(sorry, I know deleting posts is bad form, but I've just been told under no circumstances to publically display my statement. thanks everyone.
I know this isn't 'the Student Room' but please
I have this disorder that makes it impossible for me to read bricks of text. So break your shit up a bit maybe?
Hey Agent Cooper. I went through this all last year, so it only seems fair to offer you my advice. Also personal statements are a bitch, no?
*deleted in accordance with the post above*
(I have the post I posted saved though, if it is needed for whatever reason.)
Thanks very much! That help was extremely useful, and I have altered my statement accordingly.
A mate of mine studied History at Oxford. Well, he was a mate when we were at school, I haven't spoken to him for years. The last time I saw him was when he was in his first year, and he told me that Kermit the Frog had visited the student union. I think Diego Maradona also paid a visit while he was there.
Quote: catskillz @ March 28 2010, 1:11 PM GMTA mate of mine studied History at Oxford, and he told me that Kermit the Frog had visited the student union. I think Diego Maradona also paid a visit while he was there.
Yep, those Oxford chemistry students could make top-notch LSD.
LOL.
Some of the union visitors is a great reason to go to Oxford. Would love to see some of those more quirky names.
Your passion for your subject comes out, which is what they should look for most of all, so that's good. My main concern with the content is that you have given the strong impression you are interested more in what history is, its mechanics, rather than giving the conventional 'My favourite period in history is...'
It could go in your favour, because you show you really are thinking for yourself, but equally, they could think that you're more interested in or more attuned to studying philosophy than history, but that's only my wispy thoughts. You have shown you have an analytical mind and a curious one, but words like flair and imagination could be seen to conflict with these two qualities, but only my nitpicking thoughts again.
You have written a very ambitious statement, so be prepared to be quizzed or challenged by them on some aspects of it. You put yourself forward as a thinker about what history is, a philosopher almost, so have an answer to questions like 'Would the course of history have been changed if Pope Urban had not called for a crusade, or would it just have been delayed?' or 'Can history teach us how to see an effect coming, that is just waiting for its cause?' (Many historians say that if world leaders had been sharper eyed in the past, they could have averted many wars and disasters.) Good luck.
I recently applied to graduate school to study History and I dug up my old statement. Just to add to the others (not only in their constructive criticisms, but in their praises) I think you have a very good start.
I would suggest that you get a little more specific about what you want to study. It is OK if you are not exactly sure, I was interested in the high Middle Ages before entering university and my attention was gradually pulled back in time to the late Roman Empire. But even if you are not sure what you want to study, being a little more particular about what era interests you most would help to show that you are focused and motivated. Your interests can (and will) evolve as you learn.
I used specific examples of classes I had taken and professors that had made an impact on me through those classes. The whole point is that after they put your paper down and move on to someone else they remember you, and having these personal touches with names of teachers and classes can help with that.
I was interested in studying at Oxford. I wrote my master's thesis on Anglo-Saxon England and there are very few historians in the States who have an Anglo-Saxon focus. That meant that I had to work with professors in the English department who weren't as interested in Bede as they were in Caedmon. The other problem is that foreigners do not get financial support (from what I gathered from my advisors who studied at Oxford and Cambridge respectively) or at least they would only get what ever was left over.
Good luck with your studies and don't let university turn you into a drone.
Quote: Agent Cooper @ March 28 2010, 4:11 AM GMT(sorry, I know deleting posts is bad form, but I've just been told under no circumstances to publically display my statement. thanks everyone.
They've already got to you!
Quote: Agent Cooper @ March 28 2010, 4:11 AM GMT(I know deleting posts is bad form, but I've been told not to publically display my statement.
Just in case some other students cut 'n' paste it? - you'll find that's standard university practice... apparently.
I've been advised this weekend to think about going back to uni. Kill me now.
A one year good quality course in something you like would probably be slightly more enjoyable than 4 years of crappy teaching in something you've gone off, though.
Quote: Aaron @ March 29 2010, 6:30 PM GMTI've been advised this weekend to think about going back to uni. Kill me now.
University can be one of the greatest experiences of your life, and you've wasted it. 
Quote: zooo @ March 29 2010, 6:45 PM GMTA one year good quality course in something you like would probably be slightly more enjoyable than 4 years of crappy teaching in something you've gone off, though.
Is there a course in drinking Coke, eating noodles, and watching television?