Personal Statements

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin

Personal statements are required for the following applications:

• Aptitude-based admissions

• University Scholarships

• UK universities

• US universities

• SUTD

• NTU Medicine

• NUS Medicine

General Guide to writing your Personal Statement

Personal statements are the first impressions that an admissions officer get of you. It can determine whether you get shortlisted for the interview. These are general steps you can take to write an outstanding personal statement. 

Prepare

• Start early

  • Start thinking and writing about your past experiences and how they reflect your personality and values

  • Start filling in the SGC & University Pre-application Reflection Form (download from the ECG Repository in our College Portal.)

  • Start as early as in your JC2 year. This will give you time to identify gaps if any e.g. actually do something so that you can write about it e.g. take up a relevant internship or go for a workshop after graduation to pick up relevant skills​

  • You will also have time to let your peers, teachers and family read your essay and give you comments. 

• Research the university that you are applying for

  • You can read the university webpage or interview your seniors to find out more

  • What is the culture like? Does your personality and values fit the culture of the organisation?​

  • What unique programmes attract you and why?

• Check the criteria for application

  • What kind of applicants are they looking for e.g. NUS Global Merit Scholarship looks for "global leaders"

  • What evidences do you have to show that you fit the criteria?​ 

• Understand the requirements of the personal statement

  • What is the length? What do you wish to focus on, given the limited word count?

What to include

• Why you are interested in this university and course​

  • What/who sparked your interest in the university and course?

  • What do you like about the culture of the university and why?​ Be specific but please do not write about accommodation or tuition fees

  • Which part of the course interests you and why? Name specific programmes, modules and specialisations that you are interested in. 

  • What do you hope to achieve from this course or scholarship?

• What have you done previously that is related to the university course

  • Relate relevant experiences e.g. H3, Olympiad, work experience and how they show that you are suitable for the course

• What qualities make you suitable for this course/scholarship?​

  • Relate hobbies and experiences e.g. leadership, community service that show that you have suitable skillsets and qualities

  • Write about ways that you contribute to the university by relating to your skillset and experience

  • You can write about circumstances ​​that led to you not doing so well for a particular subject e.g. family disruptions

How to write it

• Start with an interesting statement that will engage the reader

  • Get your peers to give you honest feedback​

• Write what is most relevant first

  • Put yourself in the shoes of the organisation. They will only read as long as they are interested.

  • Write  about your best and most relevant achievement first

• Show that you have done your homework

  • Show that you really understand the course and the programmes that the university can offer

  • Show your sincerity in applying

• Craft your conclusion​

  • Reinforce the enthusiasm that you have and the skills you can offer​

• Proof read, proof read and proof read!​

  • Any typo or grammatical error will leave a poor impression on the admissions officer

  • You must and should get at least 3 people to read your drafts.​​