifery course

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• Personal Statements
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Midwifery Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

For quite a long time I have known that my future career lies within the nursing profession but was unsure of my exact direction. In the last couple of years I have spoken to several different nurses and have attended hospital open days and two work placements and I am now convinced that midwifery is for me.

I have been very impressed with the midwives that I have met and feel that the opportunity to look after women throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond into the postnatal period would be very rewarding. Being involved with women and their families at such an exciting and yet still quite stressful time of life will enable me to use my communication skills and my abilities to care for people in a calm and non-judgemental way.

Being a good midwife is about having the medical skills and knowledge to guide a woman through a healthy pregnancy and to be alert to the earliest signs that something may be wrong. Caring for diabetic women in pregnancy is a particular interest, as my older sister was diabetic and experienced various complications during her pregnancy last year. Having a calm and dependable midwife was essential to her well being throughout the pregnancy.

It is very important for midwives to be aware of the latest medical knowledge and to inform and explain things to women as clearly and sympathetically as possible so that they can be empowered to make their own informed decisions. Although it would be emotionally challenging, I would like to gain experience working with women who have given birth prematurely or who have had a baby who is born with serious health problems. I believe I have the maturity to provide the support as well as the medical care necessary.

My two work placements so far have been in the maternity unit of my local hospital and out with a community midwife. These were two very different experiences but I thoroughly enjoyed them both. During my placement in the hospital I was able to help monitor a fetal heart beat and to chat to mothers whose babies were just a day old. My days out with the community midwife showed me just how variable this work is and I was excited by the chance to see families and babies in their own homes. The midwife that I shadowed was welcomed and treated as part of the family group, which showed me just how important midwives are in the wider community.

By doing a midwifery degree I hope to become as well qualified as possible on the medical side but I realise that being a good midwife is also about gaining experience of different situations. I would welcome the opportunity to work abroad at some stage of my early career, in a developing world situation. I was lucky enough to visit Kenya last summer with a project to raise awareness of childhood vaccination and to assist the vaccination teams. I met lots of mothers and children and saw how different their situation is compared to a typical family in the UK.

I am working hard to get the grades I need for university but outside work I enjoy playing badminton and painting with watercolours. Some of my time is also devoted to my new niece who is now 6 months old and who has become a very special person on my life. Seeing her grow and develop has confirmed my wish to work with mothers and babies and I am excited to start my journey into midwifery.

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An Effective Guide to Writing Midwifery Personal Statements

Table of Contents

Midwifery personal statements are a vital part of the application process for those pursuing midwifery degrees. They allow the admission staff to get to know you as an individual and can be used to demonstrate your commitment to the profession. Like any other piece of writing, you must take care when crafting your statement if you want it to stand out from the crowd.

In this article, we have listed a few valuable tips for writing an effective midwifery personal statement, along with examples to use as inspiration.

What Is a Midwifery Personal Statement?

A midwifery personal statement is a written document that explains an individual’s motivations, qualifications , and experience for pursuing a career in midwifery. Prospective students often use it to apply for entrance into Midwifery education programs. The personal statement allows educators to understand the applicant as more than just grades and test scores. It provides insight into their qualities, aspirations, and dedication to a Midwife practice.

Why Is a Midwifery Personal Statement Important?

Midwifery personal statement is not just about explaining what you’ve accomplished in your field of work. It is about demonstrating the skills and attributes necessary for someone to be qualified to competently and responsibly help with the process of childbirth.

A well-written personal statement will demonstrate your understanding of the human body and your capacity for empathy.

Tips to Write Midwifery Personal Statements

The following tips will help you write good midwifery personal statements and better convey your qualities and qualifications.

• Start with an introduction that captures the reader’s attention and highlights why you are interested in becoming a midwife.
• Give specific examples of your experience working with pregnant women and newborns, whether through volunteering, work, or personal experiences.
• Explain what qualities make you a good fit for the role of midwife, such as being patient, compassionate, and proactive.
• Discuss any academic achievements related to pregnancy care or childbirth education that you have attained thus far in your studies/career.
• Reiterate why you want to pursue a career as a midwife and how this opportunity will allow you to reach your long-term goals.

What to Avoid When Writing a Midwifery Personal Statement?

Things to avoid when writing a midwifery personal statement:

• Don’t make excuses for your lack of experience.
• Avoid listing reasons why you want to be a midwife without providing concrete examples to support your claims.
• Don’t present yourself as someone perfect – no one is! Be honest and open about your flaws and weaknesses, but highlight how you have worked to overcome them.
• Avoid writing anything negative about previous employers or educators, even if they were less than stellar. Focus on the positive lessons you learned from them instead.

Personal Statement Midwifery Examples

Below are some midwifery personal statement examples to assist you in writing one on your own:

Like many other midwives, I was drawn to the profession after experiencing a positive birth myself. As soon as my son was born, I knew that I wanted to help other women have similarly empowering experiences. My journey into motherhood revealed just how important it is for pregnant women and their families to have access to quality care. They need someone who understands their needs and can support them throughout the process. Midwifery is all about providing individualized care — something that’s extremely important during childbirth.

I am passionate about helping mothers bring new life into this world in a safe and healthy way. And while training as a midwife will be challenging, I know it will also be incredibly rewarding. Through hands-on experience and theoretical learning, I hope to gain the knowledge and skills needed to deliver babies. I also want to ensure that every woman feels confident in her ability to give birth naturally if she chooses. To me, being a midwife isn’t just a job. It’s an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives by supporting them through one of the most special moments of their lives.

Born and raised in a small town near the Mexican border, I was always interested in helping others. My fascination with birth began when I was a young girl; watching my cousins give birth at home fascinated me. Witnessing the strength and power of a woman giving birth left a lasting impression on me that has stuck with me throughout my life. As time passed, I continued to explore my interest in childbirth by taking classes on natural childbirth and becoming certified as a doula.

During my undergraduate studies at The University of Arizona, I had the opportunity to have clinical experience working alongside midwives at our local hospital. I assisted women during their births and provided support post-birth both in the clinic setting and within people’s homes. This invaluable experience solidified my desire to become a midwife myself one day soon!

The most rewarding part of this journey has been witnessing firsthand how pregnancy and birthing can empower women. No matter what walk of life they come from or how difficult their journey may be. Every woman who chooses to bring new life into this world is heroic in her own unique way. And it is an honor to help them through this profound process. It could be accompanying them through labor physically or simply being there emotionally to support them every step along the way.

A personal statement provides insight into the applicant’s character and motivation to attend the midwifery program. A key aspect of completing your personal statement is to make it concise. This article provides effective tips and examples to help you write a strong midwifery personal statement. Although an impactful personal statement is not easy to write, it is worth the effort. Stay focused.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Midwifery Personal Statement | Advice & Template

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Found your dream midwifery role, but stuck on what to write in your personal statement? Here is our expert advice on what to include and how to present your skills and experience to create an excellent first impression and get invited to interview.

Personal statements give you the chance to showcase what you’re all about and where your talents lie. We recommend using this personal profile to promote your strengths, achievements and key skills. Use this 100-150 words to provide examples of how you match the job specifications, and show your desire for this midwifery vacancy.

What should you include in your midwifery personal statement?

Education and training

Provide a brief overview of your previous education and midwifery training (School/University/Higher Education Courses)

Why you are applying for the role?

Demonstrate your knowledge of the position to show awareness of what the role demands. What can you bring to this role? You need to show real passion and enthusiasm for why you want the job.

Activity: Where have you gained midwifery experience?

Provide details of your previous midwifery experience including the name of the hospital and the duration of your experience.

Skills: What have you done?

Examples could include:

• Teaching women how to have a healthy pregnancy journey, including promoting the right diet, the correct medications to take and what exercise they should undertake.
• Communicating effectively with other midwives and medical team and providing regular updates on the status of patients.
• Identifying and explaining risks clearly.
• Using my initiative, acting quickly and identifying whether the patients need a caesarean section.
• Providing support to patients and their relatives, before, during and after the birth to aid the patient’s recovery.
• Maintaining a calm and positive disposition with excellent communication skills.
• Emotional and mental strength.

Evidence: Give examples of your work experience

From conducting one-to-one meetings I have learnt how to communicate confidently with patients and educate pregnant patients on diet, which medications to take and what vitamins they need most and exercises to do to deliver a healthy newborn. I have delivered a number of babies safely and provided aftercare for the mother. I am also experienced in communicating with the medical team and other midwives as well as providing support during caesarean sections.

Midwifery Personal Statement Template

Kind, professional and highly trained midwife with excellent communication skills. I am committed to providing the best quality care and support for mothers and families throughout their pregnancies. 10 years' experience and a first class honours midwifery degree from University of Manchester. I work well under pressure and thrive in a team environment. My positive and friendly disposition means that I get on with all different types of people and put patients at ease which I think is key for this role. I am very knowledgeable about all aspects of pregnancy and am confident communicating this knowledge to patients. My previous experience working at the maternity ward at Barnet Hospital has taught me the importance of acting quickly and calmly. With my skills and experience, I am confident that I would be an asset to your team.

If you are seeking further useful information, then read our expert guide on how to write a personal statement .

Related links

• How to Make Your Personal Statement Pop
• How to Improve Your Job Hunt
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Midwifery personal statement example 1.

At the age of 5 I recall being intrigued by my mother's pregnancy. The day my little brother was born I was amazed that he came from my mothers womb. I never forgot that wonderment.

16 years later I was able to experience another pregnancy (from an adults perspective) and was able to see all the different stages, even the birth. This so far has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This made me aware that the role of a midwife involves more than just delivering babies.

Within the 3 years of studying health and social care, in 6th form, I was required to complete 2 work experience placements in a social care setting. I chose a nursery and an elderly persons home. This involved caring for people who were generations apart but the fundamentals were the same.

My communication and team functioning skills were strengthened as they were constantly being used for me to work effectively. These skills will be essential to work effectively as midwife, as I will have to work in a team with other health care professional and independently to provide the best care for patients.

Whilst studying I took up part time employment in retail. Having to attend work, 6th form and complete a number of assignments proved to be tricky but dramatically helped improve my organisational skill.

In 2003 I left my family, home and friends to travel to the USA to take part in the Camp America scheme. I had never travelled abroad on my own before but I willingly took on the challenge. I lived at a girls only summer camp for 3 months.

My time there involved, working in a team with women from all over the world as well as having to supervise girls aged 11-16 and organise their daily activities. Whilst there my patience, tolerance and communication skills were enhanced as I had to make myself understood through language barriers to girls younger than myself.

Being with the girls constantly, friendships were forged but I always had to retain some distance to maintain the position of team leader so knowing how and when to up hold boundaries was learnt and practised. This too can be used in midwifery, as relationships will be forged but professionalism must always be maintained. I understand that the teenage pregnancy rate is high in areas such as Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark and with the experience of working in Camp America and being young myself, I believe I would be extremely well placed as a teenage parent midwife, once I am accepted on and pass this course.

Previously I studied Foundation Degree in Theatre Design and Practice. Requirements of course meant I had to travel to unfamiliar areas and become a member of established teams. This I did successfully. I also studied a level 1 peer mentoring. This will help me when I become a qualified midwife, as I will be expected to become a mentor to those studying in any hospital I will be employed at. Whilst taking the above courses I grew in knowledge, learnt more about myself, improved on existing skills and gained new ones.

Research I've done and actually witnessing the role of a midwife, I know I am capable and eager to meeting this challenge. As well as the knowledge that will be gained from attending this course, the qualities and characteristics I've strengthened and developed so far, will go along way toward what is needed to be a successful. Midwifery is challenging and demanding, as patients look to you to provide them with support, guidance and education, as well as assistance during labour and birth. You have to be dependable and responsible as you are being entrusted with the welfare of patients and their unborn child. My career choice is midwifery. As well, as the qualities listed above I am also trustworthy, dedicated and approachable and would make a good midwife.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Lania for application in 2008.

Lania's Comments

im not sure if this how a personal statement should be, some feed back would be great.

Related Personal Statements

This personal statement is.

Wed, 09/07/2008 - 14:01

This personal statement is quite short and was expecting it to be longer. was this personal statement successful and was the lady accepted into a university course sudying midwifery?

i would also like to know if

Sun, 28/09/2008 - 21:33

i would also like to know if this person was accepted onto the course, i am hoping to study midwifery next year, and in the process of writing my statement. i also know ther are only 15 places available on the course.

"Since I was 1 years old I

Tue, 30/09/2008 - 11:31

"Since I was 1 years old I have been intrigued in the way that babies were released"

I think that if you were to write this in your personal statment, then you would be taking a large risk of not being accepted.

The grammar and sentence structure is off key. If you insisted on writing along these lines you should at least correct yourself English wise: "Since I WERE 1 YEAR old I have been intrigued in the way that babies were released" also the word released wouldnt be very techincal for someone applying for a Midwifery course now would it.

On course like this the more technical jargon you use the better!!!- Shows understanding!

This isn't a bad statement

Mon, 06/10/2008 - 18:35

This isn't a bad statement but if you really want to study midwifery, its got to be better unfortunately!

I applied for midwifery last year, i got 10 UCAS points over what they were asking for and my personal statement was supposedly very impressive according to a midwife I interviewed at a local hospital. HOWEVER, midwifery is sooo competitive and my advice to you all wanting to be midwives is step your game up and write something thats going to really make you stand out and be aware of the interviews! they really do grill you so be prepared for it and just be sure that this is really what you want because i was on a shortlist of 700 people and still wasnt successful, it's pretty tough but good luck everyone!

Please note

Wed, 01/04/2009 - 16:10

We are a group of university lecturers recruiting student midwives and are aware that this statement is being used on application forms.

Please ensure your personal statement is written in your own words. Anyone submitting a plagiarised statement will NOT BE CONSIDERED.

This statement's rather

Wed, 02/12/2009 - 16:57

This statement's rather waffly,, and seems a bit far fetched and too much use of big words that aren't understood 2 this individual.

dont be stupid you cant tell

Wed, 27/01/2010 - 12:06

dont be stupid you cant tell someone to write they have been interested in babies and midwifery since they where 1 years old You cannot function or remember things from at the age of one so stupid

Wed, 28/04/2010 - 12:18

Rite Luds- I reli liked it and soooooooooooooooooo wanna b a midwif an all. AS IF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DONT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY

Fri, 15/10/2010 - 12:35

I DONT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE IS HAVING A DIG AS THIS GIRL, SHE ONLY WANTED SOME ADVICE ON HER PERSONAL STATEMENT. I MYSELF IM INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MIDWIFE AND TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO TRY AND WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT. I HOPE HALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMENTED ON THIS ARE NOT MIDWIFES AS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WE NEED MORE MIDWIFES THAT ARE APPROACHABLE AND NOT THINK THEY ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS! i do think it was a good atemped but do agree maybe try organising it a bit more.

Im quite shocked by some of

Thu, 28/07/2011 - 16:26

Im quite shocked by some of the comments ive read here.It is my greatest wish to become a midwife, and in a couple of years time when im able to apply for a university place i can only hope that i will be the sort of person who is able to leave an honest but helpfull comment.That if i should need advice there will be the support and understanding of those who know how hard starting out in this proffession is.Sometimes people are just looking for a simple compliment,a bit of confidence to say your doing okay!critisum is so easy to dish out,yet so hard to take. I wish each and everyone the best of luck.

Wed, 24/07/2013 - 07:18

Fantastic article. Really Cool.

i am currently in year 13

Thu, 12/09/2013 - 08:34

i am currently in year 13 writing my own personal statement, from all the feedback i have been given on mine i would personally say that this would be acceptable, but it could be a little more detailed, e.g. add skills, hobbies etc. not all just about experience, the university wants to know what skills you have in order to be successful at university, hope ive helped.

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Home › University › How To Write A Personal Statement? 10 Tips + Student Questions Answered › How To Start A Personal Statement: Tips & Examples

How To Start A Personal Statement: Tips & Examples

• Published January 20, 2023

Table of Contents

We’re regularly asked the question “ how to start a personal statement ”? It’s a challenging task for anybody but worry not as we’re here to help guide you through the process. 

The introduction is the first thing the admissions committee will read. That’s why the first sentence of a personal statement should be a catchy, attention-grabbing hook or story that grabs the reader’s attention and sets up the main point of your essay.

A lacklustre introduction may lose your readers’ interest, preventing them from reading the rest of your personal statement!

But don’t worry, this article will guide you on writing a personal statement introduction, a few examples of opening sentences and how to captivate the admissions tutors. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Top Tip: Leave Your Introduction For Last

You know what they say, the hardest thing to do is  start . So skip the introduction for now and focus on the main body of your personal statement. If you’re not sure what your main content should be, read out how to write a personal statement guide.

After nailing down the main points, you’ll have a concrete idea of how your introduction can captivate the reader and stay relevant to the bulk of the writing. Go ahead and work on the rest of your personal statement.

Come back when you’re finished! And if you’re worried about your conclusion then check out our advice on  personal statement conclusions .

2. Cut To The Chase

You only have  4,000 characters  to sell yourself as an ideal student candidate. Make each character and paragraph count! That means forget about flowery words and directionless statements. When you start your personal statement, explain your motivations for choosing your course in one or two sentences.

Although you will discuss this in-depth in the main body of content, capturing your reader’s attention with a quick overview of why you’re enthusiastic about your chosen course is crucial. That’s why capturing the reader’s attention by jumping straight to the point is key to starting a personal statement.

3. Be Specific

Never give vague details when expressing why you want to pursue your course. “I always wanted to be an engineer since I was a kid,” or “I want to become a doctor because I enjoy science” isn’t advised. 

On that note, if you’re applying to medicine refer to our guide on  how to write a medical personal statement . We suggest being more specific than that, and you can include your academic achievements too. Here are a few suggestions that may help you:

• You witnessed an inspirational figure in your life solve a massive problem with a specific skill set (doctor, engineer, etc.)
• While you were at a charity event, you encountered a problem that kept people in deprivation. By pursuing this course, you’re a part of the solution.
• You’re good at, and you enjoy a specific skill set. The course you’re eyeing puts great emphasis on this particular skill.
• There was a moment in your life when you succeeded in solving a problem. You felt significant by doing so, and you want to keep doing that for the rest of your life (teaching poor children how to read)
• You watched a movie or read a book that ignited your passion for the course. After doing volunteer work or part-time employment related to your course, you’re determined to pursue it.

Craft a sentence or two that encapsulates the core of your “why.” Do this, and your reader will want to read more!

4. Demonstrate Knowledge In Your Chosen Course

An essential element of starting a personal statement is to express why you’re enthusiastic about taking your chosen course. You need to demonstrate that you’re aware of what you’re getting yourself into in the process. Answer any of these prompt questions for inspiration:

• What do you find interesting about the course?
• How do you believe the course will help you achieve your goals?
• How will you use your chosen course to contribute to society?
• What hurdles do you expect to encounter, and how will you handle them?

Decide which of these questions fits best into the main content of your  personal statement . Write your answer in a sentence or two, weave them into your application essay and think about the help you received from your tutors in the past.

5. Ditch The “Since I Was A Child” Line

We’re often asked  what not to put in a personal statement  and “Since I was a child” is a cliche statement that gets thrown around haphazardly. How many students have said this at least once in their personal statements?

Recalling your childhood passions is a weak “why” for pursuing your course. Why? Because the admissions committee is looking for a relevant and up-to-date reason.

When you were little, you had zero knowledge and little enthusiasm to become successful in your field. You had no idea what skillsets you needed or what other options were available to you.

But if you were to cite a recent event in your life that supports your determination to pursue your course, that screams “educated choice” right there. And  that  is what the admission committee is looking for after reading hundreds, if not thousands of introductions.

6. Brainstorm Several Versions Of Your Opening Lines

The desire to get it right the first time paralyses you from starting. So permit yourself to write freely. Write as many versions of your opening lines as possible.

Don’t worry about the grammar, spelling, or character count just yet. Type everything that goes off the top of your head. When you’re done, take a look at your list.

Cross out the ones you dislike, and encircle the ones you think have potential. Then start piecing the puzzle pieces together to check out if the intro lines fit with the rest of your personal statement. 

If you’ve found three potential opening statements, try reading them aloud together with the rest of your personal statement. Do they flow seamlessly into one another? Make the necessary adjustments. Play around with it until you feel you’ve hit the spot.

7. Make Your Opening Statement Error Free

Your opening statement is your hook line. Spelling or grammatical errors at the start discourage your reader from reading further. If you have errors at the beginning, you’ll most likely have them in your main content!

So make sure your English is simple, flawless, and straightforward. Run your personal statement through a tool like Grammarly to weed out most of the errors.

The Hemingway app is also a helpful tool for checking for passive voice and other writing problems. Take advantage of writing assistant tools, especially if you’re a non-native English writer.

8. Read Examples Of Personal Statements

Read as many personal statement examples as you can. Any that captivated you, keep them in your notes. Figure out  why  these statements stood out to you compared to the others. What elements can you place in  your  personal statement?

When reading personal statements that put you off, find out why. What characteristics do they have that elicit a negative reaction from you? List them down, and make sure you avoid them.

After this exercise, you should have a few more ideas about your personal statement introduction.

9. Ask For Feedback

Never underestimate what feedback can give you. Ask your family, friends, and acquaintances about your opening statement. Does your personality shine through? Is it straight to the point? Does it flow smoothly with the main content of your personal statement?

Listen to what they have to say. Jot down important points. You’ll need their feedback to get a second opinion on whether it works for you or not.

10. Give Yourself Time

Your chosen career depends on your college education. And a first crucial step is to convince the admission committee you’re worth accepting into your university. You have to give your personal statement your best shot. Give yourself enough time to brainstorm and think everything over.

You can’t finish a complete,  well-written personal statement  in a week. Much less overnight!

So make sure you set aside enough time to put your best foot forward. After finishing a complete draft of your personal statement, put it down. Forget about it for a few days. Then come back and reread it.

With a fresh set of eyes, you’ll notice details you may not have seen before! Revise as much as you need.

Do I Need To Write An Introduction For A Personal Statement?

Yes, we recommend writing an introduction for your personal statement as it provides context to the rest of your writing. The introduction is an opportunity to make a good first impression and capture the university admissions officer’s attention.

What is a good opening sentence for a personal statement?

Here are some examples of a good opening sentence for a captivating introduction. Note how it ties into the university degree almost straight away with first-hand experience:

• “Growing up in a small town with limited resources sparked my curiosity and drive to pursue higher education and make a positive impact in my community.”
• “From a young age, I have been fascinated by the intricacies of the human mind and the power of psychology to improve people’s lives.”
• “As a first-generation college student, I am determined to break barriers and pave the way for future generations through a career in law.”
• “My passion for sustainable design was ignited by a volunteer trip to a developing country, where I witnessed the devastating effects of environmental degradation firsthand.”
• “A chance encounter with a blind person and their guide dog inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, with the goal of improving the lives of animals and their human companions.”

Please do NOT use these in your personal statements, use these to guide you on how you want to start your personal statement.

Can You Open Your Personal Statement With A Quote?

It is a risky move to open your personal statement with a quote and can come across as clichéd or insincere to the university admission officers. However, there are rare occasions when it can work, just make sure the quote relates to your degree and experience you’re writing about.

Get Ready To Write Your Personal Statement

How does one start a captivating personal statement? Take the time to think about what makes an effective introduction.

Read examples of personal statements from other students to glean ideas for how yours might stand out. Once you have read through some good ones, they should be more than just two or three!–look closely at what elements made them so successful. 

Then try applying those same principles on how to start a personal statement! Don’t forget to bookmark this post for future reference.

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