It was after reading the Communist Manifesto as a historical document at the age of thirteen that I became intrigued how a seemingly small text could be so significant. A brief polemic, published some 160 years ago, profoundly influenced the course of 20th century history and is still cited for its influence on modern political writing today. My...
History and Politics Personal Statement Example 1
History and politics have had a profound impact on my outlook. From childhood, the tangible history I found in castles, museums and family photographs appealed uniquely to my imagination.
As I grew up my interest in the past introduced me to the political traditions and ideas of my community, and the study of politics became equally absorbing. Both subjects retain their fascination for me, the extent of their interrelation making them a perfect platform for a more complete understanding of our world and its future.
My A level studies have confirmed my commitment to history and politics, and encouraged me to challenge and expand upon my perceptions of the subjects.
The diversity of historical opinion I have discovered, in Kershaw’s historiographical surveys for instance, has particularly interested me, and led me to explore texts on historical theory including Carr’s ‘What is History?’ Peter Clarke’s ‘Hope and Glory’ drew my attention to the historical roots of contemporary political problems, as well as the timeless themes of politics.
The more explicitly human aspect of the disciplines similarly enthuses me, and I have enjoyed reading biographies such as Strachey’s ‘Queen Victoria’ and Paul Routledge’s ‘Mandy’, finding them insightful, as well as enjoyable.
University lecture days, talks from local politicians, and visits to Westminster and the Welsh Assembly have all been valuable and stimulating experiences, allowing me to engage in my proposed area of study guided by my growing curiosity.
My greater involvement in the school community has been a rewarding aspect of sixth form life. As well as being a prefect, I have been active in the year 12 charity committee and have participated in the ‘Toe-by-Toe’ reading scheme.
For the past year I have been editor of the school newspaper, requiring of me the ability to work in a team and to deal with pressures of time. This role, along with my position as secretary of the school council, has seen me develop greater flexibility in my written style. I have particularly enjoyed competing for my school’s debating team at local and regional levels, which has taught me to research, structure and maintain a line of argument.
A highlight of the past year has been participating in a French exchange programme, developing my linguistic and communicative skills.
I find experiencing different ways of life through travel fascinating, and hope to organise an independent trip to Paris with my French class later in the year. Outside school, my interests in art and literature are a helpful balance to my academic work. I have also been a member of Circus Eruption, a group working with able-bodied and disabled young people through the medium of circus skills, for six years.
I have a real passion for current affairs and it is my long term ambition to go into journalism; a career in which the unique insight into society provided by the combination of history and politics would be invaluable. I have already completed a week of work experience at a local newspaper, during which I had two independently researched articles published, and which I hope to follow-up with further placements during a gap year.
This break would allow me to travel more widely, consolidate my skills in French, learn a further European language or work abroad, and would equip me with skills and experiences that could only enrich my time at university.
Profile info
This personal statement was written by ataraxy for application in 2004.
ataraxy's university choices
London School of Economics
Oxford University
King's College London
University of Leicester
London School of Economics
The University of Nottingham
Oxford University
The University of York
Green: offer made
Red: no offer made
Degree
Modern History and Politics at Oxford University
Ratings
Statement rating:
Comments
it just seems like pretty
Sun, 24/07/2005 - 00:00
it just seems like pretty much all of this persons life was geared to get into oxford of wherever they chose.
[b]Admin edit: Constructive criticism only please.[/b]
Fantastic! I am most
Fri, 16/09/2005 - 00:00
Fantastic! I am most impressed with the quality of this statement.
did the thesaurus help you on
Sun, 18/09/2005 - 00:00
did the thesaurus help you on the way to oxford?
erm
Tue, 20/09/2005 - 00:00
what did you put on your oxford form and what college did you apply for?
How did you put over 6
Wed, 21/09/2005 - 00:00
How did you put over 6 universities on your application when the limit is 6?
Thanks for the
Thu, 22/09/2005 - 00:00
Thanks for the congratulations - just trying to psych myself up to start the course now! Also, sorry about the doubled-up UCAS choices in my profile - I've tried everything I can to cut out the second mentions, but nothing seems to be working. It's some kind of glitch (obviously!).
And for whoever it was that asked, I applied to Lincoln College at Oxford, but didn't add any extra information to my Oxford application form. Hope it helps.
How did u get an offer for
Fri, 23/09/2005 - 00:00
How did u get an offer for history and politics at Kings when they only do history but not with politics?
This PS is really direct and
Tue, 17/10/2006 - 00:26
This PS is really direct and takes you straight in - gives the info the admissions tutors want to know. I do think it's a really good model for concise writing. I don't think its majorly individual or anything, but let's face it, this guy's got straight As across the board - he could have prob spat on it and sent it in and they'd have still offered him a place!
Thought it was a brilliant
Wed, 20/06/2007 - 19:57
Thought it was a brilliant personal statement; articulate with no superfluous information. Found it even more useful as Im applying to do History and Politics as similar universities.
They may 'gild the lily'
Sun, 15/07/2007 - 13:48
They may 'gild the lily' slightly, but it's essentially just a really good personal statement. Although, how did you get accepted at Kings? As someone said, they only do straight History!
Thought this was brilliant,
Thu, 04/10/2007 - 21:58
Thought this was brilliant, the opening in particular.
Freedomspark: Presumably he
Thu, 04/10/2007 - 21:59
Freedomspark: Presumably he applied to King's for History alone.
Well if you can only copy and
Mon, 29/10/2007 - 23:33
Well if you can only copy and paste someone elses personal statement, than you probably didn't deserve that place at uni....
well structured and balanced.
Wed, 14/11/2007 - 15:53
well structured and balanced.
This personal statement
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 16:19
This personal statement really reads well, and has alot of flow. The academic aspects of this statement can easily be mimiced. The extra curricular activities you have partken in however are truely perfect for a prospective Oxbridge student.
is it wise to put extra
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 20:51
is it wise to put extra information on the PS when clearly if unis are looking for candidates to show passion for an academic subject? obviously it worked but should i concentrate more on the that side as apposed to extra curricular activities?
statement and all
Wed, 31/03/2010 - 15:53
nice for you to enjoy the History and that, but to not feel disammaed from being accepted in more than one placement then to be asked to pay four thousand for each year spent learning, for something that were keeping you on the straight and narrow, the time after the course can almost send you into an assylum., for the demands made.
well done on the quality of
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 09:51
well done on the quality of this statement!
applying to oxford
Fri, 10/06/2011 - 17:29
ataraxy this a brilliant personal statement. I know you posted this a few years ago but I will be very grateful if you respond back. Whilst looking at your profile, I found you did media studies at a level. Im also doin media studies at a level, as well as law and english language and literarture. In relation to applying to oxford did they see media studies as a disadvantage? Also I know you were applying History (Modern) and Politics but as Im applying for law at oxford, do you beleieve they will see media studies as a disadvantage? (If you do respond would be alright if I asked for your email address)
You can only apply to 5...
Sun, 06/07/2014 - 04:05
You can only apply to 5...
??
Mon, 15/09/2014 - 18:55
how can you be accepted to all those universities when you can only apply to five....?
Add new comment