Sometimes there is a section of an application form (for a job or a course) which asks you to write something about yourself. The example below shows a typical way of completing a section like this. Pay attention to the underlined tenses and verb forms.
Worked example
Sample personal statement
Please explain in about 200 words your reasons for choosing this course, your experience in the field and how you expect your interest in the subject to develop.
I am applying for this course because I ««have been» interested» in the subject of the environment for many years, and I would like to work in this field as a career in the future. I have been reading books about environmental science since I was twelve years old, so I know quite a lot about the basic ideas, but I need to extend what I already know.
At the moment, I am studying biology, geography and English as my main subjects at school, and I believe these subjects will all be useful in the career I have chosen. Since I started secondary school, I have been a member of the school Environment Society, and have been President of the society for the last two years.
After finishing my final exams in June, I plan to spend a year doing this course, and I will then apply to university to study Environmental Science. My general aim is to study climate change and especially its impact on wildlife. I believe this is one of the most important problems that we face in the 21st century.
I hope my application is successful, and I am looking forward to studying at your college.
Table
Sometimes colleges or universities ask for a separate personal statement. The following table gives advice about writing personal statements.
«DO …»
«DON’T …»
say why «you» are applying (and why for this course in particular)
make general statements (e.g. ‘I have always been interested in Economics.’)
explain what makes you suitable (e.g. the skills you have)
make unsupported claims (e.g. ‘I am a very determined person.’)
give examples of things you’ve done outside education (but only if they show something about you)
mention negative points or make excuses for things you haven’t done
say what your future aims are (if you’re not sure, just say what you hope to gain from the course)
use famous quotations (they want to know what you think, not someone else)
make yourself stand out from other applicants
try to be funny (it usually doesn’t work)
check your spelling and grammar (and get someone else to look at it too)
use underlining, bold type, etc. for emphasis
plan your statement and do plenty of research
copy from online examples (universities have ways of checking this)
make sure you keep under the word limit (if there is one)