Wondering what you should avoid putting in your UCAS personal statement? A couple of months ago we talked about the things you should include in your personal statement. This included non-academic interests, your reasons for wanting to study a particular course and previous experience.

Those were the Do’s, but what are the Don’ts? What should you absolutely NOT put in your personal statement?

#1 Poor Spelling and Grammar

A personal statement riddled with grammatical mistakes and typos just comes across as careless and rushed. Not the best impression to give prospective universities.

If you don’t want to receive five rejection letters make sure you read and proof-read your personal statement. Then ask two other people to proof-read it too.

#2 Clichés

Avoid clichés like the plague. They are overdone, a bit tacky and often meaningless. You may be hoping to impress with your “thirst for knowledge” but do you know who else is hoping the exact same thing? Everyone.

#3 Quotes

This is another outrageously overused tactic; quoting the likes of Shakespeare, Martin Luther King or Einstein. But why quote other people when you can speak for yourself?

A lot of students believe quotes make them look well-read but unless you’re quoting something very obscure (or very important) it doesn’t quite work that way. This is because the same quotes are used by thousands of students every year.

#4 Exaggeration and Lies

We don’t have to tell you why lying on your personal statement is a very bad idea. Just know that if you do lie about or exaggerate your achievements and experience, you will get caught out eventually.

#5 Personal Exploits

…And shenanigans. We all know that university is as much about having a good time as it is about academia, but your personal statement is not the time to discuss this.

Don’t write about all the nights out, lads’ holidays or football banter you’ve taken part in; keep it strictly professional. Admissions tutors expect you to have a social life, but they don’t need to know the how, what, where or why.

If you’ve travelled or have any unique (but relevant) hobbies however, feel free to include the details.

#6 Negativity

Don’t talk about bad educational experiences like why you dropped an AS level or failed an exam; it’s really not important. Your achievements, skills and positive experiences are important, however.

I know, I know…selling yourself is hard and feels a bit unnatural, but admissions tutors want to see the best of you, not the worst.

#7 Repetition

Saying something once is enough. You don’t have enough space to repeat yourself and admissions tutors don’t have enough time to read the same thing twice or thrice.

Organise your statement so it covers everything you want to say in a strategic, logical way. That way you won’t waffle, stumble or repeat information.

#8 Humour

Unless you’re applying to a comedy writing course or similar, leave the jokes and puns out of it. You don’t know your audience so any jokes you do tell might fall flat (or worse, offend!).

Trying to be funny or informal is a huge risk. Don’t jeopardise your university career with an inappropriate comment.