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Maame
Student
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
3
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Any Personal statement tips?
Does anyone have clear tips to write a personal statement for both common app and UCAS applications as an aspiring chemical engineer?
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2662
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Maame !
It sounds like you are about to apply to colleges in a lot of countries. Using the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services for the colleges in the UK and using the Common App for other country's colleges. That's great ! You already know that you will major in Chemical Engineering and that's your first step in finding a university that has the program that you'd like.
You should find out the information for student visas just in case your final decision is a University outside of your country. It'll be important to know the process so you can begin it as soon as you make a decision. Housing will also be important, too, if you plan to attend university in a different country.
Your Personal Statement can only be composed by you. Only you will know the question that you'd need to respond to and what you write has to come from your own personal life experience. As you know, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services application will be just for colleges in the UK. As of 2026, they will ask you Why do you want to study Chemical Engineering, how have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for being a Chemical Engineering Major and what things have you done outside of school that has prepared you to be a chemical engineering major and how have those experiences helped you. You will focus on persuading the colleges that you are suited to be a Chemical Engineering Major. There are no "clear tips" for this, no one can write it for you, just be honest on the application. This personal statement has been usually a 4000 character essay, but read the instructions to see if anything has changed.
For the Common App, several questions are asked for your personal statement essay. Here are some of the typical questions asked: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 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? and Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
I am not sure how many questions are asked for the personal statement for the Common App, but those are known topics they ask applicants to write about for their personal statement. They pretty much clearly describe what you'd need to write about. So, your essay for the two apps may very well be different depending on what they ask you to write about for the semester you apply.
Hopefully you have been doing volunteer work, projects, lab work and taking classes connected to STEM while you are in secondary school so you can draw upon your experiences with that to compose the personal statement. After you write your essay, check your spelling and punctuation and make it 100% perfect. Do not send it with any grammatical errors. Proof read it and have someone else proof read it, too. Also, I advise not using initials or abbreviations for things like names of companies, programs, etc. because the person on the other end may not know what the initials or abbreviation stands for and they want to understand everything you write and send them.
It is also my belief and advice that whatever topic you write about, the tone of the essay should be positive, confident and upbeat. I think it would be refreshing to read and would make the reviewer believe that you have something to contribute and are eager for further education. These are not exactly "tips" rather just advice.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
It sounds like you are about to apply to colleges in a lot of countries. Using the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services for the colleges in the UK and using the Common App for other country's colleges. That's great ! You already know that you will major in Chemical Engineering and that's your first step in finding a university that has the program that you'd like.
You should find out the information for student visas just in case your final decision is a University outside of your country. It'll be important to know the process so you can begin it as soon as you make a decision. Housing will also be important, too, if you plan to attend university in a different country.
Your Personal Statement can only be composed by you. Only you will know the question that you'd need to respond to and what you write has to come from your own personal life experience. As you know, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services application will be just for colleges in the UK. As of 2026, they will ask you Why do you want to study Chemical Engineering, how have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for being a Chemical Engineering Major and what things have you done outside of school that has prepared you to be a chemical engineering major and how have those experiences helped you. You will focus on persuading the colleges that you are suited to be a Chemical Engineering Major. There are no "clear tips" for this, no one can write it for you, just be honest on the application. This personal statement has been usually a 4000 character essay, but read the instructions to see if anything has changed.
For the Common App, several questions are asked for your personal statement essay. Here are some of the typical questions asked: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 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? and Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
I am not sure how many questions are asked for the personal statement for the Common App, but those are known topics they ask applicants to write about for their personal statement. They pretty much clearly describe what you'd need to write about. So, your essay for the two apps may very well be different depending on what they ask you to write about for the semester you apply.
Hopefully you have been doing volunteer work, projects, lab work and taking classes connected to STEM while you are in secondary school so you can draw upon your experiences with that to compose the personal statement. After you write your essay, check your spelling and punctuation and make it 100% perfect. Do not send it with any grammatical errors. Proof read it and have someone else proof read it, too. Also, I advise not using initials or abbreviations for things like names of companies, programs, etc. because the person on the other end may not know what the initials or abbreviation stands for and they want to understand everything you write and send them.
It is also my belief and advice that whatever topic you write about, the tone of the essay should be positive, confident and upbeat. I think it would be refreshing to read and would make the reviewer believe that you have something to contribute and are eager for further education. These are not exactly "tips" rather just advice.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Maame
You are welcome, Maame ! I am happy to help out !
Michelle M.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
689
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
In my experience, understanding what you want to accomplish with your life and tying that into the university or organizations, core values and beliefs is a good start. Show how you will use your education to improve either the world or your chosen field.
You’ve got this!
You’ve got this!
Renea Gott
Medical Transcription
38
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Renea’s Answer
I feel your answer should reflect your age and innocence. Look up personal statement for college application examples, etc. , but otherwise it should be what you firmly believe about life and your life specifically. Don't solely use AI or something written as example word for word which is plagiarism. Remember to give your studies your best!
Lawrence Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
9
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Lawrence’s Answer
Maame,
It's been a long time since I have written a personal statement for the college common application but this is my suggestion.
Pick a situation you were personally confronted with, a situation where you had a dilemma. Write about that situation, your feelings along with your decision-making thoughts, and the outcome. Hopefully the decisions you made, the reasons you had for making those decisions, and the outcome were positive. If you still need to write more, you can reflect on how that situation/results have influenced you.
I hope this helps you.
Best of luck,
Larry A.
It's been a long time since I have written a personal statement for the college common application but this is my suggestion.
Pick a situation you were personally confronted with, a situation where you had a dilemma. Write about that situation, your feelings along with your decision-making thoughts, and the outcome. Hopefully the decisions you made, the reasons you had for making those decisions, and the outcome were positive. If you still need to write more, you can reflect on how that situation/results have influenced you.
I hope this helps you.
Best of luck,
Larry A.
Lisa Taleghani Bonaiuto
Vocational Case Management
5
Answers
Winter Garden, Florida
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
1. Begin with an Engaging Start
Capture the reader's attention with a personal story, a meaningful quote, or a moment that sparked your interest in career counseling. For example, "I remember helping a friend find their love for teaching, which showed me the power of guidance."
2. Share Your Motivation
Explain why you want to be a career counselor. Talk about personal experiences, mentors, or events that inspired you.
3. Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any internships, volunteer work, jobs, or courses that have prepared you for this field. Focus on skills like empathy, communication, problem-solving, and assessment.
4. Demonstrate Knowledge of the Field
Show your understanding of a career counselor’s role. Mention theories, tools, or trends you find interesting, such as Holland Codes or labor market trends.
5. Connect to the Program
Explain why you’re applying to this specific program. Highlight faculty, curriculum, values, or opportunities that match your goals.
6. End with a Vision
Share your long-term goals and how you hope to make a difference as a career counselor.
7. Keep It Clear and Personal
Use a confident and sincere tone. Avoid clichés and overly formal language. Make sure to proofread for grammar and clarity.
Capture the reader's attention with a personal story, a meaningful quote, or a moment that sparked your interest in career counseling. For example, "I remember helping a friend find their love for teaching, which showed me the power of guidance."
2. Share Your Motivation
Explain why you want to be a career counselor. Talk about personal experiences, mentors, or events that inspired you.
3. Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any internships, volunteer work, jobs, or courses that have prepared you for this field. Focus on skills like empathy, communication, problem-solving, and assessment.
4. Demonstrate Knowledge of the Field
Show your understanding of a career counselor’s role. Mention theories, tools, or trends you find interesting, such as Holland Codes or labor market trends.
5. Connect to the Program
Explain why you’re applying to this specific program. Highlight faculty, curriculum, values, or opportunities that match your goals.
6. End with a Vision
Share your long-term goals and how you hope to make a difference as a career counselor.
7. Keep It Clear and Personal
Use a confident and sincere tone. Avoid clichés and overly formal language. Make sure to proofread for grammar and clarity.