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Experience with personal statement editing services?

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martin008

Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Experience with personal statement editing services?
Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:14 AM
Hi there,

just wondering if anyone had experience with professional editing services for his personal statement when applying to a UK university?

I personally know that essayedge.com offers good services. But I’m not sure whether their approach/style/word-choice/etc. is different from what UK admissions officers expect. I’ve heard from friends that the British way to writing a personal statement – although conveying the same information – is a bit less pompous than its American counterpart. (This information/rumour might be wrong though.) If it were true, essayedge or other US-based services might not be the first choice, I guess.

personal-statement.co.uk would be an option (although more expensive than some of its American competitors I know, which is a big issue for me). Has anyone had experience with this service or knows other (good) UK-based editing services for personal statements?

Thanks a lot for your answers,
Martin

[Edited by link updater on 03 Sep 2008]
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cowboyblues

Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 74
Experience with personal statement editing services?
Wed Sep 03, 2008 05:25 PM
I'm always weary of these type of sites - they play on people's insecurities.

If you have a law degree or two and/or are a lawyer, you are probably a lot more qualified and skilled than the people they are employing to write your personal statement.

The fact these sites don't profile exactly who their writers are always raises a red-flag for me.

The UK link you give is registered to an address in Bridgend Wales and is ran by a group of computer experts (albeit academics but not lawyers nor specialist copy-editors).

I would recommend you employ the services of a standard copy-editor.



[Edited by cowboyblues on 03 Sep 2008]
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The_Nagle

Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Experience with personal statement editing services?
Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:33 AM
I couldn't agree more with cowboyblues. If you went to law school, got a law degree, worked as a lawyer and are now considering studying for a master of laws you should, or hopefully do, have exceptional writing skills.
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martin008

Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Experience with personal statement editing services?
Sun Sep 07, 2008 09:41 PM
thanks a lot for your replies (although my intention was not to start a discussion about personal statement editing services).

As a non-native speaker I'm not sure whether my (limited) vocabulary can really convey my passion for law/reasearch/etc. Simply relying on what sounds naturally to my ear is not working here.
In using an editing service I'd feel much more secure, even though I know that they're playing with applicants' (my) fear.
As an undergrad, I used essayedge for proofing my personal statement. My impression was that they did a great job and improved the vocabulary and smoothness of the piece.
I'd also prefer them to a standard copy editor. Let's assume these guys proof personal statements all day long; that means they are professionals and know what they're doing.

maybe for non-native speakers the case for using these services has some force?

[Edited by martin008 on 08 Sep 2008]
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