Writing your UCAS personal statement can feel a bit… stressful. It’s one page that’s supposed to sum up your entire personality, passion, and future plans. No pressure, right? 

The good news: most people make the same personal statement mistakes - and they’re easy to fix. 

💡 Quick update: UCAS is currently introducing a new personal statement format with short structured questions instead of one big essay. But the advice here still applies, whether you’re writing the traditional statement or answering the new questions, the same mistakes can make your application weaker.

So before you hit submit, here’s what not to write in a personal statement (and what to do instead). 

If your first line sounds like “From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by…”, hit backspace. Admissions tutors have seen it a thousand times. Start with you instead — maybe an experience, a spark, or a lightbulb moment that got you into your subject.

If your statement could belong to anyone, it’s not personal enough. Avoid lines like “I’m passionate about learning” - they don’t really say anything. Instead, share something specific: a project, an event, or a class that made you think, yep, this is what I want to study.

Tempting, we know. But UCAS actually scans every personal statement for copied content. So keep it original, your story, your words, your tone. Universities want you, not ChatGPT.

Listing every club, subject, or certificate doesn’t work, this isn’t your CV. Pick a few things that really matter and talk about what you learned from them. For example: “Volunteering at a care home taught me patience and communication, two things I’ll need in nursing.” That’s way more memorable.

You’ve written a masterpiece… and then there’s a “their/there” mix-up. Typos happen, but don’t let them slip through. Read it out loud or get a friend to check it. You’ll be surprised at what you catch.

Trust us, the “I’ll do it on Sunday night” approach rarely ends well. A rushed personal statement can feel flat. Start early, draft it slowly, and come back to it fresh. You’ll sound way more confident (and less panicked).

Admissions tutors can tell when you’re stretching the truth. Keep it real, your genuine experiences and enthusiasm are more impressive than made-up ones.

This is your story - not a formal essay. Let your personality come through. You’re applying to a course, but also showing who’ll be sitting in that lecture hall.

Your personal statement doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to sound like you. Honest, curious, and excited about what’s next. If you’re still not sure what to include, try Springpod’s free Personal Statement Tool. It gives personalised suggestions to help you highlight the experiences that make you stand out.

Writing your UCAS personal statement? Here are 8 common mistakes students make — and how to fix them. From cliché openings to last-minute edits, learn how to make your statement stand out (and try Springpod’s free Personal Statement Tool).

8 Common Personal Statement Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them for Your UCAS Application)