How to write a PERSONAL STATEMENT for GEOGRAPHY

Summary

This video provides expert tips for crafting a strong personal statement for geography. It covers the importance of planning, including how to use mind maps to organize your thoughts, and emphasizes showing your passion through specific examples like extra reading, independent investigations, and extracurricular activities. The video also explains how to tailor your statement depending on whether you're applying for a BA or BSc, and the significance of including relevant skills like GIS or statistical analysis. Finally, it stresses the importance of proofreading to ensure a polished, error-free final statement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with a mind map to organize your interests and experiences related to geography, linking topics you enjoy with extra reading and other relevant activities.
• 😀 Don't stress about writing the introduction first. Begin with any section that flows best and refine the opening later.
• 😀 Focus on showcasing your genuine interest in geography, rather than just stating the obvious or repeating the definition of the subject.
• 😀 Highlight any extra reading, articles, books, or online content that deepened your understanding of geography and link these to specific topics of interest.
• 😀 If applying to Oxbridge or other academic programs, demonstrate your ability to critically engage with literature and explore different perspectives.
• 😀 Mention your independent research project or NEA (Non-Examined Assessment), and demonstrate the skills you've developed like data collection, analysis, and presentation.
• 😀 If you've worked with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) or other spatial mapping tools, highlight how this has enhanced your understanding of geographic concepts.
• 😀 When deciding between a BA or BSc in Geography, tailor your personal statement to reflect the specific focus of the course (e.g., mathematical/statistical skills for a BSc).
• 😀 Showcase how your other subjects have supported and deepened your geographical knowledge (e.g., sociology, environmental studies, etc.).
• 😀 Demonstrate relevant extracurricular activities or experiences, such as eco clubs or attending geography-related lectures, and explain how these have contributed to your passion and skills in the field.
• 😀 Proofread your personal statement multiple times to ensure it's error-free. Having someone else review it can help catch mistakes you might miss.

Q & A

What is the first step recommended before writing a geography personal statement?

Reflect on why you want to study geography and identify which specific topics within the subject you enjoy.

How does the mind map method help in planning a personal statement?

It visually organizes topics of interest, wider reading, and experiences, helping shape both the content and structure of the statement.

Why is it important to avoid starting with the introduction?

Starting mid-way reduces pressure and allows ideas to flow; strong lines written later can be repurposed as the introduction.

What common mistake should students avoid when explaining geography in their statement?

Defining what geography is, since universities already know; instead, focus on why you want to study it.

How should students discuss books or wider reading?

Explain how the reading influenced your thinking or understanding rather than summarizing the content.

What additional academic approach is useful for Oxbridge applications?

Link literature to specific topics, critically examine ideas, and evaluate alternative viewpoints.

Why is discussing the NEA or independent investigation beneficial?

Because it highlights independent skills such as data collection, analysis, statistics, and GIS usage, which are essential for university-level geography.

How should applicants differentiate between BA and BSc geography in their statements?

Emphasize mathematical or scientific skills for BSc pathways and more human or conceptual interests for BA pathways.

What types of extracurricular activities can strengthen a personal statement?

Membership in organizations like the Royal Geographical Society, involvement in eco or geography clubs, and attendance at academic lectures.

How should students connect work experience or volunteer programs to geography?

Discuss the skills gained, such as teamwork or fieldwork contribution, and explain how they relate to studying geography.

Why is proofreading emphasized in the video?

Errors give the impression that the applicant doesn’t care or hasn’t put effort into the application, harming the overall quality.

What strategy can help students ensure their content is strong enough for interview questions?

Place a question mark at the end of each sentence and check whether you could confidently answer a follow-up question about it.