My HKU & CUHK Personal Statement | Tips and Tricks

Summary

The presenter shares how she approached personal statements for applications to the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), along with practical advice for applicants to Hong Kong universities.

Requirements and overall approach

• HKU’s stated requirement was a personal statement of up to 1,000 words explaining the applicant’s interest in the university and program.
• CUHK requested a personal statement of no more than two A4 pages explaining why the applicant chose the program.
• Neither university provided a detailed essay prompt, leaving applicants to decide what to include.
• HKU also offered an optional video personal statement. The presenter did not submit one and still received offers. She recommends checking requirements early and starting ahead of deadlines if you plan to make a video.
• The presenter describes two broad approaches:
  • Academic-focused: Emphasizes motivation, preparation, suitability, and interest in the chosen subject.
  • Personal or experience-focused: Centers on personal history and life experiences.

Based on the universities’ wording and her own experience, the presenter favors an academic focus while noting that a personal approach is also possible.

Applying to multiple programs

HKU allowed applicants to use one personal statement for all programs they applied to. For CUHK, the presenter submitted separate statements for science and biomedical sciences.

A single statement can be difficult to tailor when the programs are very different. The presenter recommends focusing on the first-choice program, particularly if it is the one most likely to assess the application closely. Applying to related programs makes it easier to write a coherent statement that suits them all.

Six tips for writing a personal statement

1. Use color-coding to review each sentence. The presenter categorized sentences by motivation, engagement, suitability, reflection, and passion. Marking each sentence can reveal whether it contributes useful information or is merely filler. It can also show whether the statement is balanced—for example, whether it explains the applicant’s suitability as well as their enthusiasm.

2. Show that you understand the specific program. Research the course and mention relevant features that distinguish it from similar programs. This can explain why you chose that particular university and demonstrate that your choice is informed.

3. Choose a focused academic interest and develop it in depth. Rather than listing many interests superficially, explore one or two topics in more detail. Connect your interest to relevant activities, such as reading or listening to subject-related material. Make sure the topic relates to what the program teaches; focusing on an area the course does not cover may suggest a mismatch.

4. Coordinate with teachers writing recommendations. Discuss what they plan to emphasize so the recommendation and personal statement do not repeat the same information unnecessarily. Use the statement to cover experiences or strengths the teacher is not addressing, unless repeating a point is important to show it from multiple perspectives.

5. Consider briefly explaining why you want to study in Hong Kong. The presenter did not include this in her university personal statements, but says she would consider adding one or two sentences if space allows. This could connect personal reasons for choosing Hong Kong with your choice of university.

6. Link extracurricular activities back to your subject. Extracurricular activities can add breadth, but explain how they relate to the program, relevant skills, or future goals. The presenter’s examples include connecting basketball teamwork to the collaborative role of biomedical scientists, and linking Model United Nations research to a global issue she hoped to address through her studies.

The presenter’s personal statements for HKU and CUHK were linked in the video description. She notes that her advice reflects her own experience and encourages applicants to review examples and research their programs.

Speakers and sources featured

• Speaker: Sydney, the presenter.
• Sources and people referenced: HKU and CUHK application requirements; Dr. Shane’s UCAS personal-statement guidance and PDF, which inspired the color-coding method; the presenter’s teachers and their recommendation letters; and friends’ application experiences.