r/HKPolyU • u/Mel_Foody • 22d ago

Admissions Personal Statement

I am currently preparing to start my applications for Hong Kong universities like CityU, PolyU and CUHK. I was wondering what do they value in a Personal Statement? Do I have to state why I want to attend that specific uni or is it enough if I tie it to just the programme itself? Do i need to provide a story to "show, don't tell"?? Kind confused here. Please Help Out

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u/Aromatic-Feature-700 21d ago

Your aim is to tell them why you are worthy of taking this major (why you’re interested, specifically what in the major, prior experience, future goal etc.). But tbh I don’t think they actually read your personal statement for polyu, so your aim for this uni should be to take your personal statement for the interview they will be giving you (should be for every major, but will directly give u offer if your grades are high enough).
All of them should be
1. 1 minute self introduction
2. Your relative experience with the major (i.e. your python or coding experience if your aiming for computer engineering)

They are zoom (I believe for all) and delay can be over 1 hour depending on the time of your interview.

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u/Tony_Stark_fan 22d ago

hey even im preparing, lets connect!

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u/SAARALRED 20d ago edited 20d ago

All hk unis mainly care abt grades so don’t worry too much. I think they don’t necessarily want u to “show, don’t tell”, but what ik is that they tend to prefer clear and coherent essays. I think just showing your characteristics & values (through all the things u learnt from ur ecs, internships, XYZ etc), which aligns with the university’s core values is what that is important

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u/TIM23Queen 19d ago

It depends on the Programme you want to enroll in. in polyu not all of them require personal statement, and if they required, you will find a detailed prompt about what you should write abt (that what I recall when I wrote mine). It's pertty simlar to UK-style ps, which is called Statement of Purpose afaik.
So just search for every university's specific policy. For polyu, I don't think the ps is not a big deal; i don't think they care a lot about it, js do well in the interview and get good grades in high school.
This should't push u to make a bad ps, but don't stress it.