cambridge personal statement examples engineering

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Successful Personal Statement For Engineering At Cambridge

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Chloe Hewitt

• Engineering

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through an Engineering applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure them a place at Cambridge. The Engineering course at Cambridge is unique in that it allows you to keep your options open whilst equipping you with all the analytical, design and computing skills that underpin modern Engineering, so let’s see how the applicant navigated around this to write a strong Personal Statement. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Engineering comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

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Engineering Personal Statement

As a child being driven over London’s Albert Bridge I was intrigued by the sign saying somewhat cryptically ‘all ranks must break step’. Years later at school next to the Millennium Bridge I wanted to understand what had caused the bridge to be closed just after it was opened and discovered the connection. The same principle applies to both situations. I observed the side to side motion of pedestrians on the reopened bridge and understood how the engineers designing it had not accounted for these lateral forces that were acting at the bridge’s natural frequency, half that of the downward forces. The designers of the older and more rigid bridge had relied on written instructions to avoid the downward forces from soldiers walking in step synchronising with the bridge’s natural frequency. In 2001 the unforeseen problem was resolved using dampers and stiffening against lateral deflection. These bridges and their weaknesses opened my eyes to engineering.

I take pleasure in the challenge of solving problems that require more than just knowledge of how to use an equation and instead necessitate logical thought to work out how the problem can be approached. This includes applying maths to resolve a physical situation, an area which I enjoy very much. I have spent time following up differential equation (simple harmonic motion) and mechanics questions (projectiles) which are also relevant to engineering. My coursework presentation on Kevlar instigated an interest in materials, by understanding how its chemical properties, notably the aromatic bond, combined to make such a strong, flexible and low-density material with uses in many areas of engineering from bikes to bullet proof vests.

During work experience at Halcrow Yolles I witnessed engineering in action in Structural, Mechanical and Facade engineering. In the building services department I partook in a competition for an eco-friendly building in a hot climate by researching ways to achieve HVAC efficiency by designing structures which encourage the stack effect to improve ventilation and using window film to filter out UV rays, reducing the need for air conditioning. My findings were then discussed with my team. I relished my involvement and have since kept up my interest in environmental engineering, particularly geo-engineering, which is likely to become an important field as a last resort to counteract climate change. I would be interested to pursue this as a graduate. This placement introduced me to the analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills involved in the processes of engineering which I feel well suited to.

Engineering at a top university will provide a challenge that I will enjoy confronting. I have a desire to gain an understanding of the principles that govern our world and how we manipulate them for our own uses as well as enjoying a balance between applied mathematics and the physical aspects of engineering. I will defer entry to university to give myself experience in both the mathematical and practical side of engineering by spending a year in industry. I am looking for a placement in the automotive industry with SEAT to enhance my Spanish. The experience will help me conceptualise the more theoretical aspects of engineering courses. I will allow time to get back up to speed with maths before university begins.

As a senior prefect who mentors Year 9s in maths and takes part in CCF and CSO I have developed my teamwork and organisational skills. Determination and focusing on my targets help me fulfill my objectives. I devised, organised, and encouraged others to train for and join in a 300 mile cycle ride from London to Paris, raising GBP 6000 for our school charity. I enjoy sports, playing football for school in my free time, but also ensure that I complete work efficiently and to a high standard.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice . Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements .

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a very good statement. The statement is well-written, and structured. The student clearly explains their motivation for wanting to pursue engineering. The statement mentions and describes the student’s desire to pursue a number of different engineering disciplines, which is very good as this makes the statement relevant to applications for courses of a single engineering discipline, and to those for general engineering. The student’ use of their desire to study Engineering ‘at a top university’ is very good, as the student does not mention any one university specifically. This makes it clear that the student has taken their application to every university in their UCAS application seriously, something which is often not the case for students who are applying to Oxbridge.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The student uses several acronyms which are not written out in full. This assumes that the reader will be familiar with such acronyms, which may not be the case. This reader has no idea what ‘CSO’ means, rendering its inclusion in the statement useless. There are commas missing in places, however this is a minor error.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is a very good statement, however the reader is left to work out what the meanings of several acronyms are for themselves. With a little more attention to the reader, this statement would be excellent.

This Personal Statement for Engineering is a great example of a statement done right. The candidate’s interest is clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Cambridge, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years so you need to appeal directly to them.

There are plenty more successful personal statements and expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Cambridge Engineering application.

With our  Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , produce and submit the best Written Work  and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

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The Best Cambridge Personal Statement Examples

A deep perusal of Cambridge personal statement examples can help you understand how to go about crafting your own finely honed statement. You can also look at college letter of intent samples, diversity essay examples – also called diversity secondary essays – or the Common App essay for inspiration.

Writing college essays is tough. Whether you need help with how to start a college essay or how to structure your college essay, reading essay samples written for Cambridge will help you navigate this intimidating process and submit a personal statement that impresses the admissions committee. Now let’s dive in!

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Article Contents 8 min read

Cambridge personal statement examples, example no.1.

Working as a private tutor has changed my life dramatically. I started out because some of my peers wanted assistance with their studies, but I quickly became frustrated. Tutoring seemed like an easy way to make money. All I had to do was explain some concepts – or so I thought. When I started tutoring, I would read out a lesson or concept, then go over problems with my student until I knew they could handle that particular problem, and I would be back for the next session. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something deeper to teaching a subject.

I was working with my friend Eli on math every week. What frustrated me with Eli was that, although he could grasp concepts, he was always in need of help. I realised that I wasn’t helping Eli; I was only teaching him one concept at a time. What I needed to do was teach Eli how to learn. It wasn’t enough to show him answers and equations; I had to teach him how to spark his curiosity. I had to teach him how to think, not what to think. This was the missing element in my instruction. It wasn’t enough that I should help a student grasp a difficult concept, but rather to acquire the tools he would need to grow in his curiosity and approach to studying.

Want to learn easy ways to make your college essay standout? Watch this video:

When next I taught Eli, I changed my methods. Instead of just telling Eli when to use a specific calculus formula, I started bringing in oddly shaped containers and showing him how calculus would be useful in determining their volume. Giving him physical mysteries to solve and showing him the applicability of calculus fired Eli’s imagination and engaged him far more. I was on my way to teaching Eli how to think.

Eli needed fewer sessions after that, which became my measurement of success. Strangely enough, doing my work optimally would put myself out of a job. While there will always be new students to help, the goal of a teacher or tutor should not be to keep working with one student, but to help that student move beyond the teacher and then to seek out the next growing mind to aid.

I felt like I was ready to throw my computer monitor out the window or give up entirely on coding. I was trying to learn how to programme a video game, but I was becoming frustrated with my project. Our deadline was looming, and I felt like I had taken on a bigger project than I could handle.

Fortunately, I learnt the most valuable lesson that day. My friend, Kaylee, noticed my frustration and asked, “Can I help?”. I showed her what was wrong, and she helped me move past my hurdles and smooth out my code. I shared some of my ideas, and we both went away with a better understanding of computer coding. Along with improving my own project and getting over my own frustrating hurdle, I was also able to help Kaylee. Our conversations throughout the day had me suggesting several shortcuts to tighten up her coding language, making it more efficient and precise. While I hadn’t intended to help Kaylee, our collaboration benefited her as well.

The lesson was to stay connected. We live increasingly in a virtual world, from social media to online work-from-home jobs, and it is harder than ever to maintain connections with actual human beings. This led Kaylee and me to found the “Human Programming Club,” which emphasised human interaction, along with collaboration and a team effort. The club grew to include several schools in our area, which improved the programming experience of a lot of computer science students in our city.

Your Computer Science programme emphasises these human and collaborative elements. In second year, students work on a group project “…which reflects current industrial practice.” This emphasis on working together attracted me to your programme and is the reason I am applying. The Cambridge Ring, which emphasises social, career and community, is something I would love to be a part of. This is also because I have long-term goals that I believe will be best served with this type of education.

My plan is to bring the liveliness of the Human Programming Club to our current computing technologies, both in programming environments and through the interactions we have with machines and with apps in our day-to-day lives. I want our interactions with computers to serve relationships and human society, not replace them. Most importantly, I want to bring an inclusiveness and sense of belonging to the world of programming. When we emphasised these aspects of our Human Programming Club, we saw an increase in underrepresented persons among the membership. Making marginalised persons feel more accepted in the world of coding and computer science would be amazing. You also offer positive action programmes for women and LGBTQ+ computer science students, and I find this encouraging and something I would like to support.

I believe your programme is optimal for me to work towards those goals, and I hope to hear from you – and connect – soon.

Want to learn strategies to increase your chances of getting into an Ivy League School? Check this out:

Example No.3

The sky seemed smaller when I saw the eagle pass across the sun. I immediately pulled out the nature journal I had with me. These journals have kept track of every scientific discovery I have experienced. I did a quick sketch of the bird – some extras of the wings – and wrote down my observations. I also recorded questions about the bird – mostly diet and habitat – that occurred to me while sketching. My journals, based on Kipling’s “six honest serving men” (What, Why, When, How, Where and Who), guided and augmented my insatiable curiosity. I returned from my US vacation with two full journals of sketches and questions about everything. Fascinated with how a bird’s wing works, it became an obsession at the library for weeks.

These questions gave me purpose in another favourite place of mine: the lab. I couldn’t wait to get home and get into the science labs of my school, which would provide me the opportunity to ask my questions and get answers. My teacher, Mr. Shepherd, books the lab for me after school to allow me to go deeper into research. He has helped me set up experiments in aerodynamics, lift and velocity, which would help me to understand a bird’s wing better.

I also used my shop class time to build different gliders to test. I tried one that really flapped, but it never got off the ground. Still, I learnt why it couldn’t work – the wood was too heavy for the small engines I used. That failure became as informative as a success would have been.

I love all aspects of scientific inquiry, and it is for this reason that I have applied to your Biological Sciences programme, which is both comprehensive and focused. I am particularly interested in your research projects on organisms, evolution and ecology. How do new species arise? How did we get to the species we have now? Birds’ wings didn’t come from nowhere, and I’d love to explore the past, present and future of the evolution of species. I believe your programme will allow me this opportunity.

Cambridge recommends that you follow the UCAS advice on personal statements when writing your own. While acceptance to Cambridge is based solely on academic criteria (ability and potential), your personal statement may be discussed during the interview, so it is an important aspect of your college interview prep .

When writing your personal statement, consider the following 4 points highlighted by Cambridge:

It will also be helpful to keep Cambridge’s core values and mission statement in mind and reflect those ideals in your essay.

Also remember that every essay is, to some extent, a “ why this college” essay . You should always use that as a baseline for how to write a college essay .

Mission Statement

“The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence."

Core Values

Freedom of thought and expression

Freedom from discrimination

Integrating Values

You don’t need to specifically use the exact wording Cambridge chooses, but your essays should reflect these goals. Here’s what every essay can include:

• Something to show that you think about your community and the global community, to correspond with the stated goal of contributing to society
• A focus on education and research – mentioning your curiosity or pursuit of knowledge
• Expressing yourself and telling your story to fulfil one half of the core values
• Are there any ways you represent diversity? This could be in your personal profile or experiences, but more important will be ways you might have contributed to assisting diversity, progress, or the advancement of underrepresented persons.

All Cambridge personal statements have a 4,000-character cap, which includes spaces, and must be no longer than 47 lines. Some universities might have college essay topics , but Cambridge’s personal statements are not prompt-based.

These three examples should give you a good sense of the structure, tone and content you can consider in your Cambridge personal statement.

If you still need more examples, you can get good insights from different institutions’ requirements, such as the Oxford personal statement . Columbia Medical School secondary essay examples or Brown Medical School secondary essay examples might not seem germane to your Cambridge essays, but they will still provide you with the structure and focus you need. Looking at other essay systems, such as the one that applies to the AMCAS personal statement , might also give you ideas.

Cambridge University personal statements should be no more than 4,000 characters, and this number includes spaces.

No. If you express yourself well, it doesn’t really matter if you have a shorter personal statement. Brevity is a good thing, provided you have fully communicated why you are the perfect candidate for the programme to which you are applying.

Give examples of your connection to the programme you are interested in, and remember the rule of “Show, don’t tell” when communicating this. Traits you want to show include curiosity, passion, and personal growth. You might choose to highlight some of your extracurriculars for college , too.

Anything irrelevant, which has no bearing on your goals or accomplishments, as well as anything negative. You don’t want to cast yourself in a negative light or just be perceived as a negative person. 

Stay very focused on one or two main points. You must show your greatest strengths and connect yourself to the programme. You don’t need to include everything, so just focus on one, driving point.

Start with a good “hook” sentence and use your opening paragraph to set up the rest of the essay. Keep to one theme per paragraph and link everything together with your conclusion for the perfect essay.

They will want to see creativity, curiosity, persistence, a good work ethic, a connection to the material and some sense of goals and aspirations. College admissions consulting , such as a college essay review service , can give you excellent advice on your personal statement. 

Two or three weeks, working daily on your statement, to give you the chance to not only write, but re-write, refine, edit, proofread and find someone to read and critique your paper.

Brainstorming for a few minutes will help. Take two or three minutes and a blank page and write down everything you love about your chosen subject. Free-associate, and you’ll almost definitely have something when your time is up.

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• Chemical Engineering personal statement examples

Applying to a Chemical Engineering course at a UK university or college through UCAS ? You will need to prepare a good personal statement . Use these Chemical Engineering personal statement examples as a guide to write yours.

Chemical Engineering Personal Statements

My fascination with chemistry is primarily fueled by a relentless intellectual curiosity. The intricate challenges presented by chemistry and mathematics captivate me like no other. I appreciate the significance of chemistry in today’s world, and I relish the opportunity to explore its enigmatic nature and diverse processes.

Chemistry is omnipresent in our lives – from the food we eat and the liquids we drink to the air we breathe. It has played an instrumental role in shaping the modern world. Our current way of life is possible through chemical innovations, such as the design of life-saving medications and materials for engineers and architects, and the creation of fertilizers to nourish the world’s ever-growing population.

A degree in chemistry opens the door to many career paths. My ambition is to harness my knowledge and abilities to benefit others. By joining the pharmaceutical sector or contributing to a company focused on enhancing human health through technology. I am adept at logical and creative thinking, seeking innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable technical challenges. I am confident that my stellar academic performance, coupled with my passion and determination, will equip me for success in both my studies and future endeavours. I have a natural affinity for hands-on work, particularly in the laboratory.

Experimenting with novel solutions and concocting mixtures brings me great joy. I am captivated by the subject of chemistry, especially the art of balancing intricate organic reactions. The transformation of alcohol to aldehydes and subsequently to carboxylic acids piques my interest. As I delve deeper into the study of methane and carbonyl compounds, I am eager to uncover more about the nature of chemical bonds.

Chemistry Review is my go-to magazine, and I recently came across a fascinating article on arsenic poisoning due to contaminated well water, which can lead to various cancers. This toxic metalloid can also be inhaled, posing extra risks. Such complex compounds ignited my scientific curiosity, inspiring me to learn more about them. I have a keen interest in all scientific fields and aspire to broaden my expertise, culminating in a PhD.

Fluent in three languages, I have maintained an exemplary academic record. In a globalized world, linguistic skills are crucial, particularly for professionals in the scientific community. Chemists hold the key to addressing pressing global challenges – such as overpopulation, energy scarcity, pollution, and health risks – necessitating international collaboration.

During my time in school, I eagerly participated in volunteer work. I spent several months in a charity shop, honing my communication skills and understanding the needs of others. Additionally, I volunteered at a kindergarten, where I learned the value of teamwork. I tutored Lower Sixth students in science subjects, primarily mathematics and chemistry, and served as a Study Buddy for two years, assisting younger students with their academics. I am also a seasoned guitarist with four years of performance experience.

As a diligent, precise, and patient individual, I have traits that are invaluable for a research scientist seeking to unravel complex chemical conundrums. , I approach science with a creative mindset, embracing leaps of logic to identify solutions and uncover novel patterns. My unwavering dedication to my field, combined with the necessary attributes, makes me a strong candidate for a successful academic experience.

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example

Ever since I was young, I have taken things apart just to see how they work inside. I am endlessly curious about the hidden mechanisms powering the world around me. Throughout my A-Levels , I have particularly enjoyed discovering how the sciences interconnect and build upon one another. Studying Chemical Engineering at university will allow me to apply my lifelong passion for understanding how things function to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on society.

Chemistry has been one of my favourite A-level subjects because it provides mathematical insights into the unseen world of atoms and molecules. I was intrigued to learn about the Born-Haber cycle and how to calculate lattice energies based on the attractive forces between ions. It amazes me that such complex molecular interactions can be represented through simple mathematical relationships I already understand from Maths and Physics. I find great satisfaction in methodically working through problems, which will serve me well as an engineer.

My interest in Chemical Engineering stems largely from growing up in polluted urban India. Witnessing firsthand the environmental degradation caused by rapid industrialization made me want to be part of the solution. I am excited by the prospect of applying scientific principles to tackle issues like climate change and nuclear waste. I also appreciate the diversity of industries Chemical Engineering feeds into, from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals. My AS Chemistry course has further sparked my interest, improving my practical skills and ability to study independently. Maths and Electronics A-Levels have also developed my numerical, analytical, planning and project management abilities.

In secondary school, I honed my teamwork and leadership skills in Young Enterprise and as a prefect mentoring younger students. As a peer counsellor, I cultivated strong listening abilities and attention to detail while guiding students struggling to fit in. Outside of school, I achieved second place in a Hindi speech competition, winning a 10-day tour of India where I met leaders across fields and visited landmarks like the Taj Mahal. Being multilingual in Konkani, Kannada, Hindi and English has enabled me to help classmates overcome language barriers too.

In my free time, I follow engineering news and magazines to stay up-to-date on the field’s latest developments. I also play competitive cricket, representing my school and local clubs. Team sports have taught me discipline, commitment and working effectively with others toward shared objectives. I hope to continue playing cricket at university and represent your institution.

Academically, I aim to read broadly beyond the curriculum. “Quantum Theory Can’t Hurt You” sparked my interest in quantum physics, while Dawkins’ “God Delusion” impressed me with its ability to break down complex ideas. I also try to be informed about current affairs. For example, a recent Economist article highlighted rising energy demands in developing countries. Studying Chemical Engineering would equip me to help create sustainable “green” technologies to address such pressing global issues.

My creative side has found expression through music. I began playing violin at five and expanded my skills on the viola and through ensemble work. Leading a “Checs group” I formed in 2004 taught me valuable leadership abilities. Making harmonious music requires understanding how each component complements the whole, which appeals to my collaborative spirit.

Balancing twelve hours weekly as a Waitrose cashier with studies has ingrained a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills that will aid an engineering career. Ultimately, my inquisitive mindset, passion for problem-solving and desire to make a positive impact make Chemical Engineering an ideal choice to fulfil my potential.

Recommended reading:

• Chemistry Personal Statement Examples
• Personal Statement Examples
• How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
• How to Write a UCAS Reference Letter
• The Best Cambridge Colleges for Engineering
• The Best Oxford Colleges for Engineering

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Cambridge - General Engineering

General engineering – 2013 ( cambridge ).

Engineers turn ideas and designs into reality. After working at various placements alongside engineers who were doing exactly that, I have realised that communication and collaboration between different specialisations are ...

I am attracted to engineering because I love being able to apply theories learnt in the classroom to a practical framework. Over the summer I worked for two weeks at ...

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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Before applying, applicants need to check that they have, or are likely to achieve, the right grades at the right level and in the right subjects for the course they have chosen. See Entry requirements for general requirements of entry.

It's important that students also check the requirements of their course, as these can vary slightly between Colleges. For example, some Colleges might ask for an A* in a particular subject. Please encourage students to check the course page for their chosen subject carefully - all variations are listed there.

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Queries about College-specific requirements should be directed to the relevant College admissions office .

Submitted work

For some courses, applicants may be asked to submit examples of written work produced during their A level/IB (or equivalent) course. This work might be discussed during their interview so students should submit work they’re happy to discuss. They should also keep copies of anything they send so they can re-read it in preparation.

Details of which Colleges require submitted work are included on each course page. Please check the entry requirements tab. The submitted work requirements for some courses may vary by College so students should check the entry requirements tab before applying.

If submitted work is required, the College will advise the student on exactly what is needed, and where and when it should be sent. The deadline is usually mid-November. If an applicant has any queries, they should contact their College’s Admissions Office for clarification.

Students will need to complete a cover sheet confirming that the written work is their own and detailing the circumstances in which it was written. They will also be asked to provide the name of a teacher who can be contacted about the work, if necessary.

Helping students with their personal statement

Personal statements allow students to tell us about their subject interest, and the process of writing a personal statement can often help a student better understand their academic interests and intellectual motivations. For guidance on what to include, we advise you to follow the UCAS advice on personal statements . See also, our article on How to write a great personal statement .

Admissions decisions at Cambridge are based solely on academic criteria (ability and potential). Personal statements may be  used as a basis for discussion at interview.  In a personal statement we are looking for applicants to:

• explain their reasons for wanting to study the subject
• demonstrate their enthusiasm for and commitment to their chosen course
• express any particular interests within the field
• outline how they have pursued their interest in the subject in their own time

How important are extra-curricular activities?

Our admissions decisions are based on academic criteria (ability and potential) and we expect to see evidence of students’ wider engagement with areas of academic interest, such as reading and other exploration relevant to the course for which they've applied. Extra-curricular activities which are of no relevance to the course will not increase a student's chances of receiving an offer. 

If, however, particular extra-curricular activities have enable a student to develop transferable skills, such as organisation or time management, then these can be included in their personal statement. Such activities might include significant caring responsibilities or paid employment, which can help us fully contextualise an application, as well as sport, physical activity, music, drama and volunteering.

Cambridge-specific comments

Applicants can make additional comments relevant to their Cambridge application in their additional questionnaire ( My Cambridge Application ), for instance to highlight particular features of the Cambridge course that attracted them.

This additional personal statement is optional, applicants will not be disadvantaged if they have nothing to add and should be advised not to repeat information they provided in their UCAS personal statement as we will have already received a copy of this.

Helping students prepare for their interview

Interviews are discussion-based, and predominantly academic and subject-related, so applicants will be asked questions:

• that are relevant to the course they applied for
• about the information provided in the written elements of their application

You can help students prepare by encouraging them to talk with confidence and enthusiasm about their subject and wider interests. A mock interview can be helpful to give the experience of expressing ideas and opinions in response to unknown questions. Students are not expected to have ready-prepared answers; indeed, over-rehearsed answers can be counterproductive if students are preoccupied with recalling set speeches on general topics rather than listening to the interviewers’ questions and responding accordingly.

Students should be encouraged to read broadly in the areas of their A level/IB Higher Level (or equivalent) subjects and must be prepared to think quite hard in their interviews but should be reminded that often there are no right or wrong answers to the questions they are asked. It is the process of reaching their answer that is generally of most significance, rather than the answer itself.

It is important for applicants to realise that interviewers will not be trying to ‘catch them out’, but will be challenging them to think and show how they can apply their existing knowledge and skills laterally to less familiar problems.

It is also important for students to understand that their performance at interview alone does not determine the outcome of their application. Admissions decisions are made holistically, taking all available information into account.

You should encourage your students to check the information and short films on our interviews pages so they can make sure they are fully prepared and know what to expect, well in advance of their interview date. 

• HE+ website

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Writing a Winning UCAS Engineering Personal Statement: Ultimate Guide w/Analysed Examples

Engineering Personal Statement: Why It’s Important

With careers in engineering providing  over 20% of the UK’s total economic productivity and with over one-fourth of its workforce working in engineering fields , it’s no surprise that some of  the best and highest-ranked  engineering schools in the world are located in the United Kingdom. So how do you get a spot in one of the best engineering programmes in the world? You need impressive marks, a good resume, and a stellar engineering personal statement.

Before we get to that, though, let’s back up a little and examine everything it takes to get into a good engineering programme.

Engineering Programme Prerequisites

Before you get ready to apply for an engineering programme at any university, there are  several prerequisites  you need to have met first. While these prerequisites may differ slightly from university to university, the majority of them should remain the same.

Completed Coursework

You must have, at a minimum, at least two A-Levels if you expect to get into an engineering programme. In the most popular programmes, you’ll need at least three, with grades of A’s and B’s in each. The exact entry requirements may vary, but they tend to range from CCC to AAA. Most universities prefer you to have ABB.

Additionally, one of your A-Levels needs to be in maths. A second A Level in physics is also encouraged for students hoping to study engineering at Uni. There are other courses that may be accepted in place of physics, such as other science courses, additional maths courses, or design and/or computing courses, but your safest bet will always be maths and physics as two of your A-Levels. If you don’t have an A-Level in maths, you may be required to take a maths and/or mechanics aptitude test before being considered for admission.

Vocational Courses

If you don’t have the required A Levels, another option you can use at some schools is to substitute vocational courses for them. For example, if you have Level 3 or Level 6 qualifications, you might be able to use these as replacements for the A-Level courses. These qualifications include the following:

• SVQ Scientific, Technical & Formulation Processing (SCQF Level 6)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering or Construction and Built Environment

It’s important to note that not all universities will accept these as substitutes for A-Levels, so check with each school individually.

Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering

If you’re interested in a biotechnology or chemical engineering programme, the required A Levels are a little different. Universities usually require two A-Levels in science or a Scottish Highers with either biology or chemistry as one of the subjects. Additionally, you’ll also be required to have five GCSEs that include English, maths, and a science.

Scottish Highers

The most common range for entry into Highers is between ABBB and AAAAB. The majority of universities require AABBB. If a university requests an Advanced Highers to supplement Highers, they most often ask for an AA.

Additional Qualifications for Admission

The only true prerequisites for admission into an engineering programme are those listed above, but there are some additional things you may want to have on your application to make it more memorable. These include relevant work or apprenticeship experience, volunteer experience, and personal references.

Applying for Admission

To apply for any undergraduate programme at a university in the UK, particularly an engineering programme, you have to fill out an application through the  UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) . If you’ve ever applied to a college or university in the United States using the Common App, the UCAS is very similar.

It’s a centralised location for applying to a multitude of different schools/courses, and you’ll use it whether you live in the UK or are an international student. The actual name of the application is the UCAS Apply. Once you’ve completed it, you can apply to up to five separate universities (or five separate degree programmes if you aren’t set in your engineering course) simultaneously.

Filling out the UCAS Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: register for the ucas site.

This is a simple setup process. You’ll sign up by setting up a username and password. You’ll create some security questions in case you lose your password, and then you’ll be asked some basic information such as your name, birth date, and other personally-identifying information.

Step 2: Verify Your Account, Sign In & Enter the Rest of Your Information

After verifying that you really did create an account, you’ll be asked to sign in using the username and password you just created. Then you’ll fill in the rest of your personal information, including your residency status. You’ll also be asked about how you plan to pay for university and whether or not you’ll be requesting scholarships.

Additionally, you’ll be asked about any special needs you have or the accommodations you’ll need. If you have any type of criminal record, you’ll indicate that in this section. You can also give permission for an adult in your life – parent, adviser, mentor, guardian, etc. – to have access to your UCAS profile. This gives them permission to talk to university staff about you, your university goals, and anything else of note.

Steps 3 & 4: For UK Residents Only

If you’re an international student, you won’t be required to fill out steps three and four. (Note: Residents of the EU might possibly be asked to fill out step 4.) Section three asks about your national identity, ethnic origin, and occupational background. There are some additional questions in this section that are optional. These ask about your religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

You’ll also be provided with space to discuss your own, personal circumstances, especially as they relate to your ability to pay for and succeed at Uni. This could include information about your parents’ education or background, activities in which you’ve been involved, whether or not you’ve been in care, etc.

Section four isn’t always asked and only appears if questions in the personal details section have been answered a certain way. If they do appear, they’ll be asking about your finances.

Step 5: Choose Your Courses/Universities

In this section, you’ll be able to apply for up to five different courses and/or universities. This is where you choose what programmes you hope to be accepted into. You can only choose five though, so choose wisely.

Step 6: Provide Your Educational History

Here you’ll enter your entire educational history beginning at secondary education. You’ll enter your A-Levels as well as any vocational courses you’ve taken. It’s important that you list all of these exactly right, including the marks you received in each.

Step 7: Employment History

This is where you’ll attach your work resume. This is for paid work only. If you have any volunteer experience or other unpaid work, it’ll be listed in your personal statement instead. You can only list five places of employment, so if you’ve had more than five jobs, choose the five most relevant to the programme you’re pursuing (in this case, engineering).

Step 8: Your Personal Statement

We’ll discuss this in-depth a little later on.

Step 9: Review the Details

Once you’ve completed all the above-listed steps, you’ll have a chance to review everything. Review it thoroughly and make any changes necessary. You won’t be allowed to edit it once it’s been submitted.

Step 10: Personal Reference, Application Fee & Submit

Finally, you’ll need at least one personal reference. This should be from someone who knows you in a professional capacity, either from working with you or having had you in class. You’ll also be required to pay an application fee of £20 if you’re applying to only one course and £25 if you’re applying for multiple courses. Then you’ll submit the application.

Once you’ve submitted your UCAS Apply application, you’re all set. You can track it using the UCAS Tracker to see if your desired universities have received it. Then you wait for the university to reach out to you for more information, an interview, or acceptance.

Writing Your Personal Statement

If you’re applying to an engineering programme, you’ll be required to write a  personal statement  as part of step 8 on the UCAS Apply application. We can’t overemphasise how important step 8 truly is. There are very few universities that require you to write an additional essay or personal statement for entrance into their engineering programmes, so this is your one chance to get it right.

So what exactly should you write about?

There isn’t exactly a prompt for writing your UCAS personal statement. Under this same question – “What should I write about?” – on the  UCAS website , the answer given is simply, “You.” In other words, write about yourself.

The admissions team wants to know why they should give you a coveted spot in the engineering programme over every other applicant. You need to tell them why you want a spot at the university, but you also need to tell them why you  deserve  a spot  and  what it is about you that should make them want to  give  you a spot. This means showcasing your strengths, achievements, and drive to succeed.

In case you need a little more guidance, here are some questions to ask yourself to help you get started:

• Why are you interested in attending university, and what aspects of university life are you most looking forward to experiencing?
• What are your career goals?
• What first interested you in engineering, and what about it continues to interest you?
• What experiences have you had, either in school or in the work environment, that would prepare you for studying at university?
• Was there anything about your earlier education studies you found to be particularly helpful or interesting?
• What do you most hope to gain from your time at the university, and what strengths and positive characteristics will you bring with you?
• What makes you a good candidate for a position at Uni?
• What elements of your future studies are you looking forward to most?
• Have you taken any higher education courses already, received any awards or accolades, or been recognised for outstanding academic or professional ability?
• What can you write about to prove that you’ve researched engineering beyond what you learned in your early education?

If you consider these questions and keep them in mind while writing, you’ll likely cover everything you need to cover to make a good impression on the admissions team. UCAS also provides you with this  personal statement worksheet  to help organise your thoughts and guide your writing.

Standard Engineering Personal Statement Length & Format

One thing to keep in mind while writing your personal statement is that it has to stay within a  certain character limit . No matter how much you have to say, you have to keep it under 4000 characters or 47 lines of text.

While this isn’t an exact word count, that averages out to approximately 500 words, which isn’t a ton of words. It’s about one single-spaced page worth of text. This means that you must be concise. You want to get in all the important information that’ll help your application stand out from all the other applications universities receive, but you have to do it without being too wordy.

Format Requirements

Worrying about the formatting requirements (double-spaced, single-spaced, font size, etc.) is unnecessary for your engineering personal statement because you’ll be typing or pasting it into a text box on the website. As long as your paragraphs are clearly defined and your font is easy to read, you should be fine on formatting guidelines.

However, because you only get 47 lines of text, it’s important that you  structure your paper correctly . This means breaking your personal statement into roughly three sections, with each section answering a specific question. For the sake of clarity, we’ll call these sections the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Now let’s break it down a little further.

A Brief Introduction

The introduction should take up about 15-20% of your personal statement. That’s approximately seven to ten of the 47 provided lines. In your introduction, try to answer the question, “Why do you want to study engineering?” You can talk about the experiences that shaped your love of the subject and the things about it that continue to interest you. You might even touch on why you feel it’s important that people study engineering at all.

Full, Rich Body Paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should make up about 55-65% of your engineering personal statement, or 26 to 30 lines. In these paragraphs, you’ll address the questions, “What have you done that has prepared you for this course?” and “Why do you deserve a spot in the programme?” This is when you go in-depth into your experiences, educational history,  relevant  employment, etc.

Other questions you may want to address in your body paragraphs are:

• How have you cultivated the knowledge you need to succeed in this field?
• What did you learn while preparing for this course?
• Did you receive high marks in the classes relevant to an engineering course?
• Did you win any awards or receive any other accolades?
• What about your life experiences that has fully prepared you not just to enrol in the course but to excel in it?

A Brief Conclusion

Your conclusion should make up between 20-25% of your engineering personal statement, which is roughly ten to 12 lines. Here you’ll sum up your personal statement and bring it to a close. This is where you’ll add in any other extracurricular activities that might not be relevant to engineering but are impressive enough that you want the admissions team to know about them. You can also touch briefly on your future career goals in this section.

Other Things to Remember

One statement – five applications.

One of the most important things to remember about your engineering personal statement for your UCAS Apply application is that you can only write one statement, even though you could be applying to five different courses/universities. This means you don’t want to mention any specific university by name. If you do, the four other universities to which you’ve applied may think you aren’t seriously interested in them and disregard your application altogether.

Additionally, if you’ve applied to study different subjects rather than simply applying to five different engineering programmes, you won’t be able to focus your personal statement quite so much on the field of engineering. Instead, you’ll have to take a much more general approach to writing your personal statement, discussing your strengths in general terms as opposed to how they would apply specifically to the field of engineering.

Proofread and Edit

Do  not  submit your application and your included engineering personal statement without first proofreading and editing your statement. It’s even better if you can ask a  mentor, professor, or trusted friend  to look over it for you before you submit it. Having a fresh set of eyes looking over your paper is a great way to find errors you might have otherwise missed. Proper grammar and writing style are important, so don’t rush ahead without a proper amount of time spent editing and cleaning up.

The Website Will Time Out

Another important thing to remember is that the UCAS website will time out after 35 minutes of inactivity. For this reason, it’s better if you write your personal statement ahead of time in a separate document and then simply copy and paste it into the text box once it’s been fully edited and is ready to go.

Engineering Personal Statement Examples

Example personal statement 1.

“I hope a degree from your University will allow me to transfer key abilities from a place of study into, eventually, a place in industry. After much extended research, my admiration for the engineering innovator, Karl Benz, has been truly established. Commonly regarded as the originator of the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, his contributions to the vast domain that is engineering are simply colossal. One creation of his that captivated my mind tremendously was the ‘Blitzen Benz’; a vehicle fabricated solely for the purpose of speed. […]

Understandably, I am mindful that the finest engineers must possess a resilient skill-set, which should include the ability to thrive in both collaborative and solo tasks, flourish under pressure and blossom in positions requiring a leadership mentality. Hopefully, a place on this course will allow me to reinforce and augment my previously developed skills whilst allowing me to simultaneously acquire many more essential abilities that will prove beneficial in later life.”

– Read the rest  here

Although this excerpt is a little longer than we usually like to include, we had to include it. It’s just too impressive to ignore. First of all, you’ll notice the author refers to “your University.” This is how you should always speak of the prospective university in your engineering personal statement because it sounds personal, but it doesn’t call any specific school by name, which would alienate the other four universities to which you applied.

Secondly, the author speaks of his admiration for the engineer and inventor Karl Benz. This shows that he’s researched his field of study outside of what he learned in school. It shows he has a genuine interest and passion for engineering, which means he should do well at Uni. The section that’s been removed goes into more detail about the ‘Blitzen Benz,’ using language that shows he has a solid knowledge of the technical terms associated with engineering.

Finally, he smoothly transitions into highlighting his strengths. He mentions many of the qualities that make for a good engineer and then mentions he has those qualities. In the next section, which has also been removed for the sake of brevity, he talks a bit about how he cultivated those qualities. He also says he hopes his time at Uni will help further these necessary qualities in him, and then transitions into talking about his future goals.

It is a powerfully written personal statement that shows the writer to be an excellent candidate for the engineering programme.

Our Verdict:

Example Personal Statement 2

“Engineers build societies. More specifically, mechanical engineers apply fundamental maths and physics laws to construct mechanical devices that we use every day, despite sometimes going unnoticed. For this reason, I would like to pursue a career in engineering, as it is such a key component in societies. It combines my fascination of how things work and the mechanics behind devices, with the ability to apply maths and physics concepts to real-life situations.

Studying Maths Mechanics at A-level has given me experience with calculus and more advanced mathematics, including differential equations, creating a firm grounding for the mathematics I should encounter at degree level. Physics has given me an understanding of fundamental notions and reinforced the mechanical aspects of maths […]”

his is another example of a well-written engineering personal statement. The introductory paragraph, in particular, is superb and covers everything that should be covered. The writer starts by highlighting why engineering is important to society as a whole. In doing so, she also demonstrates a solid knowledge of what engineering is all about.

She transitions smoothly into why she wants to become an engineer and mentions that she has a fascination with both  “how things work”  and  “the mechanics behind devices,”  which are two key elements for a successful engineer. In her next paragraph, she begins talking about her educational history, showing she has the experience and education necessary for a foundation in engineering.

Altogether, she presents herself as someone with passion, clearly defined goals, and a solid foundation that should allow her to hit the ground running when she begins at the university.

Example Personal Statement 3

“My desire to study Engineering stems from the practical application of Maths and Physics to real world situations to enhance and improve them is a field that I find fascinating and perplexing. After partaking in different engineering-based experiences, I learnt how varied and inclusive this subject is, and that is the reason I want to study Engineering at University.”

In contrast to the first two examples, this is an example of a weak engineering personal statement that wasn’t done well. This is the author’s introductory paragraph, and right from the beginning, it fails to paint the writer in a good light. The first sentence is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense as written. The paragraph is also much too short and vague.

Referring back to the common structure of a personal statement, you’ll remember the introductory paragraph should be about seven to ten lines long. This one is about four. It doesn’t have enough information on it, and the information that’s there is too general. It sounds like a child’s version of what an engineer does and why it’d be fun to be an engineer.

The student mentions  “partaking in different engineering-based experiences”  but doesn’t give any examples to back up that claim. Even his reason for wanting to be an engineer isn’t clearly defined. This is a weak, unmemorable statement that isn’t going to impress anyone on an admissions team.

Example Personal Statement 4

“My extra-curricular activities in and out of school have enhanced my ability to lead a group. I joined stem club at the beginning of year 12 and this has contributed to the improvement of my problem-solving skills which has helped me significantly in my maths modules and physics. […] I play the piano […] piano allows me to improve my thinking skills on the spot. My schedule is very busy and challenges me to manage my time carefully […] I am always challenging my own understanding and I believe that I have the right attitude, skills and personality for this degree. I feel that a career in engineering will make good use of my strengths.”

– Read the rest  here

Let’s look again at the typical structure of a personal statement listed above. You’ll see that the conclusion paragraph should be about ten lines long. It’s also a good place to list all the extracurricular activities that aren’t strictly associated with engineering but that you want the admissions team to know about you.

This author wrote a great conclusion paragraph. Although sections have been removed, you can see it’s close to the right length. Additionally, she uses the conclusion paragraph exactly as it should be used, listing all of her extra achievements she wants the admissions team to know. Beyond that, though, she uses these extracurricular activities as another way to show her strengths – strengths that would make her a good fit for any engineering programme.

She mentions having good leadership skills. She also talks about being part of a STEM (science, technology,  engineering,  and mathematics) club. She talks about playing the piano but then adds that her ability to play has improved her on-the-fly problem-solving skills. She talks about work and her busy schedule, but then stresses that this has helped her learn good time management skills.

Instead of just using her conclusion to provide a list of her extracurricular activities, she uses it as another opportunity to casually and naturally highlight her skills. She ends by saying these skills she learned in all these activities will serve her well in her future career as an engineer, which is a great way to end the personal statement on a relevant note.

Example Personal Statement 5

“During my school life, I have enjoyed taking part in sporting events organised by the French charity “Justice au Coeur” […] My extracurricular activities include athletics […] I also attended a scouts’ club in my neighbourhood, and have passed Grade 7 in drama. […]

I am a native speaker of English and French […] I have also studied Latin at my school for six years, and am going to take it as a subject at the French Baccalauréat.

One of my main hobbies is model rocketry. […]

I completed two weeks of unpaid work experience in a WHSmith bookshop in Wimbledon in June 2012. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”

By contrast, this is an example of a writer who didn’t do a good job of adding in her extracurricular activities. First of all, even though it’s not evident here, this information is listed in this author’s body paragraphs, not her conclusion. These sentences, along with several similar ones that have been removed, make up  four paragraphs  of the body of her engineering personal statement.

She used  four paragraphs  talking about things that have absolutely nothing to do with engineering. She wasted those four paragraphs. All this information is nice information to provide, but it should have all been condensed into one small paragraph at the end of the personal statement.

Instead, she took the paragraphs that should have been devoted to what she’s done to prepare her for engineering and why she deserves a spot in the programme and wasted them on extracurricular activities that aren’t really relevant.

Remember: You only have 4000 characters to write your personal statement, and use those characters wisely.

To Sum It All Up…

The main things to remember when writing your engineering personal statement are to be truthful, be concise, and be authentic. It’s also important that you write a 100% unique, “personal-to-you” personal statement. It’s okay to look at other people’s statements for inspiration or to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t, but there are severe consequences for plagiarism ( here’s a plagiarism-checker you can use ) and cheating, including having your entire application trashed at all the universities to which you applied.

Finally, make sure you dedicate enough time to the process. You want to plan your statement out ahead of time and have enough time to write it thoroughly and completely. It’s also important to save time for the  editing and proofreading stages  after you’ve finished your first draft.

Be specific when talking about your interests, goals, and strengths. Remember, this is one of the few times in life when it is okay to sell yourself. You want to make a good impression, and you want to be memorable. The more easily the admissions team can recall you and your engineering personal statement, the more likely you’ll get a spot in a good engineering programme.

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Engineering personal statement example 2.

Maths and physics have always fascinated me and from an early age I knew that it was in the science based subjects that my interests and greatest ability lay.

Although I have enjoyed the challenge that my school-based work has given me, I have always sought to extend my knowledge in these subject areas by considering the application of the theory we learn within the curriculum to the real world.

This desire to learn how theory can be applied in real life allowed me to greatly enjoy the mechanics modules of my further maths A-level to such a degree that I knew that engineering would be the ideal subject to study at the highest level.

While physics and maths give one the background skills needed to assure the validity of innovation and technology, engineering seeks to apply this simultaneously with a desire for products to satisfy consumer needs such as efficiency, safety and cost. In this way the skills learnt during my economics A-level would be of great use during a career in engineering.

In June I had the opportunity to spend a week on a Headstart course at Cambridge. The experience gained during the 4 days there which involved both learning theory and practical work, coupled with continued in depth reading of various fields of engineering, have further strengthened my desire to study this subject.

Being a sports person, I am greatly intrigued by the opportunities for the use of engineering in the sporting world. Having competed at county level in javelin I looked into how engineers have developed the javelin over the years from an iron spear used in Grecian times to the 800g carbon-fibre implement used today.

With the javelin, engineers have been forced to sacrifice their desire for an efficient product able to satisfy the needs of athletes with safety. While the athlete wishes to throw further and further, the spectator watching from the opposite end of the stadium also has his own needs!

This example of a u-turn in needs makes me question how much further technology can continue to develop at current rates without the need to make sacrifices itself. I have also captained my school's First team at lacrosse and played for my county. These sporting responsibilities have given me the invaluable experience of participating in and leading a team.

During my school years I have maintained high academic standards while also being able to hold numerous positions of responsibility and I have been consistently involved in extra-curricular activities. The time management skills gained through this will be vital in being able to successfully achieve high standards during a challenging university course.

Over the past year I have taken time to be an assistant sports teacher for young children, while I have also enjoyed the demands of being a form assistant to a first year class at school.

Not only have these positions allowed me to mature greatly, they have also aided my inter-personal skills. Though I hold the certificates of my academic successes I am fully aware that only it is only in combination with my logic, problem-solving and intuitive skills that my scholastic knowledge can be applied most effectively.

During a gap year I am keen to find, through the Year in Industry scheme, a long term placement with an engineering firm. By spending my time in this way, I believe that I will gain a far greater idea of engineering's place and importance in society.

The opportunity to mature and learn key skills will give me a far better stance from which to start a degree course. Aside from working, I am also hoping to travel during my gap year to gain a greater awareness of the world around me through interaction with new people, places and cultures.

ADDITIONAL PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR CAMBRIDGE FORM:

By not specialising in the first 2 years of a degree course, I believe that I would have the best chance to find where my true interests and talents lay in engineering. Though my A-level physics and maths courses have allowed me to begin to think where I would like to specialise, I do not consider that I am currently in a position to make an accurate decision on what area to dedicate my university degree to. The depth of theory into which the Cambridge engineering course delves is, I believe, the most suitable way of learning the subject if one is to be serious about following through into an engineering career. The timetabling of the course at Cambridge would also allow me to continue a large number of extra-curricular activities and simultaneously give me the opportunity to contribute greatly to college and university life.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by qpr4george for application in 2005.

qpr4george's Comments

I feel that this personal statement is both full of relevent information, but also portrays some of my own character too (note use of humour...and i still got in!) I also dropped in a couple of areas of my own interest combined with an engineering relevence (i.e. javelin throwing!) as bait for interviewers to pick up. Worked perfectly, as i was asked questions in my interviews that were based on these statements. Reading over the additional cambridge part (now that i am actually doing my degree there) i feel its not the greatest paragraph ever - it pretty much just re-tells everything we are told about the course in the open day. But as a support to my main personal statement i think its acceptable.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Wow. awesome, can tell your a.

Thu, 11/09/2008 - 08:52

wow. awesome, can tell your a cambridge student! helped me loads writing my statement for electronical enginerring :D

Mon, 06/10/2008 - 16:59

God Damn! This personal statement tis on of the best i've read. I like the choice of words and use of language employed in this. it's sounds to becoming from a person seriously needing the Uni place and hardly sounds fictional which is great.

Brilliant statement thanks a

Sun, 01/09/2013 - 15:56

Brilliant statement thanks a lot. Where did you work on your gap year and where did you travel?

Add new comment

Sample Cambridge Personal Statement Computer Science

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statements samples by university.

Cambridge is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and among the most competitive global schools.

The following essay was written by an applicant who got accepted to Cambridge’s Ph.D. program in Computer science program. Read her essay to understand what Cambridge is looking for in a successful applicant.

You might also be interested in reading this   Sample Statement for Ph.D. at MIT .

Sample Personal Statement Computer Science at Cambridge

Inquisitive minds foster curiosity, which in turn, breeds innovation. The scientific world labels this process, Research. I like to call it “Making a Difference.” Now the path toward such a defining milestone does not work out as smoothly as it sounds. I, too, faced my fair share of troubles along the way, starting with my diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, my world shattered completely. However, being determined, I re-programmed my internal GPS toward the stable ground. Somewhere along this stumbling journey, I came across the saving words of C.S Lewis: “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny,” which eventually rescued me. Ever since, they have become my guiding light, rekindling the flame – never to give up.

I am applying to Cambridge University for a doctorate in Computer Science. My research interests include co-designing hardware and software configurable computer systems, performance optimization of processor architectures, and rapid prototyping through FPGAs. My curiosity in the field sparked when my undergraduate coursework exposed me to several important aspects of embedded systems and MIPS architecture. Throughout my academic career, I continuously pushed myself to raise the bar, eventually making it to the Dean’s Honor List and securing a 100% merit scholarship during my grad studies. Considering all that I have achieved, I am confident that I now possess the right technical skills and scientific approach, along with deep-rooted commitment and motivation to embark on a journey to explore this avenue in greater detail.

I passionately opted for an Electrical Engineering major for my undergraduate degree six years ago. For my senior year project, I was in a team of three who programmed and mapped a 5-staged MIPS single-core processor pipeline onto a Xilinx FPGA. The project initially came our way through a friend in contact with Dr. X, who, at the time, a post-doctoral research scientist at MIT, proposed this as a valuable thesis to serve as a strong foundation for future architectural development.

The aim was to design a basic structure that can be extended to a multi-core, fully functional embedded system in the future. We programmed the pipeline in VHDL and optimized it with a hazard detection unit, aggressive static branch prediction, and forwarding logic. We also built an assembler in C++ to convert MIPS-32 assembly instructions into machine language for the Instruction Memory.

My undergraduate degree fixated my attention on the architectural aspects of processors. It honed my practical skills through extensive lab work and semester projects necessary to be at the forefront of the subject. My 1.5 years of experience as a teacher assistant for many exciting engineering courses also solidified my concepts. It taught me various flexible yet effective ways to communicate ideas to my students in an impactful manner.

Subsequently, I spent the next two years at graduate school, attaining a Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems degree. It was a rewarding experience that expanded my horizon and reinforced professional bonds with contemporary researchers in the field. For my graduate thesis, I worked on extending the functionality of an educational simulation tool pioneered initially by Dr. X. The tool aims to complement graduate-level theoretical studies of MIPS architecture. The thesis entailed an intensive literature review into floating point instruction latencies and research into the possibility of increasing the throughput by reconfiguring the multicycle execution and memory stage. While programming in Visual Basic, I refined and simplified the user interaction experience by introducing a hierarchy of nested UI screens.

Further development of the MIPS FP simulator, the first of its kind in the reconfigurability of the pipeline it offers, is still underway before its release to the web. Along with working on the pipeline’s development and code optimization, I am also drafting a research paper for submission to the IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education. I believe that persistent thinking and hard work associated with extensive literature surveys embellished my research skills and taught me perseverance in facing challenges.

After graduation, I continued my quest to learn and enhance my software development skill set. As a Software Engineer at Apple, I am developing a front-end web portal on Google’s recent media hype structural framework, AngularJS. I have also worked with Dr. A to explore architectural aspects of Graphical Processing Units and GPU correlation with Operating Systems in general. In addition to building upon my problem-solving abilities and time management, my experience so far has required me to collaborate and brainstorm ideas in teams, hence polishing my team communication skills. This constructive training prepares me well for the rigors of practical life as a doctorate candidate at Cambridge.

My country suffers critically due to a deficit in employment and research opportunities in the local embedded industry. To add salt to the wound, the societal norms and traditions favoring the male demographics act as a taboo for the current aspiring generation of female individuals, who, despite all odds, relentlessly strive hard and stand their ground to stay above the murky waters. Being a member of society’s under-represented female faction, I possess this will of fire and inherent motivation to prove myself every step of the way.

The prospect of obtaining a terminal degree, from Cambridge, under the mentorship of world re-known faculty fuels my energy to dive deeper into the field of architecture and embedded systems, design innovative software/hardware solutions to intricate problems, and conduct meaningful Research. The program is an example of expanding my research horizons, strengthening my concepts, and increasing my experience through quality industrial and academic exposure.

I am much impressed by the current projects undertaken by the Artificial Intelligence Group and Computer Architecture Group at Cambridge. In particular, the work of principal investigators, namely Dr. A, Dr. B, Dr. C, and Dr. D, fascinates me in alignment with my interests. I believe working with them would be an invaluable, enlightening opportunity indeed. I am confident that the strong ideas I can bring to the table, backed by my well-founded academics and valuable experience, would benefit the Cambridge research community.

Upon completion of the degree, I intend to initiate various projects in conjunction with the R&D departments of the embedded industry. I also envision imparting education to young intellectual minds through technology. With it, I hope to develop e-learning web portals dealing specifically with educational simulation tools for the field of computer architecture and embedded systems. But I feel, from where I stand, that there is still a very long way to go, a journey that I am incredibly excited to embark upon.

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Personal statement example mechanical engineering personal statement.

Submitted by Luke

Pioneering excellence in sustainable engineering and technology

Study sustainable engineering and technology programmes at Roehampton. Choose an indisciplinary&nbsp;project-based learning environment across courses.

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement

I am part of the 6% of care leavers wishing to enter higher education. My journey through education has been testing at times but, as a result of hard work, tenacity and determination, I am ready and eager to commence undergraduate engineering studies and shape my future.

I am a problem solver. I developed this skill at a young age through my hobby as a computer programmer. I completed tasks, such as, making a PHP system talk to a python programme and creating automatic encryption for the files on my computer. I have continued to hone this skill during my research concerning the mechanics of drones and the different concepts such as weight distribution. More often than not engineering concerns solving problems in order to design, construct and operate mechanical systems. I feel that I possess this vital skill that will enable me to tackle my studies with zeal.

I developed my interest in engineering by watching a YouTube channel by engineer Colin Furze. His videos consist of projects where he constructs contraptions, such as, a giant swing whilst relaying the building process. These videos provide insight into the engineering mentality, how to collect resources for a project and the art of effective communication. Colin’s thermite gun was, by far, my favourite project! Furthermore, for some time, I have played an engineering version of Minecraft called Voltz. This game involves different teams of players building bases and engineering advanced technology such as ICBMs, force fields, teleporters and space travel. Here I experienced the satisfaction that comes with completing a project.

More recently I experienced engineering disciplines in a university setting. At Southampton University , I attended ‘Isaac Physics’ events where teaching involved advanced Maths-like vectors, differentiation and circular motion in order to find the motion of planets around a solar system. I gained a real appreciation for the importance of maths and physics in an undergraduate setting and beyond.

In addition, I was accepted onto the University of Cambridge ‘HE+ programme’. Here I learned about Mandelbrot sets, group theory, dimensional analysis and how many cups of tea an atom bomb’s energy could make! Not only this, in April 2017, I attended a University of Cambridge Maths Masterclass. I attended lectures in applicable and theoretical maths, including cryptography, proof by induction and axioms of maths. This experience taught me that, at University, I will prefer my studies to include the application of theoretical maths to real life situations.

I consider that I will make a valuable contribution to University life. At college I have participated actively in extra curricular activities. As a member of the debating team I represented my former college in a competition involving local colleges successfully winning the debate ‘Should the government privatize the NHS?’. The ability to analysis a problem is essential in many aspects of daily life and I relish the challenge to refine this skill.

Secondly I was a Care Ambassador for Hampshire Country Council which involved being the focal point and advocate for children in care. I met regularly with a variety of people including senior managers in order to discuss concerns and pragmatic solutions. This role involved supporting other young people in order to help them remain in education. This role has inspired me to go to university.

Finally I was an LGBT ambassador at my former school where I helped facilitate an environment where people could feel comfortable. This involved working closely with other students and senior management in order to implement procedures that addressed bullying. It was by far my proudest contribution to my school.

Going to University to read a demanding subject, such as engineering, is particularly significant for me. It is a challenge that excites me and one that I intend to approach with enthusiasm and a robust work ethic.

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10 Top Tips for an Cambridge Computer Science Personal Statement

Your Cambridge personal statement is a crucial component in your university application. It gives you a chance to articulate why you’re interested in Computer Science at Cambridge and to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Additionally, it offers the Cambridge interviewer a focal point to base discussions about your personality, interests and deduce your commitment to the subject you’re applying for. To help guide you through the process, our Cambridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 tips. This includes everything you should do and not do for your Oxbridge Computer Science Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle.

All applicants for Computer Science (including applicants to mature Colleges) must take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). They should take this at an authorised assessment centre (usually your school or college), for which you register in advance. Find out more about this here .

At the University of Cambridge, in Years 1 and 2, assessment is currently by three-hour examinations taken in the final term of each year. In Year 3, students have coursework and three-hour examinations. Practical work is undertaken and assessed in all years of the degree programme.

Please note that successful Cambridge Computer Science applicants need to do some preparatory reading. They must also complete a pre-arrival online course before the start of the first term. Admissions tutors will send students details after their place is confirmed.

Top 5 Tips for a Cambridge Computer Science Personal Statement

1. tell your story ..

Your story will be what makes your UCAS personal statement unique. You should outline why you want to study Computer Science. Also include anecdotes indicative of your personality and hunger for the subject. This will be how you get the Cambridge admissions tutors to notice your university application. This is where you should note down relevant work experience, extra-curricular reading. You should also mention why you were interested in Computer Science in the first place, as well as what makes you suitable to study at Cambridge University. 

2. What makes you suitable

What distinguishes you from all other Cambridge applicants applying for Computer Science? Is there work experience, or extra-curricular work have you done that you can talk about that might set you apart from everyone else? It’s not enough to list achievements. Talk about what skills you have gained that will not only make you a suitable Computer Science student, but also a suitable Cambridge University student.

3. Read around the subject you’re applying for .

Podcasts, magazine articles, documentaries or research papers relating to the field of Computer Science are all great ways to engage with new content. Examples include the ‘ Spark with Nora Young ’ podcast. Click here for a concise reading list published by Cambridge. A good way to start is by picking a topic within the field of Computer Science that interests you. You can listen to or read the information to and from school or work. 

4. Proof read & read aloud your work .

Once you’re happy with the content of your draft, check it, check it and check it again! A good way to check your work would be to ask people to proofread it. Examples include a teacher in the Computer Science field, a current Cambridge student, or a student studying Computer Science who has already written a personal statement. Other people may be able to spot mistakes or improvements within your statement that you haven’t picked up on.

5. Why Computer Science .

Why have YOU applied to Computer Science? What careers or opportunities will studying this degree present to you? Examples include data analyst, games designer, web designer, amongst more. Consider your ambitions and how you will benefit society. These examples include, but aren’t limited to, furthering technology in the future, and analysing data to reduce risk for a multitude of companies.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Cambridge Computer Science Personal Statement

• Writing a list of achievements – Avoid listing things for the sake of it. It will be better to pick some key points or experiences and expand on what you learnt from them. This will show the Cambridge admissions tutors that you have reflected on your experiences, and that you have some insight into what a career of Computer Science would entail.
• Don’t write anything that isn’t true – Don’t exaggerate. Admissions tutors may ask you to provide evidence of your stated achievements. It will reflect badly on you if you are unable to answer questions at an interview because you have exaggerated certain experiences. Not only that, but it will make your personal statement appear less authentic.
• Copy someone else’s personal statements – Don’t plagiarise. Do not copy someone else’s UCAS personal statement or use something you have found on the internet. UCAS uses software to check every personal statement for plagiarism. 
• Not reflecting on or justifying your point – Write succinctly and explain points without repeating yourself. Don’t tell the Cambridge admissions tutors what they already know. Instead, expand on how you’ve acquired certain skills and why they’re important. Remember, quality is always better than quantity- it’s better to expand on a few points than to list every point you can without going into detail.
•  Don’t sound unprofessional – Steer clear of slang, clichés and quotes. It will sound repetitive to Cambridge admissions tutors to hear about how students are “passionate” about their subject or that they have a “thirst for knowledge”. Write about your personal experience with your Computer Science journey, and allow the admissions tutors to do the rest.

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