Hi,
One last query. My personal statement/statement of purpose extends to about 1250 odd words. I just found out that both QMUL and KCL set word limits with respect to the same. Do you think it would hamper my chances in any way? I have already applied to both these UOL colleges, and apparently my SOP is almost twice the recommended size.
Any advise on this would be great.
Cheers.

Did you apply online?

I'm just asking 'cause when I applied back in '09 I just couldn't type in anything above the limit.... so it was actually impossible to go over the cap (at least regarding KCL). If I'm not mistaken, when you apply to QML you send in your PS online through the application website (so you can break the limit).

Honestly, I don't know if that's gonna hurt your chances...

If I were the one judging your application, I'd probably see that as a negative thing. The website is pretty clear about the limit and you just sort of overlooked it and wrote more than you should've. But, if you did a good job (i.e., wrote a good PS), have good grades, IELTS and, in general, meet the admission requirements, I still would make you an offer

But, if after going through your application, let's say you and another candidate are tied, I'd go for the person who's respected the word limit...

Best of luck anyway!!!

I had the option of either typing my PS again or uploading a scanned copy. I uploaded the scanned copy instead as a result was able to break through the word limit. Also, QMUL states in its website that the PS is not a mandatory document and that an A4 size PS would 'normally' be sufficient. What does that even mean? Do they take into consideration our PS at all?

In my opinion, I think they take our PS into account. In fact, I believe it's one of the most important documents...

Before applying to UCL, KCL and QML, I'd applied to Edinburgh, Nottingham and Aberdeen with a different version of my PS.

Now that I look back, I see it was a quite crappy PS, at least the one I sent to Edinburgh and Nottingham. I sent a totally different one to Aberdeen as I was initially planning on doing an LLM with some Oil & Gas modules. I was rejected by Edinburgh and Nottingham. Aberdeen accepted me (based on a well written PS I guess, one which linked my willingness to pursue the LLM with the universitys almost unique program in oil & gas).

So, I sent to Edinburgh and Nottingham the exact same documents I sent to UCL, KCL and QML, except for the PS. Edinburgh and Nottingham said no. But UCL, KCL and QML said yes. I honestly think it was because of my PS.

The first version of very crappy and I don't think it quite conveyed the message of why the LLM was important to me; whereas the second version was much better, used topics of what was going on in the world at the moment to justify my application, showed how the LLM could help me and how it could improve my career...

So I reckon its a heck of an important part of your application package. I honestly can't see anyone being admitted without even writing a PS. I didn't even know QML considered it an optional document... just doesn't make sense to me. But, if that is the case then I don't think that overwriting is gonna hurt your chances that much... at least not with respect to QML.

Regarding KCL, however, I still sustain my previous position.

Best of luck.