Geography Personal Statement Guide

The Personal statement is a crucial opportunity to showcase your interest in geography, your academic achievements, and your unique experiences.

But writing one isn't easy; there is a lot to cover and you'll only have 4,000 characters to do it in.

You'll need to show a passion for geography, demonstrate a willingness to elarn, and prove that you're ready to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

This guide will provide you with detailed advice on writing a fantastic personal statement that will capture the attention of admissions tutors. 

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in a Geography Personal Statement? 
• What Should I Avoid in a Geography Personal Statement? 
• Advice on How to Start a Geography Personal Statement 
• Advice on How to Finish a Geography Personal Statement 
• FAQs 

Why are Personal Statements Important? 

The personal statement is a vital part of your application because it offers a window into who you are as a person beyond your grades. It is your chance to tell the admissions tutors about your interest in geography, your personal experiences, and possibly your future aspirations as well.

Admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge are looking for specific qualities in a personal statement. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, they want to see that you have a genuine interest in geography. You can demonstrate this by taking about specific books or articles you’ve read outside of school, which will show your independent interest in the subject. 

Secondly, they’re looking for academically excellent candidates. This is mainly shown through your exam results, but also through your engagement with different ideas or topics in the personal statement. If you can show that you’re thinking critically and analytically about the things you’re reading, it’ll look fantastic to the admissions tutors.

Thirdly, they want to see that you can write well and express your thoughts in a concise and coherent way. The personal statement should be organised clearly, with an introduction and a summary at the end. If this helps, try to think of it like a ‘mini-essay’. Every sentence counts!

What Should I Include in a Geography Personal Statement? 

Academic Achievments

Your grades are a fundamental part of your application. However, discussing them isn’t appropriate in the personal statement. Talk about these things instead:

• Independent learning: demonstrate your commitment to learning outside the classroom. Mention any relevant books, journals, or online courses you’ve read. Explain what you’ve learned from them and how you think they’ve prepared you for university-level study. 

• Academic projects: describe relevant projects and coursework, including NEAs, EPQs, Nuffield Projects, and so on.

Special Interests within Geography

Geography is an extremely broad discipline, so it’s important to showcase your specific interests. Specificity will make you stand out and make your personal statement more interesting and memorable. Consider the following areas:

• Human geography: urban development, migration, cultural landscapes, and political geography.

• Physical geography: geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, and hydrology.

• Environmental geography: sustainability, conservation, and environmental management.

• Geospatial technologies: GIS, remote sensing, and cartography. 

It doesn’t matter what your specific interests within the field of geography are. All topics—from geopolitics to marine biogeography—are equally valuable. What’s important is that you’re reading independently and pursuing these interests outside of the classroom. 

Other Experiences

Other relevant experiences for the personal statement could include:

• Field trips: don’t just describe what you did. Be sure to say what you learned from these experiences and how your field trips have deepened your understanding of specific geographical ideas.

• Work experience: if you’ve undertaken any internships or work experience related to geography, such as working with environmental organisations or urban planners, describe these experiences and explain what real-life experience you gained from them.

• Volunteering: mention any volunteer work relating to geography, such as conservation projects and community initiatives.

The key point here is to make your experiences relevant to your geography application. For example, if you did some work experience with a city councillor, you could say something about how difficult you learned it is to combat social issues (e.g. poverty, homelessness, etc) with limited financial resources. 

Skills and Attributes 

Admissions tutors are looking for candidates who possess a range of skills that will help them succeed at Oxbridge. Highlighting the following skills in your personal statement could strengthen your application:

• Critical thinking: geography students are expected to be able to break down and criticise different theories and arguments. The best way to do this in your personal statement is by offering some criticism of a book or article you’ve read. 

• Analysis: studying geography requires the ability to analyse complex data and draw meaningful conclusions. Provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated analytical thinking, such as coursework or research projects.

• Problem-solving: discuss any instances where you have used problem-solving skills in geographical contexts, such as thinking of solutions for environmental issues or urban planning challenges.

• Research skills: Describe your experience with research methods, including data collection, fieldwork, and literature reviews. Mention any specific research projects you’ve conducted and the methodologies you used.

• Communication skills: effective communication is essential at Oxbridge, whether it’s during supervisions or tutorials, writing reports, or giving presentations. Try to highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

What Should I Avoid in a Geography Personal Statement? 

Avoiding clichés and common pitfalls will help your personal statement stand out for the right reasons (or, at the very least, it’ll help you not stand out for the wrong reasons!). 

Firstly, avoid making broad, unsubstantiated claims like "I have always loved Geography." Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate your interest (e.g. books and articles you’ve read). 

Secondly, think twice before using clichés like "geography is everywhere”. These kinds of statements are overused and add little value to your personal statement. Try to be more original and specific.

Thirdly, stick to writing about things that are directly related to geography and your suitability for the course. Avoid lengthy descriptions of irrelevant hobbies or achievements; unfortunately, these things probably won’t count in your favour. 

Advice on How to Start a Geography Personal Statement  

The introduction is your chance to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your personal statement. There are a few different ways you can create an engaging introduction:

• With an anecdote: start with a brief, vivid story that illustrates your interest in geography. For example, you could describe a field trip to a coastal area that sparked your fascination with coastal geomorphology.

• With a question: pose a thought-provoking question related to geography that you would like to explore during your studies.

• With an issue: begin with a brief analysis of a current geographical issue, such as climate change or urbanisation. Explain why this issue is important to you and how you hope to address it through your studies.

Advice on How to Finish a Geography Personal Statement  

The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader. Here are some suggestions about how to conclude effectively:

• Briefly summarise the main points you have made in your statement and try to tie everything together. It should be crystal clear what your specific interests are and why you want to pursue geography further at university. 

• Emphasise your enthusiasm! Explain why you are particularly excited about the opportunities and challenges that the course at Oxford or Cambridge will offer and how you think you could benefit from it. 

• Consider mentioning your long-term goals. If you choose to do this, try to be specific. Talk about the skills and knowledge you hope to gain during the course you’ve chosen and how you plan to use these skills in your future career.

FAQs