My Personal Statement

For my university application I have to write a 4000 character statement about myself and why I think I would be suitable for the courses I have applied for. I know this is a difficult form to review but it has to be in soon. Please let me know if there are any cringe-worthy phrases, points I should elaborate on, or points that are irrelevant.

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I was four years old when I fell in love with stories. At various times in my life, books have been sanctuaries to curl up in when I am sick or cold, friendly faces when the world is angry and shoulders to lean on during the rush of study leave. I was age four when I first got inside a story, when I wrote my first few sentences of prose. It was probably nothing special but it is the first conscious memory I have of wanting to create my own worlds.

I think back to primary six, when a school magazine featured a joint book report between myself and a friend. That would have been the first time I thought critically about a book - and possibly the best fortnight of the year. University has always been a natural progression for me and I didn't realise how determined I was to go until I saw the breakdown of the syllabuses. The thought of spending 3-4 years discussing character arcs, turning points, imagery, onomatopoeia ... is a challenging but exciting prospect.

I feel that this is something I would be capable of thanks partly to my involvement in a website called Young Writers Society. The purpose of YWS is to review other users' works in order to earn points which allow you to post your own. I have grown in my ability to receive and offer constructive criticism and now when I read a book I find myself disengaged if there is no discernible character development. I will never lose the enjoyment I get from reading for pleasure but I have reached the stage where the analytical mindset I have gained has become second nature to me.

I have also had the opportunity to improve my commitment through taking Advanced Higher English. I was lucky enough to attend the Reading Music Festival 2014 but was worried about falling behind. However, I managed my time sufficiently enough to be able to double what I had read of the book so far. Additionally, the dissertation I have been set as part of the course has been my first test of independence and I am very excited by it. It has been satisfying and liberating to be able to work out my own ideas and develop my own convincing line of argument.

Exams are of course a huge part of school life and last year I was surprised to find myself enjoying the rhythm of my routine and it felt very liberating to be in charge of my own study timetable. Recently, however, I have taken part in the Step by Step programme which boosts the basic literacy skills of lower school pupils. I found it very rewarding and challenging to adapt to a pupil's learning style and see him or her making steady progress. I have now developed an appreciation of building up trust, which can help increase a young person's confidence.

Finally, I am currently collaborating on a novel with a friend from America - whom I met through YWS. Time differences make working together problematic but we are determined to continue. We had difficulty at first but we have now developed an understanding of each other which has led to an efficient and valuable creative partnership on an equal basis.

All of this has, I believe, prepared me for independent study. I am no longer daunted by tasks which are not structured for me. I love the feeling of investigating a theme or character and digging more deeply into a writer's mind.

I have enjoyed studying English since I was first handed a four sentence 'The Magic Key' in Primary One. Secondary education has allowed me to develop sophisticated language skills and I now look forward to studying a wider range of literature at an advanced level.