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Successful Personal Statement For Chemistry At Oxford

Last Updated: 7th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Chemistry applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Chemistry Course at Oxford is taught in a world-leading chemistry department with state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories and world-class research.

Read on to see how this candidate wrote a Personal Statement that helped secure their place on a reputable degree. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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Chemistry Personal Statement

Few aspects of our lives remain unaffected by the fundamental subject of chemistry. Chemists have revolutionised the way we live; from the medicines we use to the water we drink, it is hard to imagine what our everyday life would be like without the help of this vast subject. I wish to be a part of the chemical discoveries of the future which is what entices me to study chemistry in greater depth at university.

My interest in chemistry has developed a great deal since starting the AS level course. Each time I learn something new, it inspires me to develop my knowledge even further. I have particularly enjoyed the organic chemistry involved in the AS course due to the practical work it entails. Laboratory work for me is enjoyable because it provides an opportunity to test out the theoretical knowledge you have gained and is also great fun! For example, I particularly enjoyed making azo dyes as it was interesting to recreate a process in the lab which is so frequently used in industry.

I have been able to develop my passion for chemistry through wider reading. I have recently enjoyed reading Molecules at an Exhibition. The range of molecules which can have profound effects on our lives surprised me and showed me again how relevant chemistry is to our lives. I have a subscription to New Scientist. An article I particularly enjoyed reading over the summer was “Rogue elements” which explores some of the unanswered questions associated with the periodic table. For example, when the elements will stop and whether superheavy elements, which exist for fractions of a second only one atom at a time, can be considered elements at all. The article also looked at the issues of where to place the elements hydrogen and helium and where the metal/non-metal divide should be. This showed me that although the periodic table is often considered to be complete, there is still much to uncover. Reading Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You introduced me to the concept of relativity and I was amazed to find out how this theory affects chemistry as well as physics. For example without relativity the properties of some of the heavier elements such as gold would simply not be the same. I have been developing my interest in maths and have taken up AS further maths which will be largely self-taught, I know this will complement the chemistry syllabus.

Recently I took part in a UNIQ summer school at Oxford University which allowed me to have a great insight into undergraduate chemistry. I thoroughly enjoyed my week, particularly the lecture on chirality. This was a new concept for me and I was surprised by the huge differences that can result from this form of isomerism. My subject knowledge was greatly enhanced and the skills I gained have been even more valuable. I was taught to question, develop and evaluate my knowledge at every stage and become a more independent learner.

During Year 12 I acted as a science tutor for GCSE students, helping them with exam technique. I found that explaining the subject matter to others helped to enhance and consolidate my own knowledge. My success both in and out of school was rewarded when I received Clevedon’s 2014 Academic Achievement Award in chemistry.

I enjoy playing the piano and recently achieved Grade 6 during my GCSE year, developing my time management skills. My other hobbies include drama and singing and I am a member of Clevedon Light Opera Club as well as the school choir. I have taken part in several productions as well as performing in school stage shows and concerts. All of which contributed to me gaining my Gold Arts Award. I volunteer with a Rainbow group. When I started I found the prospect of running activities for a group of people quite daunting, but 2 years later I think my confidence and communication skills have improved greatly. I have developed my knowledge, skills and aptitude both in and out of school and I look forward to being able to extend these further by studying at university.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a well written and well-structured statement. The student places points in order of relevance, making the statement easy to read. All points are clearly explained, and their impacts on the student are clear. There is a clear introduction, main body and conclusion.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

Although the statement is written in a logical order, there are a lot of paragraphs. Whilst it is very good that the student has a wide range of interests and hobbies, the student dedicates two paragraphs to these. It would have been possible to shorten the statement by removing some of the points mentioned, without taking away from the quality of the statement. The student clearly has many experiences from outside of the A-level syllabus, such as the UNIQ summer school and working as a GCSE science tutor. Whilst is it of course important to describe individual experiences and achievements, focussing on the positives alone limits the impact that mentioning such experiences will have. It would have been nice to see what challenges the student faced through their experiences, and how the student overcame these.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an excellent statement. The Personal Statement is clearly written and easy to read. The length of the statement could have been reduced, however, there are no other areas in which the student needs to make significant improvements.

This Personal Statement for Chemistry is a great example of a well-written Statement that demonstrates a wealth of experience and interest, vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

You can find more successful personal statements and our expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

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• Chemical Engineering personal statement examples

Applying to a Chemical Engineering course at a UK university or college through UCAS ? You will need to prepare a good personal statement . Use these Chemical Engineering personal statement examples as a guide to write yours.

Chemical Engineering Personal Statements

My fascination with chemistry is primarily fueled by a relentless intellectual curiosity. The intricate challenges presented by chemistry and mathematics captivate me like no other. I appreciate the significance of chemistry in today’s world, and I relish the opportunity to explore its enigmatic nature and diverse processes.

Chemistry is omnipresent in our lives – from the food we eat and the liquids we drink to the air we breathe. It has played an instrumental role in shaping the modern world. Our current way of life is possible through chemical innovations, such as the design of life-saving medications and materials for engineers and architects, and the creation of fertilizers to nourish the world’s ever-growing population.

A degree in chemistry opens the door to many career paths. My ambition is to harness my knowledge and abilities to benefit others. By joining the pharmaceutical sector or contributing to a company focused on enhancing human health through technology. I am adept at logical and creative thinking, seeking innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable technical challenges. I am confident that my stellar academic performance, coupled with my passion and determination, will equip me for success in both my studies and future endeavours. I have a natural affinity for hands-on work, particularly in the laboratory.

Experimenting with novel solutions and concocting mixtures brings me great joy. I am captivated by the subject of chemistry, especially the art of balancing intricate organic reactions. The transformation of alcohol to aldehydes and subsequently to carboxylic acids piques my interest. As I delve deeper into the study of methane and carbonyl compounds, I am eager to uncover more about the nature of chemical bonds.

Chemistry Review is my go-to magazine, and I recently came across a fascinating article on arsenic poisoning due to contaminated well water, which can lead to various cancers. This toxic metalloid can also be inhaled, posing extra risks. Such complex compounds ignited my scientific curiosity, inspiring me to learn more about them. I have a keen interest in all scientific fields and aspire to broaden my expertise, culminating in a PhD.

Fluent in three languages, I have maintained an exemplary academic record. In a globalized world, linguistic skills are crucial, particularly for professionals in the scientific community. Chemists hold the key to addressing pressing global challenges – such as overpopulation, energy scarcity, pollution, and health risks – necessitating international collaboration.

During my time in school, I eagerly participated in volunteer work. I spent several months in a charity shop, honing my communication skills and understanding the needs of others. Additionally, I volunteered at a kindergarten, where I learned the value of teamwork. I tutored Lower Sixth students in science subjects, primarily mathematics and chemistry, and served as a Study Buddy for two years, assisting younger students with their academics. I am also a seasoned guitarist with four years of performance experience.

As a diligent, precise, and patient individual, I have traits that are invaluable for a research scientist seeking to unravel complex chemical conundrums. , I approach science with a creative mindset, embracing leaps of logic to identify solutions and uncover novel patterns. My unwavering dedication to my field, combined with the necessary attributes, makes me a strong candidate for a successful academic experience.

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example

Ever since I was young, I have taken things apart just to see how they work inside. I am endlessly curious about the hidden mechanisms powering the world around me. Throughout my A-Levels , I have particularly enjoyed discovering how the sciences interconnect and build upon one another. Studying Chemical Engineering at university will allow me to apply my lifelong passion for understanding how things function to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on society.

Chemistry has been one of my favourite A-level subjects because it provides mathematical insights into the unseen world of atoms and molecules. I was intrigued to learn about the Born-Haber cycle and how to calculate lattice energies based on the attractive forces between ions. It amazes me that such complex molecular interactions can be represented through simple mathematical relationships I already understand from Maths and Physics. I find great satisfaction in methodically working through problems, which will serve me well as an engineer.

My interest in Chemical Engineering stems largely from growing up in polluted urban India. Witnessing firsthand the environmental degradation caused by rapid industrialization made me want to be part of the solution. I am excited by the prospect of applying scientific principles to tackle issues like climate change and nuclear waste. I also appreciate the diversity of industries Chemical Engineering feeds into, from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals. My AS Chemistry course has further sparked my interest, improving my practical skills and ability to study independently. Maths and Electronics A-Levels have also developed my numerical, analytical, planning and project management abilities.

In secondary school, I honed my teamwork and leadership skills in Young Enterprise and as a prefect mentoring younger students. As a peer counsellor, I cultivated strong listening abilities and attention to detail while guiding students struggling to fit in. Outside of school, I achieved second place in a Hindi speech competition, winning a 10-day tour of India where I met leaders across fields and visited landmarks like the Taj Mahal. Being multilingual in Konkani, Kannada, Hindi and English has enabled me to help classmates overcome language barriers too.

In my free time, I follow engineering news and magazines to stay up-to-date on the field’s latest developments. I also play competitive cricket, representing my school and local clubs. Team sports have taught me discipline, commitment and working effectively with others toward shared objectives. I hope to continue playing cricket at university and represent your institution.

Academically, I aim to read broadly beyond the curriculum. “Quantum Theory Can’t Hurt You” sparked my interest in quantum physics, while Dawkins’ “God Delusion” impressed me with its ability to break down complex ideas. I also try to be informed about current affairs. For example, a recent Economist article highlighted rising energy demands in developing countries. Studying Chemical Engineering would equip me to help create sustainable “green” technologies to address such pressing global issues.

My creative side has found expression through music. I began playing violin at five and expanded my skills on the viola and through ensemble work. Leading a “Checs group” I formed in 2004 taught me valuable leadership abilities. Making harmonious music requires understanding how each component complements the whole, which appeals to my collaborative spirit.

Balancing twelve hours weekly as a Waitrose cashier with studies has ingrained a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills that will aid an engineering career. Ultimately, my inquisitive mindset, passion for problem-solving and desire to make a positive impact make Chemical Engineering an ideal choice to fulfil my potential.

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Crafting an Outstanding Chemistry Personal Statement

• Introduction to Writing a Chemistry Personal Statement

The journey to a successful career in chemistry begins with a powerful personal statement. This document is more than just a formal requirement for your university application; it’s a platform to showcase your passion, understanding, and preparedness for a chemistry degree.

This blog aims to guide you through crafting an outstanding chemistry personal statement, highlighting key elements, examples, and advice from admissions tutors.

• The Importance of a Personal Statement in Chemistry Admissions

Understanding the Role of Your Statement in University Applications

Your chemistry personal statement is a critical component of your university application. It’s an opportunity to convey to the admissions committee not just your academic credentials but also your personal qualities, experiences, and aspirations.

The statement allows you to present a compelling narrative of your journey in chemistry, emphasizing why you are an ideal candidate for the course.

Crafting a Statement that Reflects Your Passion for Chemistry

Your personal statement should radiate your enthusiasm for chemistry. Discuss how your interest in chemistry began, what aspects of the subject fascinate you the most, and how this passion has driven your academic and personal pursuits.

Use specific examples, such as projects, experiments, or books that have particularly inspired you, to illustrate your deep engagement with the subject.

Core Elements of a Chemistry Personal Statement

Highlighting your passion and knowledge in chemistry.

A standout personal statement goes beyond stating a love for chemistry; it demonstrates it. Talk about specific areas, such as organic, inorganic, or physical chemistry, that intrigue you.

Describe any independent research, reading, or experiments you’ve undertaken. This not only shows your passion but also your initiative and self-motivation in exploring the subject.

Reflecting on Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience

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Incorporate details of any chemistry-related extracurricular activities or work experiences. This could include participation in science clubs, chemistry Olympiads, research projects, or internships. Describe what you learned from these experiences and how they have shaped your desire to study chemistry at a higher level.

• Strategies for Writing an Effective Chemistry Personal Statement

Crafting an effective chemistry personal statement requires thoughtful planning and execution. Here are key strategies to help you create a standout document:

• Capture Attention: Begin with an engaging opening that captures the reader’s interest immediately.
• Personal Anecdote: Consider starting with a personal story or experience that sparked your interest in chemistry.
• Relevant Coursework: Mention any chemistry-related courses and how they have prepared you for a university degree.
• Achievements and Grades: Include any notable academic achievements, awards, or high grades in relevant subjects.
• Specific Interests: Discuss specific areas in chemistry that fascinate you, such as organic, analytical, or biochemistry.
• Personal Experiences: Share personal experiences that showcase your dedication and enthusiasm for the subject.
• Chemistry-Related Activities: Include any clubs, competitions, or projects related to chemistry.
• Skills Developed: Highlight skills gained from these activities, like teamwork, analytical thinking, or research.
• Relevant Placements: Mention any work experience or internships in chemistry or related fields.
• Skills and Insights Gained: Discuss what you learned and how these experiences have furthered your interest in chemistry.
• Current Trends: Talk about current trends or advancements in chemistry that excite you.
• Course Relevance: Relate your understanding to the specific chemistry course you are applying for.
• Career Aspirations: Briefly mention your career goals and how a degree in chemistry will help you achieve them.
• Contribution to the Field: Share how you hope to contribute to the field of chemistry in the future.
• Simple Language: Avoid overly complex language or technical jargon.
• Coherent Structure: Ensure your statement flows logically from one point to the next.
• Strong Closing: End with a compelling conclusion that reinforces your passion and readiness for studying chemistry at university.
• Future Outlook: Summarize how this degree is a crucial step in your academic and career journey.
• Multiple Drafts: Be prepared to write several drafts to refine your statement.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from teachers or mentors and incorporate their suggestions.
• Authenticity: Ensure your personal statement genuinely reflects who you are and your passion for chemistry.
• Individuality: Remember, your statement should be unique to you, so avoid copying or imitating others.

By employing these strategies, you can craft a compelling and effective chemistry personal statement that showcases your strengths, passion, and suitability for a chemistry degree program.

• Addressing Common Challenges in Personal Statement Writing

Writing a personal statement can be a daunting task, but understanding and addressing common challenges can make the process smoother. Here are key points to consider:

• Start with a Brainstorm: Begin by listing down ideas, experiences, and reasons for your interest in chemistry.
• Break It Down: Tackle the statement in sections instead of trying to write it all at once.
• Seek Inspiration: Read examples of successful personal statements to get an idea of structure and content.
• Personal Voice: Write in a tone that reflects your personality and style.
• True Experiences: Focus on your real experiences and thoughts about chemistry.
• Honesty is Key: Be truthful about your achievements and aspirations.
• Unique Expressions: Use original language and avoid overused phrases like “since I was young” or “I have always loved.”
• Specific Examples: Replace general statements with specific experiences or achievements.
• Academic Achievements: Clearly articulate your academic successes and how they have prepared you for a chemistry degree.
• Personal Experiences: Connect your personal experiences to your academic interests in chemistry.
• Logical Flow: Ensure your statement has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Coherence: Each paragraph should smoothly transition to the next, maintaining a consistent narrative.
• Be Concise: Express your thoughts clearly and concisely without unnecessary elaboration.
• Prioritize Content: Focus on the most important and relevant points.
• Your Unique Journey: Focus on what makes your journey into chemistry unique.
• Avoid Plagiarism: Never copy content from other statements or sources.
• Multiple Reviews: Have teachers, mentors, or peers review your statement.
• Constructive Criticism: Be open to suggestions and use the feedback to refine your statement.
• Error-Free Submission: Thoroughly proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Final Read-Through: Ensure the statement accurately represents your passion and suitability for a chemistry degree.

By addressing these challenges, you can create a compelling and effective personal statement that highlights your passion for chemistry and readiness for university study.

• Personal Statement Examples and Tips from Admissions Tutors

Learning from Successful Chemistry Personal Statement Examples

Examining successful chemistry personal statement examples can provide valuable insights. Look at how these statements are structured, the kind of language used, and how the writers have blended their personal stories with their academic interests. However, remember to use these examples as inspiration rather than templates to copy.

Insights and Advice from University Admissions Tutors

Admissions tutors often stress the importance of authenticity and specificity in personal statements. They advise against using overused phrases and general statements.

Instead, focus on providing concrete examples of your achievements and experiences, and explain how they have prepared you for a degree in chemistry.

Final Thoughts and Tips on Perfecting Your Chemistry Personal Statement

Seeking feedback and making revisions.

After drafting your personal statement, seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers. They can provide constructive criticism and help you polish your statement. Be open to suggestions and make revisions accordingly to enhance the clarity, impact, and coherence of your statement.

Submitting a Polished and Compelling Chemistry Personal Statement

Before submission, ensure that your personal statement is free of grammatical errors and is within the specified word limit. Read it multiple times to ensure that it flows well, clearly articulates your passion for chemistry, and effectively presents your case for why you should be admitted to the program.

Writing a chemistry personal statement is a vital step in your academic journey. It’s your chance to make a memorable impression on the admissions committee.

By demonstrating your passion for chemistry, reflecting on your experiences, and articulating your aspirations, your personal statement can become a powerful testament to your readiness and enthusiasm for studying chemistry at the university level.

• FAQs on Chemistry Personal Statements

How important is work experience in a chemistry personal statement?

While work experience can greatly enhance your statement, it’s not the only factor. Focus on any experiences that demonstrate your interest and skills in chemistry.

Can I mention personal hobbies in my statement?

Yes, if they are relevant to your interest in chemistry. For example, hobbies that involve analytical skills, problem-solving, or creativity can be linked to your chemistry interests.

Should I mention specific universities or courses in my statement?

If you are applying to a specific course with unique features, it’s beneficial to mention why you are attracted to that course. However, if you are using the same statement for multiple applications, keep the content more general.

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

Focus on unique experiences, articulate your genuine passion for chemistry, and demonstrate how your experiences have prepared you for university-level study.

What are the common pitfalls in writing a chemistry personal statement?

Common pitfalls include exceeding the word limit, using clichés, lacking specificity, and failing to demonstrate a deep understanding of and passion for chemistry.

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Table of Contents

• • Introduction to Writing a Chemistry Personal Statement
• • The Importance of a Personal Statement in Chemistry Admissions
• • Strategies for Writing an Effective Chemistry Personal Statement
• • Addressing Common Challenges in Personal Statement Writing
• • Personal Statement Examples and Tips from Admissions Tutors
• • Conclusion
• • FAQs on Chemistry Personal Statements

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How to Craft a Great Personal Statement for Grad School

Just as summer break wraps up, grad school application season arrives. You’re probably sorting through different programs and beginning to think about writing a personal statement. How do you winnow down your entire life story into two or three pages of spell-checked exposition that impresses administrators?

Personal statements are critical to your full application. They have the power to justify a poor GPA or emphasize an already good one. They can tell admissions committees what you dream of doing, rather than what you've done. They showcase your abilities and personality.

Your transcript can’t convey curiosity and perseverance, but your personal statement can unveil how you designed a clever spectroscopic experiment to explain weird voltage measurements in your electrochemistry lab. It’s your chance to share the stories and highlights of your life that have prepared you for graduate school.

Jahan Dawlaty , an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Southern California, says the best approach is to “make it anecdotal, personal, informative, and not a duplication of your CV.”

If you've never seen one before, check out a couple of annotated examples from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . What you'll find is that these personal statements typically flow in chronological order, and they present the most important points as early as possible. They describe why you are where you are, some recent experiences, and some of your ambitions for grad school and beyond. They also describe why you are interested in a specific program. You should always customize your statement to each program you apply to.

But beyond that, they all look different. Some people begin with a story; others begin with a statement declaring why they are applying to this specific school. It's all fair game. Because at their core, the best essays are personal . And we’re here to give you tips on reflecting before you ever touch the keyboard, what to say once you do, and how to say it.

Beyond the résumé

When you begin writing your personal statement, it helps to reflect on your past and present experiences. Recall what inspired you to pick your major or what now drives you to apply to graduate school. “Show enthusiasm for the field,” says Dawlaty. “However, do realize that nearly everybody who applies to the chemistry department is enthusiastic about chemistry.” Specificity is key here. It might be a book that changed you profoundly, a time you sat next to a chatty scientist on an airplane, or a day you learned chemistry through baking bread with a grandparent. Describe your amazement when the sourdough doubled in size because of fermentation, for instance, or how different methods of kneading the dough led to different strengths of gluten protein networks. Really investigate what led you to chemistry and what you like about it.

Next, reflect on some of the most important experiences you've had in college. These may include an internship or volunteering experience . Perhaps you helped in a professor's lab for three months or three years. “Make it as personal as possible,” says Dawlaty. “Highlight as many of the memorable and personal anecdotes as you can.” Ask yourself, what did I learn in my internship that inspired me to continue on this path? How did my volunteer experience with my student chemistry club polish my organizing, planning, and professional skills? Basically, you want to point out where your extra efforts have shaped you as a scientist, student, and person. The answers are building blocks for your letter.

“I want to come away thinking I know a little something about you,” says Sharon Glotzer, the Anthony C. Lembke Department Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. If you’re driven by the societal impacts of science, highlight your specific motivations and previous contributions: Do you volunteer at a science museum, write a blog, or tutor kids in STEM? Recognize that scientists play an important role in their community, as well as society at large. You might instead be motivated by a passion for discovery or a pursuit of the credentials needed to lead interesting projects in industry. “I wouldn’t say that any one of those reasons matters over any other reason. But what does matter is that you have some reason,” says Glotzer.

A personal statement also gives you the space to share more context about the struggles you have overcome. Maybe a close friend or family member passed away, forcing you to balance your personal and professional obligations. If adversity has affected your grades, say that—admissions committees want to know. ”People want to know whether you have a GPA of 3.7 in the face of difficulties or a GPA of 3.7 without any difficulties," says Dawlaty.

“In some cases that hardship, surprisingly, prepares the student better for graduate school,” he continues. “We have had applicants who have been the breadwinner for the family—and wow , it takes a lot of responsibility to be the breadwinner for the family.” Some applications require diversity, equity, and inclusion statements in which you describe your experiences as or with a member of an underrepresented group or your feelings on the topic. If the application does not, consider incorporating some of your thoughts into your statement.

That’s not to say that you need adversity to get accepted, he adds: “Some people haven't gone through hardship. It doesn't mean that your application sucks.” You can talk about what you’ve contributed to a research group or a past job. For example, maybe you and a lab mate struggled to get a chemical reaction to produce a high yield, until you finally figured out the issue and fixed it. It doesn’t matter whether the solution came from an epiphany or methodical teamwork. Both are crucial ingredients of how real science works. Your essay will stand out if you can convey that understanding. “It communicates to me that you have good communication skills—that actually can tell me that these things happen,” says Dawlaty. “But most importantly, that tells me you are a problem solver.”

Grad school is not just about remembering the difference between reduction and oxidation or memorizing the steps to make an organic catalyst. It’s a place where you’ll collaborate, make decisions, and commit to learning skills that make you a more well-rounded scientist. (Some universities require a separate essay for research experience.) “Whether it’s a big role or a little role, I wanna see detail,” says Glotzer.  “The more technical detail you provide, the more I have the impression you did the work.” Admissions committees will appreciate reading anecdotes, especially if they demonstrate how you’d fit into a research team. After all, grad school is all about creating new knowledge and spreading knowledge. That’s a very different goal than undergraduate academics. They want to see that you know what skills and goals matter to become a scientist in society.

Predicting the future

Midway through your essay, you've established who you are by sharing what Past You experienced. A university will be getting Current You. They’ll expect that you can contribute to their research efforts. And they’ll be betting that Future You will be a rock star chemist that they can count as one of their esteemed alumni.

Think about your goals , state them clearly, and describe why they interest you. Here’s a secret: Nobody will force you to pursue that 10-year goal you write about. Nobody will even force you to work in the area you write about. I applied to various graduate schools for their energy and catalysis research programs. In my essay, I described my interest in their ongoing research in those areas. Once I visited my top choice after getting accepted, I found that an entirely different project in biomedicine and nanotechnology interested me even more.

It’s okay to end up on a different path than what you want now. And it’s okay to not know what field you want to study in. But for the admissions committee to accept you, they need to be sure that you'd fit with what they offer, so you can still write about what you do know. “Students can say I don't know what research area, whether it's energy or bio or nano—but I love computers, and I'd like to learn computer simulation,” says Glotzer.

Find specific professors and projects that match your interests. Mention those projects by name and explain why you'd enjoy them. Dawlaty suggests mentioning three to five professors in the department and writing one or two sentences about why you’d want to work with each. You will eventually meet with professors and decide on a lab to join. But you’re never guaranteed to land your first choice for reasons largely out of your control (such as project funding), so you should always set yourself up to have multiple options of interesting labs. “If you only say I'm interested in Professor X and that's it,” says Dawlaty, “it raises eyebrows in the committee.” It’s important for schools to see that they’d have no trouble pairing you with an advisor.

Don’t worry about misinterpreting what those professors work on or mentioning a project that’s no longer active. These scenarios happen. Perhaps “the professor hasn’t updated their website, or the professor has moved on since last year and got a new grant,” Dawlaty says. “We are not going to judge the student too harshly.” What’s important is that schools know that you’re interested in that research area. 

Some schools also combine the personal statement with a “research statement,” so you would expand more on your research interests at the end of the essay accordingly.

 “The bottom line is: make it easy for the committee to admit you,” he says.

How to tell your story

Clarity is king. The most important tip to remember as you begin writing is that you must communicate your ideas clearly. You may have exemplary research skills, strong professional experiences, creative ideas, and impactful anecdotes to share, but if the admissions committee can’t understand what they are reading, all that upside becomes meaningless.

Does this mean you need to find the fanciest words to show your mastery of the English language? Absolutely not. “Make it easy and efficient for them to read,” says Dawlaty. Short sentences are great. Specific, common words, too. Avoid hyperbole and exclamation points. Remember whom you are writing for. “Imagine sleep-deprived academics who are just sitting around and just want to do their job, and they have hundreds of these things in front of them.” They care about the facts. You can even bold important details like skills or the names of professors.

Now, readable and clear does not mean vague. “Chemistry is good” is a clear, short sentence with common words, but it lacks detail. You’ll want to be specific about your actions in anecdotes, and your feelings when describing why your research area excites you. If you’ve enjoyed creating nanoparticles, for instance, tell committee members a brief version of the synthesis and characterization protocol, then describe the satisfaction you felt from making the right stuff.

When you summarize the big picture of why you’re a good fit for that program, be specific about that program’s strengths and your potential contributions. And once you have all of the pieces of your story—your experiences, your interests, and your professional goals—then be sure that you summarize that ensemble in your first and last paragraph. Make your take-home message as memorable as possible.

A great way to make sure you’ve done a good job is to have others read your essay. Politely ask your professors or any chemistry graduate student you may know to give you feedback. Peers and family can also help if they are familiar with the process. Listen to that feedback and make the necessary changes. Doing this means you shouldn’t procrastinate. Give your proofreaders a couple of weeks, just as you would for letters of recommendation.

Don’t be afraid to ask peers or professors to see examples of successful personal statements. But don’t panic about any differences. It’s up to you whether you use a bunch of space expanding on experiences on your résumé or introducing biographical information that doesn’t appear in your résumé.

Your experiences make a case for what you can do. But your trajectory speaks volumes too. Dawlaty likes to think of this in calculus terms: hiring people based on an integral and a derivative. The integral, like the area under a curve, captures the collection of what a person has done; the derivative, like a sharp slope or a flat line, predicts their ability to grow and learn.

“We want a diverse class of individuals that are going to contribute,” says Glotzer. And that means broadening the definition of success beyond GPA,  GRE, and even research accomplishments. “There are so many different measures of potential for success, some of which have nothing to do with book smarts. A lot of which have to do with experience and mindset.”

About the Author

Max G. Levy is a freelance science journalist based in Los Angeles, CA. He has a PhD in chemical engineering and writes stories about public health, the environment, and technology.

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Oxford Chemistry Personal Statement Top Tips

If you have absolutely no idea where to begin, starting to write a personal statement can seem really overwhelming. Add on the extra pressure of applying to Oxford and it can all get a bit much! Don’t let that get into your head though, chemistry at Oxford had, on average, a success rate (that is, applications converted into acceptances of an offer post-results) of 29% so those are pretty good odds!

I can’t claim to have read all of the advice available online about how to write a Oxford Chemistry personal statement but, while I’m sure it’s great, it often isn’t appropriate for those applying to very academic universities, especially Oxbridge. Luckily for those of you applying to study chemistry at Oxford, I’ve compiled all of the very best advice that I received during my application process to make writing your Oxford personal statement much simpler! Read on to find out more…

The first point to consider is: why do you want to study chemistry? 

Now, this may seem really obvious but it’s the answer to this exact question that will form the basis of your Chemistry Oxford personal statement since, at its core, your Oxford personal statement is your opportunity to tell the admissions tutors not only why you wish to study chemistry, but also convince them that you want to study chemistry more than anyone else! What is it about chemistry that particularly interests you? What are your favourite areas? How will studying chemistry help you to achieve your goals post-university?

Think about if you are a suitable candidate for the course too. If you have consulted the University of Oxford website (which hopefully you have), you will have noted that both chemistry and maths A Levels are considered ‘essential’ for admission to this course. This means you will need to be at A* standard in both of these subjects to apply, so ensure that your maths is up to scratch.

Also, consider if you want to only study a single science subject. If you find that you really enjoy all of your A-Level sciences to the point of wanting to continue to study them all, you might want to think about Cambridge Natural Sciences instead.

Justify all your subject interests with examples of how you explored these via an academic extracurricular or reading:

Don’t just say ‘I like chemistry because atoms are cool’ – although hopefully, you wouldn’t put that anyway… Give more information! Talk about why a particular area of chemistry is your favourite or is interesting to you, maybe you did a really fun practical in school or watched an interesting video in class. Then discuss how you acted on this interest, perhaps by watching some online open-source university lectures on the topic to expand your knowledge, going to a talk or even by reading a book.

Think about other, more unusual topics you can write about that will make your Chemistry Oxford personal statement stand out from the crowd. An example of this is that I wrote a significant part of my Oxford personal statement about two academic summer schools that I had attended, the Salters’ Chemistry Camp in year 10 and the Eton College Universities Summer School (aimed at introducing state school students to university-level topics) in year 12. Including experiences such as these tell an admissions tutor that you are really interested in pushing yourself academically and exploring chemistry at a higher level of understanding.

Don’t write too much about your non-academic hobbies

Even though hobbies are a good thing to talk about for other universities, on your Chemistry personal statement, Oxford will be looking at your application almost purely from an academic perspective. That’s not to say don’t include them though! Remember, your Oxford Chemistry personal statement must be applicable to all the universities you apply to, as you submit the same personal statement to each one.

As well as this, Oxford will be looking for well-rounded individuals who have acquired skills such as time management, resilience and perseverance, often developed through sports, music and qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. As a rough rule of thumb, you should be looking to dedicate at least 80-90% of your Chemistry Oxford personal statement to academics, and the rest can be hobbies and extracurriculars.

Start prepping and writing early!

Your Oxford Chemistry personal statement is not a particularly long piece of writing, but there is a lot to include! Even though ideally you will have been doing everything you include in your Oxford Chemistry personal statement anyway because it’s something you are doing because you’re passionate about your subjects, it doesn’t always work out that way. If you have to read an extra book or two to demonstrate the points you are making, that’s okay, but I would urge you to ACTUALLY DO everything you mention in your Chemistry personal statement – Oxford admissions tutors may ask you about it in the interview!. You definitely need to be thinking about it before you get to year 13, ideally by the summer of year 12, for example, I did around 6 or 7 drafts of my Oxford personal statement before I was ready to submit it!

Have mentors you trust look over your Oxford Chemistry personal statement for you

Getting someone else’s perspective on your Chemistry personal statement is essential. Ideally, this should be someone who has helped Oxford candidates before, but if not, an adult familiar with the university application process (and better still, a scientist) e.g. one of your teachers will do. Make sure to thank them for their help!

Finally, keep the character limit in mind

There is a 4000 character limit on your personal statement, and that limit includes spaces!

I said earlier that this is not a long piece of writing, and I meant it. My Chemistry Oxford personal statement was JUST under the character limit (as yours will end up being too) and those characters come out to only 611 words! This means your writing should be as concise as possible, with no waffling, nothing that isn’t directly relevant to the point you are making, and no long fancy vocabulary as it is character count that matters, not words. There is a personal statement builder on the UCAS website which you can use to check your character count, as some word processors will count spacing and paragraph spaces differently. Try to strike a balance in terms of the number of paragraphs you use, as making new paragraphs wastes precious characters, but one big block of text isn’t very appealing to the reader!

And that’s it on my advice! Take it all into consideration, but remember that you don’t need to eat, sleep and breathe your subject to the point where it’s unhealthy in order to get into university. That’s not what Oxford is about (no matter what the internet might tell you) and you are allowed to (and should – especially at school) have hobbies. Don’t forget that university is about becoming a well-rounded adult ready to tackle the world of work! I hope you find all of this advice helpful when writing your Oxford Chemistry Personal Statement.

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Graduate School Personal Statement

Criteria for success.

• Your personal statement convinces a faculty committee that you are qualified for their program.
• It convinces them that you a good fit for their program’s focus and goals.
• You show a select group of skills and experiences that convey your scientific accomplishments and interests.
• Your experiences are concrete and quantitative.
• Your personal statement is no more than 3 pages.

Structure Diagram

The graduate school personal statement tells your story and demonstrates that you are a good match for a particular department or program. Matching goes both ways: they should be interested in you, and you should be interested in them. Your personal statement should make this match clear.

Analyze Your Audience

Your personal statement will be ready by a graduate committee, a handful of faculty from your program. They’re trying to determine if you will be a successful graduate student in their department, a positive force in the department’s intellectual life, and a successful scientist after you graduate. They are therefore interested in your qualifications as a researcher, your career goals, and how your personality matches their labs and department.

The graduate committee probably reads hundreds of applications a year. To make it easy for them to figure out that you are a good fit, make direct, concrete statements about your accomplishments and qualifications. To make it easy for them to remember you, create a narrative that “brands” you.

Create a personal narrative

PhD programs invest in the professional and scientific growth of their students. Get the committee excited about investing in you by opening your essay with a brief portrait of what drives you as a scientist. What research directions are you passionate about, and why? What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Close your essay with a 2-3 sentence discussion of your career interests. No one will hold you to this; this just helps your committee visualize your potential trajectory.

Describe your experiences

Experiences are the “what” of your essay. What experiences led you to develop your skill set and passions? Where have you demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and collaboration? Include research, teaching, and relevant extracurriculars. State concrete achievements and outcomes like awards, discoveries, or publications.

Quantify your experiences to show concrete impact. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? How many people were in competition for an award? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students?

Describe actions, not just changes in your internal mental or emotional state. A personal statement is a way to make a narrative out of your CV. It is not a diary entry.

Explain the meaning of your experiences

Meaning is the “why” or “so what” of the document. Why was this experience important to your growth as a scientist? What does it say about your abilities and potential? It feels obvious to you, but you need to be explicit with your audience. Your descriptions of meaning should also act as transition statements between experiences: try to “wrap” meaning around your experiences.

Demonstrate match to your target program

Demonstrate an understanding of the program to which you’re applying and about how you will be successful in that program. To do this:

• Read the program’s website. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your essay. For example, MIT Chemical Engineering’s website points out innovative research areas and interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Get in contact with faculty (or students) in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, describe how those interactions made you think that you and the department may be well-matched.
• State which professors in the program you would be interested in working with. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects.

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

These 2021 short answer responses are from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 237 KB

Annotated Example 2

This is the personal statement from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 121 KB

Annotated Example 3

This is the personal statement from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 361 KB

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Personal statement example chemistry personal statement.

Submitted by Hodan

Chemistry Personal Statement

From Physical to Organic, Chemistry is a subject which allows us to interact with the world at a molecular level. The universal breadth of Chemistry and how it relates so smoothly to other Sciences has fuelled my passion into it. From thermodynamics to learning about the synthesis of drugs and their use in the body, Chemistry is everywhere.

Reading select chapters of Why Chemical Reactions Happen has helped develop my understanding of Physical Chemistry. In kinetics, for example, I was intrigued by how mechanisms could be solely determined by their rate equations allowing us to distinguish whether the mechanism is SN1 or SN2. In my spare time, I’ve researched into free radical chemistry and how climate change is impacting the Earth’s atmosphere. From this, I wrote an essay on how the composition of the atmosphere changes over time, which discusses the mechanism of free radical decomposition of ozone.

Knowledge gained through my other A-Level subjects has all fed into my understanding of Chemistry. Participating in extension maths classes – where we solve MAT and STEP problems – has improved my problem-solving skills. I applied these skills alongside my understanding of AS Chemistry to tackle questions which went past the scope of my syllabus during 2017’s C3L6, which required us to visualise and manipulate complex molecules in 3D. This challenge gave me an insight into the complexity of what degree level Chemistry ensues, and I received a Bronze award for my efforts.

Studying Computational Chemistry during a summer school at UCL , my eyes were opened to how experiments can be monitored through visualisation of molecules using computational modelling. I worked with scientific researchers using VMD, and we studied simulations of potassium channels and how they moved in cell membranes. Computational modelling in Chemistry is an incredibly powerful technique, and I am very interested to learn more about it at University.

The Experience Cambridge Summer School gave me an insight into the work of a PhD student. I was intrigued by her research into a relatively new part of Chemistry, DNA Origami, and how one long strand of DNA and one shorter strand can bind complementarily to form different structures from DNA. From more fun applications like smiley faces to making protein channels in cell membranes. I was required to create a Nano-device that applied DNA origami. Using my knowledge of cell membranes and channel proteins, I came up with the idea to make a chloride channel. This could have medicinal applications, for instance, it could aid sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis as they have abnormalities in the function of chloride channels. Relating this project to Computational Chemistry, I used the protein database online to find the channel and then used VMD to create a model of what it may look like.

Studying analytical techniques in school taught me how to distinguish the bonds present in a molecule and how to use that information to infer its structure. Synthesising Caffeine at the University of Bristol gave me the chance to use IR and apply these techniques, identifying the functional groups present in the drug to check that I had synthesised the correct product. Using an IR spectrometer showed me first-hand how Chemists can interact with the world at the molecular level. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of synthesising caffeine, followed by challenge of product analysis.

Outside of my studies, I volunteer every Saturday with Oxfam. The role requires effective time management and being able to work well with others. In my spare time, I enjoy participating in Bridge tournaments.

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Postgraduate chemistry personal statement example 3.

I’ve always been fascinated by science and more recently I have developed a passion for organic chemistry when I purchased a Molymod set and began exploring the molecular structures of compound and understanding how functional groups influence their chemical and physical properties. This is why I want to pursue chemistry at degree level; to further develop my knowledge, passion and curiosity for the subject.

One particular phenomenon that intrigues me is liquid breathing. Originally developed as part of the Manhattan Project, Perfluorocarbons have the unique ability to carry between 20 and 30 percent more oxygen than blood. This has great applications in the military to increase the submersion depths of submarines as it would prevent death from respiratory acidosis.

As a regular listener of ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’, I enjoyed a recent episode commemorating the 150th anniversary of the periodic table. I was intrigued to learn about applications of the 4f elements from Professor Polly Arnold at the University of Edinburgh, in particular the range of uses in mobile phone technology from displaying colours to creating tiny, yet powerful, magnets which allow phones to vibrate.

Last summer I organised and completed a week’s work experience in the research and development laboratories of Southern Group Laboratories, a biochemical company. One memorable moment was being able to independently compete a titration to determine the quantity of solvent required to prepare a standard solution of 6 molar nitric acid to be used on NATO nuclear submarines.

I practiced and observed many quantitative and semi-quantitative tests monitoring bacteria growth on different agar jellies for pharmaceutical testing. The experience I gained working in a strict laboratory environment confirmed that chemistry is the career I would like to pursue. I developed my confidence, teamwork and practical work and realised this is an environment I would like to work in for a future career.

I have completed a bronze CREST award which involved researching and designing an aerial glider for an RAF aerospace competition. Our team achieved first place as well as collecting the teamwork award. This experience was thrilling and very fulfilling as I felt challenged and rewarded for our hard work.

I also took part in a research project in collaboration with Cambridge University where I chose to research autism, giving me an initial glimpse into university life whilst developing my independent research skills. This year I completed a Future Learn course on Composite Bio-Inspired Materials. In order to achieve this I researched self-assembling peptides and their captivating application as a drug delivery system. Doing this course sparked my interest in bio-chemistry and is what influenced me to complete work experience in a biological setting.

My study of psychology and mathematics has equipped me with the necessary skills to study chemistry at university, including statistical analysis, problem solving, as well as resilience and perseverance. In school, I was presented with a black tie, an honour awarded to students for exceptional attitude and behaviour towards learning. I am always enthusiastic, determined and take part in every opportunity presented to me which is why I feel well prepared for the challenges of a degree at university.

Having volunteered with the Girl Guiding Association for four years, I have demonstrated leadership, commitment and responsibility, and am currently working towards my adult leadership qualification, allowing me to complete a future goal of running my own unit. I have taken part in numerous voluntary activities in school including charity events and assisting at open evenings, most recently in the chemistry department where I demonstrated the combustion of methane bubbles.

I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and hope you will consider me for this much sought after place which will allow me to accomplish my goals.

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I applied to the following universities and received offers at all five.

Edinburgh Leeds Cardiff UEA Nottingham Trent

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