The difference between an ordinary and an outstanding personal statement is in the planning. You should think about what you want to include in your statement and prepare a draft version. Once you have written a draft copy you should check it to make sure that it flows in a logical order and then check the spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The Admissions Tutors at LSE are interested in well rounded students, i.e. students who can also show keen interest in activities outside of their academic life. However, your personal statement should mainly be about your academic interests. We would suggest that you split the information in your statement, with 75% showing your academic interest. Our Tutors are also looking for evidence that an applicant is able to work at university level, as well as cope with the challenges and workload university study brings.
When writing your personal statement you should think about splitting it into different sections. However, you should still ensure that you keep the statement broad. For example, we do not want to read about how much you want to come to LSE (or another university). You should remember that the same application and therefore the same personal statement goes to all of the institutions you apply to. So if you write about how much you want to study Business Studies when applying to LSE, it shows the Admissions Tutor that you haven't researched the courses available at LSE, as we do not offer a Business Studies course.
Opening section
This section should show why you have chosen to study the subject you are applying for at LSE. For instance if you plan on studying Law, what attracted you to this subject? You should indicate which aspects of the subject has interested you sufficiently to want to study it at degree level. For example, is there a specific area of Law that interests you? Do you plan to work in this field in the future?
You should also show your commitment to the subject. For instance, have you undertaken any additional reading to broaden your knowledge of the subject?
Middle section
This section should explain why we should offer you a place out of the 17,500+ applications we receive every year.
You should include information on how your non-related subjects (e.g. English and Sociology) tie in with and complement your application to study Law. For instance, do these subjects give you a wider understanding of Law?Alternatively they may improve your key skills, such as communication, essay writing, logic or debating/arguing. If your non-related subjects improve these skills, how will you use them in your degree?
You should also include how experiences beyond your school work improve your application. Have you undertaken wider reading around a subject, particularly in areas you will be studying at LSE? If so, what did you find interesting in this reading and what are your thoughts on the topics covered? Have you had the opportunity to attend lectures or other events that show you what studying at University would be like? If so, tell us how you feel these make you better prepared for further study. If you have taken part in competitions or extension activities don’t just tell us you have done them, but also what skills or knowledge you gained from them.
Some applicants have undertaken paid or unpaid work experience or employment that complements their application. For instance, have you worked at a law firm? If so, did the experience give you a wider understanding of the subject? Did this work experience boost your enthusiasm to study Law?Did this experience improve any of your key skills? If so, how? Remember to include information not only on what you've done but also what you've gained. Has working part-time in retail improved your oral communication skills? You should also mention any other transferable skills you have. Working in a supermarket, for example, may have improved your team work skills, which you would use during your time at university.
Your extra curricular activities should also be covered in this section. You should give a brief explanation of the activities you are involved in and how you benefit from them. Do they improve your key skills? If so, how? Again you should write not only what you've done in these activities, but also what you've gained from them.
Final section
The final section should round off your statement by tying together all the information you have presented. You should reiterate your interest in the course and end on a positive note. You should state what you can bring/contribute to the thriving multicultural student community at LSE.
As well as splitting your personal statement into these sections, you should also ensure that you have checked your spelling, punctuation and grammar, as the Admissions Tutors will pick up on errors, and this can have a negative effect on your application.
Applying for combined honours degrees
LSE offers 16 combined honours programmes. Applicants applying to these programmes are advised that it is essential to give equal weighting in your personal statement to both combined subjects.
For instance, if you are applying to Government and Economics you must show evidence of interest in both subjects. As half of the course covers Government, the Admissions Tutor would not make an offer to somebody who applies to this course, but only refers to their interest in Economics.