Gemma Williams, a member of the Schools’ Liaison Team at Swansea University, advised Year 12 on the content of an eye catching personal statement. Gemma stressed the importance of conveying intellectual curiosity, of an engaging first sentence and the avoidance of plagiarism. She added that humour could be used, but sparingly and that listing achievements was of little benefit, far better to reflect on what had been learned. Her observations were appreciated by our students, who were setting about their first drafts of this important document.