The Personal Statement That Got Me an Interview at Oxford
Read the personal statement that secured an interview at Oxford. Learn from a real example of what it takes to impress admissions tutors.
Ishaaq Shafi
Founder
Featured
Right now everyone wants to see real personal statement examples - so here it goes, check mine out here. By the way - I don't think it's good.

This personal statement got me offers from the LSE and Kings, as well as to interview at Oxford back in 2019
It is often regarded that understanding friction is necessary in order to drive innovation, as innovation is the act of reducing friction within society in order to make living better and crucially, easier.
From a young age this is what I would try to do. I strived to create innovative solutions in sectors which I found interesting, solutions which would lead to a better, more efficient use of consumer money. With the stronger set of economic vocabulary I now have, I label this as a desire to increase welfare in society.
At 13 I executed my first idea which was a small company; DriveSelections was an automotive consultancy advising clients on the best cars for them, helping to fix a market failure within the automotive industry of asymmetric information caused by a lack of consumer knowledge about new vehicles. Fast forward to the present and I find myself setting up my second company, a new platform aimed at disrupting the automotive industry, specifically redefining the way people manage and trade car leases.
I have worked for numerous startups, the most recent being a firm addressing new Nuclear Safety regulations post the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Upon joining I felt that the marketing materials being used to present the company were inadequate, so I began redesigning the firm's website, business cards and presentations. In addition to this I enjoyed helping to brainstorm approaches on securing funding, which was similar to when I worked on developing operation strategies alongside the founder of a b2c platform in the food industry.
Economics is my passion. I want to understand all the factors that change markets, in order to find opportunities, identify market inefficiencies and understand the impacts of factors such as trade agreements, speculation and government intervention.
Things are often delivered in suboptimal ways leading me to wonder what decisions and processes were undertaken in their production. I find myself contemplating ways in which I could deliver the same solution more efficiently or to a higher standard, because of this I decided to read into Globalisation. The ability to outsource jobs to the most efficient producer regardless of location instigated a transformation in the way businesses operate.
Within school I have always sought opportunities to push myself, driven by the desire to learn through mistakes and experience. Last year I led my F1 in Schools team to the National Finals where we positioned second in the country. As team principal I loved pitching to prospective sponsors and developing strategies to increase our fan base.
I believe that I am a determined, enthusiastic individual, committed to grasping every chance for personal growth and with higher education I hope to continue on the path towards fulfilling my full potential.
Here is what our AI personal statement review tool said about the above
Thank you for sharing your personal statement draft. You've done a commendable job of showcasing your passion for economics and management, as well as your entrepreneurial spirit. Below, I've provided some feedback and suggestions to enhance the coherence, relevance, and logical flow of your statement.
Introduction: Your introduction presents an interesting concept about friction and innovation, but it could be more directly tied to your personal experiences.
Paragraph 1: This paragraph effectively introduces your early entrepreneurial ventures. However, the transition between your past and present endeavors could be smoother.
Paragraph 2: Your work experience is impressive and relevant, but it could benefit from a clearer connection to your interest in economics and management.
Paragraph 3: This paragraph effectively conveys your passion for economics, but it could be more focused on specific insights.
Extracurricular Activities: Well-presented and demonstrate relevant skills. Ensure they are directly linked to your interest in management and economics.
Conclusion: Strong, but could be more concise and focused on summarizing your readiness.
Overall, your statement is well-structured and demonstrates a genuine interest in economics and management. By refining the transitions and ensuring each paragraph builds logically, you can create a more cohesive narrative.




