Writing Your Personal Statement
INtroduction
A personal statement is an incredibly unique piece of writing which makes it difficult to provide specific advice for. That said, universities will have certain expectations when you are applying for physiotherapy.
We will help guide you through the steps to ensure that you have provided the information that universities will be looking for.
The Detail
It's easy to worry about not having the right "structure" but to begin it is important to make sure that you have all of the right detail required.
To produce an impactful personal statement, you must answer the following four questions:
1. Why do you want to be a physiotherapist?
2. What do you know about physiotherapy?
3. What skills does a physiotherapist require?
4. Why do you think you will be a good physiotherapist?
Before beginning your writing process, answer each of these questions in as much detail as possible. Most of the information you write here will be useful throughout your personal statement.
Alongside these answers, make a list of any additional information about yourself that you would like to include: your hobbies and interests, your previous jobs or additional non-physiotherapy related experiences.
The Structure
The structure of a physiotherapy personal statement is not significantly different from any other course. General advice on the structure of a personal statement splits it up into three main parts; beginning, middle and end.
Check out all of the sections individually below!
The Beginning
The beginning is the part where you really need to sell you passion for physiotherapy and explain why you so want to be a physiotherapist!
If you have already answered the questions in the detail section (above) then you already have the answer! You just need to make that language a bit more fancy, enthusiastic and exciting with a sprinkle of some “buzzwords” (see buzzwords section) and you have a quality opening paragraph.
Ensure that right from the beginning you show that you have a wide knowledge of physiotherapy - avoid answers that only suggest your passion for physiotherapy is sport. Many applicants are inspired to become a physiotherapist with the goal of becoming a sports physiotherapist, however, universities are looking for applicants who want to join the profession to provide empathetic and compassionate care for all patients.
The Middle
This part is going to be the biggest and probably the most important.
This is where you have to demonstrate that you know what a physiotherapist does. The answers from questions two and three from The Detail section will come in useful here!
During this part you need to show off all of your knowledge and show how have gone above and beyond to find out as much as you can about physiotherapy. Meanwhile, you can begin to show them exactly why you will be a good physiotherapist (question 4!). As much of this as possible should be reflections on your own personal experiences and activities. Everyone is able to say that physiotherapists should be “this, this and this,” but for a good quality personal statement, you need to show them that you already have the personal qualities required to be a physiotherapist.
They will be looking for evidence that you have meaningful insight into physiotherapy and what the career entails - this can be shown through your work experiences and wider reading.
They want to see demonstration of interpersonal skills such as care and empathy alongside teamworking and good communication skills. Try demonstrate these through evidence.
Finally, they may also be looking for signs of self-reflection - the ability to reflect upon what you have seen or done and the way that it changed your attitude or practice.
The End
This is perhaps the most individual and interesting part of your personal statement.
You need to show how you are unique – what makes you different from the rest, why do you stand out from all of the other candidates. Try to show off your extra-curricular activities, exciting courses you have completed and anything else that you think makes you look individual.
This will be the last thing they read so try to make it impactful. If possible, link it back to the beginning and your reasons for wanting to be a physiotherapist.
If possible, it is nice to finish with something topical at the time of writing. For example, has the COVID pandemic increased your desire to improve the quality of peoples lives?
Getting the right balance
To reiterate, everyone’s personal statements will be different and individual to each person. However, it is important that there is a good balance of information in each relevant area. As a very basic guideline, it is suggested that you beginning and end should make up about 25-40% of your total writing.
The middle makes up the rest – this gives you plenty of opportunity to talk about your experiences, show what you have learnt about physiotherapy/physiotherapists and explain why you would be a good physiotherapist.
THE Physio Specifics
Often teachers/lecturers/friends/family (and the rest) will be very helpful in making sure your personal statement reads well and has a good amount of information, however, it is likely that they will not have any specific knowledge on the things that physiotherapy courses look for.
The following suggestions are things that universities are commonly looking for in your personal statement. Try to demonstrate these in the best possible way.
Physiotherapy Knowledge
You must show the reader that you have a broad knowledge of physiotherapy and know that they don’t just massage people!
Demonstrate a good basic knowledge of the main three physiotherapy disciplines and that in addition to these physiotherapists also have many other roles in healthcare.
Don’t mention what exact specific career in physiotherapy you want even if you know you are only interested in sport or MSK, the university will look upon this badly.
Work Experience
Work experience is incredibly useful and almost always essential for universities (they have been more lenient on this during COVID times).
You must tell them what you learnt about physiotherapy but also what skills physiotherapists demonstrate and how you have those skills.
If you haven't been able to gain specific work experience, think about what experiences you have had that would be valuable as a physiotherapist; carers, sports coach, healthcare assistants, etc.
It is not so much about the quantity but the quality of what you learned and how you explain why this gives you a greater understanding of what it takes to be a physiotherapist or how it has developed your skills that will make you a better physiotherapist.
Wider Reading
Universities will love it if you have already begun reading physiotherapy literature!
Pick a random specific topic in physiotherapy that interests you and read some journal abstracts – you can find these on Google Scholar or Microsoft Academic.
You will look even better if you are able to critically analyse what you have read and learnt!
For example, learn as much as you can about one treatment technique and how effective evidence suggests it is.
NHS Values
If not already familiar, make sure you are well aware of the NHS values and the 6 C's.
You should try to incorporate these into your personal statement as skills/traits you have learnt from seeing physiotherapists or examples of where you have demonstrated them.
Ultimately, these values are requirement to become a physiotherapist, therefore, the universities want to see that you understand and demonstrate the personal traits needed.
SummAry
Hopefully this guide has given you a better idea of what universities are looking for in physiotherapy personal statements. I hope that you have found the advice useful.
Your personal statement is unique to you, therefore, any more prescriptive advice would be a bigger hinderance than a help.
If you are unsure about your personal statement, or would like more in-depth personal advice, remember that we offer a personal statement checking service - HERE