Personal statement week: Smashing the 47 lines

[@smiledcastle5176]

Fab - Loved this! so helpful. Thanks

[@Ankitgupta-zn7lo]

My personal statement is under 4000 words but with spaces between paragraphs it is exceeding 47 lines. Should I give no space between Paragraphs, it looks clumsy to me (But it fits 47 lines then) or I can give space exceeding lines keeping it under 4000 words.

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Personal statements get formatted into one block of text when sent to universities, so you won't need to include paragraph spacing! I hope this helps, Rob.

[@unclethathurts]

Thanks for the video. Please, I have a question. 3 years ago, I got accepted to my first choice university but had to turn it down as I was informed that I did not qualify for the home student fee (I could not afford the international fee). I did an apprenticeship (related to the course) while waiting to qualify. Now that I am reapplying, should I include the reason why there was a gap in education, or is it irrelevant.

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hey there! Thanks for your message. You can add a short bit in your personal statement about the gap in education if you would like to. It isn't compulsory so would be completely up to you🙂

[@serenachohan3793]

Should i use indentations on my personal statement to show where my next paragraph starts because i don’t have enough lines to leave a blank line between paragraphs

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there! Thank you very much for your comment 🙂 You certainly could if you'd like to! To reassure you, universities are well aware that there are limitations in place with the personal statement, and as a result won't be worried about the structuring of the statement, rather the content within it. I hope this helps! Sam

[@anatolysukhodolov8056]

If I apply to five different institutions, can I write a separate personal statement for each institution or do I prepare one statement for all five?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there! Applicants are only able to supply one personal statement on their UCAS application form, which should reflect their suitability for the course/s they're hoping to gain admission to - so to comment on their academic ability, any extracurricular activities, etc. You can find some really helpful guidance on how to write a personal statement to suit all your institution and course choices here - bit.ly/2MLmjrY Kemi😊

[@kianshah]

Hi there, should I leave a line inbetween my paragraphs?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there, We recommend not leaving any additional lines between the paragraphs on your personal statement as there is a line limit of 47 lines. Is there anything else I can help you with? Dexter

[@josie6291]

@@Ucasonlineofficial oh my gosh! so i dont need to have a whole blank line between each of my paragraphs? i have under 4000 words but im over the 47 line limit, however when i remove the linebreaks between the paragraphs, it's exactly 47 lines. is this okay then? it is fairly clear where i am intending for it to be a new paragraph since the sentence stops about halfway through the line.

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

That is absolutely fine, yes. Universities understand that there is a line limit, so they won't be expecting line breaks between the paragraphs. I hope that helps. Joe

[@Loladeswurld]

Is there an exact number of paragraphs that your personal statements must be in?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there, You just need to ensure that your personal statement stays within the 4000 character and 47 line limit. Lara

[@Elvis-guy1973]

How would I know who's going to read my personal statement?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there, Your personal statement will be read by the admissions department at your choices of Uni. You don't need to address it to a particular person or University. Jordan

[@Elvis-guy1973]

@@Ucasonlineofficial What if at this point I've changed my mind regarding the degree course I want to study?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hello, Thanks for your message. If you can give us a call one of the team will be happy to check the best way to sort that out for you. You should call us on 0371 468 0 468 or [phone] (from outside the UK) Kat

[@newenglisharchitecture1012]

Can it just under 47 lines...? (I can barely write one!)

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there, The personal statement does not have to be exactly 47 lines, this is the maximum number of lines that can be used. Amy

[@Elvis-guy1973]

What would count as evidence if I am doing a social policy and social change course?

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hello, Thanks for getting in touch. It is best to chat to the Uni you'd like to ask what they might need in addition to the information given in your application. Their contact details are in our Search tool bit.ly/2ItuNiO Kat

[@Elvis-guy1973]

Can I contact my referee to change my reference as I have changed my course I'd like to study.

[@Ucasonlineofficial]

Hi there, Thanks for your message. You are welcome to contact your referee to discuss your choice of course on the application, if the application has already been submitted you would need to contact your uni choices to ask if a revised reference can be sent to them directly. Amy