The UCAS personal statement

The personal statement is a key part of your UCAS application. It will be sent to all the universities to which you apply. It may be more important for the other universities (apart from Cambridge) because they will probably not interview you whereas Cambridge almost certainly will.

The personal statement is approximately one page page long of typed text in which you'll talk about why you want to go to university to study a course and why you should be admitted. It will be read by the people making admissions decisions. When you apply to Cambridge, the amount it is used varies greatly. Sometimes you'll be asked about things you mentioned in your personal statement at interview, although I wasn't and it seemed like they hadn't read it because the interviewers didn't have a copy at interview and didn't ask anything about it. So it might be the case that it's not mentioned at all, although sometimes interviews will focus around things you've said in your personal statement you it needs to be good just in case.

The general structure I followed was:

Interests in the subject I applied for
Other academic interests and achievements
Non academic extra curricular activities
Brief summary referencing the first paragraph

That is, over half of my statement was based on academics as opposed to non academic extra curriculars. This worked for me and is what I'd recommend because you are ultimately applying to read an academic subject at university. Extra curriculars are important, and you should have several that you can mention along with evidence of achievements. For example, sporting achievements such as winning competitions or representing teams are worth mentioning, as are music achievements such as grades, competitions, diplomas and so on. However in the end the main thing you want to show is your interest, ability and achievements that relate to the subject you're applying for. If you've taken A levels early or got particularly good GCSEs you might want to draw attention to them in your statement.

This is easier for some subjects than others. For example, if you've studied a subject at school and are applying for that subject at university, you'll be able to mention outside reading and work you've done in that field as well as achievements you may have through school such as UKMT maths challenges or Olympiads.

There used to be an additional Cambridge statement where you could talk about why you chose that college and college choice but that's since been got rid of. Since your UCAS statement goes to every university you apply do, you can't really talk about college choice here. Anything Cambridge specific should be left out as well.

So the main thing to sell in your personal statement is your interest and ability in the subject you're applying for. Also mention lots of outside interests but focus on what you're applying for as that is predominantly what you'll be judged on.