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11/28/2010 11:49:47 AM · #1 |
I am a complete and utter procrastinator. I procrastinate more than anybody I know, and although I've done so a fair amount already, I'm determined to get myself sorted now, rather than two days before the UCAS deadlines. I'm not exactly sure which uni's I'm going to apply to (again, procrastination) but I do have several in mind; Bournemouth, Falmouth, Bristol and Portsmouth. Before I make decisions and set them in stone about the location I want to study at, I am more interested in getting my personal statement as strong as possible, then tailoring each statement specifically to the place I apply.
I am confident in my writing abilities and most importantly confident in my passion and desire to study Photography at university - however I am facing such a massive struggle to get things down. Normally, this kind of thing is a walk in the park for me - because I enjoy creative writing, however I'm finding it hard because I'm so terrified of personal statement cliché's and avoiding them - so much so I've deleted and re-written sentences 100 times over because they sound vaguely like things I've read before.
Any information and tips on good opening and closing lines, good personal statement structure, your own experiences of personal statement writing and/or experiences of university photography courses in general would be extremely helpful!
Thanks. |
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11/28/2010 12:11:25 PM · #2 |
Use a photograph, or a series of photographs, as your "personal statement"?
R. |
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11/28/2010 12:58:36 PM · #3 |
| Get inspiration from your own images. Look at your favorite ones and write down what makes them your favorites, what you thought while taking them, what you hope people see. It's a place to start :-) |
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11/28/2010 02:10:46 PM · #4 |
Jodie - send an email to Charlotte, she may well be able to give you some pointers on the generic bit of the statement. I wouldn't worry too much about some of your statement reading like things that have been written before - little in life is truly original! Robert's idea of using photographs is good, but unfortunately not permissible for the UCAS form -  tanguera develops this idea further and I think it is worth exploring, at least to the point that it allows you to illustrate points. I forgrt, how many words/characters do you have to play with? |
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11/28/2010 02:18:56 PM · #5 |
It's difficult to write a bio/artist's statement, when the material for it is more of a prospect than a fait accompli.
I would suggest you familiarize yourself intimately with images you love, that move you to the point of restlessness and then try to articulate why such images motivate you to the point of action. Considering your age and experience, I'd focus on areas of interest and stress your determination to explore the field and acquire the skills necessary to resolve your curiosity. I'd stress, at this point in your life, a reliance on direction and stimulus rather than outlining specific visions, you might already have, since these are highly likely to change after exposure to new and bigger worlds.
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11/28/2010 03:56:56 PM · #6 |
What they said :-) ZZ especially, the man has a way of cutting to the quick. I think that's what I was getting at with my suggestion of "using the images" but I kind of didn't follow through, LOL. But the concept of "motivating to the point of action" is really what it's all about, isn't it? If you can express that, if you can express a sense of why you *have* to do what you are doing, if you can get that close to the core, you won't have any problems with these people.
R. |
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11/28/2010 04:14:17 PM · #7 |
Interesting range of Uni's - what made you select those ? Is it being close to water ?
:- ) |
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11/28/2010 05:11:08 PM · #8 |
Here are a few suggestions that might help:
1. After you pick what ever you are using for inspiration, a picture that you love, a subject that you are passionate about or something totally different and off the wall, organize your thoughts. Pick 3 topics that you want to discuss, aka use of a topic sentence in the 5 paragraph essay format, and write a brief outline for each paragraph. It does not have to be as elaborate as what you might have to do for school but it means that you are thinking about what you are writing and will be less likely to leave something important out.
2. Edit, edit, edit. edit. After you write it, look it over, get Mom to look it over and edit, get a teacher you know to edit it and anyone else until it's GREAT and more than just good. Editing is probably more important than you think. It makes you rethink things and then get someone else's point of view on it. Each time it will improve.
3. Sleep on it. Don't just go with your first draft. Sleep on it. Read it. Do something else and then read it again. Be sure you didn't miss a point and that your points are clear, well thought out and written with both insight and good grammar. SPELL CHECK often and be sure to use a good vocabulary. Don't write simply and use those big words that you had to loon in school.
4. Include a resume that shows off yourself as a valuable asset to the university that you want to attend. Shout on the highest hills your best assets and what you have done to shine at school. Charity work, after school activities, sports, clubs, and other experiences show what a good citizen you are and therefore would a GREAT pick for their university.
Good luck and I wish you well in your search for a university but YOU ARE A PROCRASTINATOR. Do all this as quickly as possible. You need to get things done because they will start giving away financial aid in January.
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12/02/2010 02:16:46 PM · #9 |
Thank you all for the advice and inspiration! All of your comments were truly helpful and I'm now well on my way to finishing my personal statement, which is great news because I was very nearly at my wits end! I have a first draft ready to be looked at by a college tutor, hopefully I'll have that sorted out by tomorrow, then I still have a good two weeks to make amendments and submit another draft/final copy.
I really loved the idea of using a set of photographs as a personal statement, it's such a shame it's not doable due to the UCAS system. Nevermind, though, I've taken everything that's been said on board, as a result I'm feeling pretty confident!
Thanks again, Jodie. |
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