Writing Personal Statements & Research Proposals Dr John Beamish University of Hertfordshire Structure of Talk

Personal Statements Why, Who for?, Structure of PS Examples of good and bad points Research proposal Structure What should be included

Importance of your PS Your application form consists of Your personal details Your grades/results Your references - from teachers or employer Your Personal Statement

You only have control of your PS Other applicants will have same grades, excellent references your PS is your edge Your PS is your sales pitch of you!!!

Your PS will be considered by the Admissions Tutor and she will ask: Are you suited to the course? Do you have the necessary qualifications and qualities for the course? Will you cope with the demands of the course- both work pressure and intellectually? Will you fit in to the university environment that you have applied to? Have you got excellent communication skills? Are you dedicated to this course and have researched it well? Do you have a genuine interest in the subject and a desire to learn more about it? You must provide answers to all these question indirectly within your PS

Getting Started The most difficult part!!! How to do it ? Think 500 -600 words is all that you need Think about key things that have shaped you in your life - since 13 -14 years old Who has influenced you to study your subject? Has it been your family, friend, or teacher? How have you learnt about your subject? What experiences and qualifications do you hold? What have you achieved? What are your future intentions & goals Ask yourself question (brainstorm) What am I good at and why? What has been my greatest academic achievement? What are my greatest assets and where have I used these assets? Write brief sentences that answer these questions that can be stuck together later - upon reflection/analysis do not worry how they come out of your head Analyse your notes for common themes group them together produce short paragraphs

PS Structure Opening introduction Have a strong introductory statement Main Body of the personal statement Topic sentences/paragraphs about relevant ideas or categories identified during brainstorming Concluding remarks The main point of the conclusion is to underline your desire to study - make it snappy Have a very strong opening introduction (150 words) Consider : I always dreamt of being a forensic biochemist I was fortunate to obtain work experience with the Neuroscience Department at Oxford University in Year 11. This made me realise that I was interested in pursuing a career in biology, with an emphasis on work with DNA, leading possibly to a career in forensic biochemistry. Why did you dream of being a forensic biochemist??? Ask yourself, answer, rearrange, get it together Remember something made you want to be a forensic biochemist etc Example Main Body

Specific details (action that supports the point) Educational background (100 words) Your personal experiences (150 words) Why should they choose you? (100 words) I have always been interested in outdoor activities. I have always been interested in outdoor activities. I was a scout, then a member of a youth activities club until I was 14, when I started the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

Example Summary/Conclusion

Summaries - pull it all together (100 words)

By combining these disciplines into a dual degree program, I can pursue my professional
goal of teaching at university level. My experience.

Use of Grammar/English Dont use words that you are not sure of the meaning/ long words/ out of context Get your grammar right! spell checkers do not work here!! - Newtons thirst principal off motion. Mix short and long sentences to good effect Use English spelling - colour, gaol Dont try to be funny as others may not share your sense of humour. Word-processed statements should be in 12-point type size Read it before you send it!!!! The Research Proposal Used by PhD/MPhil students to convey the area of research that they wish to engage in It is assumed that you, the applicant, have the required expertise in the general area of research if you want to do a PhD in laminar air flow across an aircraft wing then you have a background in engineering( Mechanical, aero, etc)

 It is assumed that the area of expertise that you are interested in is within the university that you
apply for - check web site/and RAE results of the university Normally a proposal should be between 1500 and 2000 words The structure should be: A working title of the topic area General overview of area of interest Identification of the relevant literature Key research questions Methodology - how you will do it Timescale/research planning Bibliography General overview of area

brief abstract of the general area of study identify the discipline(s) involved Indicate how your own background gives you competences in your chosen area
Identification of the relevant literature

Show awareness of the debates and issues raised in relevant bodies of literature A PhD is an original piece of research and so you should demonstrate that your proposed
area of research is unique in some way

need to identify your niche which will lead on to the thesis preparation
Key research questions

demonstrate that it is manageable within appropriate time period (project plan?) focus on key questions within your niche area
Methodology

demonstrate an awareness of the methodological tools available show some understanding of which would be suitable for specific areas of your research remember some expertise may have to be bought in to the research team internally or
externally Bibliography

You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the
application - that you have read and think are relevant What happens next?

Your submission is reviewed by the Faculty research committee and then a supervisory
team arranged. Then an iterative process starts between you and the team until a clearly defined achievable research plan is formulated. Summary - PS

Brainstorm your influences select the best Structure your PS Do not use words you do not understand Do no exceed the word count of 600 Tell the truth

Summary Research Proposal

Structure your proposal appropriately Read around the research topic so that you are aware of the main issues etc Remember to demonstrate what, how by when etc in the proposal But remember that there is the opportunity to refine the proposal once the university is
convinced by your interest