do i need a personal statement for clearing

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What do I need for Clearing?

Ucas clearing can be unpredictable, but it's also a great opportunity for students to find their perfect university. .

Make sure you're prepared and know what you need if you go through Clearing - it will take a lot of stress and guesswork out of the process. Read our guide to getting the most out of Clearing. 

Who can apply through Clearing?

What documents do i need for clearing, do i need a prsonal statement for clearing, who can apply through clearing .

As long as you've applied through UCAS ( Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) you're eligible to use Clearing if you: 

• apply after 30 June  
• don't receive any university offers, or none you want to accept 
• don’t meet the conditions of your offer(s) 
• decline your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ function 

If you're using Clearing to apply to university for the first time,  you must register with UCAS and submit an application.  You will also need to pay an applic a ti on fee of £27.50. 

1. A notepad and pen/laptop or computer 

Keeping notes will be essential during Clearing as you keep track of your university research, contact details and Clearing hotlines, important pieces of information and questions you might want to ask when you speak to a Clearing adviser. 

You can use a notepad and pen, a Word document on your laptop, tablet or computer, or the notes section on your phone - whatever you prefer. Ideally, you want something that's easy to access during a call.

Keep your notes simple and organised. If you're preparing notes in advance of Results Day; you may even have time to colour-code them.

Clearing can be a whirlwind so the easier you make things for yourself, the better. 

2. A list of Clearing courses you're interested in

Use the UCAS Course Finder to check which universities still have spaces available on their courses. You'll also find details on university websites.

If you spot a course you're interested in that still has vacancies, make a note of it alongside the university's contact details and any key bits of information you can use to showcase your interest in the course during the call.

3. A fully charged phone and a good internet connection

You can apply through Clearing via university hotlines or online chat. If you're planning on using your mobile phone and/or laptop make sure they are fully charged or have plenty of battery life. Check your internet connection, too, so that when you're looking up Clearing courses online or accessing the chat function, your connection doesn't drop out.

Taking other devices off WiFi - such as PlayStations, tablets or other mobile phones - can lighten the load on your internet bandwidth.

4. Questions to ask during your Clearing call

Wherever you choose to study, you will be an asset to that university. You have so much to offer, and it's important to remember that when you're applying through Clearing.

You don't have to commit to the first university that offers you a space unless you're 100% sure it's the right one for you. Instead, ask lots of questions and do some digging.

Asking insightful questions also shows you have a genuine interest in the course, which will appeal to the Admissions team.

Questions to prepare beforehand could include: 

• how is the course taught and what is the seminar-to-lecture ratio?  
• are there any opportunities, such as Open Days, to visit the university?   
• are work placements, internships or other career support offered? 
• are bursaries or scholarships available?   
• what support is available to students who are struggling?   
• what accommodation is available?

The documents you need to prepare for Clearing are:

• your UCAS number
• your personal Clearing number
• your A Level, AS, GCSE /or equivalent results

Have all the important information you need close by, so you can find it quickly. 

If you're an international student, y ou’ll only have a UCAS number if you originally applied to study in the UK through UCAS. Y ou’ll only receive a Clearing ID if you applied through UCAS but are not holding any university offers. The ID number helps our Admissions staff look up your details, but don’t worry if you don’t have this  – our advisers will still be able to guide you through the application process.

Do I need a personal statement for Clearing?

Many Admissions teams recommend you have your personal statement to hand for Clearing. 

Though it's not essential to the process, it's a great resource to rely on during your call with a Clearing adviser. It can help you talk through what makes you want to go to university, and why you're passionate about the subject you want to study.

If you have time, why not practise what you want to say on the call? This can really help if you're feeling nervous.

For more information, read our guide on what to say during Clearing.

Published By Amy Cousins on 17/06/2021 | Last Updated 02/05/2024

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Clearing: The Complete Guide

A Level results day and finding out whether or not you’ve made it into university is a really exciting day, but it can also be really daunting, especially if you find out you’ve been entered into Clearing.

Don’t despair if you find yourself entered into Clearing, it could be the chance you need to get onto your dream course and go to a top university. The best way to be successful during Clearing is to get organised and know as much about it as possible.

That’s where we come in! At ApplytoUni we know everything there is to know about Clearing and applying to university. Just read through our handy guide to Clearing so you can put your best foot forward when you call the admissions team.

What is Clearing?

For those of you that don’t know Clearing is the UCAS process of matching students without university places to universities with course vacancies.

How do I check whether I’ve got a university place?

If you’ve just missed your grades your chosen university might still accept you so check on the UCAS website before you assume you haven’t made it.

Look on your UCAS Track page – if an “Add Clearing choice” button has appeared then you haven’t been successful and you’ve been entered into Clearing. You’ll also find your Clearing Number on this page – make a note of it as you’ll need it when you’re applying to universities.

Am I eligible for Clearing?

You’ll automatically be entered into Clearing if you meet the following criteria:

• You applied for university after the final deadline
• You haven’t yet applied for university – you’ll need to use UCAS to apply for university before using Clearing
• You weren’t made any offers by the universities you applied to
• You didn’t meet the requirements of your offers

You’ll need to make sure that you’ve paid the full UCAS application fee to be eligible for Clearing .  The 2024 application fee is £27.50 for up to five choices.

How long does Clearing last?

The Clearing period usually lasts for a month after A Level results day but bear in mind that course vacancies fill quickly, especially for popular courses.

Vacancies can fill on results day or within the first week afterwards so you’ll need to be prepared and move quickly if you want to secure a place at your ideal university. See Clearing dates for more information.

How do I prepare for Clearing?

If you think you might not get the grades for your firm or insurance choice universities it’s worth making a Clearing plan before the day so that you can get on the phone as soon as you have your results.

Here are our top tips for preparing for Clearing:

• Research alternative universities or courses – you might want to consider looking at different locations or slightly changing your degree subject
• Make a list of 5-10 options – put them in order starting with the one you’re most interested in
• Collect important telephone numbers and email addresses for the university admissions team
• Know why you’re interested in each university on your list – the admissions team will want to know
• Write a list of questions to ask potential universities to show you’re interested

Where can I find course vacancies?

University course vacancies aren’t released until A Level results day and you can find a full list in the following places:

• UCAS website
• The Daily Telegraph – they run a “Clearing special” on results day
• The Telegraph Clearing App

How many universities can I apply to during Clearing?

You can phone as many universities as you like during Clearing but you’ll only be able to apply for one at a time on the UCAS Track page. This means it’s important not to just accept the first offer that is made to you – make sure you’re making the right choice.

What do I need to apply during Clearing?

It’s vital to get everything together before you pick up the phone to admissions. They’ll be really busy during Clearing so don’t waste their time by scrabbling around looking for the important things.

You’ll need:

• Your UCAS Clearing number
• Your UCAS personal ID
• Your A Level results
• Your personal statement
• A list of important questions to ask the admissions team
• A pen and paper
• A good reason to want to go to each university

You might also want to have your GCSE results handy in case the admissions team get down to the nitty gritty.

How do I choose a course during Clearing?

It’s worth keeping an open mind during Clearing as you might find yourself having to consider a university or course you haven’t thought about before. Here are some things to consider when you’re deciding courses during Clearing:

• Look at different locations – whether you wanted to be local or go to the other end of the country, think about doing the opposite.
• Think about a joint degree – if a university doesn’t offer the course you want consider taking a joint degree, for example, English and History instead of straight English.
• Why did you choose your original university? You might find that another university offers exactly the same things.
• Be open minded – didn’t get the grades for a Russell Group uni? There are still plenty of great universities and their degrees aren’t worth any less.
• Compromise – so what if an alternative university is an extra 10 minutes away, if the course is great the extra travel time is worth it.

What do I say when I phone universities during Clearing?

The biggest tip we can give you when phoning universities is to keep calm and be polite. Here are some other tips for contacting universities during Clearing:

• Get on your mobile at your college or get on the phone as soon as you get home.
• Phone yourself – this is obvious but universities need to see independence and getting your parents to phone for you doesn’t demonstrate that!
• If you don’t get through the first time then keep phoning throughout the day.
• Send an email – if you’re really worried that you won’t get through then send a short, polite email to the admissions department with your grades and contact details.
• Note the names of people you’ve spoken to – you might need to know if you have to call them back.
• Accept their decision is final – it’s disappointing if you don’t get an offer but don’t argue with them. Be polite, thank them for their time, and move on to phoning the next university on your list.

How do I add a Clearing choice on UCAS Track?

Once you’ve decided which university offer you want to accept you’ll need to add it on your Track page . This counts as you definitely accepting the offer.

You can only add one Clearing choice at a time but if the university doesn’t confirm your choice then you’ll be able to add another one.

Here’s how to add a Clearing choice on UCAS Track:

• Click “Add Clearing choice” on your UCAS Track page
• Fill in the course details by the date the university gave you on the phone
• Wait for the university to confirm your application – when this happens it will show as “accepted” on your Track page
• Wait for your confirmation letter from UCAS

What do I do if I don’t find a place during Clearing?

Unfortunately there are so many students that apply during Clearing there isn’t a place for everyone, but don’t panic, there are plenty of options if you don’t get a place.

• Gap years– use this time to build your CV and add amazing skills and experience to your personal statement.
• Retake your exams– getting better grades gives you the opportunity to reapply to your original university next year.
• Choose a vocational course– an academic degree might not be the right option for you and if you were looking at taking a vocational subject there are many practical courses available (HND, HNC, Foundation degrees, Access courses, and Apprenticeships)

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Clearing 2024 FAQs

Clearing is an opportunity to explore alternative paths and discover new possibilities. But, as UCAS Clearing looms, students have plenty of burning questions.

We aim to alleviate any concerns or uncertainties you may have about Clearing. This article will address various aspects of the clearing process, including what it is, how it works, and what offers you may receive.

What is UCAS Clearing?

Clearing is the process for applicants to find spots on university courses that still need to be filled. The service is offered by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). It is available to any student who has made an undergraduate application but has no other offers.

Officially, university Clearing runs from Wednesday, 5th of July, 2023, to Tuesday, 17th of October, 2023. The process is a chance for students to find different courses and universities if they receive worse or better grades than expected.

What is Clearing Plus?

Clearing Plus is a tool designed by UCAS to help students find their perfect course. The service is only open to students who have yet to be successful with their applications and are using Clearing for the first time.

The tool is designed to give students a more personalised list of university courses that are likely to accept them. If students are eligible for Clearing Plus, the UCAS Clearing team will look at your original choices, cross-reference these with the courses that universities and colleges have told them are available and then send these to you. You can then see your choices in the “see matches” button on your UCAS Hub .

Am I eligible for Clearing?

To use the Clearing service, you must meet certain criteria first. Any student can use Clearing, though not all students necessarily require it.

To be eligible for Clearing, you must:

• Be applying after Friday, 30th of June 2023.
• Have declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application.
• Have paid the multiple choice application fee of £26.50.
• Have not met the conditions of your offers.
• Have not received any offers (or none you wanted to accept).

Contrary to popular belief, Clearing courses are not just the ones that no one wants to apply for. There are several reasons why a course may still be available. Often, courses may even lower their entry requirements after students have received their results.

What is a conditional offer?

A conditional offer is an offer made to a student by a university. It effectively offers you a place at a university, providing you meet the terms of their offer.

This is usually related to academic performance. This means you will be asked to achieve a certain amount of UCAS tariff points or specific grades in certain subjects. If you meet the terms of this offer, you will be immediately accepted by the university.

What is an unconditional offer?

This is an offer made by a university to a student. This offer guarantees a student a place at a university regardless of their academic performance.

This offer is rare. An unconditional offer is usually made to students before they receive their A-Level, BTEC or T-Level results. Generally, these offers are made to students whose predicted grades are exceptionally high or if they are on an academic scholarship.

What is an informal offer?

An informal offer is sometimes known as a verbal offer. Essentially, this is an offer made to a student by a university that has yet to be formally completed.

These offers grant students more time. With an informal offer, you will have a greater chance to research a university and the course before you accept. Informal offers are only ever offered to students entering Clearing.

What is self-release?

Self-release is the process of a student releasing themselves into Clearing. If you are holding an offer from a university or course but don’t want to accept it, you can release yourself into Clearing.

Those who do this should do so only when they have done their research. You cannot back out of this decision if you change your mind and you will need to have done extensive research on the university or course you are applying for before you do this.

What is a firm choice?

A firm choice is your first choice when you make your UCAS application . Assuming you meet the university's conditions and requirements on results day, you will be offered a place there.

What is an insurance choice?

This is your backup option. If you do not meet the terms of the offer from your firm choice university, you will attend your insurance choice, provided you meet their requirements.

What is UCAS Extra?

UCAS Extra allows you to apply for another course or university. This is only for students who have not received any offers or have turned down all of their five places.

It is possible to use the service if you are not holding any offers. It is also possible to use UCAS Extra if you are awaiting a response from any of your initial five applications.

Can international students use Clearing?

International students can use Clearing, which works in the same way as it does for students from the UK too.

The criteria for an international student to use Clearing is:

• Applied through UCAS at an earlier stage before Clearing opens.
• Be applying after Friday, the 30 of June, 2023.
• Been rejected by your firm and insurance choices.
• Met the conditions of your firm or insurance choice but have rejected them.

International students are advised to begin work on their application earlier. This is because students will need to ensure that they have their student visa, begin preparation for a university interview or potentially sit an entrance exam or English language test.

Can you reject your insurance offer and go through Clearing instead?

Yes, you can. This is called “self-release”, and students can reject their insurance choice and enter themselves into the Clearing process.

This was not always the case. In prior years, students would need to wait for their insurance choice to formally release them from their offer before they could enter into Clearing. However, as of 2019, UCAS has introduced a system whereby students can release themselves .

What are the Clearing dates?

Clearing officially opens on Wednesday, the 5th of July, 2023. Clearing closes on Tuesday, the 17th of October 2023. Though A-Level results day , BTEC results day and T-Levels results day are a bit later, meaning that if you apply before this date, you may not have such a wide variety of options to choose from.

How much does Clearing cost?

If you have made an application before the 30th of June, 2023, you will need to pay an additional fee. The initial fee is £22.50 and then an additional charge of £4.50.

Do universities lower entry requirements in Clearing?

This depends on the university and the course. If a course is not getting many applicants, the university may potentially lower the entry requirements .

Not all universities will do this. You will need to keep an eye on a university’s entry requirements on UCAS or by speaking to the university directly.

Can you still attend open days before making a decision through Clearing?

Yes, you can. Many universities that enter Clearing often offer university open days for students specifically going through Clearing.

Some universities do not do this. You will need to speak to the university beforehand to find out if they offer any open days for Clearing students.

Is it hard to find student accommodation through Clearing?

This depends on when you apply. Some universities will have their accommodation gone very quickly, and others will not.

Researching the university’s accommodation before applying is a good idea. That way, you can at least apply for the accommodation when you apply for the course, giving you a greater chance of securing it. Some universities may allocate accommodation quicker than others, so you may have to make do with what they offer you.

Do Russell Group Universities enter into Clearing?

Yes, they do - but not all of them. Unsurprisingly, universities such as the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford do not offer Clearing courses.

This changes every year. Some Russell Group Universities will offer Clearing one year and then not for the following year and vice versa.

Can I use Adjustment if my grades are better than expected?

Adjustment does not exist anymore. UCAS abolished Adjustment in 2022 in favour of Clearing Plus and self-release. If your grades are better than expected, you will now enter Clearing.

Previously, Adjustment worked similarly to Clearing. This was a process where those who had exceeded their predicted grades or performed better than expected could look for different universities or courses.

Where is my UCAS number?

Your UCAS number can be found in your UCAS Hub .

When does UCAS Hub update on Result’s Day?

Your UCAS Hub will update at 08:00am on results day. You will also have your offers from your university in your Hub. If you receive your results before results day, they will automatically appear in your UCAS Hub.

Do universities accept T-Levels in Clearing?

Some universities accept T-Levels during Clearing. It depends on the university and whether they accept them as part of their overall application, as some universities may still need to recognise them formally.

Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?

No, you do not need a new personal statement for Clearing. Your personal statement will already be a part of your UCAS application, so you won’t need to write a new one.

However, if you are applying for a new subject, you must write one. In this instance, you will not upload the personal statement to UCAS. Instead, you will send it to the university directly, who will assess it from there.

Can I apply to Clearing if I have already accepted an offer from a university but changed my mind?

You can. You will need to speak to the university directly and ask them to release you from your offer. After you have done this, the university will release you into Clearing.

It is best to give the university plenty of warning. Calling up to withdraw your place with time to spare means that the university can facilitate your release quicker. If you ask too late, the university may not release you.

How can I prepare for Clearing interviews with universities?

You can prepare for a Clearing interview the same way you would typically prepare for a university interview . You may not have much time to prepare, but you will have some.

The best preparation is to have everything you need. Find yourself a quiet room with no distractions, all the information you need (your results, Clearing number, work experience, personal statement etc.) as well as a pen and a pad and think about what questions you may have for the interviewer , the same as if you were attending an open day.

Are there any specific scholarships or financial aid options available for students going through Clearing?

There is no specific form of financial aid for students going through Clearing. That is not to say that the university you are applying to does not offer any funding support of any kind, there just aren’t any specific to Clearing.

What deadlines do I need to be aware of when going through Clearing?

There are only two you need to be aware of:

• Clearing opens: 5th July 2023.
• Clearing closes: 17th October 2023.

There are no specific deadlines aside from these that you need to be aware of.

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How to apply to university through clearing

This easy, step-by-step guide will take you through the clearing process, from searching for a course to the resulting university offer

The early bird ...

You can use clearing from 8am on results day. Use your Ucas personal ID number to log into your Track page. If you haven’t received any offers, or didn’t meet the conditions of your offer, your Track screen will tell you that you are now in clearing. You’ll find your clearing number on the Track home page in the top left hand corner, under the My Status section. Keep this number to hand as you’ll need it at every stage of the process.

Start your search

Use the Ucas course search tool to find courses that have places in your chosen subject. You’ll also find contact details on the tool, as some universities will have special clearing hotline numbers. Make a shortlist of potential places.

Be prepared

Get all your relevant information together. This might include your Ucas ID number, your clearing number, your A-level and GCSE results, details of relevant work experience, portfolios, and a copy of your personal statement, plus any notes and queries on the courses and universities that interest you.

Get on the phone

Start calling your chosen universities. You need to contact them directly and it needs to be you who calls. The admissions staff member will ask for your clearing number, which will enable them to open your Track screen and look at your application, results and personal statement.

Question time

If you’re eligible for a place and there’s still one available, the admissions staff member will probably ask you some questions – almost like a mini interview. These are not designed to catch you out, but to see if you’re a good fit for the course.

Make me an offer

The university may then make you a verbal offer. There are no conditional offers in clearing as you’ve already got your results. Or they may say they would like to call you back. Verbal offers usually come with time limits, so you may have a chance to think about it.

Keep on track

Once you accept an offer, you will need to update your Track screen – the university won’t update your Track for you. All you will need to do is click on the option which allows you to add a clearing choice.

Your confirmation

Importantly, just updating your Track screen isn’t enough. You’ll also have to contact the university directly and tell them that you have accepted their offer. Ask how they would like you to do this – some will want you to send a letter; others will accept an email. Make sure you keep a record of what offers are made, and ask how the offer will be confirmed and in what timeframe.

Congratulations!

You’ve got your place. Now go out and celebrate

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How Clearing works

Clearing can be a confusing and stressful time - but it doesn't need to be. This is our guide to how Clearing works, what you need to do to make a university Clearing application, and what happens once you've applied.

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Clearing 2024 opens on 5 July. If you're interested in studying at Goldsmiths, use our  course finder  to browse our courses.

Applying – Cleared! Watch our advice on applying through Clearing

What is Clearing?

Clearing is an alternative way of applying to university. You may choose to go through Clearing if:

• You’ve applied through  UCAS  but haven’t got the results you need to attend the universities you applied for
• You got better results than expected and you’d like to apply for a different institution
• You’ve changed your mind about the course you want to study or where you want to study
• You’re applying for university for the first time and you’ve missed the normal UCAS cycle

What if I got better grades than expected?

If you received better results than expected you can still apply to a different institution via Clearing.

You apply via the same process as a normal Clearing applicant.

How do I know that I need to go through Clearing?

You can see whether you’ve been offered a place at a university on  UCAS Track . Even if you didn’t get the results you needed, you may still have been offered a place. Universities make offers based on a range of factors including your work experience.

Make sure you check UCAS Track on the morning of Results Day so you know what your situation is. If you haven’t got a place at a university, now is the time to start contacting universities to check whether you’re eligible for a Clearing place.

When does Clearing open?

Clearing opens on 5 July 2024.

How do I sign up for Clearing?

There’s no need to sign up for Clearing, you can simply start contacting universities. However, some universities will offer a call-back service or the ability to register your interest for available courses. That way institutions can start considering your application as soon as you get your exam results.

What grades do I need for Clearing?

Every university will have different grade requirements for their courses in Clearing. These are generally lower than the grades they’d ask for earlier in the year.

To check grade requirements, visit the institution’s website or give them a call. Even if you haven’t got the grades for the course you want to study, there may be other options including  integrated degrees that may be available to you.

Can international students apply through Clearing?

Yes, international students are able to apply through Clearing . However, you’ll need to make sure that you meet any English Language Requirements  and that you apply in time to be able to fulfil any visa requirements that are necessary for you to study in the UK. If you need advice then you can contact our International office  or speak to our Immigration team .

How do I make a Clearing application?

To apply through Clearing, you contact universities directly. Many universities will have a dedicated Clearing hotline you can call to speak to an advisor about your situation. Some universities will also be able to give you advice online, for example over WhatsApp, or on social media. If you already have your results, it may also be possible to submit an application online. From 5 July 2024, you can apply to Goldsmiths via Clearing using our online application form .

What do I need to make a Clearing application?

Universities will usually publish a list of available courses on their website – take a look at this before you get in touch. If the course you want isn’t available, or you don’t meet the entry requirements, the person you speak to may be able to suggest other courses you could apply for.

You’ll also need:

• Your results – you’ll be asked what A-levels, BTECs or equivalent qualifications you have, and you may be asked for your GCSE results
• Your contact information
• Your UCAS ID number, if you have already submitted a UCAS application

Decline your place

If you have decided you no longer want to take up your firm choice and would like to take up an offer from elsewhere or no longer want to study at university this year, you can ask to decline your place and be released into Clearing. You just need to contact your firm choice institution to decline your place and enter Clearing.

If you are an unconditional firm Goldsmiths offer holder, then you will be able to decline your place via our  Release into Clearing form . Once you have declined your place and entered Clearing, you have given up your place. If you change your mind please contact us, but we are not able to guarantee you can get your original choice back.

Clearing Plus

UCAS has introduced a service to help applicants find suitable courses through Clearing.  Clearing Plus will match you with a number of courses based on your qualifications, grades and your course choices if you have applied earlier in the cycle. You can then tick off the ones you are interested in on Track and those universities can then get in touch with you and potentially offer you a place on a course. Please take a look at the  UCAS web pages for more information.

Do I need a personal statement for Clearing?

For most Clearing courses, you’ll be assessed purely on your exam results. However, some courses may require that you submit a portfolio , have a phone interview with an academic, or write a short statement about why you’re interested in studying the course. When you contact a university, they’ll tell you exactly what you need to do to make an application.

Do I need a Clearing reference number?

When your application enters Clearing you’ll be given a Clearing reference number. This is different to your UCAS ID. Most universities will only ask you for your UCAS ID, which they use to verify your results and track your application.

Can I apply for Clearing without a UCAS account?

You can apply through Clearing without a UCAS account. However, if you are made an offer you’ll need to accept it via  UCAS . The best thing to do is to  set up a UCAS account  before you start contacting universities, so you’re ready to accept any offers that come your way.

How long does the Clearing application process take?

The initial phone call should only take around 10 minutes, and you’ll usually get a decision straight away.

Sometimes the university may require some additional information, or have to complete some additional checks before they can offer you a place. In this case, you can usually expect to hear back about your Clearing application within three to four hours.

Can I make an application through Clearing before I know my results?

Universities will need to know your results before they can make you an offer through Clearing. However, you can call a university the moment you have your results if you want to discuss your Clearing options. You are also welcome to get in touch before this to discuss your options based on your predicted results. At Goldsmiths you can get in touch with our Admissions Team:

Email:  admissions (@gold.ac.uk)

Can I apply through Clearing if I already have an offer?

You will be able to make an application through Clearing even if you already have an offer to study at a university. However, Goldsmiths will not be able to make you an offer unless you are released from your initial offer, which you do by contacting the institution where you have a place and asking them to release you into Clearing.

If you are already holding an offer from Goldsmiths and want to change to a different programme, you don't need to reapply via Clearing. Just contact  admissions (@gold.ac.uk) to ask us to transfer your offer. This is normally straightforward, except where the new programme you want to apply for has additional entry criteria, where we would take you through what you need to do to change.

If I’ve been rejected for a course, can I reapply for the course again in Clearing?

If there are places available, and you meet the new application criteria, then you are able to reapply for the course when it enters Clearing.

I’ve been made an offer through Clearing. What next? 

If you’ve been offered a place through Clearing you’ll need to  log on to UCAS Track  and accept it. If you've been offered a place on A-level Results Day, you'll be able to do this from the 3pm. 

This confirms that you’ll definitely be attending that institution in September. You’ll usually be sent an email outlining this after you’ve made your application.

Can I still apply for accommodation if I go through Clearing?

This depends on the university you're interested in. Some institutions will have accommodation places available for Clearing students.

At Goldsmiths, our  accommodation  team will be happy to discuss your options with you, including advice on finding private housing if you don't want to live in halls. 

Students at Goldsmiths also have access to the experts at  University of London Housing Services (ULHS)  who can assist and support you in looking for private accommodation. The ULHS has a dedicated Housing Advice Team who can also help provide legal advice and check private contracts. Most importantly they have an  online housing database  of private landlords, letting agents, private halls and other providers of private accommodation who have signed up to their Code of Practice . 

Please be aware that we often receive a higher number of applications for accommodation than we have places available. This means that it might not always be possible to offer everyone a place in halls of residence for the start of term, in which case some applicants may be placed on our waiting list. Alternatively, there are a range of ways that we can support you in finding a place to live by renting privately, as detailed above.

Clearing and results day 2024 FAQs: applying directly to university

We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions for students applying directly to university for the first time through Clearing and shared our advice.

Sophia got a place in uni after applying directly through Clearing.  Hear her story .

How do you start applying for Clearing courses?

There are two ways. The first is to create a UCAS Hub account before you begin calling universities. You’ll be given a UCAS ID number once you create an account, which you’ll need to have on hand when calling universities. When you have your grades, you can start applying to unis by calling their Clearing hotlines and seeing what verbal offers you get.

The second way is to call university Clearing hotlines as soon as you get your results. Some universities will let you apply for a Clearing course without having a UCAS account. The uni will typically email you your offer with a link to complete an online form.

What’s the most effective way to use Clearing?

The most effective way to use Clearing is to do as much research as possible before you begin calling universities. Use our Clearing search tool to see what Clearing courses are available, and which courses you’ll be eligible for based on your grades. Save any courses you’re interested in and then compare them on your Whatuni account.

Once you have a shortlist of five courses, start calling. If you’re calling more than one university, don’t accept any verbal offers right away. Call each university on your list first, see what offers you get and then choose the one that most suits you by adding the course to your UCAS Hub account.

What should you consider when comparing Clearing courses?

• University location
• Module choices
• Teaching methods
• Assessment types
• Placement opportunities
• Course accreditation (if needed)
• Graduate opportunities

When should you start using Clearing?

As soon as Clearing opens on 5 July. When Clearing opens, you’ll be able to see what courses are available. If you’re not waiting to get your grades, make a shortlist of courses you’d like to apply for and start calling universities. If you don’t get your grades until August, use the time beforehand to research courses, create a shortlist of those you’re interested in and have everything ready to call universities once you get your results.

Ayesha, who earned a place through Clearing to study architecture, maintains:

What courses are in Clearing?

You won’t know what courses are in Clearing until Clearing begins on 5 July.

What should you have on hand when calling universities?

Have these with you:

• Your Clearing number
• Your UCAS ID number
• Course name and code
• Your personal statement
• Your grades
• Any questions you’d like to ask

Should you talk about your work experience when calling universities?

Yes, if your work experience is relevant to why you want to study a particular subject. You can discuss what you’ve learned from your work experience and use this to demonstrate why you’d be a good fit on the course you’re applying for.

Do you have to accept a Clearing offer straight away?

No, you can take your time to consider a verbal offer a university makes over the phone. But don’t wait too long as Clearing places can fill up quickly. Once you know whether you want to take the offer, log in to your UCAS Hub account and add the Clearing course using the university’s institution code and course code.

What if you get multiple offers in Clearing?

You can get as many verbal offers as you like. Don’t feel compelled to take the first offer you get. Call each university on your shortlist, see what offers you get and then decide from there.

What if you don’t get an immediate Clearing offer?

Don’t give up. Keep calling the universities on your shortlist to see if you get any offers. If you still get no offers, go back a step and research what other Clearing courses have places available.

Nnenna, a student who earned a place through Clearing to study international relations and politics, believes:

Do you have to attend an interview in Clearing?

This will depend on the course you’re applying for. You’ll be notified about this when you apply.

Can you organise student accommodation in Clearing?

Yes. Most universities reserve rooms for Clearing students. You’ll only be able to apply for student accommodation once your offer on a course is confirmed. The university will send you all the information you need about  how to apply for student accommodation .

When do you sort your student finance?

Apply for your student loan, maintenance loan and any other student funding as soon as your offer on a course is confirmed. Your  student finance  provider will need to know the details of your course before you can apply.

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What is Clearing? Your questions answered

Have a quick read through these Clearing FAQs. From What is Clearing? to When does Clearing start? They'll help you understand what happens in Clearing and they are based on questions other students ask us.

Top Clearing FAQs: The most common Clearing questions 

• What is Clearing?
• Can I apply through Clearing?
• What do universities look for in applicants when they make offers?
• When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?
• I am still waiting to hear from my firm choice uni, can you make me a Clearing offer?
• Can I still apply for uni?
• What courses are available through Clearing?
• Who can use Clearing for university entry?
• Clearing and T-Levels: Do universities accept T-Levels in Clearing?
• Do I need to wait until August to apply through Clearing?
• Can I apply to more than one university through Clearing?
• What happens about my student loan application?
• What if I decide to apply for a different course or university through Clearing?
• What should I have ready for Clearing?
• How do I prepare / send my portfolio for Clearing?
• How do I prepare for a Clearing interview?
• What does referred mean on UCAS?
• Can I use Clearing to transfer to Brighton from another university?
• What is UCAS Clearing Plus?
• Can you get into Clearing with lower grades?
• Do universities see your other choices?
• Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?
• When do universities confirm your place?
• When can I apply through Clearing?
• What is the latest you can apply for university?
• Can you get rejected from Clearing?
• How do Access course students apply through Clearing?
• Do universities check your GCSE results?
• When can I add a Clearing Choice?
• Can I apply to the same university through Clearing?
• Do I need to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing?

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1 What is Clearing?

Clearing is part of the UCAS application process.

It matches you with available university places and is a chance for you to make a positive move and choose what's right for you. It also allows you to find a place at university if you don't yet hold an offer.

2 Can I apply through Clearing?

You can apply for Clearing if you already have your A-level, BTEC, IB, Access course or equivalent level exam grades and you are not holding any university offers.

Am I eligible for Clearing with my exam grades?

You might be. Call us on 01273-644000 to discuss your situation.  If you are eligible with your current exam grades our admissions team could make you an offer.  

3 What do universities look for in applicants when they make offers?

Each university is different. We welcome a range of qualifications and consider each application individually. Our approach is about you as an individual and we look beyond grades at your personal experience, ambition and potential. Take a look at the flexible and inclusive way we consider applications in Clearing to see how it can work for you.

4 When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?

UCAS Clearing starts officially on Friday 5 July 2024, but if you are waiting for exam results you will have to wait to receive them before you can apply. From that point you can seek out Clearing places by phone and refer yourself via UCAS track. When does Clearing end? Clearing ends on Monday 21 October 2024.

5 I am still waiting to hear from my firm choice uni, can you make me a Clearing offer?

Yes, once Clearing opens in July 2024 we can make you an offer if you meet our grade requirements. You can contact us now for advice about the options at Brighton and the next steps.

6 Can I still apply for uni?

Is it too late to apply for uni? No. You can call us on 01273 644644 . There's always people here to help you.

7 What courses are available though Clearing?

Once Clearing is open you can use our  course finder  to find out what courses are available through Clearing.

8 Who can use Clearing for university entry?

Many students aiming to secure a place are eligible to apply through Clearing for university. There are several different reasons for doing so. You are eligible to use Clearing if:

• you are applying for a university place after 30 June
• you applied through UCAS for a place, but are not holding any offers
• you do not meet the grades required by your firm and insurance choice universities
• you have had a change of heart about your choice of course or university
• you are a UK, European, Irish or international student.

9 Clearing and T-levels: Do universities accept T-levels during Clearing?

Some universities will accept T-levels during Clearing in 2024, however, we don’t accept them for all courses. Check our T-level advice and guidance for our courses that do accept T-levels for entry. T-level results are announced on the same day as A-levels. 

10 Do I need to wait until August to apply through Clearing?

Clearing for university places is open from 5 July and continues until mid-October. You must know all your exam results before you can get an offer of a place through Clearing.

• If you already have your exam results – for example, if you completed your qualifications last year – you can apply through Clearing now.
• If you receive your exam results in July – for example, if you are completing an Access course, the International Baccalaureate (IB) or some BTEC qualifications – you can be considered for a place as soon as you have your results in July.
• If you are still waiting for your exam results, you can use Clearing from results day on Thursday 15 August 2024
• Can I still apply for uni after Clearing? Yes, you can apply to start with us in 2024. For advice call us on 01273 644644 and our advisors can help you to make the right choice for you.

11 Can I apply to more than one university through Clearing?

One of the most popular questions about university Clearing. You can receive multiple verbal offers in Clearing. However, you can only confirm one university course as your final choice. When you receive a verbal offer what happens in Clearing is that a university will usually give you a deadline by which to confirm your choice.

12 What happens about my student loan application?

Student Finance applications will open in Spring 2024.

13 What if I decide to apply for a different course or university through Clearing?

• First you should research what is involved in the new course and confirm that it is a good fit for you.
• Contact universities to check whether they can make you a verbal offer in Clearing.
• Your Clearing application will contain your original personal statement. If you wish to submit a new personal statement to reflect your interest in the new course, contact the university to ask them how to do this.

14 What should I have ready for Clearing?

• A list of the courses and subject areas you're interested in.
• Your qualifications or grades.
• Your UCAS ID number (if you haven't already applied through UCAS, we'll provide you with an RPA form when you call us).
• Your date of birth, postal address, email address and phone number. For creative media, arts and architecture courses, a link to your online digital portfolio.
• If you're unsure, you can get more information about applying through Clearing  by looking around our site.

15 How do I prepare / send my portfolio for Clearing?

Some of our creative media, arts and architecture courses require you to prepare an online portfolio of your work. You can find out if your course needs a portfolio, and get advice on what to include and how to present your work on our online portfolio advice page.

16 How do I prepare for a Clearing interview?

For some courses you will need to attend an interview as part of the Clearing process. The interview helps us assess your suitability for the course and the profession you are interested in. Read our tips on preparing for a Clearing interview .

17 What does referred mean on UCAS?

This is a really common question students ask about Clearing, so we've included it in our What is Clearing section. Referred means that UCAS has sent your application to a university. It isn't anything to worry about, and you should receive more information quickly.

18 Can I use Clearing to transfer to Brighton from another university?

How do you sign up for Clearing to transfer from another university and can you do this? Yes you can, we have Clearing advice on this on our guide to transferring from another university .

19 What is UCAS Clearing Plus?

Clearing Plus is a new UCAS process for undergraduate applicants who are unplaced. It is accessible via UCAS Hub, and will match people to relevant courses with vacancies. Your best chance of receiving an offer is to contact us directly.

20 Can you get into Clearing with lower grades?

You can get into Clearing with lower grades because grades aren't everything that's used to decide if you get a place at university. So, how does university Clearing work if you do have lower grades? Well, Clearing is about matching you with the courses that are available and we look at who you are and your aspirations as much as we do your examination results. If you are unsure, call the friendly applications team 01273 644000   and they can explain more.

21 Do universities see your other choices?

Yes, universities can see your other choices but only once you have decided which offers to accept – up to this point they won't see that you are considering other places. However, it's possible they could see this information if you decline offers, if your application has been unsuccessful or if you have no live choices. In many ways it's not that important what universities might see: ultimately it's your choice where you want to apply.

22 Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?

No you don't need a new personal statement for Clearing - unless you've changed your mind on which course or subject you want to study. Your original statement will have all the details in there. However, one of the useful university Clearing tips you should take away is to update the university on any work experience or qualifications you've had since you completed your initial personal statement.

23 When do universities confirm your place?

If you applied to university in the main application cycle and if you meet the conditions of your offer your place will be confirmed when the university receives your results. If you are applying through Clearing and receive an offer, and meet its conditions you can accept the offer either via UCAS Hub or with our confirmation of clearing application form .

24 When can I apply through Clearing?

You can apply through UCAS Clearing when you receive your exam results: for A-levels this will be on 15 July 2024. You apply to uni through Clearing by adding our offer as your first choice on UCAS Hub. Clearing opens early at Brighton so you can get useful advice from our applications team. Give us a call: 01273 644000 .

25 What is the latest you can apply for university?

The UCAS deadline latest you can apply for university is on the deadline 31 January 2024 at 6pm. Universities must consider all applications received by this time equally. However, you will be able to submit a late application if there are places still available on that course.

26 Can you get rejected from Clearing?

You don't get rejected from Clearing. It's possible that there isn't a course available that matches what you want, but this isn't a rejection and you will get excellent support from our Clearing advice team who can help find alternatives you've not considered. Worse case scenario is you take a fresh look at your options and find another way to get onto a course the following year. Don't worry about being rejected from Clearing. Speak with us; we are here to help 01273 644000 .

27 How do Access course students apply through Clearing?

Access course students apply through Clearing in the same way once Clearing opens in July – you may receive a verbal offer straight away if you have your results. This year Access students will get their results on 30 July. Access course students are required to submit their results to their firm choice university. If you don't have a confirmed place or want to explore Clearing places with us we'll have an online Clearing application form in addition to our telephone hotline.

Once you have decided that you would like to accept an offer of a place through Clearing you will need to confirm your acceptance – either through UCAS or by sending a confirmation of clearing application form .

28 Do universities check your GCSE results?

Universities do check your GCSE results if they feel these are important in your application. You might want to change direction from the subjects you studied at A-level and have great results at GCSE, so don't forget to include these or mention them when you apply through Clearing.

29 When can I add a Clearing Choice?

You can add a Clearing choice on results day and can only add one choice at a time. However, you can apply through Clearing more than once by adding another choice if you don't get accepted the first time.

30 Can I apply to the same university through Clearing?

If you get rejected from a university you can still apply to the same university through Clearing. It's also possible to apply through Clearing to more than one course at the same university.

31 Do I need to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing?

You don't have to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing, but you will need a UCAS account to accept an offer. As you'll need an account at some point and it makes the process quicker, you might as well set one up now.

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Clearing and results day FAQs

Your frequently asked questions on results day and clearing answered, and advice on what to do if things don’t turn out as you’d hoped..

Results day FAQs

Clearing faqs, clearing and results day faqs for parents.

Results day can be an emotional time and it can be hard to organise all the thoughts and questions you may have.

How should you prepare for results day?

Whatever your expectations, you should have a contingency plan in place. 

Carefully consider all your options, including resitting your exams, deferring, taking a gap year, or reapplying next year. 

If you're feeling nervous, talk to people who've experienced results day already, whether that’s a parent, older sibling, friend, or teacher. 

Read our FAQs and take a look at our results day and Clearing page  for more info.

How do you check if you have a place at university?

The best way is to regularly check your UCAS Hub. 

UCAS Hub updates as soon as updates are received from universities. This tends to be at around 8:30 am, but be ready from 8 am on results day. Even if you don't get the grades you need, you should check your UCAS Hub first as you may still be offered a place. 

Remember to have your password and ID number for UCAS Hub at hand and check your email inbox isn’t full and can accept bulk emails. Many universities will send confirmation messages automatically to a list of their applicants. 

What should you do if you're away for results day?

Our advice is never be away on results day, but if unavoidable there are measures you can take. 

Make arrangements with your school to get access to your results if you can't get them online. You should also check your UCAS Hub as soon as possible on results day. If you need to go through Clearing, don’t leave it till you get back to contact universities as this could reduce your options significantly. 

You’ve got your expected results and met the entry requirements of your Conditional Firm (CF) choice. Do you need to do anything on results day?

Congratulations! You should have a place at your first-choice university. 

Still check UCAS Hub for peace of mind, especially if you have an offer expressed in UCAS points rather than grades. Once Hub confirms you’ve met the conditions of your offer, wait for the confirmation email from your university. Check that the university has the right email address and that your inbox is set up to receive messages from them. 

If you have any questions for your university, it’s best to wait until the following week to contact them as they’ll be extremely busy for the first few days after results come out.   Once you've celebrated, you can start thinking about preparing to go to university. 

You just missed out on your Conditional Firm (CF) choice. Is it worth calling them to see if they’ll still offer you a place?

Yes, it's worth contacting them, but be aware it may not change anything. 

This will usually mean the course is full, but it’s worth calling to see if anyone decides not to take their offer. The university may be able to offer you an alternative, similar course, for example via joint honours or with a foundation year. 

You haven’t achieved the grades needed for your chosen university. What can you do? 

Stay positive! You have a number of options. You could find an alternative course or university via Clearing and can read more about this below in our Clearing FAQs. 

Alternatively, you might consider resitting your exams or taking a gap year.

What if you want to appeal your A Level results?

Some students will be unhappy with what they were awarded, but there are options. Read more about how to appeal your A Level results and find out the best course of action. 

• Choosing a course
• Choosing a university

Clearing is available for students who don't get their required grades, don't receive an offer, haven't yet applied or have chosen to self-release.

What's UCAS Clearing? How does Clearing work?

UCAS Clearing is a way of matching universities without students to students without a university place. 

Clearing can be used by almost any potential student, whether applying late or for strategic reasons – for example, trading up to a university you initially thought you wouldn't get into.   

Who can use UCAS Clearing and Clearing self-release?

All students are eligible. It’s most often used by those who haven't got the grades needed to secure their place, those who applied later, those who got no offers or those who don’t want to take the place they’ve been offered. 

UCAS applications received after the 30 June deadline, or students who miss their grade target, are automatically entered into Clearing. 

Self-release allows students who are already holding a university place to release themselves into Clearing rather than wait for their original choice of university to release them. Self-release is available in UCAS Hub from July onwards. 

Those who haven't yet applied to any universities can also apply through Clearing once they have their results. However, you'll need to have completed a UCAS application to use Clearing. 

You can apply online through UCAS Apply. Don't forget you'll need a reference as well as your personal statement. 

Is there a difference for international students in Clearing? 

You should aim to go through this process as quickly and early as possible, as there are some differences in applying through Clearing for international students. 

You may have to apply for a student visa. This can take time if there are lots of people applying at the same time. 

You might have to take some tests such as a language assessment to secure a place. Your university may also ask to have an interview with you. Ask each university directly what they need as it'll vary depending on where you're from and the university you’re going to. 

If you're taking International Baccalaureate exams, you'll have an advantage over UK students when using Clearing. This is because most UK students don't get exam results until August. 

To find out more read our Clearing advice for international and EU students 

What's the best way to approach Clearing?

A positive attitude can go a long way to being successful in Clearing. Make a list of universities with available courses that you’d consider, their phone numbers and email addresses. Think about what you might say beforehand and make notes if you need to. 

It’s important to make the call yourself rather than asking someone to do this on your behalf, unless you have a disability that necessitates this. When you call universities, be positive about yourself and the university. Remember you're competing for places with other students.

Be prepared to say why you want to study that particular course at that particular institution and what you can offer. Be ready to answer questions on your exam results, your motivation and your experience. Staff want to feel confident that you want to study there and that you’re not choosing them out of desperation. Prepare your own questions to ask them too.

Getting a place through Clearing isn't as difficult as it sounds, and you may be surprised at the number of vacancies. However, depending on your results there'll be some courses and universities that'll be unattainable, and recognising this early on will save you a lot of time. 

Read our top tips for preparing for a Clearing call.

What are the Clearing dates?

UCAS Clearing runs from 5 July until 21 October 2024 .

While you can't apply through Clearing until you have your results, you should avoid being in Clearing all the way up to the October deadline. The longer you leave it, the fewer places will be available. 

See the full breakdown of this year's  application deadlines .

How will you know if you're in Clearing?

Your UCAS Hub status will say ‘you are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. 

If you didn’t match the entry requirements but your Hub status doesn't say you’re in Clearing, it could mean your results haven't been updated or the universities are still considering your application. 

Which universities accept students through Clearing?

There’s a stereotype associated with Clearing that only less prestigious universities will have spaces available. This isn't true. The university places available through Clearing varies each year based on which courses have places still to fill. 

Can you reject your insurance offer and go through Clearing instead?

Yes, you can now self-release yourself into Clearing.

You no longer have to wait to be released by your insurance choice, but can do it yourself, saving valuable time.

• Guide to UCAS Clearing
• Appealing your A Level results

Can you change your mind about your course and go through Clearing instead? 

You can. You'll need to get in touch with the uni you originally applied to and ask to be released (make sure you do this as soon as you can). After they release you, you'll be entered into Clearing. 

Will universities go below their usual entry requirements during Clearing?

Within the context of Clearing, they may well go lower than the offer listed on their prospectus. It depends on how much demand each university and course have, as well as the grades of other interested students. The best way to find out is to ask the universities directly.  

• University entry requirements

If you get multiple offers through Clearing, can you put them all into UCAS Track?

You can only add one Clearing choice at a time. If the university doesn't confirm your place, you can then add another. 

You’ve applied for deferred entry to university and have been unsuccessful with both your Conditional Firm (CF) and Conditional Insurance (CI) choices. Can you go through Clearing or will you have to reapply?

You can go through Clearing, but not to apply for a deferred place. 

Typically, you can only use Clearing to secure a place on a course for the upcoming academic year. However, if you want to enquire further, it’s worth calling the university to at least ask. 

Is it true you can't enter Clearing until you've been declined by your choices?

Not at all. 

You'll automatically be entered into the Clearing process if you don't get an offer from either your CF or CI choices. 

You didn’t meet either of your offers but the universities haven’t declined yet. What should you do?

Call the universities to check the status of your application. 

It may be that some results are missing, or you haven't met the grades and universities are placing near misses such as yourself to see who they can take. They could also be waiting for other candidates' results to come in before deciding. 

The UCAS system can take time to update. If it hasn't been updated later in the day, make a start on your plan B and start calling a few universities with Clearing vacancies.  

You can’t get through using the hotline number. What should you do?

Be patient. Unfortunately, this is the reality of Clearing! 

University hotlines will be extremely busy but persevere and you’ll get through eventually. You could also try emailing or contacting on social media, but calling is likely to be the quickest and most direct route – even if it doesn't feel like it. 

You'd like to go through Clearing but haven’t applied yet. When's the deadline for Clearing and can you still apply through it?

You can still apply but you'll need to get organised. 

You’ll need to complete the UCAS application as normal, including a personal statement. You can’t add course choices but once registered, you’ll get an email with a link to UCAS Hub and your Clearing number. 

• Tips for writing your perfect personal statement

Does going through Clearing affect getting your student loan?

If you've already applied for funding but changed your course or university, you need to update your details as soon as possible. 

If you've made your first application through Clearing and haven't applied for finance yet, you need to apply now to give yourself the best possible chance of getting your first loan in time for starting your course. 

There's a possibility you won't get your loan in time for the start of the year. 

How do you find accommodation while going through Clearing?

If the course and university are right, go for it and think about accommodation later. But if you've got a few options, accommodation availability could be a useful way to decide where to go. 

You’ll need to stay relaxed and be prepared to compromise. If the university you want to go to has run out of spaces in the type of accommodation you’re after, then you'll have to think about what's more important to you: your university or where you live. 

Be proactive. Go to house viewings, keep ringing the accommodation providers or estate agents, get onto social media groups to find potential housemates, and do your research. The accommodation you end up in can have a major bearing on your first-year experience, so it's worth putting in the effort to find somewhere right for you. 

• Student accommodation
• Student halls and houses
• How much does uni accommodation cost?
• Student housing: private sector

How long does your child have to find a course through Clearing? 

The last day to add a Clearing choice and for universities to accept Clearing applicants in 2024 is 17 October . However, your child should aim to get a place through Clearing as quickly as possible as spaces will be filled quickly. 

What steps does your child need to take between results day and starting university? 

Once your child has secured a place at university, there’s some serious preparation to be done before they start. 

The main things they'll need to sort out are finances and accommodation. These aren’t the most exciting tasks, but they're important. Your child should also open a student bank account – most major banks offer these with varying incentives, so shop around to find the best one. 

They should also use this time to start deciding what possessions they're going to take with them and what can be left at home.

How can you help your child prepare for university? 

There are many ways you can help your child prepare for independent life at university. 

Teaching your child practical skills for independent living is important. If they don’t do these things already, use the time between results day and start of university to get them doing their own washing and cooking their own meals.  

Budgeting is also very important. Sit down with them and work out how much money they’ll have per week, and if they’ll need any additional financial support.

• Results day and Clearing
• Clearing success stories

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, what is a personal statement everything you need to know about the college essay.

College Admissions , College Essays

In addition to standardized test scores and transcripts, a personal statement or essay is a required part of many college applications. The personal statement can be one of the most stressful parts of the application process because it's the most open ended.

In this guide, I'll answer the question, "What is a personal statement?" I'll talk through common college essay topics and what makes for an effective personal statement.

College Essay Glossary

Even the terminology can be confusing if you aren't familiar with it, so let's start by defining some terms:

Personal statement —an essay you write to show a college admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their school. It's worth noting that, unlike "college essay," this term is used for application essays for graduate school as well.

College essay —basically the same as a personal statement (I'll be using the terms interchangeably).

Essay prompt —a question or statement that your college essay is meant to respond to.

Supplemental essay —an extra school or program-specific essay beyond the basic personal statement.

Many colleges ask for only one essay. However, some schools do ask you to respond to multiple prompts or to provide supplemental essays in addition to a primary personal statement.

Either way, don't let it stress you out! This guide will cover everything you need to know about the different types of college essays and get you started thinking about how to write a great one:

• Why colleges ask for an essay
• What kinds of essay questions you'll see
• What sets great essays apart
• Tips for writing your own essay

Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

There are a couple of reasons that colleges ask applicants to submit an essay, but the basic idea is that it gives them more information about you, especially who you are beyond grades and test scores.

#1: Insight Into Your Personality

The most important role of the essay is to give admissions committees a sense of your personality and what kind of addition you'd be to their school's community . Are you inquisitive? Ambitious? Caring? These kinds of qualities will have a profound impact on your college experience, but they're hard to determine based on a high school transcript.

Basically, the essay contextualizes your application and shows what kind of person you are outside of your grades and test scores . Imagine two students, Jane and Tim: they both have 3.5 GPAs and 1200s on the SAT. Jane lives in Colorado and is the captain of her track team; Tim lives in Vermont and regularly contributes to the school paper. They both want to be doctors, and they both volunteer at the local hospital.

As similar as Jane and Tim seem on paper, in reality, they're actually quite different, and their unique perspectives come through in their essays. Jane writes about how looking into her family history for a school project made her realize how the discovery of modern medical treatments like antibiotics and vaccines had changed the world and drove her to pursue a career as a medical researcher. Tim, meanwhile, recounts a story about how a kind doctor helped him overcome his fear of needles, an interaction that reminded him of the value of empathy and inspired him to become a family practitioner. These two students may seem outwardly similar but their motivations and personalities are very different.

Without an essay, your application is essentially a series of numbers: a GPA, SAT scores, the number of hours spent preparing for quiz bowl competitions. The personal statement is your chance to stand out as an individual.

#2: Evidence of Writing Skills

A secondary purpose of the essay is to serve as a writing sample and help colleges see that you have the skills needed to succeed in college classes. The personal statement is your best chance to show off your writing , so take the time to craft a piece you're really proud of.

That said, don't panic if you aren't a strong writer. Admissions officers aren't expecting you to write like Joan Didion; they just want to see that you can express your ideas clearly.

No matter what, your essay should absolutely not include any errors or typos .

#3: Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances

For some students, the essay is also a chance to explain factors affecting their high school record. Did your grades drop sophomore year because you were dealing with a family emergency? Did you miss out on extracurriculars junior year because of an extended medical absence? Colleges want to know if you struggled with a serious issue that affected your high school record , so make sure to indicate any relevant circumstances on your application.

Keep in mind that in some cases there will be a separate section for you to address these types of issues, as well as any black marks on your record like expulsions or criminal charges.

#4: Your Reasons for Applying to the School

Many colleges ask you to write an essay or paragraph about why you're applying to their school specifically . In asking these questions, admissions officers are trying to determine if you're genuinely excited about the school and whether you're likely to attend if accepted .

I'll talk more about this type of essay below.

What Kind of Questions Do Colleges Ask?

Thankfully, applications don't simply say, "Please include an essay about yourself"; they include a question or prompt that you're asked to respond to . These prompts are generally pretty open-ended and can be approached in a lot of different ways .

Nonetheless, most questions fall into a few main categories. Let's go through each common type of prompt, with examples from the Common Application, the University of California application, and a few individual schools.

Prompt Type 1: Your Personal History

This sort of question asks you to write about a formative experience, important event, or key relationship from your life . Admissions officers want to understand what is important to you and how your background has shaped you as a person.

These questions are both common and tricky. The most common pit students fall into is trying to tell their entire life stories. It's better to focus in on a very specific point in time and explain why it was meaningful to you.

Common App 1

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Common App 5

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

University of California 2

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

University of California 6

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Prompt Type 2: Facing a Problem

A lot of prompts deal with how you solve problems, how you cope with failure, and how you respond to conflict. College can be difficult, both personally and academically, and admissions committees want to see that you're equipped to face those challenges .

The key to these types of questions is to identify a real problem, failure, or conflict ( not a success in disguise) and show how you adapted and grew from addressing the issue.

Common App 2

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Harvard University 7

The Harvard College Honor Code declares that we “hold honesty as the foundation of our community.” As you consider entering this community that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.

Prompt Type 3: Diversity

Most colleges are pretty diverse, with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Essay questions about diversity are designed to help admissions committees understand how you interact with people who are different from you .

In addressing these prompts, you want to show that you're capable of engaging with new ideas and relating to people who may have different beliefs than you.

Common App 3

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Johns Hopkins University

Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, religion, community) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins.  This can be a future goal or experience that is either [sic] academic, extracurricular, or social.

Duke University Optional 1

We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community. 

Prompt Type 4: Your Future Goals

This type of prompt asks about what you want to do in the future: sometimes simply what you'd like to study, sometimes longer-term career goals. Colleges want to understand what you're interested in and how you plan to work towards your goals.

You'll mostly see these prompts if you're applying for a specialized program (like pre-med or engineering) or applying as a transfer student. Some schools also ask for supplementary essays along these lines. 

University of Southern California (Architecture)

Princeton Supplement 1

Prompt Type 5: Why This School

The most common style of supplemental essay is the "why us?" essay, although a few schools with their own application use this type of question as their main prompt. In these essays, you're meant to address the specific reasons you want to go to the school you're applying to .

Whatever you do, don't ever recycle these essays for more than one school.

Chapman University

There are thousands of universities and colleges. Why are you interested in attending Chapman?

Columbia University

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

Rice University

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?

Princeton University

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals?

Prompt Type 6: Creative Prompts

More selective schools often have supplemental essays with stranger or more unique questions. University of Chicago is notorious for its weird prompts, but it's not the only school that will ask you to think outside the box in addressing its questions.

University of Chicago

“Vlog,” “Labradoodle,” and “Fauxmage.” Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a “patch” (perfect match).

University of Vermont

Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?

OK , so you're clear on what a college essay is, but you're still not sure how to write a good one . To help you get started, I'm going to explain the main things admissions officers look for in students' essays: an engaging perspective, genuine moments, and lively writing .

I've touched on these ideas already, but here, I'll go into more depth about how the best essays stand out from the pack.

Showing Who You Are

A lot of students panic about finding a unique topic, and certainly writing about something unusual like a successful dating app you developed with your friends or your time working as a mall Santa can't hurt you. But what's really important isn't so much what you write about as how you write about it . You need to use your subject to show something deeper about yourself.

Look at the prompts above: you'll notice that they almost all ask you what you learned or how the experience affected you. Whatever topic you pick, you must be able to specifically address how or why it matters to you .

Say a student, Will, was writing about the mall Santa in response to Common App prompt number 2 (the one about failure): Will was a terrible mall Santa. He was way too skinny to be convincing and the kids would always step on his feet. He could easily write 600 very entertaining words describing this experience, but they wouldn't necessarily add up to an effective college essay.

To do that, he'll need to talk about his motivations and his feelings: why he took such a job in the first place and what he did (and didn't) get out of it. Maybe Will took the job because he needed to make some money to go on a school trip and it was the only one he could find. Despite his lack of enthusiasm for screaming children, he kept doing it because he knew if he persevered through the whole holiday season he would have enough money for his trip. Would you rather read "I failed at being a mall Santa" or "Failing as a mall Santa taught me how to persevere no matter what"? Admissions officers definitely prefer the latter.

Ultimately, the best topics are ones that allow you to explain something surprising about yourself .

Since the main point of the essay is to give schools a sense of who you are, you have to open up enough to let them see your personality . Writing a good college essay means being honest about your feelings and experiences even when they aren't entirely positive.

In this context, honesty doesn't mean going on at length about the time you broke into the local pool at night and nearly got arrested, but it does mean acknowledging when something was difficult or upsetting for you. Think about the mall Santa example above. The essay won't work unless the writer genuinely acknowledges that he was a bad Santa and explains why.

Eloquent Writing

As I mentioned above, colleges want to know that you are a strong enough writer to survive in college classes . Can you express your ideas clearly and concisely? Can you employ specific details appropriately and avoid clichés and generalizations? These kinds of skills will serve you well in college (and in life!).

Nonetheless, admissions officers recognize that different students have different strengths. They aren't looking for a poetic magnum opus from someone who wants to be a math major. (Honestly, they aren't expecting a masterwork from anyone , but the basic point stands.) Focus on making sure that your thoughts and personality come through, and don't worry about using fancy vocabulary or complex rhetorical devices.

Above all, make sure that you have zero grammar or spelling errors . Typos indicate carelessness, which will hurt your cause with admissions officers.

Top Five Essay-Writing Tips

Now that you have a sense of what colleges are looking for, let's talk about how you can put this new knowledge into practice as you approach your own essay. Below, I've collected my five best tips from years as a college essay counselor.

#1: Start Early!

No matter how much you want to avoid writing your essay, don't leave it until the last minute . One of the most important parts of the essay writing process is editing, and editing takes a lot of time. You want to be able to put your draft in a drawer for a week and come back to it with fresh eyes. You don't want to be stuck with an essay you don't really like because you have to submit your application tomorrow.

You need plenty of time to experiment and rewrite, so I would recommend starting your essays at least two months before the application deadline . For most students, that means starting around Halloween, but if you're applying early, you'll need to get going closer to Labor Day.

Of course, it's even better to get a head start and begin your planning earlier. Many students like to work on their essays over the summer, when they have more free time, but you should keep in mind that each year's application isn't usually released until August or September. Essay questions often stay the same from year to year, however. If you are looking to get a jump on writing, you can try to confirm with the school (or the Common App) whether the essay questions will be the same as the previous year's.

#2: Pick a Topic You're Genuinely Excited About

One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to write what they think the committee wants to hear. The truth is that there's no "right answer" when it comes to college essays . T he best topics aren't limited to specific categories like volunteer experiences or winning a tournament. Instead, they're topics that actually matter to the writer .

"OK," you're thinking, "but what does she mean by 'a topic that matters to you'? Because to be perfectly honest, right now, what really matters to me is that fall TV starts up this week, and I have a feeling I shouldn't write about that."

You're not wrong (although some great essays have been written about television ). A great topic isn't just something that you're excited about or that you talk to your friends about; it's something that has had a real, describable effect on your perspective .

This doesn't mean that you should overemphasize how something absolutely changed your life , especially if it really didn't. Instead, try to be as specific and honest as you can about how the experience affected you, what it taught you, or what you got out of it.

Let's go back to the TV idea. Sure, writing an essay about how excited you are for the new season of Stranger Things  probably isn't the quickest way to get yourself into college, but you could write a solid essay (in response to the first type of prompt) about how SpongeBob SquarePants was an integral part of your childhood. However, it's not enough to just explain how much you loved SpongeBob—you must also explain why and how watching the show every day after school affected your life. For example, maybe it was a ritual you shared with your brother, which showed you how even seemingly silly pieces of pop culture can bring people together. Dig beneath the surface to show who you are and how you see the world.

When you write about something you don't really care about, your writing will come out clichéd and uninteresting, and you'll likely struggle to motivate yourself. When you instead write about something that is genuinely important to you, you can make even the most ordinary experiences—learning to swim, eating a meal, or watching TV—engaging .

#3: Focus on Specifics

But how do you write an interesting essay? Focus.

Don't try to tell your entire life story or even the story of an entire weekend; 500–650 words may seem like a lot, but you'll reach that limit quickly if you try to pack every single thing that has happened to you into your essay. If, however, you just touch on a wide range of topics, you'll end up with an essay that reads more like a résumé.

Instead, narrow in on one specific event or idea, and talk about it in more depth . The narrower your topic, the better. For example, writing about your role as Mercutio in your school's production of Romeo and Juliet is too general, but writing about opening night, when everything went wrong, could be a great topic.

Whatever your topic, use details to help draw the reader in and express your unique perspective. But keep in mind that you don't have to include every detail of what you did or thought; stick to the important and illustrative ones.

#4: Use Your Own Voice

College essays aren't academic assignments; you don't need to be super formal. Instead, try to be yourself. The best writing sounds like a more eloquent version of the way you talk .

Focus on using clear, simple language that effectively explains a point or evokes a feeling. To do so, avoid the urge to use fancy-sounding synonyms when you don't really know what they mean. Contractions are fine; slang, generally, is not. Don't hesitate to write in the first person.

A final note: you don't need to be relentlessly positive. It's OK to acknowledge that sometimes things don't go how you want—just show how you grew from that.

#5: Be Ruthless

Many students want to call it a day after writing a first draft, but editing is a key part of writing a truly great essay. To be clear, editing doesn't mean just making a few minor wording tweaks and cleaning up typos; it means reading your essay carefully and objectively and thinking about how you could improve it .

Ask yourself questions as you read: is the progression of the essay clear? Do you make a lot of vague, sweeping statements that could be replaced with more interesting specifics? Do your sentences flow together nicely? Do you show something about yourself beyond the surface level?

You will have to delete and rewrite (potentially large) parts of your essay, and no matter how attached you feel to something you wrote, you might have to let it go . If you've ever heard the phrase "kill your darlings," know that it is 100% applicable to college essay writing.

At some point, you might even need to rewrite the whole essay. Even though it's annoying, starting over is sometimes the best way to get an essay that you're really proud of.

What's Next?

Make sure to check out our other posts on college essays , including our step-by-step guide to how to write your college essay , our analysis of the Common App Prompts , and our collection of example essays .

If you're in need of guidance on other parts of the application process , take a look at our guides to choosing the right college for you , writing about extracurriculars , deciding to double major , and requesting teacher recommendations .

Last but not least, if you're planning on taking the SAT one last time , check out our ultimate guide to studying for the SAT and make sure you're as prepared as possible.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself  

What is a personal statement? 

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length. 

What can I write about? 

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions. 

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind. 

• What experiences have shaped who you are? 
• What’s special or unique about you or your life story? 
• Who or what has inspired you the most? 
• What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
• What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals? 
• If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene? 
• What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn? 

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay. 

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement? 

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:  

1. Freewrite, then rewrite 

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want. 

2. Establish your theme 

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme. 

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged. 

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell  

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are. 

Related:  How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice 

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe. 

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting. 

Examples of personal statements 

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts: 

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal. 

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand. 

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author. 

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling. 

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films. 

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube. 

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family. 

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees. 

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss. 

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like.  Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help.  It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end.  It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling. 

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him. 

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now. 

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that. 

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home. 

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school. 

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life. 

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t. 

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer. 

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too.  This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom.  Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life.  Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job.  But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts 

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application. 

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see:  Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

• It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
• Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
• Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
• Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

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Why Do I Need A Privacy Statement?

Discover why having a privacy statement is essential for businesses that use personal data. Learn how GDPR regulations trigger the need for a privacy policy.

This edited extract is from How to Use Customer Data by Sachiko Scheuing ©2024 and reproduced with permission from Kogan Page Ltd.

Do you use personal data?

I bet you do because otherwise, you would not be reading this book. If your company uses personal data for marketing, accounting, HR, or whatever other purposes, you need a privacy policy.

The traditional approach to data protection and informational self-determination suggests that meaningful control of your own data is only possible if you were informed about how the data will be used.

One of the first rules GDPR lays down in its text, after clarifying the scope of the law and the different definitions, is Article 5 (legislation.gov.uk, 2016 ):

1. Personal data shall be: (a) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject (‘lawfulness, fairness and transparency’)

This very requirement triggers the need for a privacy statement.

Companies, in particular, when they are data controllers, must be accountable for their data use and have a privacy statement. This requirement is also spelled out in Article 24(2) of the GDPR (legislation.gov.uk, 2016).

This article covers the topic of automated individual decision-making, including profiling – not profiling for marketing that automates the selection of ads to be shown and so on, but profiling that can have a serious impact on people.

Article 24(2) says such profiling can only be compliant if an appropriate data protection policy, which includes a privacy statement, is implemented (legislation.gov.uk, 2016).

In any event, a privacy statement is an important document. GDPR dedicates two articles to list out the precise information you need to post on your privacy policy; Article 13 sets out the requirements in case you collect data directly from consumers, and Article 14 those for situations where data is collected indirectly (legislation.gov.uk, 2016).

Who Will Read Your Privacy Statement?

In the case of food labelling, it was me as a customer checking for a particular ingredient that read this. Have you ever wondered who reads your privacy statement?

Customers and prospects are one obvious group of stakeholders who are concerned about what is happening with their data once it’s in your hands. Privacy activists and consumer protection organizations may also be going through your privacy statement.

Authors and academic researchers in the field of data protection find it a great source of information, learning how companies are using personal data. Regulators, judges, and lawyers who are working on a case that involves your company also take great interest in your privacy notice.

Your corporate image is shaped by how your privacy statement reads. Customers, both in business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer markets, pay great attention to your privacy practice.

Business partners and suppliers to your company often formalize the review of your company’s data protection compliance, asking questions about your privacy statement in their due diligence questionnaires.

Whoever the readers are, it is another “touch-point” for a variety of stakeholders, including revenue-generating parties like customers and partners.

You want them to have a good impression of your privacy practices, and the first chance you have to showcase this may be your privacy statement. Borrowing the words of the ICO, a good privacy statement “helps build trust, avoids confusion, and lets everyone know what to expect.” ( ICO, 2023 )

How Long Should My Privacy Statement Be?

GDPR expects you to draw up a privacy statement long enough so that you can properly explain which data is collected, used, and stored. This makes your privacy statement transparent.

At the same time, your privacy statement must be concise, according to Article 12(1) of GDPR (legislation.gov.uk, 2016). These two requirements seem to contradict each other at first glance. The EU regulators, therefore, give some explanations in their guidelines on transparency (Art 29 WP, 2018) .

While a privacy statement aims to give necessary information so that consumers can make decisions about their personal data, regulators are also aware of the phenomena known as “information fatigue” or “information overload.” The hypothesis is that human beings have a limited capacity to digest information.

When too much information is presented, people become overwhelmed and either ignore the information or make illogical decisions to cope with the psychological stress they experience (Simmel, 1950; Milgram, 1969).

There are two strategies to avoid this that can, at the same time, still provide all the details required.

Have A Clear Structure

Before starting to write a privacy notice, list out all the information you need to provide in it. Then, think about how you want to present it to your customers and other data subjects in a logical manner.

In doing so, you might want to read the privacy statements of big consumer brands and governmental organizations and find out how their privacy statements are structured.

There is a good chance that their privacy notices are prepared by experienced in-house lawyers or by law firms that specialize in data protection. The idea is to get the feeling of what great privacy statements look like.

You might also want to read up on the privacy statements of your competitors, as well as those of your partners in your business field.

Ask your privacy person which competitors have good reputations with regard to their data protection practices, or perhaps you already know who they are. Just take a look at how their privacy notices are structured. You can also simply adopt the structure of ICO’s privacy policy template.

Whatever you do, the key is to improve the readability of your privacy statement by giving it a logical structure.

Prepare Privacy Notices In Layers

Another approach, endorsed by the regulators, is the so-called layered approach (Art 29 WP, 2018).

Assuming that the privacy notice is going to be online, you can make your privacy policy interactive by using links, so that users can click on them when they want more information, or skip them and stay on the first-level summary information if they so wish, just as you would use an online encyclopedia.

This way, the key messages are simplified, and readers of your privacy statement will have a good overview of the first layer of the statement.

Regulators recommend the following information should be visible on the first layers of the privacy notice (Art 29 WP, 2018, p 19, para 36): Details of the purposes of processing The identity of the data controller Description of the data subjects’ rights Information on the processing which has the most impact on the data subject Information on the processing which could surprise them.

When Do I Have To Present The Privacy Statement?

Consumers must be informed what data is collected for, for instance marketing purposes, as early as possible.

When you are collecting data directly from your customers, you must present your privacy notice the moment you are collecting the data (see Article 13(1) GDPR; legislation.gov.uk, 2016).

In a scenario where you license the data from other organizations, such as from public sources or marketing data providers, Article 14(3)a and b require the privacy information to be provided in the following manner (legislation.gov.uk, 2016):

within a reasonable period after obtaining the personal data, but at the latest within one month, having regard to the specific circumstances in which the personal data are processed; if the personal data are to be used for communication with the data subject, at the latest at the time of the first communication to that data subject; or if a disclosure to another recipient is envisaged, at the latest when the personal data are first disclosed.

In short, for licensed data that is not contact detail data, the privacy notice must be communicated within a month.

If you are using contact data like names, telephone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses, you need to communicate the privacy statement the first time you send a commercial message to them.

In practice, companies embed a link to the privacy statement in email messages or print that link on direct mail pieces to fulfill this requirement.

References:

• Art 29 WP (2018) Article 29 Data Protection Working Party, WP260 rev.01 Guidelines on transparency under Regulation 2016/679, adopted on 29 November 2017, last revised and adopted on 11 April 2018, https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/article29/items/622227 (archived at https://perma.cc/4HWYURKL)
• ICO (2023) UK Information Commissioner’s Office: Transparency direct marketing detailed guidelines, https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/advice-for-smallorganisations/frequently-asked-questions/transparency-cookies-and-privacynotices/ (archived at https://perma.cc/K3ZR-T7E5)
• legislation.gov.uk (2016)‘Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council, 27 April 2016, www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/contents (archived at https://perma.cc/NVG6-PXBQ)
• Milgram, S (1969) The experience of living in cities, Science 167, 1461–1468
• Simmel, G (1950) The metropolis and mental life, in K H Wolff (ed.), The Sociology of Georg Simmel , Free Press, New York, USA.

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More resources: 

• Google Analytics 4 Features To Prepare For Third-Party Cookie Depreciation
• What Is First-Party Data And How Do You Use It?
• Why First-Party Data Should Lead Your Organic Search Strategy

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Sachiko Scheuing is an award-winning privacy professional based in Frankfurt, Germany. She serves on the Europe Middle East and Africa senior ...

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