It's University Application Season - How to write a Personal Statement that sounds like YOU!

Penny Mosavian
3 days ago
3 min read

If you’re applying to university this autumn, your personal statement is your chance to show who you are — not just what grades you’ve got. But with so much advice out there, it can be hard to strike the right balance between sounding impressive and sounding authentic.

The team at ME+U share tips here on how to write a personal statement that truly sounds like you — confident, capable, and ready for university life.

✏️ 1. Start With Your Story, Not a Cliché

Avoid the classic openers — “From a young age…” or “I have always been passionate about…”. Admissions tutors have seen them hundreds of times.Instead, begin with a sentence that captures your genuine motivation for studying your chosen subject:

“I realised I wanted to study psychology when I found myself reading about human behaviour long after the school day ended.”

Ask yourself:

When did I first become curious about this subject?
What real experience, project, or challenge shaped that interest?

The more specific your example, the more memorable your opening will be.

🧭 2. Show Your Thinking, Not Just Your Achievements

Universities aren’t only interested in what you’ve done — they want to know how you think. When you mention books, work experience, or extracurriculars, focus on what you learned and how it connects to your course choice.

Instead of:

“I volunteered at a care home.”

Try:

“Volunteering at a care home helped me understand how communication and empathy influence wellbeing — ideas I want to explore further in my sociology degree.”

That single shift — from what you did to why it matters — shows reflection, curiosity, and maturity.

💬 3. Keep Your Tone Professional but Personal

Think of your personal statement as an academic conversation. You’re writing to an expert who wants to see your potential, but they also want to hear your voice.Avoid overly formal or inflated phrases like:

“I am a highly motivated individual with a burning passion for the subject.”

Instead, use clear, confident language:

“I’m motivated by the way literature can reveal how people make sense of change and identity.”

Natural language always reads better — and sounds more sincere.

📚 4. Structure It Like a Story

A strong personal statement flows logically:

Introduction – why you want to study the subject.
Main section – what you’ve done academically and beyond the classroom that shows your interest.
Skills and qualities – what you’ll bring to university life (e.g. teamwork, organisation, resilience).
Conclusion – your goals or vision for the future.

Remember: each paragraph should link back to your subject and demonstrate your readiness to study it at a higher level.

💡 5. Edit for Clarity — and Read It Aloud

Once you’ve written your draft, read it aloud or record yourself. You’ll immediately hear whether it sounds like you or like you’re trying too hard.Ask yourself:

Does this sound natural?
Could I actually say this in an interview?

If not, rewrite until your personality comes through clearly and confidently.

🕯️ Final Thought

A great personal statement doesn’t try to impress everyone — it simply tells your story honestly, showing your curiosity, growth, and readiness for university.

Remember: you don’t need to sound perfect. You just need to sound authentic.

lots of love from the ME+U team

BONUS DOWNLOAD

🎓 Free Personal Statement Resource

“10 Phrases to Avoid in Your Personal Statement (and What to Say Instead)”

Writing your personal statement doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.This free ME+U checklist will help you sound more confident, natural, and authentic — while avoiding the tired phrases that make so many applications blend into the background.

💡 Inside the checklist

10 overused phrases that weaken your statement
Clear examples of what to say instead
Quick editing tips to help your real voice come through

Whether you’re just starting your draft or polishing the final version, this quick-reference guide will help you make every word count.

This handy checklist can be used for UCAS applications, and when writing personal statements for non UK universities.