8 Top Tips for Ending Your (University) Personal Statement

For those seeking a career as an officer in the armed forces, university can be a very important stepping stone on that journey.

Personal statements for university are an important tool for admissions teams to learn about, and understand, you – and why you want to enter university.

As much as your whole personal statement is important, the ending could be crucial. To help make this part of the university process a little bit more straightforward it is important to understand how much impact the end of your personal statement can have on your application and how to conclude it with a bang.

A strong conclusion gives a roundup of the evidence a student has given in their statement to show how their knowledge, skills and experiences have and will enable them attend university and not only want to learn more but also want to succeed in the future.

With this in mind, below are eight top tips for concluding your personal statement and why it matters. Do this and you will give yourself some much needed competitive advantage.

1. Your personal statement could be the key to you getting an offer!

It is one of the only opportunities to really stand out, not only talking about academic study, but also showing knowledge of the course you are interested in and any extra-curricular activities relevant to your application.
A strong conclusion is essential to leave no doubt in the reader’s mind that you deserve an offer.

2. Keep it simple

A strong conclusion should pull together all of your key points.
It is important to remember that you will have a reason for applying to university and to your particular course.
The conclusion offers a great opportunity for you to reiterate what this reason is.
Rather than trying to leave a last impression by using big words and complicated expressions keep it simple but powerful, with strong and eloquent language.

3. Do not waffle

Make sure your personal statement does not end weakly, keep up the momentum by using your conclusion to reinforce your commitment to the course you have chosen.
Keeping this short and concise is better than long and vague.
You should use this section to clarify to the admissions team that you meet the criteria they are looking for.
Make sure you that you do not waste this space by adding additional personal information.
Keep it simple, concise and relevant!

4. Remember that your personal statement could be the key to an interview

Courses may shortlist applicants based on the applicant’s personal statement, so a powerful conclusion to a personal statement can be the difference between getting an interview and being unsuccessful.
If the course you are applying to includes an interview then it is a good idea to conclude with (something like) “I would love to do this degree and hope you will invite me for interview”.

5. Personal is always best

Make sure you summarise what you are most looking forward to about studying at university.
Why you feel that this is the right course choice for you.
Be truthful.
Be true to yourself.
Do your research before writing your personal statement and that way it will have substance and be convincing.

6. Make it clear why you will be an asset to the university

End with a statement about why the university would benefit from having you as a student.
Share how you will make the most of your university experience and how you are looking forward to the challenge.
Universities are more than just a place where you will study – understanding that universities are communities is important.
Write why you will be an asset to the university community (without it sounding like a job application).
It is not just about getting a degree – it is about appreciating the bigger picture!

7. Show you understand the university’s values

Are you clear about the mission and values of your (dream) university?
Have you considered how your personal values might align with them?
A number of universities consider themselves unique, so they want to see how unique you are.
They want applicants who will not settle for the status quo but live and strive to learn and improve every single day that they are with with the university.

8. Explain how university fits into your life plan

Present your long term plans and how your chosen course will help you to achieve this.
Providing some information on what you imagine yourself doing after you complete your degree will help the admissions team to picture how you will fit at the university.
Then, once you have drawn together your motivations for further study, your current studies and career ambitions, deliver a strong, final line about why you deserve an offer.