How do you write a personal statement outlining reasons for entry to 6th form? This school has limited space so I must be very convincing.

OH I just loathe personal statements
- writing them - I mean.  *But the practice is good for you now, you have many more to
come, and somehow, it never seems like the right thing to improve on a previous personal
statement.  I always start from scratch.

That said, here
are a few tips I have for you when writing this
thing.

**Review any directions in the
application for your personal statement, including any prompt
words, minimum or maximum length (usually a personal statement is limited to one typed
page, but not always), etc.  If no specifics are given, here are some general tips that
have worked for me in the past.**

1. This is not a
   5 paragraph essay - so it does not need a traditional organization, BUT, it should not
   read like a free flowing journal either.  It needs some sort of
   progression.


2. Par. 1: Open with a story about yourself
   that helps the readers know a little more about you and why you are unique.  Don't tell
   them everything that is already typical of a kid your age seeking the same program. 
   They will have read hundreds of these personal statements and you want them to remember
   you.


3. Par. 2: talk about your goals - why you want/need to
   be accepted into this school specifically to make your hopes and
   dreams come true.


4. Par. 3: talk about your personality,
   academic, and/or other personal strengths (and maybe balance these with your
   weaknesses).  Just make sure your strengths are not, again, typical, and be sure the
   strengths outweigh the weaknesses in this part.  Also, quick tip: when I was reading
   applications for a freshman program at Baylor one year - one of the questions asked for
   strengths and weaknesses.  I would say 95% of the applications I read claimed
   "Procrastination" as the biggest weakness.  I declared in the middle of one application,
   "The next one I read that DOESN'T talk about procrastination is getting an automatic
   interview from me!"  *Terrible, but true.  Don't say you are a procrastinator.  EVERYONE
   is.  In fact, don't be one - and then say with confidence, "Unlike everyone else my age,
   I'm not actually a procrastinator.  I like getting things done on time." 
   :)

I hope this helps.  Below is a link that
gives slightly more specific questions to consider.  It is difficult to brag on yourself
and still sound humble.  But take this as good practice for the future - you have many
more personal statements to come, my friend.