Sample Personal Statement for Undergraduate Degree, BA in English

Since I was a child, I have had a passion for reading and writing in English, making it the ideal university course of study for me. In school, English has consistently been my strongest subject, the most challenging yet rewarding. My reading tastes are eclectic, and I admire many writers, from those typically studied academically, such as Shakespeare, to contemporary novelists like Zadie Smith. My involvement in Writing for Reality (the youth section of my local newspaper, the Jersey Evening Post) together with an article for the JCG Old Girls Magazine has given me first-hand experience in writing for an audience. This has reinforced my desire to study English at university.

Studying English has not only given me the opportunity to appreciate works of literature but has also helped me to develop skills that will be of considerable benefit to me in the future. I have learnt to extract meaning through the detailed analysis of texts and to articulate my interpretation. These skills are generic and applicable in all occupations. I have also always been interested in important moral debates, and I am aware that our great writers have often combined entertainment for their contemporary readers whilst addressing important social issues of the day. The study of literature has also enabled me to understand something of the cultural and historical contexts in which texts were written. Throughout my time studying English I have developed qualities that I am proud of - confidence in expressing my opinions, the ability to prompt and engage in group discussion and a willingness to explore different ideas and approaches to literature.

The fact that I enjoy English so much means that motivation and commitment, two characteristics that I believe to be of the utmost importance, come naturally to me. My love of writing leads me to favour journalism as a potential career, as I am fascinated by current affairs. Whilst this profession is often regarded as difficult to enter, I believe that my determination and confidence will help me to succeed. I have always enjoyed debating and have been involved in this both in and out of school. I contributed to the Jersey Youth Assembly in 2002, and acted as 'seconder' for a highly controversial motion, writing both my own speech and that of the 'proposer'

Aside from academic studies, I enjoy a variety of pursuits. These include drawing, walking, cycling and yoga. I am keen on drama, gaining a GCSE in the subject and acting in school productions, and this is a hobby that I would like to continue at university. At present, I am doing voluntary unpaid community service, working in a coffee shop at the General Hospital, which I find worthwhile and rewarding. I am hoping to count this towards my Duke of Edinburgh Silver award. In school, I have been given the responsibilities of prefect and deputy house captain, positions that have benefited me in terms of both my organisational and time-keeping skills and have allowed me to become deeply involved with my school in its various activities and fundraising events.

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Sample 1st Paragraphs for the Bachelor's Degree

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I was born in Seattle and grew up within 20 minutes of the downtown area. I am now finishing my nursing pre-requisites at the University of Seattle, and I have been volunteering in the Emergency Department at the University of Seattle Medical Center ever since I began studying here more than 2 years ago. While I enjoy very much what I do and especially the lovely people that I work with, I am homesick for Seattle. Nevertheless, this is only one of several reasons why Seattle University is my first choice for earning the BSN Degree.

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I am a young woman from Damascus Syria who passion in life is everything having to do with computers and informatics. I earned a general high school certificate in 2009 with an average score of 99.16%. I then entered Damascus University and have been studying there since 2009. Now, however, our country is at war and the university is barely functioning. Things are beginning to look so bad that I am not at all sure that I will be able to finish my studies. My parents are Syrian, but we lived in Lebanon from 1993 until we fled the war of 2006 and returned to Syria. Now Syria is engulfed in war, a war which is also threatening to engulf Lebanon, with Israel and Gaza again at war. I am tired of war, but I know that I cannot escape it. I hope to be accepted to the Erasmus Mundus Program and to study towards my degree at the University of Berlin because I see this as the best program for me to realize the goal of receiving a state-of-the-art foundation in information technology. My long-term goal is to help to protect Arab civilians, especially women and children, using information technology.

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Now twenty-nine, I have spent the last several years of my life watching my grandfather waste away to nothing. I have been frustrated by the fact that his battle with a brain tumor has left him with little to no appetite and subsequently no energy. Not long after his diagnosis, he was already under his ideal weight and continuing to lose, despite all our best efforts. Throughout this period, I took it upon myself to accept the challenge of doing everything that I could to help keep my grandfather alive as long as possible; and since there was nothing I could do for his brain tumor, I turned my attention to his nutrition.  This is one of the principal factors that have led me to set my sights on becoming a Registered Dietitian with a special, research interest in geriatric nutrition. I have become so passionate about the subject that I am fully confident that I will excel in this area. Your BSHS Program in Coordinated Dietetics at the University of XXXX will compliment my first undergraduate degree in Health and Human Sciences that I earned at the University of Oregon in 2006, as well as providing continuity with my current professional position as a Registered Dietetic Technician.