how to mention a course you took in personal statement

by Dr. Walton Bashirian 10 min read

Be sure to reference the school you’re applying to in your personal statement— but don’t accidentally tell Yale how much you’re hoping to attend Harvard. Even if you’re using the Common Application, you should tailor your personal statement to each school to which you’re applying. Mention the school in your closing paragraph, for example.

Full Answer

How do you reference a school in a personal statement?

Be sure to reference the school you’re applying to in your personal statement— but don’t accidentally tell Yale how much you’re hoping to attend Harvard. Even if you’re using the Common Application, you should tailor your personal statement to each school to which you’re applying. Mention the school in your closing paragraph, for example.

How do you write a personal statement for a course?

Your personal statement is your chance to really show why you deserve a place on your chosen course. Use positive words such as achieved, developed, learned, discovered, enthusiasm, commitment, energy, fascination… Avoid contrived or grandiose language. Instead use short, simple sentences in plain English

What is a professional statement for college?

A professional statement, also sometimes known as a “personal statement” or “resume summary,” is one of the most important documents you will write when applying to schools or jobs. An exceptional personal statement can increase your chances of admission or getting a job offer.

Do I need to include everything in my personal statement?

You don’t need to include everything in your personal statement. You only have 4,000 characters and 47 lines to work with, so keep your writing clear and concise Plagiarised content, under any circumstances. All personal statements are scanned by detection software – if you’ve used someone else’s work, your offers can be withdrawn

How do you talk about coursework in a personal statement?

You should include:why you are applying for the course – show your enthusiasm.how your current skills, experience and qualifications will help your application.relevant engagement with your chosen degree subject, such as work experience (if you have it) or extracurricular activities.More items...

How do you write your qualifications in a personal statement?

Tell the reader why you're applying – include your ambitions, as well as what interests you about the subject, the course provider, and higher education. Think about what makes you suitable – this could be relevant experience, skills, or achievements you've gained from education, work, or other activities.

How can I write about my course?

The following are tips for writing a course description:The course description should be no longer than 100 words.Write from a student-centered perspective.Use present tense and active voice.Use clear and simple sentence structure and language.Use gender neutral language.More items...

What phrases to avoid in a personal statement?

11 Things NOT to Put in Your Personal StatementNEGATIVITY. ... NOT MENTIONING YOUR SKILLS & ACHEIVEMENTS. ... EXAGGERATION & OUTRIGHT LIES. ... POOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR. ... NOT GETTING FEEDBACK. ... STATING THE OBVIOUS. ... TALKING ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD. ... THE WORD PASSION.More items...•

How many words is 47 lines?

500 wordsRegardless, the 'word' limit is 47 lines of text, or 4000 characters. This equates to (roughly) 500 words.

Why do you think you're suitable for the course?

Include information about your skills and natural talents in your answer. Consider mentioning how your skills align with the subject matter. Focus on your unique strengths that could contribute to your success in the course. Discuss the skills you hope to further develop through the course.

How do you describe a course of study?

A course of study refers to a series of courses which students are required to complete prior to earning a diploma or otherwise moving on to the next stage in their education journey. Teachers must base their lesson plans on a curriculum that adheres to government requirements.

What is course content example?

Any informational material that is required for participation or understanding content such as assigned readings, video recordings, exams, and any other material needed for learning.

What is an overview of a course?

It introduces the main idea of the course and describes the topics or concepts that the course covers. The overview can also describe the skills and knowledge your students need to be able to succeed in your course, as well as provide information about course requirements and staff.

Do universities actually read personal statements?

There are some reports of unis not reading personal statements but by and large they will read it if they are considering your application”. “Every personal statement will be read by someone to check that the applicant is applying for the right course” explains PQ.

Should I talk about my grades in my personal statement?

Give reasons for the grades without making excuses, and discuss how the grades were improved. Finally, talk about the improved grades (with an amazing GPA as evidence).

Is it OK to lie in your personal statement?

Firstly, and most crucially: never, ever lie in your personal statement. If you do, it will almost certainly come back to haunt you. Don't make up qualifications or pretend you've read books when you haven't (even if you've read little bits of them).

What to include

One of the most important parts of your university application is your personal statement. Knowing what to include won’t only help your chances of earning a place on your ideal course but will help you stand out from other applicants.

What not to include

You don’t need to include everything in your personal statement. You only have 4,000 characters and 47 lines to work with, so keep your writing clear and concise

What to remember before you start

The task of writing your personal statement may initially feel overwhelming. But by leaving yourself enough time and starting with a plan, you’ll eventually craft a personal statement to be proud of.

Where should coursework be placed on a resume?

If you feel this would simply be a helpful supplement to the rest of your resume for an employer, it might be best placed below the education section of your resume.

How to organize coursework on resume?

Here are three common ways to organize your coursework. 1. Use a single-column format. The single-column format looks similar to the education section on your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. ...

What is a single column resume?

The single-column format looks similar to the education section on your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. For example, a candidate applying for a journalism job might include the following:

Do you have to include work experience on your resume?

If you are a student, you might not have a large volume of work experience to list on your resume. This is common, and employers will take your student status into account when reviewing your resume. However, adding coursework that’s relevant to the job or internship you’re applying for can help employers understand the skills you’re developing ...

What to write in a personal statement?

Most people aren’t comfortable bragging about themselves. But that is exactly what to do in your personal statement. Talk about: 1 Sccomplishments 2 Good deeds 3 Moments where you made yourself proud

Why do you need to look over your personal statement?

Have a few people look over your personal statement for you before you submit it—both to catch typos, and to assess its strengths and weaknesses. After all the writing you’ll be doing, you’ll need a few other pairs of eyes to help you see what you’ve been missing.

How to keep admissions officers interested?

To keep admissions officers interested, tell a story about yourself, rather than write a traditional five-paragraph essay. Admissions officers read thousands of personal statements every year. You want yours to be compelling and memorable.

Can you tell if someone else wrote your personal statement?

Admissions officers will be able to tell if someone else wrote your personal statement, so make sure the writing is all yours. This might seem like another no-brainer, but each year, plenty of applicants have someone else write their personal statements for them.

Can you restate your resume?

Don’t Restate Your Resume. Don’t use your personal statement to repeat information admissions officers can find in other parts of your application. You want your personal statement to stand out in a sea of applicants, and you also want to show a side of you that isn’t shown in the other parts of your application.

Can you use slang in a personal statement?

Your personal statement is not the place to use slang or casual language.

Do admissions officers read your personal statement?

However, admissions committees are alert to this practice, and if your ‘voice’ in your personal statement is significantly different from the one in your SAT or ACT essay, admissions officers are going to know they’re not reading your actual writing.

Why is it important to write a personal statement?

A well-written personal statement with a clearly planned and refined structure will not only make the information stand out, but it’ll demonstrate you have an aptitude for structuring written pieces of work – a crucial skill needed for many university courses.

What are the qualities of a good admissions tutor?

Motivation and commitment. Leadership, teamwork and communication. Research into your chosen subject. Any relevant key skills. Admissions tutors aren't seeking Nobel laureates. They’re looking for enthusiasm for the course being applied for, and self-reflection into why you’d be suitable to study it.

How to write a good speech?

Avoid contrived or grandiose language. Instead use short, simple sentences in plain English. Insert a personal touch if possible, but be careful with humour and chatty approaches. Use evidence of your learning and growth (wherever possible) to support claims and statements.

What percentage of students focus on academic achievements?

Around 75% can focus on your academic achievements, to prove how you’re qualified to study it. Around 25% can be about any extracurricular activity, to show what else makes you suitable. A clear conclusion.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a well laid out extension essay about you during an application. It can be used in CV’s or when applying for university entry or even in workplaces. The primary objective of the statement of purpose is selling you to the reader for the purpose of winning whatever your application talks about.

Why is it important to write a personal statement?

A personal statement is important when you have decided to make changes in your career path. It gives you a chance to market your transferable skills that are relevant to your new role or in the industry. It is vital to make sure to talk about your primary skills, give reasons for the career change, and show enthusiasm for the new career.

What is the difference between a graduate personal statement and a school leaver personal statement?

However, a graduate personal statement should lay more emphasis on skills gained at the university level as well as your higher education.

What is the source of information for a list?

Your source of information could be websites, journals, documentaries, films, books, periodicals, newspapers, radio programs, lectures, and blogs among other channels.

Do you have to make a list of every skill you think you have without thinking about its relevance?

You just don’t make a list of every skill you think you have without thinking about its relevance. You have to think about the skills that readily relate best to the chosen course or profession.

Can you mention a career break in a cover letter?

A career break can be mentioned in this section, however, taking a lot of space is not recommended. Your cover letter is the place to give detailed information about it. You can use your personal statement to explain and focus on your career’s success before taking your break.

Is university good for independent thinking?

University gives way to free and independent thinking and therefore, showing you are an independent and critical thinker is a big bonus for you. You can talk about how your various A-level subjects have made you think critically.

What should my GPA be after my job?

If you have more than a year of work experience, your education should come after your employment history. Your most recent degree goes first. If you have a GPA of 3.5 or more, mention it. Don't foget about relevant course work, honors, and making dean's list. In most cases, resumes open with the experience section as it's more relevant ...

What is academic honors?

Academic honors besides being in an honors program including making the Dean’s List or acceptance into honors societies (campus, national, or international). Note, you can make a separate Honors and Awards section if you feel that you have too many awards to list or want to draw special attention to them.

What does coursework show?

If you have little to no work experience, a coursework description can show that you have the knowledge and skills required for the job through your education. Also, if you have a degree in a different field, you can show that you took courses relevant to your professional field as well.

Can you explain an overarching course of study that gave you a particular skill set that you want employers to notice

If you feel like going into more detail here, that’s also okay. You could explain an overarching course of study that gave you a particular skill set that you want employers to notice.

Should a resume be open with experience?

In most cases, resumes open with the experience section as it's more relevant and important to recruiters. But there's nothing wrong with breaking this rule if your education is much more impressive than your experience. Education goes above the work experience too when you're writing an academic CV.

How to write a personal statement?

1. Get personal. Remember the “personal” in personal statement. We all have a story to tell, and we all have a different journey that led us to where we are today. We might think “someone already wrote about this” or we might think our story isn’t unique, but IT IS. 2.

How to write a short essay?

Start by writing a few sentences or paragraphs about any of your shortlisted topics, and let the words flow. Write for about 15 minutes, on each shortlisted topic. Don’t worry about structure or organization – this is just an exercise so you feel comfortable getting the thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

What was I told before I was diagnosed?

“Before I was diagnosed, I had been told it was a normal part of growing up. I was told that teens are moody. I would grow out of it. I couldn’t imagine anyone growing out of what I was feeling. I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving.

Can personal statements be reused?

Remember, personal statements for your college app, can also be reused as scholarship essays. Get double-use out of your personal statement. Going Merry is your home for all things scholarships–fill out a profile, get matched to eligible scholarships, and apply.

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Use A Single-Column Format

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The single-column format looks similar to the education sectionon your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. For example, a candidate applying for a journalism job might include the following: Relevant Editorial Coursework 1. Ethical Journalism 2. Global Journalism 3. Fuller Times Student P…
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Use A Multi-Column Format

  • You can also group the columns into sections if the job you’re applying to requires expertise in multiple fields. For example: Relevant Editorial Coursework Journalism 1. Ethical Journalism 2. Global Journalism 3. Fuller Times Student Paper, Editor English 1. Technical Writing 2. Research Internship 3. Oral Communications Related: 7 College Resume Tips (With Examples)
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Use A Detailed Format

  • Alternatively, the detailed format provides more information on the courses you choose to include. This format will look more like what you would typically see under a professional experience section, noting the course and school name, dates you took the course and two to four bullet points highlighting relevant learnings or achievements from the course. Here’s an example: Rele…
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