Law Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Law & Politics has interested me due to the current landscape (politically and socially). I have been intrigued at how quickly this place has changed from the 80's and 90's, and it is constantly changing at a rate that is hard to comprehend. I'd love a chance to make sense of this place. Through attending open days and lectures, I found the Irish degree most intriguing, considering I'm fluent, it was always going to be of interest. Taking part in taster days such as the NI Legal Conference in Royal Courts of Justice also gave me an insight into probable future employment options.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I am currently studying three A-Levels which are Irish, Politics, and Religious Studies. Politics has given me a chance to understand the political landscape of the North, which I would need to understand if I wanted to progress through further education. Irish has taught me many innovative ways to communicate, giving me a better understanding of my own culture, such as the GAA or the lucrative Irish Language Act. Religion has taught me things such as the diverse range, the ways they celebrate, and the different traditions that are included with their beliefs. This gives me the ability to understand the diverse types of people.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I am a prominent member of my local community, being involved with Active Communities Network (ACN) as a member of their youth committee. With this group, I have completed a range of things from coaching the children of Newhill Youth Club Hockey with the Captain of Belfast Giants to doing the Walk the Walls for Cavan, in which we fundraised money to send a young boy to America for life-changing surgery. Being a part of ACN has really given me a huge opportunity to give back to the community that I have grown up in. I completed my Work Experience in a Primary School called Bunscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh and was tasked with many challenging things such as teaching a class of young children their maths and helping out students that had difficulties when it came to certain areas. This helped me improve my communication skills as I had to talk with the kids and bring their problems to the teacher. It helped me improve my problem-solving skills, teaching the kids in a way that suits all their ways of learning. I have a Part-Time job that involves being flexible and ensuring that I am always organised and manage my time appropriately to ensure time for study. I believe that I have greatly added to my school experience through involvement in different groups and teams throughout my years in St. Mary's CBGS, such as being a member of the Project Zambia team that travelled the distance to give those who need the most any sort of help that we could provide while we were there. I am also a member of the St. Vincent De Paul appeal, which provides food and clothing for the homeless people of Belfast. Being involved with the sports teams has taught me how to play as a member of a team and work as a member of a team to complete any task given. In school, I am also a Prefect with my duties being with the younger students of Key Stage 3. I have also helped my school out numerous times at school Open days and helping with the Primary school students that are doing their GL Assessment. In addition to this, I have kept high attendance over the years, receiving an attendance award. In conclusion, I would love the opportunity to go to university as I believe that I would immerse myself in university life, being in a number of groups and even branching out of my comfort zone to try and get involved with new and exciting things. I would love to add to my university experience and meet a range of new people while studying at your university. I consider myself a hard-working student, who is very motivated when faced with a difficult task. I tend to face it head-on and always gain personal benefit from whatever I do. I believe a university degree would be a great foundation for a successful career in the future.