h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

UPDATE YOUR PAGE YOU LAZY SO-AND-SO!!!!

*ahem*


Anyway, you said elsewhere you were thinking about studying Philosophy at Uni. I supose I shall have to slip my impartial hat on, so here goes:

Different Universities function on the post-graduate research they do. For undergraduates like what I am and what you will be, this can be important because the department you apply for will have "interests" in certain topics. This will only affect you in a limited fashion because the courses may be structured a little differently but it's worth bearing in mind when drafting a personal statement because the memebers of the faculty members will share that enthusiasam for that subject and although you are applying to a Admissions officer they will be liasing with the departments in accessing applications.
Your ucas form is what is selling you to the universities, the biog details give them your factual educational history but it is your personal statement that is your greatest opportunity to sell your worth. If you have done some philosophical reading prior to applying (always a bonus) it pays to mention you 'find a particular topic interesting' or you 'would like to learn more about his field' etc. Don't lie but if you do - then say so!

All departments have leaflets - try nabbing some of those and reading through them most of them have student testimonials. they are a good source of information (bearing in mind that the department is show csing these ones to get *YOU* interested) Don't openly steal from them but I remeber from one of the testimonials I read a (old-er man) saying he felt he'd come home to philosophy andanother lady ho started to doing one degree took a module in philosophy and gradually exchanged her whole degree! She was glad to have "discovered philosophy in this way." I admit I 'borrowed' that last line adnused it in my own PS but only because after reading it irealisedw what she said was true, what I enjoying in my schooling was the philosophical aspects of the subjects.

Philosophy isn't necessarily all about pouring over ancient tomes, archaic wisodm and all that (sometimes, I'll grant you.) most of it is about structuring arguments, and those arguments can be about anything at all, God, Truth, Freedom, Morality. These themes can crop up in almost any discipline but the philosopher's task is to understand those questions. (Not always to provide answers. )

There are historical philosophers who learn the dates and transcribe the works of others for people to understand and then there are those who philosophise ,who recognise philosophy not as a subject but as an activity.

I suppose I should answer your question with another question: Why *DO* you want to study Philosophy? - be honest.

Here, if it is worth much, is the text of my PS. It's not perfect by any means. Show yourself to be a rounded individual with keen extra curricula activities, academic ability and an INTEREST. They are vetting you as a person as well as a potential student.

MY PERSONAL STATEMENT:


My name is Richard Healy and I am currently re-sitting my 'A'- Levels in Law, Sociology, English and General Studies at the North Derbyshire Tertiary College.

Having passed my exams, I aspire to improve my grades still further. My choice to re-sit has given me a better appreciation of the effort and dedication required in pursuing any academic discipline at both further and higher education.

My decision to study Philosophy is one that I arrived at slowly over a period of some years. In all of my subjects, there have been elements of philosophy, which have impressed themselves upon me; from the nature of freedom and justice in Law, to the study of Phenomenology in Sociology, and whether it is ever possible to know what another person is thinking. These questions often challenged the fundamental or core principles of that subject. I have since been able to read 'Problems of Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell and 'Sophie's World' by Jostein Gaarder. I have also obtained a translation of the Chinese writings in the 'Tao Te Ching', all of these have been absorbing and stimulating reading. I am extremely glad that I 'discovered' philosophy in this way - though in a sense it has been a part of my work all of my life. I would therefore enjoy the opportunity to explore this subject in detail. The extra time afforded to me in my current position, has given me a greater chance to read around the subject, which I continue to find increasingly exciting and interesting. I have begun to take a particular interest in the areas of Epistemology, Metaphysics and the philosophy of the mind.

Away from my studies, I have a wide circle of friends, with whom I enjoy socialising regularly. I like to listen to various kinds of music ranging from classical works through to modern rock. I often go to the cinema for leisure. Privately, I enjoy the therapeutic aspects of aromatherapy. I also have a wide collection of both novels and more specialised books that deal with my fledgling interests in Astronomy, Meteorology and Geology, topics which have fascinated me for many years which at university I would like to learn more about, using the wider resources available

I consider myself honest and hard working and although I am conscious of the work ahead, I am confident that it is a challenge that I will overcome.


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I hope this is of some use to you. Come back to me if you would like to know any more.



Richard.
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wow! thats awfully decent of you.

very interesting...my personal statement is about this...cos its oxbridge entry i have to get it done fast. i might cram read sophies world...something i always meant to read...but this has given me some ideas...ta!

Oxbride, eh? Gosh!

Spare a penny for us underclass eh mister?

(V. BIG! ---> )

be off with you you little scamp. i have some more factories to open. no money for you.

I'll Revolt!

your quite revolting enough as it is.

thanks for your help...im now going to bed...laters

fun while it lasted.

'K

G'night.

I've got 10mins of internet time left so I'm letting that go and I'm off myself.

mmkay. my personal statment just needs that final jolt of inspirational electricity before it can get up off the slab, an amalgam of other peoples personal statments and terrorise the town of univercity admissions tutors. once it has done that i can stop mixing my metphors in such a dreadful manner

Care to post it up and we'll take a look at it together?

yes. i will just go and get it. hold on...

I'll save you the tedium of my achievements and just give you the actual 'i can do your course' bit.

My interest in philosophy was kindled when i was studying the philosophy of religion portion of the theology A-level because I find considering the underlying reasons for things particularly fascinating. We have read extensively, form Austin Farrer to Brian Davies, touching also on Anslem, Gaunilon, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, Russell, Freud and Marx. The course has mostly been classical philosophy of religion so far, concerning the various proofs and rebuttals for the existence of God as proposed by the above. I have always enjoyed writing argumentative essays, because they challenge me to think conceptually and to order my thoughts in a logical manner. The ones UI have done in philosophy have been particularly stimulating, on such subjects as miracles and ontology. I very much look forward to broadening my horizons beyond the philosophy of religion and to studying other philosophical disciplines.

there.

Right-o, I'm just gonna copy-paste it over to word so I can take a proper look at it.

mmkay...this is very good of you

Didn't I tell you? In my other life I'm the Dean of Jesus Christ College?

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i have to go and have lunch now, so im sorry to leave you. howver i do appreciate any imput you make, but of course do not feel you have to.

thanks very much

lol what a time to simulpost...

I'll post back here. Catch yer' laters....

Scratch that, I'll e-mail it to you.

yeah i got it. thanks ver' much. very handy in dee. good of you and all that. ill see that ill get you a drink at the next meet we are both present at. with any luck, ill be legally able to ge it in...