Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics) Personal Statement - a successful Oxford applicant example!
HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) PERSONAL STATEMENT
An example personal statement with annotations from a successful applicant
It is profoundly disturbing that the reality of inequality and suffering so radically contradicts our conception of how the world ought to be. Through my studies, I wish to understand how the world should be changed, and how I can change it.
[1] The personal statement begins with a thought-provoking reflection on the contradiction between the reality of inequality and our ideal vision of the world, showcasing the applicant's deep concern for societal issues.
This feeling motivated me to undertake voluntary work in Kenya, where unfortunately I acquired a rare spine infection. Although this left me hospitalised for months during my A levels last year, the experience of working with communities in absolute poverty provided added significance to my reading of economic development theory. On this matter, I was deeply impressed by Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human rights', both regarding its moral and economic rigour. Upon consideration, however, I found his policy of the global resource dividend unconvincing, regarding both its difficulty in measurement and unpredictability in its effects compared to similar strategies such as Piketty's global tax on wealth. Nevertheless, his arguments led me to think about development in terms of the world economy rather than individual nations, looking at how we can tackle extreme poverty and achieve growth in LEDCs with intervention similar to how we address poverty and inequality at a national level.
[2] The mention of voluntary work in Kenya demonstrates the applicant's commitment to making a difference and their firsthand experience with communities facing extreme poverty. The subsequent spine infection highlights their resilience and determination to overcome challenges in pursuit of their goals.
[3] The applicant's engagement with economic development theory, particularly through reading Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human Rights,' shows their intellectual curiosity and critical thinking abilities. Their evaluation of Pogge's global resource dividend policy versus Piketty's global tax on wealth demonstrates their ability to analyze and compare different strategies for addressing poverty and inequality.
I received the 'student of the year' award for Mathematics during college, and I have long enjoyed applying my mathematical knowledge outside the classroom. For example, at twelve I taught myself to program, finding coding stimulating because of the multiple levels of logical developments, and by thirteen I had published my first application to the Apple app store. More recently, after attending Cambridge's HE+ economics programme, this has manifested as an interest in game theory. Ken Binmore on the relationship between game theory and the social contract is an interesting application of economics to political philosophy. While Pogge's moral arguments for aid are built around Rawlsian ideas of political justice, he does not address the many criticisms of Rawls, importantly that multiple conclusions might follow from the veil of ignorance. Binmore, on the other hand, uses game theory as a naturalistic justification of Rawls, arguing that the 'deep structure' of fairness norms is a universal evolutionary solution to the equilibrium selection problem. Most of Binmore's evidence for this comes from anthropological examples of primitive communities, which is unpersuasive given that in what one might consider the state of nature we can largely ignore the social or power structures of organised society. Interestingly though, recent experiments such as the dictator game give credibility to this intuitionist line of thought in moral and social theory.
[4] The recognition as the "student of the year" for Mathematics showcases the applicant's exceptional academic achievements in the field, while their passion for applying mathematical knowledge in practical contexts, such as programming and app development, demonstrates their versatility and problem-solving skills.
[5] The applicant's interest in game theory, inspired by attending Cambridge's HE+ economics program, highlights their multidisciplinary approach to understanding the intersection of economics and political philosophy. The exploration of Ken Binmore's application of game theory to the social contract and the critique of Pogge's moral arguments showcases their engagement with complex intellectual debates.
[6] The applicant's active involvement in public lectures, philosophy societies, and debating societies reflects their thirst for knowledge and their commitment to engaging in intellectual discussions. Their organizational roles and participation in debates, including one with Sir Vince Cable on the EU referendum, demonstrate their leadership skills and ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue.
Outside of college I attend many public lecture series and debates in my community. I find the low attendance allows a great capacity for discussion compared with programmes such as Cambridge's philosophy master class that I have attended, allowing me to engage with professors on topics from Schopenhauer's aesthetics to free will. Experiences like this have inspired me to create two philosophy societies, found a debating society at my secondary school, and become president of the debating society at college, where I notably organised a debate including Sir Vince Cable on the recent EU referendum. Beyond academia, music has been a large part of my life. Throughout most of my education I have sustained graded examinations in four instruments, playing in countless groups and orchestras and touring Europe twice in the process. This demonstrates, especially in attaining my grade 8 oboe alongside my A levels, how I will have no trouble in managing the increased workload of university life.
[7] The mention of music as a significant part of the applicant's life showcases their commitment, discipline, and ability to balance multiple pursuits. Achieving a Grade 8 qualification in oboe alongside A-levels exemplifies their capacity to manage increased workloads and thrive in challenging environments.
Ultimately, I am fascinated by the human condition, our existential struggle for meaning against our economic circumstances. I hope to gain from my degree a deeper understanding of how to approach these most critical of issues, and the ability to change people's lives for the better.
[8] The concluding paragraph emphasizes the applicant's fascination with the human condition and their desire to gain a deeper understanding of critical societal issues. Their aspiration to change people's lives for the better demonstrates their genuine concern for making a positive impact on the world.
What makes this a good Oxford PPE personal statement?
This personal statement provides a comprehensive and captivating glimpse into the applicant's intellectual journey and aspirations. Their profound concern for the glaring disparity between the reality of inequality and their vision of a more equitable world sets the stage for their academic pursuits.
The applicant's deep admiration for Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human Rights' showcases their engagement with both the moral and economic dimensions of addressing global poverty.
However, their critical evaluation of Pogge's proposed global resource dividend policy and their exploration of alternative strategies, such as Piketty's global tax on wealth, reveal their ability to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives.
This thoughtful analysis demonstrates their capacity for rigorous intellectual inquiry and their commitment to finding effective solutions.
Their prowess in mathematics, passion for interdisciplinary thinking, active participation in public lectures and societies, and dedication to music further underscore their exceptional qualities and make them a strong candidate for further academic exploration and meaningful contributions to society.
BA Philosophy, Politics & Economics
Focusing on the philosophy and politics elements of the degree, I obtained high First Class honours, winning the R. Knox Prize for finals performance in philosophy. I will begin graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of Oxford in October, and in the coming years I intend to pursue a career in academic philosophy.