Personal Statement: BPP University Bar Training Course Application

This personal statement details a student's journey from primary school to their pursuit of a law career. The student reflects on their experiences as a prefect and sports minister, highlighting their ability to balance studies and extracurricular activities. They discuss their academic achievements, including success in a science stream and a Malaysian examination, leading them to pursue a medical science foundation course before shifting to law due to a desire to challenge societal norms. The statement emphasizes the student's legal skills, research abilities, and participation in university law conferences. The student's personal strengths, including punctiliousness and teamwork, are highlighted, along with examples of how they've changed others' opinions. The student's attraction to BPP University is discussed, along with their dissertation topic on sex education and their goal of becoming a barrister. The student is applying for a place on the Bar Training Course in BPP, Leeds.

Personal Statement
When I have entered into primary and secondary school, it has always been a
combination of studies and sports activities. It was one of the great experiences of
mine that I have to represent the school as a prefect for 6 years and becoming the
minister of sports under the student council. During the last year of schooling, I have
displayed my responsibility and dedication to my school. My school journey is a
challenge for me to balance my studies and being a sportswoman at the same time.
Those days were memorable for me as I have achieved many awards such as I have
become the sports girl and broke the school 800M track record during my first year
of high school. I never missed the chance to compete for interschool running events
from the age of 11 up until my final year as a senior. I was allowed to compete in the
Art competition where we competed against schools from the whole state of Sabah.
There were only 10 winners that will be chosen out of 300 competitors. Surprisingly, I
managed to be one of the top 10 and bring home the winning price. The hard work
paid off because the work I did was put up in the Art Museum for display, one of the
achievements that I will never forget. After the school lifestyle, I have also joined
quite several activities outside school that led me to gain additional knowledge
I had also got the opportunity to be in a science stream class and I have achieved
flying colors for an important Malaysian examination, Sijil Pengajian Malaysia (SPM)
with 4A’s & 5B’s. In conjunction, my ambition is to become a doctor, so I took the
opportunity to major in the science stream in secondary school. The results I had in
the class have allowed me to pursue medical science as a foundation course at
Management Science University (MSU). However, as time passed by, I realized I
want to follow my guts and went towards the law as to when I was young, I have
been living in a community where people's mindset believe only certain race/ethnicity
can achieve high-status professions. I felt discriminated so it is one of the reasons
why I am very determined in achieving my goals to become a Barrister.
I also felt that I will be unbeaten when a debate session occurs with my family or
friends. From there onwards, life showed me what I am capable of and what I am
better at. Afterward, I leaped faith and further my degree with a law program at Help
University. It was a different path and yet I managed to pull through as I am all in and
dedicated to creating a better future for myself. It may not be a great result for my

first year but having to jump from a medical to law field is something that should be
considered impressive. Slowly but surely, things have been getting better for myself
and my future.
I have studied many subject areas yet I feel drawn towards law after encountering
life experiences. I have Legal Skills and Legal practice which taught me in my Years
1&2 of a law degree has taught me research skills and the ability to critically evaluate
an argument and improved my communication skills. I have boosted my self-
confidence, developed independent study skills and being able to divide time for my
workload by studying at this level. In Year 3 I have also done the research and
writing a dissertation. My topic is about Sex Education in various countries. In the
process of doing my dissertation, I realized I enjoy doing research. It has improved
and taught me various numbers of information and skills in the law field which has
given a big impact on my studies and certainly the Bar Practice Course that I am
planning to undertake after finishing my law degree.
Moreover, I was able to witness and involve as one of the committee members for
the Help University Law Conference, 2018 and 2019. I had the chance to go for a
court and parliament visit in my Year 1 and when I was witnessing the court trial, I
had a strong urge to know the outcome of the case which made me realized that
pursuing law as my career is the best choice I have ever made. I went to various law
concern talks throughout my school and university years and I find them very
interesting.
The future dream is to see me as a practicing lawyer. The prospect of learning from
experts within their respective fields of law is a golden opportunity that I would not
want to miss; meeting new people with the same interest as I do and most
importantly being able to help people in the future is my main goal. At this point in my
life, I believe I am ready for any challenges that come my way, slowly but surely. I
don’t expect it to be easy but I know it will be very eye-opening and informative.
Therefore, I am confident if I put my heart and mind to anything, it is possible to
achieve what I dream of. With all the support that I am getting from my family and a
great university that I will be enrolling in the future, it would be sufficient enough to
guide me on my journey in becoming a full-time Barrister.

3 personal strengths lead you to believe that you will be a successful
barrister?
I have personal strength which is Punctilious, patience, speaks 3 different
languages, extroverted, ability to work in a team environment. Goal achiever, making
sure any targeted goals in life will be achieved and able to juggle multiple tasks and
a quick learner. I am very keen that I can strive and succeed in the Bar Training
Course with my determination and it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity in
becoming a Barrister. I am enthusiastic to take the next step in the route to enable
me to work as a Barrister.
Please provide examples of where you have changed someone’s well-
established opinion and how this was achieved? This does not need to be a
legal subject.
Legal
Advocacy during my 2nd year of a law degree.
I had a partner to do my final advocacy, he did not accept/believe my judgment on
certain things about our work. But I insisted on using my idea and proved him wrong
during our assessment by receiving excellent comments and marks for it.
Non-legal
- Skydiving: My friends did not believe that I was brave enough to do this
extreme sport since I am a girl. It has been in my bucket list since I was little,
when I knew Leeds university had a Skydiving club I did not think twice and
sign up. I experienced my first Solo jump at 4,000 ft high located at
Nottingham, Langar. It was amazing.
- Jump from medical science to law: It was quite a hassle throughout the
journey to becoming a lawyer. As to the decision on pursuing a law program,
my parents have objections as they said it will be a waste of time jumping into
a different course after studying a year in the medical science course. It took
me almost a year to convince them. Now that I am in the final year, my

parents finally believed and gave me their blessings on choosing this road. I
cannot wait until the day I graduate to make them proud so it was not a
mistake for them in supporting my decision for being in a law program.
- Learn how to play the guitar in 1 month:
I am a piano grade 5 holder of ABRSM. My brother did not believe that I could
play another instrument which is the guitar. So, I proved him wrong by
learning it on my own only with the help of youtube within 1 month. Now I’m
able to play as well as he is.
- Art competition: Competed in an art competition in the whole state of Sabah.
There were only 10 winners that will be chosen out of 300 competitors. No
one believes I was able to do it, I doubt myself too but I just took a leap of
faith and went for it. The decision I made has gotten me a spot as one of the
top 10 and brings home the winning price. The hard work paid off because the
work I did was put up in the Art Museum for display.
- Business while studying: My family did not agree with this at all because
they weren't sure If I was able to multi-task. However, I just went for it and Self
educate in business, started an online business while finishing a law degree in
Malaysia. I now have my online business platform and managed to raise
RM10,000( Malaysia currency) in 1 year. I was able to juggle between having
an online business and finishing the chosen course.
What attracts you to studying the BTC with BPP?
I am applying for a place on the Bar Training Course in BPP, Leeds. I am particularly
keen to study at BPP because of the reputation of excellence pupillage rates and
providing us experienced tutors being taught in smaller classes which is very
important. The university also attracts such a variety of students and I believe it will
be a stimulating environment in which to do my Bar Training Course. BPP University
provides excellent working facilities for students which demonstrate your
commitment to the student body. I believe by enrolling in an outstanding university
and with the help of expert tutors will help me in achieving my goals of becoming a
full-time Barrister.

I am very sure of my decision and hoping to that I will get the offer from BPP, I have
moved to another accommodation which is nearer to BPP so it is more convenient
for me to go to my classes.
Please give any other relevant information that you would like us to take into
account when considering your application, for example, any extenuating
circumstances.
My dissertation topic is “Should the Government in Malaysia implement Sex
education as a compulsory subject in schools”. I chose this topic is because I was
very concerned with the high statistic baby dumping, and rape rate and the
Government doesn’t seem to care or take initiative about it until today. I am very
concerned about the matter so I decided to research this topic.
I had the chance to go for a court and parliament visit in my Year 1 and when I was
witnessing the court trial, I had a strong urge to know the outcome of the case which
made me realized that I want to be a Barrister.