Personal Statement

For
o Humanities,
u a t es, Communication
Co u cat o
and Science Majors

Target Audience

† University
U i it SSelection
l ti P Panels
l

† University Administrative Staff

Getting Started – the 5 Bs
† Be positive in tone and diction (choice of
word)
† Be short and succinct in sentence length and
structure
† Be relevant
† Be specific in describing experiences and co-
co
curricular engagements
† Be accurate in articulating facts

General Layout
Paragraph 1
Acknowledgement of Application

Paragraph 2
Personal/ Academic/ Vocational Landmarks

Paragraph 3
Education Background, Academic and Extra-curricular Experience

Paragraph 4
Relevant Engagements and Development
Paragraph 1
Acknowledgement of Application
Key Points:
† Programme Code

† Title of the Academic Department

† Title of the University

† Goodwill Message

Paragraph 1
Sample
“The Chinese and Bilingual Studies (Code:
xxx)) P
Programme off the
h Hong
H Kong
K Polytechnic
P l h i
University (1)is well-known for providing
students with a balance of breath and
depth
p in the discipline,
p with the devotion to
nurturing students in the field of language.(2)”

1. Be accurate in Programme Title, Code and University

2 Establish Goodwill Message
2.
Paragraph 2
Personal/ Academic/Vocational Landmarks
Key Points:

† Personal
P l Interest
I t t

† Readiness

† Benefits

Paragraph 2
Sample
† I am most interested in the core subjects including
Translation Theory,
Theory Linguistics and English for
Business Communication. The concepts and skills
g
have strengthened my y fundamental understandingg of
language and communication and prepare me to be a
critical and analytical person in the field of
communication Also
communication. Also, mastering languages has
always been the key to success. The programme will
equip me with the latest developments in linguistics
and translation skills to manage effectively the
Chinese and the English languages in vocational and
academic
d i dimensions.
di i
Personal Interest
“I am most interested in the core subjects
including Translation Theory, Linguistics and
E li h ffor Business
English B i C
Communication.(1+2)”
i ti (1 2)”

1. Be specific Æ cite accurate course titles

2. Be relevantÆ cite language-related courses

Readiness
“The concepts and skills have strengthened my
fundamental understanding of language and
communication (1) and prepare me to be a
critical and analytical person in the field of
communication.(2)”

1. State educational outcomes or achievements

2. State educational forecast
Benefits
“Also, mastering languages has always been the
k to success.(1)
key (1) Th
The programme willill equip
i me
with the latest developments in linguistics and
translation skills to manage effectively the
Chinese and the English languages in vocational
and academic dimensions.(2)”

1. Justify the benefit Æ Give specific reason

2 Present the
2. h benefit
b fi

Paragraph 3
Education
d Background,
k d Academic
d and
d
Extra-curricular
Extra curricular Experience
Key Points:

† State
St t your llatest
t t education
d ti b background
k d

† Highlight Academic Experience

† Highlight Non-academic
Non academic Experience
Paragraph 3
Sample
† Taking Associate Degree in Bilingual Communication at
Hong Kong Community College has established my
interest and career goal in language and communication.
In class, I participated in various kinds of research
projects including Chinese Culture, Aesthetics and Art
Appreciation and Academic English. Through
interacting with
ith people from different sectors with
ith
diverse interest, the group research projects have
strengthened my problem-solving
problem solving and communication
skills to tackle the challenges in my academic pursuit.
With a strongg interest to apply
pp y concepts
p and theories into
real situations, I also joined the Press Committee as a
student editor. I conducted interviews, monitored
editorial
dit i l d design
i and d edited
dit d features
f t for
f college
ll magazine
i

State Latest Education Background

“Taking Associate Degree in Bilingual
Communication at Hong Kong Community
C ll
College (1) h
has established
t bli h d my iinterest
t t and
d
career ggoal in language
g g and communication.(2)” ( )

1. State your latest education background

2 Clarify your expectation
2.
Describe Academic Experience
“In class, I participated in various kinds of research projects
i l di Chi
including Chinese CCulture,
l A
Aesthetics
h i and d Art
A Appreciation
A i i and d
Academic English. (1) Through interacting with people from
different sectors with diverse interest, the group research projects
have strengthened my problem-solving and communication skills
to tackle the challenges in my academic pursuit. (2)”

1. Outline a specific academic experience (i.e. research)

2. Describe the academic achievements

Describe Non-academic Experience

“With a strong interest to apply concepts and
theories into real situations, I also joined the
Press Committee as a student editor. (1) I
conducted interviews, monitored editorial
d i and
design d edited
di d features
f for
f college
ll magazine.(2)”
i (2)”

1. State relevant non-academic (off campus)

experience
2. Use active verb to stress actions
Paragraph 4
Relevant Engagements and Development
Key Points:

† Hi
Highlight
hli ht iinternship
t hi or part-time
t ti working
ki
experience

†G
Gain
i fi
finall attention
i with
i h personall
development
p and awards

Paragraph 4
Sample
† During the summer, I also joined an
internship programme as a museum guide at
Hong Kong Museum of History, through
which I have been given ample opportunities
in refining m
my presentation and
communication skills. For personal
development, I am currently learning French
as my third language.
Highlight internship or part
part-time
time working
experience
“During the summer, I also joined an internship
program as a museum guide at Hong Kong
Museum of History(1),
History(1) through which I have
been given ample opportunities in refining my
presentation and communication skills.(2)”

1. State the job title and organization

2. Emphasizes the achievement

Gain final attention with personal

development and awards

“For personal development, I am currently

l
learning
i French
F h as my thi
third
d llanguage.””

† Illustrates the specific direction or area for

personall d
development
l
† Mention the awards or merits (if any)