Module 1: Navigating the Meaning of the Personal Statement

Welcome to Module 1 of our course on creating a compelling personal statement for your dual degree application. In this module, we will dive deep into understanding the significance of the personal statement and its crucial role in your application.

The Personal Statement’s Significance

The personal statement forms the backbone of your dual degree application. It is a vehicle to present your academic journey, experiences, motivation for the dual degree, and future aspirations. Beyond that, it’s an opportunity to showcase your readiness for the challenges ahead. You can think of it as the thesis statement of your application, unifying all your materials into a single narrative.

By demonstrating clear structure, coherence in writing, adaptability, and intellectual preparedness, you can effectively convey your candidacy to the jury. Throughout this course, we will delve into the elements that make up this critical component of your application.

Navigating Complex Prompts

Certain dual degree programs have extensive prompts, while others are more open-ended. Regardless of the complexity, don’t let the prompt intimidate you. Address sub-questions if present, but remember that the ultimate goal of every personal statement remains consistent. We’ll explore this goal in the upcoming sections.

Adhering to Word Limits

Word count limits for personal statements in dual degree applications vary. These limits reflect your synthesis and organizational skills. Going over the limit signals a lack of adherence and could harm your application. Prioritize relevant content within the limit to craft a concise, engaging statement.

Word count isn’t just technical; it tests your ability to synthesize and communicate efficiently. Following the limit showcases your communication prowess, vital in academia and beyond. Crafting within a limit is a challenge that refines content. Prioritize experiences aligning with the program. Shortening extracts the core of your narrative, making it more engaging. All applicants face the same limits, leveling the field. Embrace this challenge positively, knowing concise yet impactful statements stand out.

Strategic Thinking

Given the limited word count, strategic selection of content becomes crucial. Remember, you can elaborate on your statements during interviews, so aim to pique the jury’s interest. Align your content with a unifying “common thread” that reflects your unique journey and reasons for pursuing the dual degree.

Balancing Arguments and Examples

In your personal statement, the power of examples cannot be underestimated. They breathe life into your arguments, providing tangible proof of your claims. However, achieving the right equilibrium between utilizing examples effectively and overwhelming your narrative with them is crucial. Remember, it’s not about overwhelming the jury; it’s about demonstrating your suitability for the dual degree program.

While the allure of including numerous examples to reinforce your points might be strong, quality triumphs over quantity. A single, well-developed example that showcases your depth of understanding and experience can resonate far more powerfully than several superficial ones. Consider the impact of a single gem that shines brightly amid a sea of stones.

Imagine this scenario: you’re discussing your passion for community service. You can list multiple instances where you volunteered, briefly touching on each. Or, you can delve deeply into one particular experience, unraveling the nuances of your involvement, the challenges you overcame, and the lasting impact you left. Such depth illuminates your character far more than a surface-level enumeration ever could.

Module 2: Your Personal Statement Content

Module 2 of our course focuses on identifying the content that will shape your personal statement. Here, we provide you with guiding questions to prompt meaningful self-reflection, helping you craft an authentic and impactful narrative.

Who are you?

Draw from your introspective work from the first week and identify your values, experiences, and interests that define you. Authenticity is valued over conformity, so include what genuinely resonates with you. Later, we’ll connect these aspects with your motivation for the dual degree.

Why are you interested in this dual degree program?

Your genuine interest in the dual degree program should shine through. The jury seeks to understand your genuine interest in the program beyond its prestige. Your motivation isn’t confined to a single dimension; there’s no need to choose between “pluridisciplinary” and “great student spirit.” In fact, a multifaceted motivation enhances your persuasiveness. Consider how your personal, academic, professional, and strategic inclinations align with the program.

Move beyond the commonplace desire to study at top-tier universities. Describe your distinct and authentic link with the program. Specify how the dual degree uniquely fulfills your ambitions. Align your research on the dual degree to create coherence among your identity, aspirations, and the institutions you’re applying to. This alignment reinforces your genuine connection.

What can you bring to the dual degree program?

Admissions panels focus not only on academic prowess but also on assembling a well-rounded cohort that can collaboratively enrich the institution. When crafting your personal statement, it’s pivotal to illuminate what sets you apart and how your uniqueness can harmonize with the broader class dynamics for the institution’s benefit.

The admissions jury values the distinctive qualities and experiences you bring to the table. It’s not necessary to hold grand accolades like gold medals or Nobel Prizes to contribute significantly to the dual degree program. Reflect on your past engagements within various communities and the positive impact you’ve initiated. Such contributions exemplify your potential to create a meaningful impact within the dual degree’s community.

Why are you a good fit for the dual degree program?

Dual degrees demand adaptability and integration across two distinct learning environments in four years, necessitating flexibility and motivation. The jury seeks your compatibility with both institutions, not just one. Show thorough consideration of challenges and benefits at each school.

Answer key queries: Why connect initial years at Sciences Po to latter years at the partner university? Explain your preferred Sciences Po campus choice and its link to the partner university. Address smooth school transitions and city immersion. By highlighting your thoughtful approach, you affirm your preparedness for the dual degree’s demanding journey.

Module 3: Writing Your Personal Statement

In Module 3, we’ll explore the essential stages of crafting your personal statement. This module outlines the writing process, from organizing your thoughts to shaping your narrative, and finally, the writing itself.

Organizing Your Ideas

Initiating the writing process begins with a pivotal yet often challenging step: defining your content with precision. This step may seem logical, but its execution isn’t always straightforward.

As we’ve discussed in our earlier session, revisiting your notes and possibly revisiting guided exercises is invaluable. The objective is to compile a comprehensive list of elements from your life and character that hold significance for your application. Remember, the guiding principle here is complete transparency, so practice zero censorship.

With your list in hand, the next phase involves distributing these elements effectively across your statement. There are three key considerations to keep in mind: establishing robust connections between the prompt and your personal journey, preserving a coherent theme, and gaining a holistic view of your portfolio. This holistic perspective aids in strategically positioning your arguments and experiences within your personal statement.

Crafting a Coherent Narrative

Once you’ve clarified your content, the task at hand is to weave these diverse elements into a cohesive narrative—a grand story that connects your essence to the dual degree you aspire to undertake.

This narrative unfolds through a demonstration approach that we’ve found highly effective. Each idea you present follows a specific pattern that harmoniously merges your experiences and motivations:

Idea: A fundamental concept, such as your deep concern about environmental issues.
Experience: A tangible instance/experience reflecting this idea, like your engagement in the “Acting Against Green Algae in Brittany” collective. You could elaborate on how social sciences like economics and sociology have equipped you to systematically address this concern. Reference notable scholars, such as Pierre Charbonnier, and their insights that have guided your understanding.
Connection with the Dual Degree: Connect the dots by illustrating how this idea and experience align with the dual degree.

💡 Illustration

Idea: Your deep concern about environmental issues.
Experience: Your engagement in the “Acting Against Green Algae in Brittany” collective. You could elaborate on how social sciences like economics and sociology have equipped you to systematically address this concern. Reference notable scholars, such as Pierre Charbonnier, and their insights that have guided your understanding.
Connection with the Dual Degree: Pierre Charbonnier is a professor at Sciences Po and there’s a relevant association like “Sciences Po Environnement,” you can emphasize the potential for continuing your community engagement in this field. Highlight the exciting prospect of pursuing a dedicated major related to this theme at your partner university.

Remember, this template serves as a foundational framework that can be adapted to suit various questions. To transition seamlessly from one stage to another, detailed outlines for each section, and subsequently, each question, become your invaluable companions.

Shaping Your Ideas

Transitioning to the writing phase marks a pivotal moment. It’s the juncture where you move beyond bullet points and approximations to face the blank page, armed with your insights and experiences.

In this critical step, a few considerations come into play:

Precision and Alignment

Don’t leave word choice to chance. With ample time at your disposal, select words that mirror your intended image and align seamlessly with the ideas you seek to convey. This pertains not only to the political scope of your statements but also to the tone that encapsulates your narrative. For instance, in the realm of social sciences, opting for the phrase “The war in Ukraine is detrimental and shows the importance of international peace” carries less weight than “The Russo-Ukrainian conflict underscores intricate geopolitical dynamics, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of historical antecedents, regional power shifts, and diplomatic negotiations for a nuanced comprehension.” carries more weight than “Economic policies have many effects on society.” The latter employs impactful language that aligns with the field’s gravitas and demonstrates thorough understanding of the conflict.

Active Constructions for Engagement

Engage your reader through proactive language. Instead of ‘The impacts of cross-cultural experiences were analyzed,’ opt for ‘I delved into the intricate impacts of cross-cultural experiences.’ This transformation not only empowers your voice but also draws the reader into your exploration.”

In this writing endeavor, remember that language isn’t just a tool; it’s a vehicle through which your ideas and experiences materialize. By adopting impactful language, employing active constructions, and aligning your words with your intentions, you ensure that your personal statement is both compelling and a true reflection of your journey.

Here’s an illustrative applicant paragraph, providing a practical application of the concepts we’ve covered:

✏️ NB :

To UCAS Applicants: Crafting a Universal Personal Statement

As UCAS applicants, it’s crucial to recognize that your personal statement holds relevance for all five universities you’re applying to, extending beyond the Sciences Po/UCL dual degree program. While the steps for writing your personal statement remain consistent, the focus shifts from connecting your ideas solely to the dual degree to establishing a broader connection across all your chosen institutions.

Maintain the structure and strategies we’ve discussed, adapting them to each university’s unique offerings. Instead of centering your narrative around the dual degree, broaden your approach. Inquire why you aspire to participate in a specific major, such as “Major X,” across all five universities.

For more information on how to write your UCAS personal statement, click here.

Congratulations! You’ve completed the modules that guide you through crafting an effective personal statement for your dual degree application. Remember, this process empowers you to showcase your unique journey, motivations, and aspirations.