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Mathematics Personal Statement Examples

What is a maths personal statement?

Your mathematics personal statement should describe your motivations for wanting to study this subject. It tells the university who you are and why you will make a good maths student. Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, you need to paint yourself in the best possible light to convince admissions tutors that should offer you a place on their course.

How do I write a maths personal statement?

We recommend starting your maths personal statement by making some note about your skills, experience, hobbies/extracurricular activities, strengths and ambitions for the future. Our personal statement template can help you structure your thoughts into sentences and paragraphs that flow well together, and looking through our top rated examples will show you what makes a successful personal statement.

Starting your first draft in the summer holidays will give you plenty of time to re-draft your statement, and proofread it for spelling and grammar. You will need to go through at least three or four revisions before you have a final, polished draft that you can submit on your UCAS form.

Once you're happy with it, don't just rely on spellchecker for spelling and grammar errors. Read your statement thoroughly several times before pasting it into your UCAS form.

What should I include in my maths personal statement?

Be specific and try to give examples of your problem-solving and analytical skills, both of which are important in a maths degree.
If you’re applying for a joint honours, e.g. maths and finance, then tailor your statement so you relate it to both of these subjects.
A good maths personal statement might mention a role of responsibility, such as leader of your student maths club or head boy/girl at your sixth form. Or for a maths and finance personal statement, you could mention managing money at your Saturday job and what you learned from this.
Any hobbies or other activities you are involved in outside of school should always be linked to your maths course. If you don't feel something is relevant, then don't mention it - remember you only have a limited space of 4,000 characters, so every word has to earn its place in your statement. Don't waste them on your grade 6 violin, or your collection of royal family souvenirs.

For more help and advice on what to write in your sociology personal statement, please see:

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Mathematics Personal Statement Examples

Hopefully, these examples of Mathematics Personal Statements will help you create a unique statement for your UCAS application .

I have always been fascinated by the world of mathematics and its ability to explain and understand complex phenomena in the world around us. From a young age, I have been drawn to the beauty and elegance of mathematical concepts and their ability to provide answers to some of the most challenging questions we face.

At school, I have excelled in mathematics, consistently achieving top grades in my exams and regularly participating in extra-curricular math competitions. I have particularly enjoyed studying topics such as calculus, algebra, and geometry, and I have found that my natural aptitude for problem-solving has allowed me to excel in these areas.

In addition to my passion for mathematics, I have also developed a strong interest in computer science. I have taught myself several programming languages and have enjoyed using these skills to create my computer programmes and simulations. I believe that the combination of my mathematical knowledge and computer programming skills would make me an ideal candidate for a degree in mathematical sciences.

As a university student, I am eager to continue exploring the fascinating world of mathematics and to push myself to the limits of my abilities. I am confident that a degree in mathematical sciences would provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a successful career in this exciting and rewarding field.

I am applying to your university because I believe that it offers an outstanding programme in mathematical sciences, with a strong emphasis on both theoretical and practical applications. I am particularly impressed by the diverse range of research opportunities available, and I am eager to participate in cutting-edge research projects that will challenge and inspire me.

As a student with a passion for mathematics, I am excited at the prospect of studying at such a prestigious institution and I am confident that your programme would provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a successful career in this field.

At school, I have consistently achieved top grades in my mathematics exams, and I have regularly participated in extra-curricular math competitions. I have a particular interest in topics such as calculus, algebra, and geometry, and I have found that my natural aptitude for problem-solving has allowed me to excel in these areas.

In addition to my passion for mathematics, I have also developed an interest in computer science. I have taught myself several programming languages and have enjoyed using these skills to create my computer programmes and simulations. I believe that the combination of my mathematical knowledge and computer programming skills would make me an ideal candidate for your degree programme.

As a university student, I am eager to continue exploring the fascinating world of mathematics and to push myself to the limits of my abilities. I am confident that a degree from the University of Cambridge would provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a successful career in this exciting and rewarding field.

I am particularly impressed by the wide range of research opportunities available at your university, and I am eager to participate in cutting-edge research projects that will challenge and inspire me. I am also excited by the opportunity to study at such a historic and prestigious institution, and I believe that the intellectual environment at Cambridge would be the perfect place for me to grow and develop as a student.

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Personal statement advice: maths

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Showing your mathematical motivations

'Maths is like Marmite: you either like it or you don’t': an opening line from one student's maths personal statement, which, while not really revealing anything concrete about that applicant's motivation, does help to illustrate how tricky it can be explaining what exactly you enjoy about the subject.

With a subject like maths at university, motivation is 90% of the battle – so anything that demonstrates your motivation and enthusiasm for the subject will go down well. Here are a few tips from admissions tutors to help with your maths personal statement:

'We love to see anything that shows the depth or breadth of your interest in maths, and especially your interests in the subject beyond the A level (or equivalent) syllabus – like any maths books you’ve read, maths clubs you’re part of, or especially any maths challenges you’ve been involved in'.
The University of Bristol looks for applicants who can show participation and success in mathematical competitions: 'there are many of these competitions, whether local, national, or international, and the more recent your participation and the greater the success you attained, the more weight it carries.'
'We like to see a bit of spark and originality. For example, what first inspired your interest in maths, or better still, what currently inspires it?'
'Give us a sense of which aspects of maths you especially like and why. Is it algebra, calculus, statistics, or something else?'

How polished your statement needs to be will vary from uni to uni because it’s your mathematical ability and potential that matters most – but as the London School of Economics’ says, 'an original and interesting personal statement which outlines your enthusiasm and motivation is expected.'

What else to include in your maths personal statement

Your extra-curricular activities: tutors want to know about your sporting, cultural, or community involvement, or anything else you do outside your studies that demonstrates drive, commitment, enthusiasm, and your potential to excel.
What you'll contribute: uni isn’t just about studying – universities are also communities, and it's great if you can show how you'll contribute to university life.
Your personality: try to give tutors a sense of your personality through talking about any outside interests that offer an insight into who you are. Bristol is looking for students who 'stand out from the crowd' and are upbeat in their statements.

Try not to be too quirky, but do get your personality across if you can. And most of all, explain why you love maths.

Successful Personal Statement For Cambridge Mathematics And Physics

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

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 Mathematics and Physics applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Cambridge University. The Mathematics and Physics Course at Cambridge offers the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects: everything from abstract logic to black holes.

Read on to see how this strong Personal Statement addresses both maths and physics to showcase a high level of their ability.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

INTERVIEW + REJECTED

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Maths comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts.

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.

Mathematics And Physics Personal Statement

Since childhood, I’ve always loved complex puzzles, logical problems and challenges. Later on I discovered mathematics and physics which offered a lot of interesting problems and I enjoyed spending time on them. I loved the fact that real-life events, such as throwing a ball, could be described by a virtual language created by humans. However the most impressive fact for me was when I discovered that mathematicians and physicists can predict events just by solving equations. That’s is when I decided that maths and physics are what I want to do in life to contribute to the world.

Even though my passion in mathematics started very early, I have struggled to get to where I am now. When I got into Bratislava’s best gymnasium in mathematics I found myself at a position I had never been before. That was the first time I wasn’t the best in mathematics in our class, in fact I was one of the weaker students in this field. However over time I made my way to the top, but I still couldn’t surpass my classmates. When I got to the 5th grade, I realized why I didn’t succeed. That year we got a new mathematics teacher and she opened my eyes and showed me the beauty of maths. The most important thing that happened that year however was when I won the regional mathematics Olympiad and they invited me to KMS which is a camp for people interested in mathematics. There I realized that the school mathematics is just a fraction of the possibilities in this area. However the thing that I believe helped me in mathematics is that I started enjoying it. Rather than solving a Sudoku or crossword puzzle I was solving geometry problems. Since then I have won many prizes including bronze medals from the Middle European Mathematical Olympiad and the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Besides maths and physics I also love playing the piano and practicing Kung Fu. I have played the piano for 13 years and my personal favourites are Chopin’s Nocturnes. I may not be great at it, but playing the piano helps me relax and forget about my worries for a while. I practice Kung Fu mainly for health. My favourite style is Bagua. I learned that Kung Fu is not only a martial art, but a way of living. Besides Kung Fu and the piano, I also enjoy teaching kids interesting facts or problems in mathematics. During school, I teach a mathematics club and I want to teach the kids that mathematics isn’t just numbers.

Every summer I help organize a mathematics day camp for children. Mathematics may be the subject which I’m best at, but I don’t want to be ‘just a mathematician’ in the future. Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to do something great like solving global issues or inventing something useful, however I realize that it is very hard to achieve this with pure mathematics. People advised me to go study economics and financial mathematics so I could have a good job and earn money, but that is not what I want to achieve in life. My goal is to shape the world and make it a better place for future generations. This is the reason I want to study physics or engineering. I started doing physics two years ago and since then I participated and won some competitions including the Regional Physics Olympiad. To be better at physics I started reading Feynman’s lectures which helped me a lot, but also taught me that there is much to learn out there about the world. The reason why I want to study in the UK is because there are many opportunities compared to Slovakia. I have many friends who study there and heard from them that it’s an amazing experience. The most important fact, though, is that in the UK I can study and work with people who are ambitious. I know what I want to achieve in life, and even though I don’t yet know exactly how to get there or where ‘there’ will be, I believe that a UK university education will steer me in the right direction.

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

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a very good statement. The statement is well-written and structured. The student describes their life experiences without making the statement sound like a list of achievements. This is achieved because the student explains every experience described, rather than listing their life experiences with no context. It is clear that the student has many talents and achievements, and these are stated in a humble manner that does not make it seem as though the student is bragging. It is clear that the student is aware of the significance of their decision to study outside of their native homeland and the challenges that this will bring. The student explains their reasons for applying to study a dual honours course and does not neglect either discipline.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The student uses the word ‘gymnasium’ instead of school/college. Whilst this may be the term used in Slovakia, in the UK a ‘gymnasium’ is a place where people exercise and its use in this statement is somewhat confusing. The way in which the student writes about their personal experiences makes the statement sound somewhat like an autobiography.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a very good statement. The student clearly has personality and a high level of ability. Strange terminology used can be excused due to the fact that the student’s first language is not English, and that the vast majority of the statement is very well-written.

This Personal Statement for Maths and Physics is a great example of how to showcase a high level of ability. The candidate’s interest and achievements are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Cambridge, 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.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Cambridge Mathematics and Physics application.

With our Oxbridge Maths Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal Statement , score highly on the STEP and teach you how to Interview effectively .

Discover our Oxbridge Maths Premium Programme by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.

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Personal Statement Starter Guide

We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice. Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements.

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 21 September 2023 | 5 min read

Writing a mathematics personal statement: expert advice from universities

Ace your maths personal statement with these tailored tips from university admissions teams

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Mention any maths-related activities you’ve been involved with outside the classroom

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Mathematics Personal Statement Guide

Your Personal Statement plays a crucial role in your mathematics university application , as i t’s the first chance you have to introduce yourself as an individual to the admissions tutors .

Y ou can demonstrate your passion to study maths, show the contribution you would make to the cohort, and prove that you have the abilities and motivation to receive an offer.

A lot of applicants struggle to write personal statements. It’s difficult to balance writing about academic interests with personal achievements, keep everything relevant to the maths courses you’re applying to, and fit it all within just over one A4 page of text.

To help you get on the right track, our Personal Statement Guide takes you through everything you need to know to create a great maths personal statement :

Why are Personal Statements Important?
What Should I Include in a Mathematics Personal Statement?
What Should I Avoid in a Mathematics Personal Statement?

Advice on How to Start a Mathematics Personal Statement

Advice on how to finish a mathematics personal statement .

Why are Personal Statements Important?

The personal statement is a written piece that you submit as part of your UCAS application. You write and submit one statement that is sent to all of your university choices, and it must fit within either 4,000 characters or 47 lines in the UCAS form (whichever limit you reach first).

The personal statement gives Admissions Tutors a feeling of who you are as a potential student. It gives a personality to the rest of your application and helps universities decide between applicants with very similar qualifications , based on who they think is best suited to the course.

As an applicant, you have to check certain boxes in your personal statement. You have to prove that: you have the skills to succeed on the course, you are academically curious about mathematics , and you are motivated and passionate about studying mathematics at a high level .

This means that a successful mathematics personal statement needs to be unique, interesting, and packed full of specific interests that you have within the field of maths. If you’re applying to Oxbridge or other top-level universities, you especially need to make sure the statement is focused on your academic interests and only includes maths-relevant achievements.

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What Should I Include in a Mathematics Personal Statement ?

A mathematics personal statement needs to cover your passion for studying maths, your academic achievements and experiences relating to maths, and your specific interests or evidence of research you’ve done within the field of math ematics.

Passion for Studying Maths

You need to demonstrate your passion and motivation without being general or telling a long story.

Begin by thinking about why you decided you wanted to study maths? Perhaps you’ve always loved working with numbers, maybe you want to use maths to solve engineering or mechanical problems, or maybe you find beauty in the logic and process of pure maths proofs?

Whatever the reason may be, it should be unique to you and a genuine reflection of why you love maths.

Academic achievements and experiences

You should think about what you are proud of having completed in your mathematics career so far. This could be ‘proper’ achievements like winning a maths competition or receiving a school prize, or it could be more personal, like persevering at solving a difficult problem.

When it comes to experiences, this could be anything provided you can link it to maths (either directly or indirectly). Think about transferable skills here; for example, undertaking a law internship could be relevant if it involved lots of data handling and statistical work, as well as analytical and critical thinking.

Specific interests and evidence of research

The point of this element is to show that you have thought about maths beyond the classroom.

You could discuss interesting academic books you have read, relevant news stories that relate to or involve maths, or multimedia sources like documentaries, films, or TV programmes that in some way relate to or have inspired you to pursue mathematics.

Rather than producing a list of sources, you should pick some key examples and discuss them in depth: get to the heart of the mathematic principles involved, and engage with them on a personal level. Not only will this make for a good personal statement, but it will also help prepare you for Oxbridge interviews .

What Should I Avoid in a Mathematics Personal Statement ?

Do not be wishy-washy with your statements . Rather than saying that you have always loved maths, perhaps explain how numbers or equations fit into your world view; rather than saying you like a particular mathematician, discuss their specific contributions and how they have inspired your maths journey.

Being specific and digging down into the academic side of maths is what is really going to impress admissions tutors.

Avoid cliched statements like the plague . Even though you are passionate about maths, don’t state “I am passionate about maths”; find a less cliched way to say it instead.

Your statement might require several drafts to ensure the language is interesting yet accurate, but it’s worth it: if you came up with something in a minute, then it’s likely so did lots of other applicants.

Don’t be tempted to mention personal achievements that are not related or involve transferable skills relevant to maths. We understand that it’s tempting to include details of your Judo black belt, your gold Duke of Edinburgh award, or your prize for best history essay, but unless you can clearly argue its relevance to studying mathematics, then it won’t impress the tutors.

There are a thousand different ways that you can begin a personal statement, which often makes it the most difficult part of the process.

There’s one one-size-fits-all answer to this: some applicants begin with a quote from a mathematician that has inspired them, others start by discussing what inspired them to pursue maths at university, whilst others jump straight into a discipline that they find most interesting.

The opening of the statement sets the tone for the entire personal statement , so it’s crucial that it’s in your own words and reflects your own personality; admissions tutors will be able to tell if it’s someone else’s words! If you’re struggling to find an opener, we recommend drafting the rest of the personal statement before coming back to write the introduction.

This can help you have a better idea of what opening will best set the groundwork for the rest of the statement body.

Knowing how to close out a personal statement can be just as difficult as beginning one. The final paragraph of your personal statement should round up the statement and summarise your dedication to maths and your academic interest.

Like the opening, the final section of your personal statement will likely need a good few rewrites, so don’t feel disheartened if you haven’t captured it perfectly first time round.

What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Mathematics Personal Statement?
How Long Should my Mathematics Personal Statement Be?
What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Mathematics Personal Statement?
How Can I Tailor my Mathematics Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

Getting started is one of the trickiest parts of the personal statement process. We recommend making a big list of everything you have done or are interested in to help focus your mind.

Just because STEM subjects like maths seem less creative than other subjects, it doesn’t mean that your inspiration has to be stale. Prehaps try:

Watching films about maths or mathematics (the most famous examples are Good Will Hunting, Moneyball, and A Beautiful Mind ) to get you in the right frame of mind
Getting into a podcast about maths (Oxford University has one called The Secret of Mathematics )
Reading some accessible maths books (such as Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors by Matt Parker or The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets by Simon Singh)

Remember to Keep note of the things you read, watch, and experience that inspire you as you do them; this will help make writing the statement easier.

UCAS has strict limits for all personal statements: 4,000 characters or 47 lines on the UCAS form (whichever limit is reached first). This is roughly one to two sides of typed A4.

This may feel like a lot of space, but once you get going you’ll realise that it’s not! We recommend using up the majority if not all the space given to you so that you give admissions tutors the best possible idea of who you are as a maths student.

It can be difficult to decide what you should or shouldn’t include in a maths personal statement.

As a general rule, if you include something, you must be able to relate it to maths – either through its content or through transferrable skills.

For example, if you spent time working as a maths tutor or competed in maths competitions, then clearly these are relevant. However, the link you find can be more creative than this: perhaps you have studied multiple languages which exercises your skills at pattern-spotting, or maybe you have won a critical thinking essay competition which demonstrates your problem-solving skills?

The key is to think outside of the box, and for every activity you mention, clearly state how it links to important maths-related skills.

Tailoring a personal statement to any one course is difficult, since the same statement is sent by UCAS to all of your university choices (of which you have up to five). This means that you should not directly mention the specifics of any one course, since it signals to other universities that you are not considering their course as your main option.

Instead, we recommend targeting Oxbridge through the style of your statement: keep it tight to the academic study of maths and demonstrate your analytical skills.

Showing that you’ve researched maths outside of school to a high level, and leaving out any personal interests that don’t relate to maths, is a good way to keep Oxbridge tutors interested.

Book your Mathematics Personal Statement Package

You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss our personal statement packages.

If you’d like to know more about Mathematics, we have admissions test guidance and interview preparation readily available.

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
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Mathematics personal statements

Mathematics degree personal statement example (1i) Cambridge offer

This is a real personal statement written by a student for their university application. It might help you decide what to include in your own. There are lots more examples in our .

Throughout my time at school and college, mathematics has been the subject whose lessons I have relished. Studying the subject at A-level has served only to increase my enjoyment of it, owing to the great depths to which it can be explored and the satisfaction that solving a difficult problem can give. Some of my most enjoyable lessons have been ones where I have been allowed to simply open a textbook and work independently through some enjoyable problems.

As my enjoyment of mathematics has grown, I have found myself taking an interest in reading a number of books on the subject. I found the rigorous definitions and explanations provided by Courant and Robbins in “What is Mathematics?” particularly exciting. Perhaps the most intriguing chapter was that on the calculus, as it covered the concept of limits, to which very little reference is made at A-level, in an enjoyably thorough manner. Singh’s “Fermat’s Last Theorem” is one of the most riveting books that I have read, depicting the plight of a mathematician and the ingenuity required to prove such an elegant result by a largely indirect method.

I have also taken pleasure in reading about the prime numbers. Wells’ “Prime Numbers” gave me a very broad understanding of the topic, covering much general background information necessary for further study. I found Hampshire’s “Prime Obsession” told me a lot about the history surrounding discoveries about the primes, particularly owing to the book’s focus on the Riemann Hypothesis, which is stated so simply yet of which a proof seems to be so elusive.

Over the last few years, I have been part of teams in school “Pop Maths Quizzes”, one of which we won due to my answering of a tiebreak question. I have also taken part in the three levels of the UKMT Mathematics Challenges on five occasions overall, achieving a gold award each time, and in my first year of sixth form I sat the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad. Recently, in a bid to improve my mathematical ability, I have been working through STEP examination papers at home, and I enjoy the satisfaction gained from solving a question which is gratifyingly more difficult than the average one found on an A-level paper.

On a further academic note, over the past year I have edited my college’s French newsletter, which is entitled “**** *****” – a literal translation of the college’s name. I was responsible for appointing people to write articles and was in charge of assembling the final publication. This experience, along with my college’s Curriculum Enrichment Project – where groups meet weekly and research a mainstream topic on which to give a presentation and a report – impressed upon me the importance of teamwork. Within these two projects, I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when the final pieces came together.

Away from college, I enjoy playing chess with family and friends. I am a member of the Conservative Party, and take an avid interest in its policies and in politics in general.

The opportunity to study mathematics further at university, with the emphasis on rigorous proofs and an understanding of the fundamental concepts, is appealing. It is for these reasons that I very much look forward to the challenges ahead.

Universities applied to:

Cambridge (Offer)
Bristol (Offer)
Imperial (Offer)
Warwick (Offer) - Accepted
Durham (Offer)

Find more help with writing your personal statement

On The Student Room

More examples of real personal statements
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How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps
Advice from universities on writing your personal statement
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Mathematics

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: cambridge, imperial college, warwick, durham, bristol.

Nothing is more satisfying than working through a conceptually-challenging problem and solving it successfully. My favourite problems in Mathematics are those which have no apparent method in the first instance, such that only with patience and creativity can a breakthrough be achieved. The thought of being able to encounter such challenges for the rest of my life is exhilarating, leaving no other subject I would rather study.

Inspired by a brief overview of a topic during a problem-solving class, I read a book entitled 'Number Theory Through Inquiry' by David C. Marshall. I was drawn into deriving proofs of various theorems using techniques I had gathered throughout the book, which grew in complexity the further I read. New concepts were left to the reader to formulate and prove, guided by exercises. I particularly enjoyed the several proofs of there being infinitely many prime numbers. However, my favourite was Euclid's proof since although not initially obvious, its simplicity meant that even a pupil with no knowledge of complex theorems in number theory could understand the proof.

At times, a proof could take me hours, but in persisting I was able to get through with the added reward of a beautifully constructed proof. This experience of tackling a problem in which the methods are not immediately obvious has given me some sense of what an undergraduate Mathematics student might experience.

An aspect of the AS Further Mathematics syllabus I found especially fascinating was the application of complex numbers. The fact that such numbers go against natural instinct, yet have practical relevance in our world astounds me. Whilst studying Euler's Identity, I found it extraordinary that values such as e, a number known for its uses in compound interest; i, an imaginary number whose square is -1; and pi, the ratio between a circle's diameter and circumference, are related in such a way. Similarly, the proof that the relationship between the length of the diagonal and side length of a regular pentagon was the golden ratio, using the Argand diagram, presented me with a link between two areas of Mathematics I originally thought were completely unrelated.

Before coming to Westminster School, I attended Buxton School where I had the honour of being assigned the role of Head Boy during my final year, organising a team of prefects to help run aspects of the school. Moreover, I won many awards including the Outstanding Award in Mathematics for achieving the top mark in my school for every module in GCSE Mathematics and Statistics; and a Jack Petchey Award for attaining the highest mark my school had ever seen in Additional Mathematics. I was awarded an HSBC scholarship that enabled me to join the sixth form at Westminster School.

Amongst other opportunities, I have been able to attend problem-solving classes to develop my understanding and knowledge of Mathematics outside the A Level syllabus. It was at these classes where I first realised the emphasis of a thorough yet concise proof. In addition to this, I taught at an elementary school in the Philippines and volunteered at a local state school, teaching Mathematics to young children. I managed to introduce them to new concepts in such a way that they understood the subject. For example, rather than just telling them angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees, I showed them why this is so using parallel lines which they hadn't previously realised. This made me question how I approached Mathematics as a subject. I felt the need to discover the derivations of such concepts and examine why they actually work, in an analytical rather than experimental way, before I used them.

Whilst I hope my future work in Mathematics might have practical applications in engineering or economics, I am predominantly motivated by intellectual curiosity to dig even deeper into a subject which has no bounds.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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Writing A Successful Personal Statement

The Maths Scholars Assessment Centre Success Tips
Maths Scholars Scholarship Interview—The Low Down
Advice To Applicants

1. Get The Basics Right

You need to spend a lot of time making sure that your personal statement sounds professional – this means excellent grammar, spelling and punctuation, and a good choice of words. It is definitely advisable to read example personal statements online, but you need to make sure that you don’t let any stock phrases creep into your own statement. There is nothing worse than a personal statement which looks like it has been cut and pasted from the internet. Make sure you ask someone else to check your statement – it is all too easy to miss errors when the same 600 words have been swimming before your eyes for a whole day.

2. Follow The Instructions

The personal statement is an essential component of the initial application stage. Very specific instructions are given about what you should include in your personal statement, even providing a bullet pointed list of what is needed. It might sound obvious – but you need to include everything in this list – if you miss anything then your application will be rejected. At the same time, you don’t want to make your personal statement sound wooden by simply following lists – always make sure that what you are writing flows well and sounds natural.

It could be well worth printing off the application instructions and ticking off each point to make sure that you have covered everything. If a candidate looks like they haven’t followed instructions then it puts their application in a very bad light.

There is a strict limit of 600 words – make sure you stay within this length, but also make sure you don’t write a statement which is too short – candidates who submit a statement which is nearer the minimum of 400 words may look like they are struggling to find things to write.

3. Make It Relevant

Make sure you focus on relevant experiences - particularly your experience of teaching and observation in schools It is fine to include other experiences, but you always need to make sure they are linked back to the purpose of your application – i.e. your ability to be an inspirational and passionate maths teacher. If you coach a youth football team then you need to relate this experience back to your passion for teaching young people, rather than emphasising how much you love football. If you have an experience which is not directly related to working with young people then it is important that you make it relevant, for example if you worked weekends in a restaurant, then you may have discovered that you enjoyed training new staff, helping you decide on a career in education. You might find yourself in the lucky position that you have far too much relevant experience to fit in the statement, meaning that you need to be ruthless and prioritise what to put in.

4. Don’t Repeat Yourself

Don’t include anything in the personal statement which you have already included in the application form – this is simply a waste of space. Your degree is already listed on your application form, so there is no need to include it again in the personal statement. It can be tempting to include absolutely everything in the personal statement, whereas you need to be looking at your application as a whole – have you covered all the points across the whole application?

5. Don’t Copy The Website Verbatim

Whilst you may think you are being clever by copying and pasting text from the Maths Scholarships website into your personal statement, be warned that those who are reading your personal statement also wrote this website. Basically, they recognise when they are having their own words quoted back at them. It also shows that you do not fully understand what it is you are applying for.

Take the time to fully understand what the Maths Scholarship is, why the additional support is being offered and that may help you to address the bullet points relating to being a Maths Scholar.

6. Replacing Maths Teacher With Maths Scholar

It can be tempting to replace 'maths teacher' with 'Maths Scholar' in the personal statement that you produced for your application to teacher training. As a word of caution, doing that normally makes no sense and you appear to not fully understand the Maths Scholarship and its benefits.

7. And Finally...

Try and remember that the effort you put into your personal statement will be well worth it and will hopefully be the first step on an exciting and rewarding adventure. When you read your personal statement, you need to imagine it sitting in a large pile of statements from other people. Does yours read well? Is it relevant? Does it have an excellent opening paragraph? If using clichés such as “maths is my passion”, expand on this by explaining why you are passionate about maths, and what is it that gets you all fired up. It’s OK to say you love a specific equation, or that it’s applicable to everyday life but show us how you interpret that. It’s a line that’s all too easy to say and all too hard to prove!

You could have the best teaching ability in the world, but if you have a poor personal statement then you won’t be invited to the Assessment. On the other hand – if you make the effort to write an excellent personal statement, then you will be giving yourself the best chance possible of progressing to the next stage of the application process.

Keep up-to-date with the latest Maths Scholarships news:

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Essays That Worked

The essays are a place to show us who you are and who you’ll be in our community.

It’s a chance to add depth to something that is important to you and tell the admissions committee more about your background or goals. Below you’ll find selected examples of essays that “worked,” as nominated by our admissions committee. In each of these essays, students were able to share stories from their everyday lives to reveal something about their character, values, and life that aligned with the culture and values at Hopkins.

Read essays that worked from Transfer applicants .

Hear from the class of 2027.

These selections represent just a few examples of essays we found impressive and helpful during the past admissions cycle. We hope these essays inspire you as you prepare to compose your own personal statements. The most important thing to remember is to be original as you share your own story, thoughts, and ideas with us.

Ordering the Disorderly

Ellie’s essay skillfully uses the topic of entropy as an extended metaphor. Through it, we see reflections about who they are and who they aspire to be.

Pack Light, But Be Prepared

In Pablo’s essay, the act of packing for a pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for the way humans accumulate experiences in their life’s journey and what we can learn from them. As we join Pablo through the diverse phases of their life, we gain insights into their character and values.

Tikkun Olam

Julieta illustrates how the concept of Tikkun Olam, “a desire to help repair the world,” has shaped their passions and drives them to pursue experiences at Hopkins.

Kashvi’s essay encapsulates a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and the invaluable teachings of Rock, their 10-year-old dog. Through the lens of their companionship, Kashvi walked us through valuable lessons on responsibility, friendship, patience, and unconditional love.

Classical Reflections in Herstory

Maddie’s essay details their intellectual journey using their love of Greek classics. They incorporate details that reveal the roots of their academic interests: storytelling, literary devices, and translation. As their essay progresses, so do Maddie’s intellectual curiosities.

My Spotify Playlist

Alyssa’s essay reflects on special memories through the creative lens of Spotify playlists. They use three examples to highlight their experiences with their tennis team, finding a virtual community during the pandemic, and co-founding a nonprofit to help younger students learn about STEM.

More essays that worked

We share essays from previously admitted students—along with feedback from our admissions committee—so you can understand what made them effective and how to start crafting your own.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Mathematics Personal Statement

Submitted by Yusuf

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Mathematics Personal Statement

Having conquered a problem, whether it be a simple Sudoku puzzle or a demanding A-Level question, there is nothing more rewarding than the "Aha!" moment. It is that moment of sudden insight or discovery that every Mathematician lives for; it's like reaching the top of the mountain after a long and arduous climb and having a clear view of a rare and truly magnificent scene. For some, doing Mathematics is like being on a never-ending hike, with no end in sight, but personally I think that the beauty of Maths lies not only in the spectacular view, but also in the challenging journey that leads up to it, which is filled with the excitement of discovery and the enjoyment of working towards understanding something new. It is this passion that energises me to further embrace my studies in Mathematics at university level.

For as long as I can remember Maths has always been my main academic interest. From learning to add and subtract at my primary school, to studying integration for my Mathematics A-level, I have always found this subject intriguing. My fascination with Mathematics has allowed me to excel in the subject throughout the years: I have been in the top group since primary school, I gained an A grade in my Mathematics GCSE at secondary school and most recently I attained a grade B at AS-level, all achievements of which I am extremely proud. During the school placement week, I secured a post with one of the UK's largest financial service groups and it was here that I had the privilege of shadowing a top business analyst. He took me under his wing and revealed how he used mathematics every day to complete a plethora tasks. For instance, he talked me through the importance of using probability to test the validity of economic and financial theories and hence I opted to study Statistics at A- level. Over the course of the week, guided by experts in their field, I continued to observe first-hand how mathematics played a key role in the daily operations of the business, from technological development all the way through to data analysis. I observed how they detect and rectify faults within an IT system and I followed financial professionals as they calculated monthly repayments using the amortization calculation formula.

My placement allowed me to appreciate mathematics in a whole new light, as a subject that it is not only one of the world's most ancient disciplines but a subject that it is still at the very core of our 21st century lives.

On weekends, I work eight-hour shifts for one of the world's largest restaurant chains: preparing food, serving on the tills and helping out in the dining area. Having worked in this fast paced environment for over a year now, I have demonstrated that I can keep on top of my revision, homework and chores, all whilst holding down a demanding part-time job. I juggle all these things by adhering to a strict timetable which still enables me the time for leisure. In the near future I aspire to become a teacher of Mathematics and studying Psychology at A level has helped me to understand the cognitive functioning of our minds which is essential for teaching. Volunteering as a young leader for my local scout group has also given me the leadership skills required when teaching.

I assisted young individuals on a camp, helping senior leaders to organise certain activities as well as cooking for the whole group, all which I extremely enjoyed. My personality, as well as my non-academic interests, define me as a creative and gregarious young man who works well independently and as part of a team.

I have a great work ethic and believe that a great attitude and hard work are key characteristics for success at university and a future career as a Maths teacher. My commitment to both my studies and my work highlights that I am a hardworking, dedicated and intelligent young man who possesses the energy and the drive to become a successful Mathematics graduate at your university.

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Personal Financial Statement Template

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Updated October 11, 2023

A personal financial statement is a document summarizing a person’s financial standing. It provides a full list of their personal assets and liabilities as well as their income and expenses. Commonly required by financial institutions when applying for credit or a loan, it demonstrates a person’s creditworthiness and repayment ability.

Common Uses

Credit, loan, or financing application (mortgage, vehicle, etc.)
Seeking financing from an investor
Application for a lease
Financial planning

to Include

What is a Personal Financial Statement?

A personal financial statement is an overview of a person’s financial situation at a given time. It includes a list of their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses to calculate the person’s net worth and monthly profit/loss.

How to Prepare a Financial Statement

A financial statement is comprised of two parts: a balance sheet (assets and liabilities) and an income statement (monthly income and expenses).

What to Include (6)

To create an accurate, up-to-date financial statement, be sure to collect a list of all assets, liabilities, income, and expenses with their estimated cash values.

Assets are physical or digital goods with monetary value. Examples include:

Bank accounts (checking, savings, money market accounts)
Investment accounts: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, commodities
Retirement accounts: 401(k), IRA, etc.
Certificate of deposit
Physical cash
Real estate
Personal properties with significant value: Vehicles, boats, collectibles, jewelry

2. Liabilities

Liabilities are debts and financial obligations that a person is tied to. Examples include:

Credit cards with a balance
Student loans
Unpaid medical bills or taxes
Mortgages or vehicle loans
Co-signed loans

3. Net worth

A person’s net worth represents their monetary value after their liabilities have been accounted for.

[ Total Value of Assets ($) – Total Value of Liabilities ($) = Net Worth ($)]

Income represents all the positive cash flow coming in. Examples include:

Monthly wages
Commissions
Passive income: Dividends, interest on savings account, etc.

5. Expenses

Expenses represent the cost of living and other negative cash flows. Examples include:

Monthly rent
Car payments
Student loan payments
Other living expenses

6. Net profit/loss

A person’s net profit or loss is calculated by comparing the incoming cash flow with the outgoing cash flow.

[ Total Sum of Income ($) – Total Sum of Expenses ($) = Net Profit/Loss ($)]

What Not to Include

Business assets and liabilities — A personal financial statement should not include business-related assets and liabilities unless the person is directly liable.
Loaned assets — If the person does not have legal ownership over an item, it should not be included in their personal financial statement.
Personal home goods like furniture — Items without significant cash value or items that may not be easily sellable should not be included.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF [NAME]

Prepared on: [DATE]

MAILING ADDRESS : [MAILING ADDRESS] ]

Spouse’s Name (if applicable): [ [DATE]

ASSETS ______________________________________________________________

Provide the total value of each asset class; if you have more than one account or item, add up the individual amounts. See the attachment to provide greater detail.

Checking Accounts [AMOUNT AVAILABLE]

Savings Accounts [AMOUNT AVAILABLE]

Certificates of Deposit [AMOUNT AVAILABLE]

Securities (Stocks/Bonds/Mutual Funds) [TOTAL VALUE]

Notes Receivable [TOTAL VALUE]

Personal Property [TOTAL VALUE]

Real Estate [TOTAL VALUE]

Life Insurance [SURRENDER VALUE]

Retirement Accounts [TOTAL VALUE]

Other Assets [TOTAL VALUE]

TOTAL ASSETS: [SUM OF ALL ASSETS]

LIABILITIES___________________________________________________________

Provide the total value of each liability type; if you have more than one of a category, add up the individual amounts. See the attachment to provide greater detail.

Credit Card Debt [TOTAL OWED]

Student Loans [TOTAL OWED]

Vehicle Loans [TOTAL OWED]

Real Property Mortgages [TOTAL OWED]

Notes Payable/Promissory Notes [TOTAL OWED]

Other Liabilities [TOTAL OWED]

TOTAL LIABILITIES: [SUM OF ALL LIABILITIES]

[SUM OF ALL ASSETS] – [SUM OF ALL LIABILITIES] = [NET WORTH]

CERTIFICATION

I certify that the information contained in this statement is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge on the date indicated. I agree that, if after submitting this statement, there are any material changes to my finances that would impact the information it contains, I have an affirmative duty to alert the person or entity receiving this statement as soon as possible. I acknowledge that, as a result of submitting this statement, further inquiries, including a credit report, may be necessary to verify the information contained, and I hereby authorize the person or entity receiving those statements to make such inquiries.

Signature : _______________________________ Date: ______________

Print Name: _______________________________

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Don’t list out your A-levels

Focus on yourself

Don’t use quotes unless you’re expanding on them

Mention any maths-related activities you’ve been involved with outside the classroom

Include your unexpected extracurriculars

Don’t make excuses for disappointing grades

If you’re not taking the traditional A-level route to university…

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