Successful Philosophy and French Oxbridge Model Personal Statement
This is a model personal statement by a successful Oxbridge French and Philosophy applicant
I have always been interested in questioning what typically goes unquestioned in day-to-day life and that curiosity has only been further stimulated by studying and reading widely in Philosophy. I thoroughly enjoy being given full licence to challenge the ideas of great philosophers and my peers in weekly debates at our Philosophy Society. Cole’s ‘The Theory of Knowledge’ alongside Russell’s ‘The Problems of Philosophy’ launched me into the key debates within the subject and allowed me to better engage with the texts of Descartes, Hume and Berkeley. Although Russell’s dismissal of Idealism was compelling, Berkeley’s ‘Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous’ remains one of my favourite philosophical works to date, because of how clear it is to follow the back-and-forth discussion of metaphysical ideas.
[1] The personal statement begins with a strong statement about the applicant's interest in questioning the unquestioned, showcasing their curiosity and critical thinking skills.
[2] The mention of studying and reading widely in Philosophy highlights the applicant's dedication to the subject and their eagerness to challenge ideas.
[3] Their participation in weekly debates at the Philosophy Society demonstrates the applicant's active engagement in intellectual discourse and their ability to articulate their viewpoints.
[4] References to philosophical works such as Cole's 'The Theory of Knowledge,' Russell's 'The Problems of Philosophy,' and Berkeley's 'Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous' showcase the applicant's familiarity with key debates and their appreciation for clear and engaging philosophical texts.
I am also passionate about learning French and immersing myself in all that the language and culture have to offer. Literature has undoubtedly strengthened my grasp of the language and provided unrivalled access to cultural and historical points. Whilst reading ‘Un Sac de Billes’ and ‘Au Revoir Les Enfants’, I found their autobiographical style ensured an intensely realistic portrayal of life during L’Occupation. I later discovered the complicated narration of Roquentin in Sartre’s ‘Nausea’ to be equally intense; contrasting with the picaresque ‘Candide’ which I admire for Voltaire’s daring use of hyperbole and parody given his time of writing. My avid interest in the Enlightenment period also stems from a History Channel documentary on the French Revolution; I was instantly fascinated by the change that philosophy could inspire. I have since debated the role of the Enlightenment thinkers, particularly Rousseau, with my school’s language assistant during one-to-one speaking sessions.
[5] The mention of learning French and engaging with French literature demonstrates the applicant's passion for language learning and their appreciation for cultural and historical aspects.
[6] The reference to Roquentin in Sartre's 'Nausea' and Voltaire's 'Candide' highlights the applicant's ability to analyse complex literary works and appreciate different writing styles.
[7] The applicant's interest in the Enlightenment period, sparked by a documentary on the French Revolution, showcases their curiosity about the social and philosophical changes inspired by historical events.
Having found Mill’s ‘Utilitarianism’ a persuasive read with great intuitive appeal and an improvement on Bentham’s formulation, I was keen to discover its potential large-scale social implications and so decided to read Wolff’s ‘An Introduction to Political Philosophy’. Wolff highlighted various difficulties, most notably the scapegoat example, that Utilitarianism faced and has since led me to reconsider my stance. That being said, what I have enjoyed most about the work of Mill is his impassioned style of writing; through reading ‘On Liberty’, the reasons behind his brand of Utilitarianism became evident and, for me, mark a clear shift away from the hedonistic values of Bentham.
[8] The mention of Mill's 'Utilitarianism' and Wolff's 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' demonstrates the applicant's engagement with political and moral theories and their willingness to critically evaluate different perspectives.
[9] The applicant's involvement in following the French Election, writing commentaries, and mentoring French GCSE students reflects their commitment to staying informed and their ability to communicate effectively in both languages.
I followed the 2017 French Election closely; I regularly read and listen to France 24 and TV5Monde to keep updated whilst also widening my vocabulary. My interest grew quickly and so I challenged myself by writing a dual English-French commentary on French political affairs for my school newspaper, of which I was Upper School Editor last year. This different type of writing was very rewarding as I learnt to appreciate the fine balance between literal translation and preservation of meaning. I always look forward to mentoring French GCSE students and a designated time to refine the basics of grammar and pronunciation through teaching has proven to be an invaluable learning experience.
Last year, I enjoyed being part of teams that reached the National Bar Mock Finals and won the Gepps Legal Debate. Both competitions enabled me to improve my public speaking and debating skills after independent and team preparation. I have played club rugby for thirteen years and represented Essex for the last four; in this time, I believe I have developed strong leadership and teamwork skills, and I look forward to rugby at university. I have also enjoyed local volunteering in sport as part of completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh.
[10] The mention of participating in legal debates, playing club rugby, and volunteering showcases the applicant's well-roundedness, leadership, teamwork skills, and commitment to extracurricular activities.
The prospect of studying Philosophy and French at undergraduate level is one that I am eagerly anticipating as I look to master a second language and gain a deeper understanding of what lies behind some of the doors that I have already opened in philosophy.
[11] The conclusion expresses the applicant's anticipation and eagerness to pursue undergraduate studies in Philosophy and French, highlighting their desire to deepen their knowledge and linguistic abilities.
Offers received:
Oxford
Bristol
Edinburgh
Exeter
Nottingham
Why is this a good Oxbridge Philosophy and French personal statement?
This personal statement showcases the applicant's deep-rooted curiosity and critical thinking skills, evident from their early desire to question and seek proof in day-to-day phenomena.
Their engagement with philosophical and literary works demonstrates a broader intellectual curiosity and an ability to analyse complex ideas. The applicant's passion for learning languages, particularly their experience with French, highlights their linguistic proficiency and appreciation for cultural nuances.
Furthermore, their involvement in extracurricular activities such as teaching physics to lower-grade students, participating in Physics Olympiads, and engaging in creative pursuits like film festivals, demonstrates their well-roundedness and ability to excel in diverse areas.
Overall, this personal statement reflects the applicant's holistic approach to education, combining scientific curiosity, intellectual exploration, linguistic abilities, and active participation in extracurricular pursuits, all of which contribute to their enthusiasm for further academic exploration and growth.
