personal statement for studying french

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Successful Personal Statement For Modern Languages At Oxford

Last Updated: 10th August 2020

Author: Adi Sen

• Modern Languages

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Modern Languages applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Modern Languages Course at Oxford aims to teach spoken fluency in colloquial and more formal situations, as well as the ability to write essays in the foreign language, and the ability to translate into and out of the foreign language with accuracy and sensitivity to a range of vocabulary, styles and registers.

Read on to see how the candidate approached this Personal Statement. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Modern Languages comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Modern Languages Personal Statement

France has developed a literature of unequalled richness and variety. Europeans in any age have had few thoughts, desires, or fantasies that a French writer somewhere has not expressed-it has given the Western mind an image of itself. In this sense, French literature serves as a pool in which many cultures meet. Therefore, in particular, it is French literature’s universality which interests me.

Nevertheless, I enjoy how literature provides a window into an author’s contemporary society. For example, ‘Madame Bovary’ draws us into Flaubert’s disgust for the bourgeois existence of the 19thcentury; Zola’s ‘Thérèse Raquin’ invites us into the leprous lower-depths of Paris. I am interested in how both these writers, unparalleled in their psychological clarity and narrative muscle, provide such a brutal and relentless account of their chosen subject matter: for Flaubert, the indulgent decadence of the bourgeoisie, exemplified by Emma Bovary; for Zola, the moral dankness of the murderous lovers. In addition, I have watched Kassovitz’s ‘La Haine’ and Truffaut’s ‘Les quatre cents coups’, both similar to Zola and Flaubert in their rigorous exploration of character. Focusing on social outcasts, these films act as an exposition of societal problems. ‘La Haine’ sheds light on the all-encompassing violence and cultural exclusion of the suburbs of Paris, while ‘Les quatre cent coups’ reveals the shocking injustices in the treatment of juvenile offenders. Thus, such French cinema serves to illuminate the neglected–I relish this narrative potential in the discovery of truth.

Besides these more realistic works, both my English and French A Levels have introduced me toAbsurdism.I have appreciated the works of Beckett (‘Fin de partie’, ‘En attendant Godot’) and Ionesco (‘La Cantatrice Chauve’, ‘Rhinocéros’). These tragicomedies simultaneously entertain and provoke–the reason why I found them so enjoyable and yet so powerful. To pursue this interest in Absurdism, I read Voltaire’s absurd ‘contes philosophiques’, ‘Candide’ and ‘Micromegas’. Fiction, I found, proved to be the perfect medium of expression for Voltaire’s empiricism and scepticism. Therefore, like the tragicomedies of the 20th century, I thought Voltaire’s work succeeded both as entertainment and as an accessible manifesto of his philosophical beliefs. Furthermore, I decided to follow up this interest in such ‘contes philosophiques’ by undertaking an Edexcel Extended Project, entitled ‘Ancient Influence on French Existentialist Literature’, for which I was awarded an A*. Here, I focused on why Camus, in ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’, Sartre, in ‘Les Mouches’, and Anouilh, in ‘Antigone’, chose to use classical themes and motifs to communicate their own particular perception of Existentialism. Despite its challenges, the more I worked at this project, the more certain I was that this is what and how I would like to study.

Moreover, I have taken an interest in symbolist French poetry. Having studied some poetry by Baudelaire (‘Les Fleurs du Mal’) and Verlaine (‘Romances sans paroles’), I have become fascinated by the crippling and contrasting emotions communicated in these poems. I now admire how the very sound of the French language can control the register of a poem and, thus, highlight its true meaning even amongst the most abstract, intangible imagery, employed by Baudelaire and Verlaine. I am intrigued by the French language in part due to this precision.

Finally, I contributed regularly to my school’s Modern Languages magazine, ‘Babel’, and have competed in ‘Les Joutes Oratoires’, a national French debating competition in which I reached the final. Through these experiences, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy communicating in French. I believe an extra language extends one’s range. It releases you from the inertia of one cultural gear–achange of perspective that I find truly enlightening and enjoyable. I will be working in Paris from January to March.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

Throughout this statement, the applicant engages consistently with a range of French texts at a very advanced level.

The applicant is able to demonstrate not only an awareness of a huge tranche of French literature but also how specific works intersect. This comparative criticism is carried out by the applicant across several different forms in a manner that is lucid and impressive.

The applicant has mentioned their personal research and is able to indicate why it is interesting and relevant. They are also able to indicate how their personal pursuits are reciprocally and beneficially related to their academic studies.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At particular moments, this applicant veers from an academic register into an overtly formal one; a stylistic turn which, while remaining clear in meaning, is a little jarring.

More personal information would have been a welcome addition to this statement, especially since its academic calibre is so relentlessly clear throughout; the statement has the potential to be slightly breathless in its rapid consideration of big swathes of literature.

The statement could, therefore, have happily absorbed more personal information without diluting its clear academic potential.

In addition, the candidate could have taken slightly more care over their phrasing, which occasionally takes a tone bordering on reductive or patronising; a risk which is perhaps not worth taking in this context.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

The candidate effectively and efficiently communicates a level of cultural awareness which goes far above and beyond the demands of their curriculum.

They are able to demonstrate how they practically carry forward their interests in extra-curricular and academic activities. Throughout the statement, the applicant engages a muscular, academically-considered tone which is clear and authoritative.

There was room in the statement for greater personal depth and warmth, and for greater justification for some of the strong academic arguments being posed.

And there we have it – an Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Modern Languages application.

With our  Oxbridge Oxford Modern Languages Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect  Personal   Statement , achieve a highly competitive MLAT score and teach you how to  Interview effectively.

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Focus on the courses you're applying for

Your cultural engagement.

If you’re applying for modern languages courses that involve studying cultural as well as linguistic elements, then every uni we heard from stressed the importance of reflecting on your own cultural engagement with countries where the language is spoken:

• ‘We like to see evidence of your enthusiasm for, and immersion in, the language(s) outside of your A level studies. This might include time spent in the country, exchange activities, reading the press or books in the target language, watching films, etc.’ (Dr Lucy Bell, University of Surrey)
• ‘We would like to know how you have been able to engage with different cultures and communities, and your thoughts on the cultures, histories, or politics of the societies where the languages of study are spoken.’ (Irina Nelson, University of Southampton)

Dr Swift at Oxford explains how your ‘cultural engagement’ can be demonstrated in various ways. 'Doing simple things that are readily available to you via the internet, like reading short stories, following a blog, watching a documentary, or listening to French radio can be extremely valuable if you show what you got out of them. Take advantage of any opportunities available to you. But what's crucial is what you got out of the experience.'

And what you gained from it

What matters isn't so much what or how much you've done, but what you learned from it and how you present this evidence in your statement .

Simply saying you’ve travelled or worked abroad won’t do – it's only when you explain what you gained from it that it starts to support your application. What tutors don’t want is a list of facts about the country, things you've done, or books you’ve read, without explaining how this has expanded your personal experience.

What else to include

• An honest opinion: Dr Swift advises to 'always be honest in your response to whatever you've read, watched or listened to. If you didn't particularly enjoy Camu's L'Etranger, for instance, don't say that you did.'
• Your voice: 'Nelson Mandela and Wittgenstein both said interesting things about language, but I think it's really not worth giving over some of the precious 4000 characters to someone else's words.' If you do refer to a quotation, it must be more substantial than 'I think X was quite right in that view.'
• Talk about extra-curricular activities: include mentions of voluntary work, how you help younger pupils, or what you're learning from the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) if you’re doing one.

Starting a language from scratch?

If your chosen courses include a language you haven’t previously studied at an advanced level, then Dr Davies at Aberystwyth University advises that you should indicate what makes you feel that you’re likely to be successful. For example, describe your experience of studying it at GCSE, evening class, or any other way you’ve engaged with it.

We had further advice from Oxford on how to demonstrate motivation and commitment to a culture and language you haven’t studied before: 'get to know some of that culture’s literature in English translation, or watching films with subtitles. For beginners' courses, we are particularly interested in the connection to the particular language area and what has motivated you to think about that culture above other beginners’ options available.'

So a good way to focus this would be to not only answer the question ‘why do I want to study a new language at university?’ but rather 'why this new language and particular culture?'

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Applying for French at University in 2024? What to Read and Watch For Your Personal Statement and Oxbridge Interviews

When attempting to write your personal statement or prepping for your Oxbridge interview it can feel very daunting being faced with the entirety of the French canon and not knowing where to begin. A good piece of advice is to have a general understanding of the timeline of famous French literary works and then focus more specifically on one time period and read more broadly around that . Really get to grips with the era of your choice, whether this is due to a fascination of the valiant efforts of La Résistance during Second World War or an interest in Courtly love between knights and maidens in medieval France. We would suggest reading novels, poems and memoirs from that period, watching films, understanding the socio-historical context through newspaper articles and looking at both the art produced and political propaganda imagery distributed. Having a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of the era and demonstrating this in your personal statement will set you in good stead to discuss this topic in your interview, should it come up!

Remember, your reading/ wider subject exploration does not have to be strictly academic - there is a smaller distinction between high and low culture than one is led to believe; Baudelaire is as worthy of linguistic analysis as the language of a contemporary satirical magazine . The important thing is that you engage as much as you can with the culture and history of France, exploring through multiple mediums and artistic forms.

Here are some examples of books, films and paintings to have a look at for two periods in French history:

Nazi Occupation in France

Le silence de la mer - written during the summer of 1941 and published in early 1942 by Jean Bruller under the pseudonym "Vercors". This short fictional novel was published secretly in German-occupied Paris, and it rapidly acted as a symbol of passive resistance for the French against German occupiers. The writing is simple and therefore a good option to try and not immediately feel despondent.

PLAY:  

Antigone -   A tragedy written by Jean Anouilh inspired by Greek mythology and the play of the same name by Sophocles, originally produced in Paris in 1942. The play depicts an authoritarian regime, but the ancient setting enabled the author to make a masked critique of the Vichy regime, and get away with it.

Au Revoir Les Enfants - A film directed by Louis Malle, set in the winter of 1943-44. This breathtakingly good, but deeply harrowing movie is set in a French boarding school that agrees to hide a selection of Jewish children. Although made in 1987, the topic should give you a more profound understanding of all aspects of ways in which French people were affected by the Nazi occupation in France.

1850-1900 France - A Modernised Paris  

Baudelaire - Charles Baudelaire is one of the most compelling poets of the 19th century. One of his most famous collections is called Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), and across 126 poems he describes his frustration at the constantly changing nature of beauty in a modernised Paris undergoing industrialisation during the 19th century. He is credited with coining the term modernité, referring to the fleeting, ephemeral experience of life in an urban metropolis, and the responsibility of artists to capture these moments in their art.

Le Pont de l’Europe - A painting by Gustave Caillebotte that perfectly encapsulates the stark modifications that were taking place thanks to Baron Haussmann’s redesigning of the city. The iron bridge in the foreground overlooks the railroads of the Gare St Lazare, a modern fascination of many flâneurs as steam-engine trains became more common. Even the presence of a flâneur , a man who spent his days wandering the streets looking for inspiration for art and writing, is a nod to the new era.

Le Ventre de Paris - A novel by Zola that is not as widely read as some of his others, such as Germinal and Thérèse Raquin, but is a lively and accessible work of fiction that depicts the hustle and bustle of the newly-built Les Halles marketplace in Paris. Zola was a writer in the Naturalism movement and was fascinated by how people were affected by their family heritage and environment. He creates a montage of Parisian scenes through his rich imagery, so much so that you can almost smell the ‘symphony of cheeses’ he conjures up.

Further French Personal Statement Top Tips

Think of ways to link paragraphs , increase discussion of literary concepts and compare and contrast different writers

Demonstrate you have done further reading outside of class, don’t regurgitate your A-Level/IB syllabus

Explore key literary movements (18th - 20th centuries particularly) to gain an understanding of some of the key themes and context

Make sure you give your opinion on texts/ films mentioned as this will demonstrate you can analyse texts and draw conclusions from them. Especially if interviewing, the interviewer wants to have an interesting conversation, so engaging with new ideas but also developing personal, independent thoughts on the literature that you have read and being able to stand your ground when challenged will stand you in good stead

Maybe look into aspects of literary theory that might interest you - Roland Barthes’ theory ‘la mort de l’auteur’ is very interesting

Try to show a wider awareness of the culture and politics that come with studying Modern Languages

If you are applying to Oxbridge, think about questions likely to come up in the interview relating to the personal statement

Make sure what you have cited in your personal statement is not everything you have got - have further examples to draw upon that relate to books/theorists/concepts mentioned

Take a few words or a phrase, and imagine an interviewer asking, “can you expand on that?”

Between now and the interview, role-play with yourself. What are the contentious, unclear, or unspecific points in your personal statement? What might an interviewer ask? This is very much the portion of the interview where you can take control

Some Useful Resources for Personal Statement Ideas & Interview Preparation

The Appreciation of Modern French Poetry by Broome & Chesters

In Our Time BBC podcast

https://commentairecompose.fr/ website

Online lectures e.g. Gresham College hosted a lecture on “The Novel as Political History” on Le Rouge Et Le Noir

Cambridge HE+ Resources: Check out their resource on French and Belgian Comics

CamLangSci is an incredibly interesting blog run by graduate students working at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics in Cambridge

Minds Underground French Literature Summer School

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Delve into and explore both the cultural and linguistic aspects of the language(s) you choose, gaining exposure to exciting literature across a range of periods for personal statement writing & interview preparation

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How Can U2 Help Prepare You For Your Oxbridge/ Top Russel Group University French Application? Looking for Personal Statement Writing Support?

Looking for GCSE , A-Level or IB French support? Need help planning & writing your French personal statement ? Preparing for the MLAT or Oxbridge Modern Foreign Languages interviews? We have a large team of wonderful French mentors , all educated at Oxford and Cambridge, who are well-placed to support. We offer either ad hoc tuition or you are welcome to join one of our wider Oxbridge Mentoring programmes (book a free consultation to discuss options).

The Oxbridge Mentoring Process:

1) We suggest an Oxford or Cambridge French graduate as a mentor (you may state your preference) and send their full CV for review. Many of our mentors have studied at Master’s or PhD level/ have supported other successful applicants, and are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study French, including entrance exam requirements and the interview process. 

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular mentoring sessions: In sessions, students are expected to orally communicate, defend, analyse & critique ideas or solve problems, in conversation with the tutor, as in an Oxbridge tutorial. This readies students for the challenging entry process and provides them with the tools needed to stand out amongst other strong candidates. We offer some of the most comprehensive support available at present, with an entire interactive online platform, Minds Underground , built to take care of all students' co-curricular needs in preparation for university application and future careers, including research projects, masterclasses and summer schools.

Sessions from £70/h.

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Example Personal Statement: Languages (French and Latin)

A student analyses their personal statement.

I applied to study Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University in October 2016, as well as French and Latin courses at Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh and St. Andrews. The MML degree course allows students to select two different languages and, as one of my languages was ancient, I had to appeal to both the Classics and MML departments in my Personal Statement. I received offers from all five of my universities.

A student breaks their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section as they go so you can learn from their experience.

Teaching children in my weekly Latin club has given me the opportunity to see the foundations of a language being set. I have relished demonstrating how to assemble the fundamental blocks of a language into complex sentences and illustrating the linguistic patterns which emerge.   

In order to make the opening lines eye-catching, start with something unique about you. It could be an interesting personal reason why you chose your subject, or something which not many other candidates will have done (i.e. running a Latin club.) 

For me, the joy of language lies in this puzzle of translation. Each line of poetry or prose requires a mind that can commit to memory and apply grammatical rules with mathematical precision, yet still appreciate the nuances and stylistic manipulation that make a language unique. I have the linguistic flexibility necessary to comprehend and compose French, whilst the analytical skills taught in Maths have instilled in me the rigour and grammatical accuracy required of an inflected language such as Latin. It was this meticulousness which enabled me to achieve full UMS in my Latin Language, French oral and two Maths modules. I have also extended my range of languages by attending the JACT Ancient Greek Summer School and completing an online course in Italian; two languages which I was curious to find as equally contrasting in structure as Latin and French. 

Your reasons for applying for your subject should be made clear early on in your PS. This will probably be the section where you are able to convey the most passion for your subject.  

Here I also explain why I have chosen my two languages in particular; for courses where you’ve chosen a combination of subjects it’s important to justify why this mix appeals to you.  

I mention my other A Level subject and demonstrate how it is relevant to this course. Everything needs to be tailored to prove that you are an excellent candidate for the specific subject(s) for which you are applying. 

I also go into detail about my AS results in this section to demonstrate my aptitude for these subjects. Note that universities will receive your grades but not your UMS scores.  

This section is about my skill for languages in general. In the next couple of paragraphs I discuss each language separately. It’s important to keep your PS clearly structured in this way, especially when applying for two different subjects. 

When exploring a language, a study of the culture will naturally follow. I became captivated by French culture when I read Philippe Delerm's 'La Premiere Gorgee de Biere.' I found the French language, with its languid vowel sounds and euphonic rhythm, was the perfect medium for Delerm's sensory descriptions. In the same way, the lavish descriptive passages in Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' convey the wild romanticism of Emma's aspirations, as well as the monotony and claustrophobia of provincial life, far more effectively than any translation. In contrast, the harsh vernacular used in Faiza Guene's 'Kiffe Kiffe Demain' and films such as 'La Vie d'Adele' and 'La Haine' enhances the realism of these powerful stories. 

Here I mention the ways I’ve explored the French culture. Note that I don’t just list the books I’ve read, but instead reflect on each one, mentioning what I found interesting. 

In this paragraph, I comment on the importance of the French language in each of the books and films mentioned. Try to link examples in this way, looking for a theme that runs throughout or perhaps a contrast between two narratives. This makes the PS seem more natural and fluent, as well as demonstrating your ability to process and apply your knowledge independently. 

As an Auschwitz ambassador, I have learnt the critical importance of cultural connection, a technique the Holocaust Educational Trust uses to reverse the dehumanisation of the Jews. I feel the same connection when examining any society's literature, ancient or modern. Reading of the longing of Propertius for his Cynthia or Catullus' bitter affection for the unfaithful Lesbia, the humanity of their experiences is strikingly contemporary. From the colourful history disclosed by Tacitus to the hilarity of the 'Lysistrata' or the wickedness of the 'Amores,' the sentiments expressed by the ancients remain just as appealing and relevant in the modern day. Indeed, one only needs to turn to the rhetoric of hate surrounding the US Presidential Election to find the merciless invective characteristic of a Juvenalian satire. 

Whilst reading Satire VI, I was struck by how the innuendo exclusively used to describe women in the past remains largely unchanged in the modern media. I also came to this conclusion whilst conducting research for my voluntary EPQ. For example, the Latin word 'docta,' the feminine form of clever, previously used to denote something far less respectable than intelligence, to me seemed all too similar to modern day articles which euphemistically described Hilary Clinton as 'a woman of experience.'

This paragraph covers my reading for my second language: Latin. 

Here I link in my experience as an Auschwitz ambassador (which is seemingly irrelevant to a languages degree) to demonstrate how it has furthered my enthusiasm for the subject. 

Again, I don’t just list my reading here but illustrate what I’ve learnt from it. 

My course was one where it was possible for me to be called to an interview so I left ‘hooks’ in my PS that I thought would make good discussion material later. I was later asked to expand on the point about Hillary Clinton and my EPQ topic at my interview. 

Mentioning current affairs (and how your subject links to them) demonstrates that you can see the importance of your subject in the wider world. You should also offer your own opinion, because this will make your PS stand out as unique. 

My French film club has exposed fellow pupils to a broad range of films, from the deeply moving 'Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon' to the bittersweet 'Persepolis.' I founded the Latin Society and led several Classics days for local primary schools as well as inviting the classicist and author Natalie Haynes to lecture. I play grade 8 flute and 6 piano, exploring French culture through music, with a repertoire including Faure, Chaminade and Gaubert. I lead the Debating Society and was awarded Best Speaker in the countywide round of the ESU Public Speaking Competition, for a speech entitled 'Can Language Change the World?' 

This section covers my extracurricular activities. Note that each one is still linked to my academic studies. This shows an admissions tutor that you are constantly thinking about your subject and how it relates to the world around you. 

I truly value the power of the spoken and written word so it is therefore a natural progression for me to study a subject by which I'm so captivated. 

Finally, the concluding line should sum up the PS and your reason for applying (so that you avoid finishing on the extracurriculars section.) 

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Academic Personal Statement Guide + Examples for 2024

You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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How to ace that French university interview

Thinking about studying in France? We’ve got loads of tips for acing that French university interview. Find out more about how to get a place in France here...

In France, students who apply to an institute of technology will have to attend a personal interview. We’ve curated some tips on how you can ace an interview with a French university here…

Importance of a good application form

When filling up the university application form don’t prevaricate or overstate anything in the form, because chances are, they will be able to tell. This is especially so during the interview. Only put in what you are comfortable with: things that you know and you are fully capable of doing or have done. Use the application form to highlight your experience and strengths and how this makes you an excellent candidate for the university.

It’s worth noting that France is well known for its bureaucracy and intensive administrative practices, therefore you may be waiting a little while after submitting your application form to hear about whether you’ve got an interview.

Research is key

We strongly recommend that you research the course and university well. Make sure you have all the relevant information at your fingertips, schools like students who are well-prepared. Check with the university if they can disclose the format of the interview and who will be interviewing you.

Desired candidate

In general, university interviewers look for candidates who are confident and passionate about their chosen subject field and this is true in France as well. Most importantly, they are enthusiastic and eager to attend the university. As mentioned above, research is essential. Expand your general knowledge about that subject and look up recent updates or changes that have been published.

An interview is a formal social situation which calls for appropriate attire. Prepare a smart and simple outfit. Unless you’re attending an interview with a fashion design school, stay away from loud patterns. You’ll want the interviewers’ focus to be on you, not your outfit.

Personal statement

You’d probably have submitted this document during your application, reread it again to familiarise yourself with it. As mentioned before, the French love their paperwork so the interview will definitely refer to your personal statement and will ask some questions based on that.

Interview the university

Have some questions of your own. This is your chance to find out if this university is a good fit. Do due diligence and only ask questions that haven’t already been answered on their website. For instance, does this programme allow you to take modules from other disciplines? You can also ask about the culture of the university and the kinds of support available to international students.

Ensure you’re polite and respectful as and arrive on time – this will go down particularly well in a French interview as manners are an important part of the country’s culture.

Practice, practice, practice

Check with your school if they hold mock interview for their graduates. If they don’t, you can always enlist the help of your friends and family to be the interview panel asking you questions while you practice answering them. Do you know of anyone who has attended this particular university before? Yes? Then get in touch with them and seek their advice. No? Then check with your school if they can help connect you with someone who has gone to the university. There are also some institutions in France that will train you for the personal interview through phone or Skype.

Master the French Language

While many universities have recently started offering either bilingual programmes or programmes that are taught entirely in English, a large portion of the programmes are still conducted in French. For these, you will be required to demonstrate your proficiency in the French language by taking a language test. There are a few types of tests- TCF (Test of knowledge of French), TEF (French Assessment Test), DELF (Diploma of French-language studies) and DALF (Advanced diploma in French language).

Prospective students are exempted from this requirement if you are:

• From multilingual states where French is one of the official languages. These states include, Cameroon, Canada, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Haiti, Madagascar, Mauritania, Rwanda, Seychelles, Switzerland and Vanuatu.
• Have taken a bilingual programme where one of the languages was French.
• Are a holder of the international or European baccalaureate or Franco-German baccalaureate.
• Are an international recipient of a scholarship from the French government, or international organisations and foreign government grants that are administered by an approved French entity.  

Those are the best tips we can impart ahead of your application to a French interview and hopefully some of them might help you cinch a place on that degree you’ve dreamt of. Now it’s time to get searching for courses and universities . Best of luck!

Applying to a French University

What will you need to apply to university in France? A passport that will be valid for the entirety of your stay in France Transcripts from previous institutions, certifying your level of education A passing grade in a French language exam, if your programme requires it   How to Apply EU Citizens If you have completed a French baccalaureate and are applying to the first year of a programme, you will use the online

The French higher education system explained

Around 300,000 international students flock to France every year, making up 12% of the country's university student population. The allure of France’s culture, cuisines and class make it an attractive choice for studying abroad, but more importantly, it also boasts plenty of high-quality institutions.   The French higher education system is underpinned by strong government support. The country's research departments and business schools are some of

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• French and Russian Combined Honours Personal Statement

French and Russian Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

Learning languages has always seemed very natural to me. My maternal grandmother is French and my mother speaks fluent French, giving me a long-standing interest in the French language and culture. My decision to combine French with Russian at degree level stems from an experience I had during Year 10 at school, when I went to Russia on a history trip. Going to St. Petersburg and Moscow and experiencing Russian culture first hand was so inspiring. I started to learn the Cyrillic alphabet and began with some basic phrases. On my return, one of the teachers in the modern languages department set up lunchtime Russian classes and I passed by Russian GCSE, done as an extra qualification, with a Grade A.

At college it was a natural choice to study French, Russian and History, even though it meant attending the college with the longest travel time from my home to do so. I have used the travelling time for reading and listening to plays and music that reflect Russian culture; reading the translated Chekhov plays really captivated me.

In the future, beyond my degree, I have an ambition to help others learn languages and feel that I may move into teaching. In Year 11 at school I was in the mentoring team for students in Years 7-9 who were struggling with French and I was able to act as a team leader on two school trips, one to Paris and the other to the south of France on a water sports trip. This was a fantastic experience as I learned kayaking and wind surfing and enjoyed working as part of a large team effort with the younger pupils, my teachers and the instructors on the course.

As part of my Duke of Edinburgh (Silver and now Gold Award) I have spent regular time volunteering at a local special school, which offers help and support and respite care for families with children with cerebral palsy. I worked with two children in particular, encouraging them in their reading and communication. One of the greatest challenges of the Award has been the expeditions in the Lake District, which have involved long walking weekends, one of them in driving rain, but it was very satisfying to have completed it.

My interest in Chekov has also opened up a relatively new passion – the theatre. I am currently helping to put on a college performance of The Seagull, an adaptation of the Chekov play by the contemporary playwright Tom Stoppard. I have been involved in all aspects, including set design, coaching the actors in dialogue and direction.

My choice of university has been led by the course content and the reputation of the modern languages faculty. Your institution offers modules that I can’t wait to start studying. I feel that my mature attitude, broad experience and ability to immerse myself in a language will enable me to enjoy three years of intense study. Additionally, I intend to pursue my interest in working with younger people and within the theatre by participating fully in extra-curricular activities.

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• Languages personal statements

Personal Statement - French and Linguistics

French and linguistics personal statement.

My interest in languages and linguistics stems from exposure to more than one language since birth. My father speaks the Cornish language to me on a regular basis and although I am not fully bilingual, my knowledge of two languages from an early age has helped me understand and appreciate differing linguistic structures and inspired me to further my study of languages.

Linguistics attracts me because of the number and diversity of branches of study, spanning the gap between arts and science subjects; I first began seriously considering a degree in linguistics after reading David Crystal's "Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language" and becoming aware of this enormous variety. I was particularly intrigued by the section concerning philology and how a few changes in a language can over time create geographical distortions sufficient to give birth to a whole new family of mutually unintelligible languages. I have always enjoyed studying a range of subjects and feel that a degree in French and Linguistics would allow me to continue to work with differing topics: the opportunity to study French culture and literature would balance some of the more technical and biological aspects of linguistics and contribute to a vast breadth of study.

French was the first foreign language I formally studied and as I have grown more confident with the language my interest in it has deepened, especially regarding its grammatical structure and etymology, something which studying it along with linguistics would permit me to investigate in depth. This year I read "Parlez-vous franglais?" by Etiemble, which was written before the establishment of the Academie francaise [ this isn't actually true, but evidently universities didn't care ] and deals with the then seemingly ubiquitous invasion of the French language by English words. The middle section of the book proposes a grammar for a hypothetical dialect of French which has been subjected to the same anglicising modifications as those found in the examples elsewhere in the book, and this cleverly illustrates how the conventions in spelling of English and French vary and the linguistic differences between them, which I found especially intriguing. I also recently read Camus' "L'Etranger", whose explorations of isolation and belief in God showed me that studying French and its literature is not only a linguistic discipline but leads to further cultural, sociological and historical investigation.

Taking Latin for A-level has furthered my understanding of the history and development of languages, as well as exercising my skills of literary criticism in a way which moves beyond that offered by my other subjects. I have also been attending Ancient Greek lessons after school, which has broadened my linguistic knowledge and allows me to see more clearly how the vocabulary of these ancient languages has evolved into that of the modern ones I have encountered.

I have recently completed the Extended Project Qualification on the subject of whether the Cornish language revival is successful. Being connected with this movement means that I have come to recognise the linguistic importance of this issue, and undertaking such a project allowed me to examine it in a more academic way and increase my awareness of the problems surrounding conservation of any minority language, many of which are becoming more and more threatened as globalisation increases.

My enthusiasm for music has led to a diploma in performance on the piano and additional grade eights in cello, singing and theory, and membership of several choirs in and out of school. Composition and the theory of music interest me especially and their logical, patterned qualities, along with those of mathematics which I am also studying for A-level, echo the rules of grammar and syntax and the structured approach often required for the study of languages and linguistics.

I would welcome the opportunities provided by a university education, and the chance to pursue the development of my linguistic, literary and analytical skills.

Universities Applied to:

• Oxford (French and Linguistics) - Offer (AAA including French) Firm
• Southampton (French Linguistic Studies) - Offer (AAB with A in French)
• York (French and Linguistics) - Offer (ABB including French) Insurance
• Manchester (French and Linguistics) - Offer (ABB with A in French)
• Lancaster (French and Linguistics) - Offer (ABB including French)

Grades Achieved:

• French (A2) - A*
• Latin (A2) - A*
• Maths (A2) - A*
• Music (A2) - A
• Extended Project - a
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English & french personal statement example 1.

Languages are my strength, the main focus of my studies, and I have always studied them with energy and interest. I have chosen to study the combination of English and French because I see languages as assets, not only as keys to communication but also as keys to accessing literature. The languages, culture, history and literature of both English and French intrigue me and I look forward to enriching and developing my knowledge and understanding of the two.

What inspires me about my chosen degree is that it has no limits. There exists such a diversity of material and I consider my understanding and ability to analyse literature and interpret a language as skills that will continue to develop and flourish indefinitely. I am an eager reader, enjoying literature from all ages. Taking both mainstream and advanced English gave me the opportunity to study a wide variety of texts. I particularly enjoyed studying the Romantics; the challenge of reading a novel by Charles Dickens; discovering the humour in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'; the variety in Graham Greene's writing; and the more modern style of Ian McEwan, whom I chose to study in depth when writing my extended essay on a chosen author and their work. Studying French gave me the opportunity to read plays, discover French film and to study novels in depth. The novel 'La femme de Gilles' and the play 'Antigone' were the basis of my French studies in my final year at school and I enjoyed reading the texts, discussing the important issues involved and watching the films of these texts. Studying in a multilingual environment made French a part of my everyday life, something I appreciated and explored with fervour. I have only had the opportunity to visit France once, but I look forward to spending my third year abroad as it is a country whose language and culture I have always felt drawn to.

Studying in a European School has presented me with opportunities that I feel I have used to an advantage, such as the option of studying multiple languages. I chose to study Latin-based languages, Italian and Spanish, up to an advanced level, which complemented my French studies. I enjoyed both the written and spoken aspects of all four language courses at school and I am a confident speaker in all, a characteristic which I found useful when representing my school at the CoSup meeting (Conseil Superieur des Eleves) in Brussels in February 2007.

Alongside my school schedule, I also enjoyed extra-curricular activities and took part in important events. Dancing since the age of three, I have attended dance classes most week nights and organised and participated in shows. I enjoyed the responsibility of working at the front of house for two years in a well-regarded restaurant, socialising and building my independence. I am a keen runner, covering around ten miles a week with my local running club and competing in races. I also play the piano in my spare time and raise money for charities by participating in sports events. I am highly committed to my education and enjoy balancing the requirements of a heavy timetable with extra-curricular and work commitments. However, I am always able to prioritise effectively when my schedule becomes too busy.

I am currently working full-time and earning to fund my university studies. I aim to gain more experience and independence whilst also broadening my skills, which I believe will work to my advantage during my time at university and in my development as an individual. I am also spending my free time exploring texts and films to deepen my understanding and maintain my vocabulary of my chosen subjects, whilst preparing myself for my entry into university in September 2008. My enthusiasm and proven ability in my chosen subjects makes me confident that I am an ideal student for this course.

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This personal statement was written by Pigneguy for application in 2008.

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Exeter - unconditional offer.

Mon, 10/12/2007 - 16:29

Exeter - Unconditional offer KCL - Unconditional offer Nottingham - Unconditional offer Leeds - Unconditional offer Edinburgh - no reply as yet

Tue, 23/07/2013 - 21:56

Very informative article post. Want more.

Wed, 24/07/2013 - 23:36

Im thankful for the post.Thanks Again. Really Great.

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Wally Amos, Creator of Famous Amos Cookies, Dies at 88

With a background as a talent agent, his aunt’s recipe and a winning personality, he built one of the world’s best-known brands of baked goods.

By Clay Risen

Wally Amos, an indefatigable entrepreneur who in 1975 took a $25,000 loan from a few friends in Hollywood to start Famous Amos, one of the first brands to push high-quality cookies in its own stores and one of the world’s best-known names in baked goods, died on Tuesday at his home in Honolulu. He was 88.

His children Shawn and Sarah Amos said the cause was complications of dementia.

At a time when flavorless, preservative-packed cookies were about the only thing available to consumers not blessed with a baker in the family, Mr. Amos’s confections stood out. Derived from a recipe he had learned from his aunt, they used real ingredients, no coloring or chemicals added, and he kept them as close to handmade as possible, even as his company exploded into national distribution through the early 1980s.

What began with a single store in Los Angeles that made $300,000 in revenue its first year became by 1981 a $12 million company (about $42 million in today’s currency), with dozens of Famous Amos stores across the country and packaged products sold in supermarkets and department stores like Bloomingdale’s as well.

His cookies were small — bite-size, for most mouths — and came in three varieties: chocolate chip with peanut butter, chocolate chip with pecans, and butterscotch chips with pecan. All were handmade, at the store.

“You can’t compare a machine-made cookie with a handmade cookie,” Mr. Amos told MSNBC in 2007. “It’s like comparing a Rolls-Royce with a Volkswagen.”

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