economics books to read for personal statement

7 Economics Personal Statement Examples | With Analysis

What makes a great personal statement?

How do you improve your chances of achieving a university offer in economics?

In this post I will give some personal statement examples and discuss what the best economics personal statements do well.

Key features that great personal statements share

Disclaimers, evolution of economics personal statements, what makes a great economics personal statement, key features that great personal statements share: a reminder, lots of supercurricular activities, personal insights about such activities, demonstrate key skills, a well written essay, more economics personal statement advice, latest posts.

This diagram shows my summary of what makes a great economics personal statement. Based on my experience as an economics tutor and economics personal statement examples, here are four qualities that make personal statements stand out.

I explore these categories further below and in my ultimate economics personal statement guide.

For my ultimate economics personal statement guide, check out the link below:

Firstly, here is a list of ten economics personal statement examples available online.

Also below, there is analysis of what makes a great economics personal statement.

To learn how to improve your economics personal statement, check out the link below by clicking the blue button:

I cannot guarantee that the personal statements linked above achieved the university offers claimed on those pages. Nor can I claim that each statement is 100% perfect.

By linking to these sites, I do not endorse any of the sites linked above.

You should not copy any part of the personal statements above. Doing so is plagiarism and can lead to the disqualification of your university application. Instead learn from the techniques and kinds of things mentioned in their statements. See specifically the rest of this article for what we can learn from these personal statements.

A proportion of the samples above are relatively old (five to ten years ago or more).

For some universities the personal statement is more important for applications. Consider for example LSE and UCL, top universities where there are no admissions tests or interviews.

We can look at more recently written and publicly available personal statements.

Based on these, here are some observable trends in recent years among the best performing economics personal statements:

• More supercurriculars relative to the above personal statements.
• More reference to undergraduate-level economic theory. This can show further reading and an ability to potentially do well in the undergraduate course.

In this section I am drawing on my experience as a tutor about what makes a great personal statement. I am also using the available online examples of economics personal statements and the criteria listed by the top UK universities.

Such statements are by no means always perfect, yet they show the qualities and skills that allow students to attend the best universities.

These examples allow us to analyse what makes a great personal statement and also where students often go wrong with personal statements.

As a reminder, here are the four features of great economics personal statements mentioned above:

• Lots of supercurriculars
• Highlighting key skills
• Personal takeaways

Here is a breakdown of these categories:

What activities have you completed, outside of class, that relate to economics? Have you read a book, entered an economics-related competition, or watched an economics lecture? These are examples of supercurricular activities. I consider these a key focus for the best personal statements and I discuss these further in my economics personal statement ebook. These show your motivation to study economics which will be critical if you want to study the subject for three years at university.

For more on supercurricular activities, click the link here:

These are what I refer to as “personal takeaways” later in this guide. What did you learn from the supercurricular activity? Detail is very important, both for showing a high level of understanding and also to convince the person reading your statement that you actually completed the activity. This should go beyond just recalling the activity – maybe there is something you learnt from this activity or something you read that you disagreed with. We discuss how to write about personal takeaways in the ebook.

For more information about how to use supercurricular activities in your statement, including how to generate personal insights, click this button below:

Obviously you should try to show academic ability in economics and motivation to study economics. But what other skills are useful to show in a personal statement? 

While there are many skills that could potentially be useful, I draw your attention for now to two key skills: Ability in mathematics and independent study (including research). Evidence from supercurricular activities that you have these skills will help convince admissions staff. Moreover these skills will help you in the economics course.

What constitutes a “well written essay”? 

Your personal statement should be well structured, with effective links between ideas and paragraphs. The grammar should be completely correct, that is  there should be no mistakes. 

Finally consider your vocabulary – can you embed economics-related terminology into your personal statement? You can use a thesaurus but do so with caution – sometimes it is obvious where a thesaurus has been used (and often the new word used does not make sense in that context!).

For more economics personal statement tips or for economics university application advice, check out the link below:

For A-level Economics resources, click the link here:

• 2.6.3 Supply side policies – Edexcel Economics notes
• 2.2 Aggregate demand notes for Edexcel A Economics
• 2.1.2 Inflation Edexcel A Economics Notes
• Don’t be fooled! How to understand economic statistics
• 3.3.2 Costs

About the author

Helping economics students online since 2015. Previously an economist, I now provide economics resources on tfurber.com and tutor A Level Economics students. Read more about me here .

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• Successful Personal Statement For Economics & Management At Oxford

Last Updated: 22nd April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

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 an Economics and Managment applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Economics and Management Course at Oxford examines issues central to the world we live in: namely how the economy and organisations function, and how resources are allocated and coordinated to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines of E&M. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxford Economics & Management comprehensive Programme will help you perfect your Personal Statement.

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Economics and Management Personal Statement

Economics is the study of now. I view it as the study of the psychology of the people who dictate our lives. The world around us is shaped by the fundamental concept of supply and demand, wants and needs, goods and services. What grips me is that everything I have studied I can apply to real life. Discussions about inflation, for example, are so applicable since its current status is active in the world of pricing; the price of a Big Mac and “Burgernomics” is something to which I can relate from my travels.

The statistical aspect of economic analysis is closely linked to my interest in Mathematics, thus I will take an Econometric route on option modules. This scientific approach to what is otherwise a field-based solely on individual theories and concepts interests me, as I find quantitative analysis much more accurate and reliable than qualitative theories. As an example, I relish analysing more Econometric models on the A-level Course: like Profit Maximisation calculations.

Despite this, Economics intertwines both Maths and Philosophy on a regular basis. I recently read an article from the Guardian by George Monbiot, which discussed the cost-benefit analysis model and whether nature could be quantified as a tangible asset, and how this would benefit neo-liberals in their perpetual quest for profit. This is just an example of how Econometric analysis does not always deliver such verisimilitude where the figures given are ambiguous. This is what is unique about Economics: there is no right answer to the question ‘Is there a right answer?’ The concept of there being methods of analysing the psychology of and nature behind the way that the interface between consumers and producers operates seems to exceed all other subjects in terms of interest.

I find it peculiar that a subject that has such a ubiquitous undercurrent in our society is so undefined and obscure; it is undoubtedly this which draws me to it. Consequently, I strive to keep up with Economics in the modern world by reading the “I” and “Guardian” newspapers, and “The Economist” magazine regularly. For wider background reading I have read Marx’s “Communist Manifesto”, Tim Hartford’s “The Undercover Economist” and “Too Big To Fail” by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

Sorkin’s book provided a gripping, in-depth insight into the world of investment banking and entrepreneurship – I finished the book in a matter of days. His book has inspired me to enter the investment sector. Upon graduation I would like to become an investment banker or negotiator, hence I am in the process of trying to arrange some work experience with the London Metal Exchange.

I completed a programme of work experience with Linden Homes this summer, through the Career Academy Programme on which I am enrolled. It was a six-week internship during which I gained a firm understanding of a construction company’s place within the national economy. I enjoyed spending valuable time in a variety of departments within the firm. I also have work experience planned in Belgium in 2013.

Additionally, I participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities. My team and I finished second in the national UMPH Business Competition; in Year 11 my team set the school record for the Enterprise Day Challenge and for three consecutive years my team won the Grimsby Inter-School Quiz without loss. Furthermore, I am part of both the Franklin College Debating Team and the weekly “Blue Sky Club”, where students meet to discuss current affairs.

Recently, a particular subject of interest has been the US election. We frequently discuss the debates and the candidates, covering subjects like their political viewpoints and how it will affect both our lives and those of the American public – plus the potential Economic ramifications of the possible outcomes. With a genuine zeal for the subject and an ability to relate my studies to the real world, I am convinced that I will thoroughly thrive at degree level Economics.

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

The student gives a good insight into their academic interests and what’s inspired them to develop over time. They also demonstrate a passion for the subject, not only by stating their interest in it but by further explaining what interests them and why they would make a good candidate to study it at university. The student is already accomplished and explains well what they’ve gained from their various extra-curricular activities.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The writing is weak and, at points, unnatural. The forced interjections of examples and unusual adjectives make it read like a student attempting to write a formal and formulaic exam essay. They would do better to write in their usual style, even if it is somewhat informal; this will allow them to better express themselves and they will come across as more interesting to those reading it. More importantly than this, however, at times, the student fails to keep up their otherwise good level of detail, and the writing becomes list-like.

This is particularly prominent when they discuss books they’ve read to develop their understanding of economics. Although they expand on one of these, they do so in little detail. Interviewers are unlikely to be impressed by simply mentioning that you’ve read a book – any student applying for degree-level economics is able to read The Communist Manifesto, for instance – but they will be impressed by your response to it and what you gained from the experience of reading it. Unless you expand on these details, a list of books you’ve read does nothing to contribute to the statement.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This statement is strong, except where it discusses academic work. The detail here was likely sacrificed in favour of expanding further on their extra-curricular activities and their particular areas of interest. However, they have limited discussion of their study of various classic economic works so severely that it fails to add anything to the piece. The statement would, therefore, benefit from a more balanced approach to the various areas of the student’s life.

We give this Economics Personal Statement a 4/5 as they have clearly projected their passion for the subject onto paper – the most important part of a strong Personal Statement – albeit this was at the cost of other factors that should have been covered in more depth.

And there we have it – an Oxford E&M 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.

Our Free Personal Statement Resources page is filled with 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 E&M application.

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Writing an economics personal statement: expert advice from universities

Get your economics personal statement in top shape with these insider tips

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• Read more:  how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Let your passion for economics shine through in your personal statement

• Read more:  teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Make sure you really understand what economics is all about

Do your research into the course.

• Read more:  personal statement FAQs

Keep your personal statement personal

Talk about how you engage with the world around you.

• Read more:  the ten biggest mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement

Show your interest in collecting and analysing data

• Read more:  universities reveal all about personal statements

Don’t only focus on finance

• Read more:  universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

Include extracurricular activities with relevant skills

• Read more:  how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say

You could talk about your plans for your future, but don’t worry if you don’t have a definite career trajectory all mapped out

• Read more:  how long does it take for universities to reply to your application? 

It shouldn’t matter if you haven’t studied economics before

Proofread your personal statement before you send it out, you may want to look at these..., personal statement secrets – universities reveal all.

Want to know how to craft an amazing personal statement? Take some advice from the experts...

How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps

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Economics Personal Statement Guide

Your personal statement is a significant part of your university application. It gives you the opportunity to show universities your enthusiasm for studying Economics and demonstrate your skills and motivations.

Many students struggle with writing personal statements. It can be difficult to balance academic interests with personal achievements, keep everything relevant to the economics courses you're applying for, and fit it all into just over one A4 page.

To help you get on the right track, our Personal Statement Guide takes you through everything you need to know to create an excellent Economics personal statement:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in an Economics Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in an Economics Personal Statement?  

Advice on How to Start an Economics Personal Statement  

Advice on how to finish an economics personal statement  .

What Should I Avoid in an Economics Personal Statement ?  

You must avoid waffle and cliches. A common cliche that we recommend you avoid is "I have wanted to study Economics since I was a child" or "I want to study Economics because I want to make money". While these statements may be true, you need to focus on demonstrating your interests in economics, not just stating them.

Instead, talk about a documentary you came across and how it interested you and how, in light of this interest you read a book related to the topic. Connecting your academic interests in this way instead of using cliche statements helps keep you under the word count, but also makes your personal statement interesting and personal to your academic journey.

You should also definitely not mention anything in your personal statement that you have not read, watched, listen to, or done yourself. In other words, absolutely do not lie! Admissions tutors will sniff dishonest statements out very keenly, especially if you attend an interview with them further along the line.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Economic ,at undergraduate study contains many elements and topics; use this to your advantage and research widely to find various areas of personal interest. Before starting to write your Economics Personal Statement, consider making a mind map or list of the reasons you are interested in the subject, and any areas in which you are particularly interested. Which podcasts have you listened to, books have you read, or videos have you watched?

Remember to focus on what you have done, what inspired and benefited you, and what you would like to learn next. For instance, in studying elasticity of demand, what questions did it raise for you, and how have you explored the topic further?

If you are struggling to get your wider research off the ground, or need something new to get out of a research rut, check out some of our recommendations below:

Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey D. Sachs

Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus

Freakonomics  by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

IMF Podcast

Planet Money

Journals/Publications:

The Economist

American Economic Review

The Econometrics Journal

Journal of Political Economy

This is not an exhaustive list, and we strongly encourage you to research your areas of interest.

Writing the ending of an Economics Personal statement can often be just as hard as beginning. The most important task for the final section is not to overcomplicate things; focus on using clear and concise language to round up the main theme(s) of the preceding content.

Your final sentence or two should summarise your academic interest in Economics and your excitement about studying the course . If you wish, you may also briefly mention your hopes for the future (be it working in further research, a financial institution, or government policy) and tie an Economics degree into your plans going forward (although this is not necessary).

Think about what you want the admissions tutors to remember about you once they have finished reading. This is the information to foreground in your conclusion.

Lastly, always proofread your personal statement several times . We recommend giving a final version to a parent, guardian, teacher, friend, or anyone else you can find, really! Getting a second opinion, be it from someone with Economics expertise or someone completely new to the subject, can help weed out mistakes and ensure your writing is clear and your intentions can be understood.

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Economics Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Economics Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Economics Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Economics Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

A strong Economics personal statement will include relevant academic interests and the motivations behind pursuing Economics at a higher level, and not a lot else.

As Economics is a subject that links to other social sciences such as sociology or politics, the temptation can often be to discuss topics that are potentially not covered in an Economics course. To ensure against this, it's always good to check back over the course syllabus and double check that everything you mention is linked either by content or by the skills needed to study it.

If you are applying for different courses, such as PPE at a few universities and Economics at others, carefully think about which topics you write about to demonstrate that you are a passionate Economics student.

We recommend that you use the majority of the limit UCAS gives you. It is your first chance to make a lasting impression on the admission tutors, so you should take advantage of the opportunity to show them why you would be an exceptional Economics student.

4000 characters of 47 lines (whichever comes first) may seem ample, but once you have spoken about your interests in detail, you will find that it really is not. Often students go over the limit in their first draft of their personal statement; do not worry about this, as continual redrafting and reviewing (which you really should do) will help you shorten it down.

You want to ensure that you only include extracurricular activities that demonstrate relevant skills, interests, and qualities in your statement.

Whether the activity or resource you want to mention is directly related to economics or not (and it doesn't necessarily have to be), you should not just mention it, but also explicitly discuss why or how you believe that it either motivates you or equips you with the skills to perform well on the degree course to which you are applying.

There is no secret formula when writing a personal statement for Oxford or Cambridge, and you need to make sure not to mention the Oxbridge course directly since your personal statement goes to all your universities. In our experience, however, the key to an Oxbridge Economics personal statement lies within the amount of academic content you have in your statement. Oxbridge tutors are keen to hear as much as possible about your academic interests, therefore we recommend aiming to focus 80-90% of your statement on academic content, whilst the remaining 10-20% talks about your extracurricular activities.

To demonstrate your academic ability and potential, you must talk about how you have engaged with your subject beyond the school syllabus. This can include presenting your views on economists such as Milton Friedman or analysing the implications of theories such as economies of scale. You need to avoid waffle, be concise, and demonstrate your love for Economics at every stage.

It is important to note that if you do reach the interview stage of the Oxbridge application process, you can be asked questions about your personal statement, so do carefully select topics that you are passionate about. We offer a fantastic interview preparation course if you need support preparing for the interview stage of the process.

Book your Economics Personal Statement Package

You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss our personal statement packages.  

If you’d like to know more about Economics, we have admissions test guidance and interview preparation readily available.  

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What is an economics personal statement?

An economics personal statement should describe your motivations for wanting to study this subject. It tells the university who you are and why you will make a great economics candidate. Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, it's crucial you present yourself in the best possible light to convince admissions tutors you will be a valuable asset to their department.

Your economics personal statement will be used by universities to decide whether you are a good student to study economics, and whether they want to offer you a place on their course.

How do I write an economics personal statement?

We recommend you start your economics personal statement by jotting down some ideas about your skills, experience, hobbies/extracurricular activities, strengths and ambitions for the future. Our personal statement template can help you structure your thoughts into coherent and concise paragraphs.

Start early and give yourself plenty of time to re-draft your economics statement, and proofread it for spelling and grammar. You will need to go through at least three or four revisions before you have a final, polished draft.

Once you're happy with it, make sure you check it for spelling and grammar (don't just rely on Spellchecker for this). Get someone else to read through it if you're worried you might miss something. You can then think about pasting it into your UCAS form, ready to send off.

What should I include in my economics personal statement?

• Be specific and try to give examples of your problem-solving and analytical skills, both of which are important in an economics degree.
• If you’re applying for a joint honours, e.g. economics and maths , then tailor your statement so you relate it to both of these subjects.
• A business management and economics personal statement might mention a role of responsibility, such as leader of your student debating society or head boy/girl at your sixth form. Or for an economics and finance personal statement , you could mention managing money at your Saturday job.
• Any hobbies or other activities you are involved in outside of school should always be linked to your economics course. If you don't feel something is relevant, then don't mention it - remember you only have a limited space of 4,000 characters, so every word has to earn its place. Our personal statement length checker can help you with this.
• Round off by talking about your career plans and any other ambitions you have for the future. Mention how your economics degree is going to help you achieve this.

How do I write the introduction for my economics personal statement?

Your introduction should pick out one or two aspects of economics that you particularly enjoy or are passionate about. For example, you might talk about your interest in current affairs and world development, and include one or two situations that made you want to study economics in more detail. This could be anything from a fiscal decision made by the Bank of England, or a how a civil war in another country has affected their levels of income.

By starting with an anecdote, or a specific situation you've read about or experienced, you will have a better chance of drawing the reader in, and making them want to finish reading your personal statement.

Whatever you choose to open with, it should be reflective and persuade the admissions tutors that this is the only subject you want to go on to study at university.

Economics personal statement introduction example

To help demonstrate what you should include in your opening paragraph, take a look at this great example below, where the writer uses their experience of growing up in a poor country where wealth was unevenly distributed as a catalyst for developing their interest in economics:

"Being born and brought up in a country where an uneven distribution of income is a norm, the poor live on a minimum wage of Rupees 115 a day, whilst the billionaires form the sixth largest group in the world. This vast contrast between the rich and the poor has always intrigued me and I have often questioned how this economy India, functions with such instability and chaos."

Here is another good example from another student, who talks about how their studies of the Great Depression ignited their appreciation for economics:

"Studying the Great Depression in the USA in 1929 for my extended project is when I started to fully appreciate my interest in economics. Being able to analyse and argue the issues within my extended project and relate it to the current economic crisis has awakened my passion for the subject further, especially as this subject is covered extensively in the news and media. This shows that economics is an essential factor of our society. Studying this subject in university will equip me with the knowledge to understand the economy thoroughly. "

Hopefully these examples will inspire you to write your own introduction for your economics statement that will grab the reader's attention and make the admissions tutors want to offer you a place on their course.

How do I write a conclusion for my economics personal statement?

Your conclusion should encompass where you hope your economics degree to take you, and what you hope to achieve in the future. This might include your career ambitions, or moving on to a postgraduate course to further enhance your education.

You may also wish to reiterate why are enthusiastic about applying for an economics degree, and why you think you will be a good student for this particular course.

Don't round off your statement with something vague, or by repeating something you've already mentioned elsewhere in your UCAS application. You only have 47 lines of space in which to sell yourself to the admissions tutors, so don't waste it!

Economics personal statement conclusion example

To help you write your concluding paragrapgh, take a look at this example below, where the writer talks about using the knowledge they will gain in real life situations, and how they enjoy learning about the effects of economics on a daily basis:

"I am very passionate about studying economics because I look forward to developing my current knowledge, and applying it to real life situations. I believe my desire to keep in touch with today’s economics is what will allow me to thrive in higher education."

This writer chooses to talk about applying for a Masters program once they complete their degree, and taking up internships during their summer break to gain more work experience:

"My aspirations upon graduation from University would be to advance my studies in a similarly themed Masters program or work in international development. I plan on taking internships throughout the summer breaks to gain more work experience and help me fund my student lifestyle. I am looking forward to learning and developing in various economic subjects and am excited about the opportunities that I’ll have both as a student and once I graduate."

Hopefully these two examples will help you write your own conclusion for your economics personal statement, and round it off in a way that will make it stand out from the crowd.

For more help and advice on what to write in your economics personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

What can I do with an economics degree?

There are many different options for those choosing to pursue an economics degree. These include:

• business analyst
• financial consultant
• investment analyst .

However, there are also many other career paths where an economics degree could be useful, such as:

• data scientist
• economic development officer
• quantity surveyor .

For more advice on what you can do with your economics degree, please visit TopUniversities and Prospects .

What are the best UK universities for economics?

Currently, the best UK universities to study economics at for 2023 are:

For more information on UK university rankings for economics, please see The Complete University Guide and The Telegraph.

Further resources

For more information and advice on economics degrees and careers, please see the following:

• 9 Economics Degree Jobs
• Careers in Economics - LSE
• 10 Jobs for Graduates With An Economics Degree
• What jobs can you get with an Economics degree in the UK?
• Economics - Career Pilot
• What to do with an Economics degree - Bright Network

Related resources

Economics statement analysis.

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UCAS Economics Subject Guide

Careers In Economics

National Careers Service: Economist

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Economics Degree Jobs

Economics University Rankings 2023

Economics Degree Guide

How to Write an Economics Personal Statement

Many students are unsure of how to write an Economics personal statement as they haven’t written one before. Starting your personal statement can be daunting, but you are not alone! We are here to give some pointers for students wishing to study Economics at university, particularly those applying to UK universities via UCAS. We have separated the process into three stages – research, writing and editing.

What to Research for your Economics Personal Statement

What to include in your economics personal statement, how to edit your economics personal statement, research your economics courses.

Research is vital for writing your Economics personal statement. First, you should have good knowledge of the Economics courses you are applying to. How does the university describe the Economics course (e.g. how Mathematical is it?). What content does the course include? Will your interested area in Economics be taught in the course?

Research Advice on How to Write an Economics Personal Statement

Second, you may want to read Economics personal statement examples from past applicants. This will give you some information what a good Economics personal statement includes, and what you should aim for. It is also good to look up any advice on writing personal statements. For example, this article you are reading! LSE also provides some general advice to writing any personal statement.

Research Which Aspect of Economics you are Interested in

Finally, you should research into the topic in Economics that you are interested in, which we will discuss more below. Google Scholar is a great way of searching for academic papers/essays regarding a specific Economics topic you want to learn more about. Another option may be to look through any suggested texts/reading for the university course you are applying to – does any topic in particular catch your eye? Finally, our article on Economics books to read for your personal statement may also help.

An Economics personal statement consist of many different components, and we explain the reason behind including each one in the sections below.

Area of Interest in Economics

In your statement, more than half of it should be used to show academic interest for a key topic/theme in Economics. The topic can be an extension to A-Level/IB syllabus that is slightly more advanced, or it can be something that will be explored further at degree level. This shows your understanding of Economics, and is a good opportunity to impress the admissions tutor with your enthusiasm. Remember – if you are interested in studying Economics, you should be self-motivated to learn more than what you are required to! Ideally, the topic/theme should also be tied to your personal reason to study the subject. This will make your interest more genuine, consistent and convincing. Have a specific topic in mind? Ask us about it !

Your Opinion on Economics

It is all well and good to explain what aspect of Economics you are interested in. However, that is not enough – admissions tutors would want to know your opinion on the issue/concept you discussed. They want to understand if have processed and understood what you have learnt, rather than just regurgitating it. It also demonstrates your ability to think and evaluate about a topic in Economics critically, showing independence of thought.

Motivation to Study Economics

Of course, you need to specify why you wish to study your subject in your statement. It is important to figure out a good reason here that is relevant to you personally, in order to stand out. Avoid generic reasons like ‘I wish to study Economics to understand the world better’ or ‘I wish to study Economics as my father works in finance’. Think deeper – what is it that is uniquely different about your environment, or what you experienced, that causes you to be interested about Economics?

Interest in Mathematics

For most, if not all Economics courses, there is a large amount of Mathematics involved. This is because Economics pursues a more scientific approach via Mathematical Modelling and Econometrics at higher levels of study. Hence, it is important for you to demonstrate your interest in Mathematics, and the use of it within Economics. You can reduce emphasis in this component if the course you are applying for involves less Mathematical modules.

Extra-curricular activities

It is important to include some extra-curricular activities relating to Economics, as it demonstrates your interest in the subject outside of your studies. Ideally this can relate to your area of interest in Economics and your motivation to study the subject. The activities can range from anything such as reading books on Economics , attending Economics events, to having a related work experience. If you want to include any experiences not relevant to Economics to show what you are like as a person, that is certainly acceptable, but should be less than 25% of your statement. Ask our Economics admissions advisor a free question below if you would like to know more about the various activities, and how to write about them.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Ask Wilfred a Free Question on GCE, IB or GCSE Economics * Email * We will answer your question by email and send you relevant notes/materials for your Economics course. Email Ask

After a first draft, it is important for you to get someone to review your Economics personal statement. This can help give you an objective perspective on what others think. Show it to your careers advisor at school, your Economics teacher, your Economics classmates, maybe even parents/siblings that have gone through a similar process. Of course, those who have more exposure to the subject may be a bit more helpful, like someone who applied for an Economics degree a few years ago. If you need professional, personalized advice on your Economics personal statement, you can reach out to our qualified admissions advisor for suggestions. After receiving feedback, you can edit your personal statement accordingly, taking into account each reader’s unique perspectives. You will then have to compare the suggestions and decide which parts/sentences to keep, change or remove. After many changes/edits your personal statement will finally be concise, unique and polished enough for submission!

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Top Tips for a Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Cambridge Economics Personal Statement – Top 10 Tips: Dos and Don’ts

The Cambridge Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application. It presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. You would be able to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are. It also provides a platform to bounce off questions during your interview. 

They can tailor questions to your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 Economics Personal Statement Cambridge tips. This includes dos and don’ts– for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle.

General Advice for Cambridge Personal Statement

The economics course at Cambridge is a comprehensive course that covers all types of economics: core, pure, and applied. Furthermore, the course at Cambridge is also engineered in a manner that allows students to use techniques and schools of thought from other related fields This includes sociology, statistics, mathematics, politics, and history.

Hence, your Cambridge personal statement should clearly demonstrate that you understand that the course is not only theoretical but also includes a significant portion of mathematical reasoning and knowledge. Furthermore, when planning out your Economics personal statement Cambridge admissions tutors will be looking for you to research Cambridge’s achievements in economics and include it in your writing to illustrate your interest in economics. 

Additionally, when you are crafting your Economics personal statement, you would most likely also be applying to four other university courses. This may result in your statement being vaguer. The University of Cambridge is aware of such and will require you to fill out an ‘Online Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)’. This is shortly after submitting the UCAS application. So make sure you’ve created another condensed version of your Economics personal statement that you can directly submit to Cambridge.

Top 5 Tips for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

1. demonstrate that you are well-read in economics ..

Cambridge does not presume prior knowledge of Economics (after all, you are going to Cambridge to study it!). However, being familiar with Economics terminology as well as its basic principles would give you an edge over other applicants. Furthermore, being well-read in the field also signals to the examiner that you are interested and passionate about the subject. You would take the initiative and seek out knowledge on your own if you are truly passionate about the subject! If you don’t know where to start, you can access Cambridge’s recommended preparatory reading list on their website, or through this link here: Prelim Reading . Furthermore, remember that you are not restricted to books! This could also be in the form of news articles – The Economist, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Vox, The New York Times, etc. are all great places to start. You can also read magazine columns. Or it could even be in other forms of medium such as podcasts, documentaries (available on accessible platforms such as Netflix!), or even Youtube videos. Watching an economics documentary instead of your usual prime-time TV show would be a great way to incorporate learning into your everyday lifestyle.

2. Demonstrating that you are proficient or interested in Mathematics .

Although it is not immediately obvious for an Economics course, the Economics course at Cambridge assumes and requires students to be proficient in Mathematics. Fret not, they only require you to have fully mastered your course syllabus and material at the A-level Mathematics level before commencing your studies. However, showing that you are proficient and interested in Mathematics would help you both in your application and if you end up pursuing the course as there are definitely mathematics components in the course. For example, if you take further mathematics, you would benefit from knowledge in Further Pure Mathematics as well as Statistics. Participating in mathematics competitions or having done work in statistics would be useful in your application as well as course.

3. Focusing your application on your interest in Economics .

Remember that in your Economics personal statement Cambridge admissions tutors are looking out for students who are interested and are a good fit for the course. Hence, it is always important to remember that in your personal statement Cambridge Economics should feature highly! Elaborate on your interest in Economics! You can do so by answering the following trigger questions: Why are you interested in Economics? Are there specific aspects of the course that interests you and why? Do you have any personal qualities or traits that would make you a good Economics student? Focusing your body paragraphs on certain aspects of Economics that interest you and why, or qualities that make you a good Economics student could be used as an overall structure when crafting your Economics Cambridge personal statement. Referencing relevant experiences and reflecting on them would also be useful when writing your personal statement.

4. Having a good structure for your Cambridge personal statement .

Using a good structure when writing your Economics Cambridge personal statement would be good to not only enhance readability but also allow you to not miss out on or forget certain points when crafting your personal statement. You can have a look at a Cambridge economics personal statement examples. But remember when looking at economics personal statement examples Cambridge admissions tutors are adept at spotting plagiarism so looking at it to gain an understanding of structure rather than content is a good option.

A good structure could look something like this: Introduction– A short 3-4 lines briefly mentioning the main reasons why you are interested in Economics, or how you started becoming interested in the course. Next, your body paragraphs can focus on traits that you have that would make you a good economics student, or specific details or aspects of the course that interests you. Each point could be one body paragraph, and you can support and elaborate on each point with examples (such as competitions that you have participated in, books surrounding those concepts that you have read, societies that you have been a part of, etc.) You can then conclude by summarising the important points you want your Cambridge admissions tutor to remember and take away.

5. Giving yourself sufficient time to write your Cambridge Economics personal statement .

It might seem impossible to start crafting your Economics Cambridge personal statement, especially when you are staring at a blank word document and you have no idea where to start. If you are experiencing writer’s block, you can start by listing down all your achievements and experiences. You can then list down details or aspects of the course (you can easily research this!) that interests you, as well as a separate list of qualities that an economics student should have. You can then match your experiences to any points from the two lists, and use each match as a backbone when fleshing out your body paragraphs!

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

1. having a poor or incorrect understanding of the course.

Many students who apply for a course at university have a misguided or misinformed idea of the course that they would be studying. This is because their impression of the course is from hearsay or what they see in films, or they assume that it would be the same as the subject they studied in high school. For example, especially for economics, students would not expect the amount of mathematics or statistics that are part of the course.

Having a good understanding of what you are in for can also benefit you when writing your personal statement. For example, you can explain how parts of your interest or personality align well with specific or general aspects of the course. This signals to the Oxford admissions tutor that you understand what you are applying for and that you are interested and are a good fit for it.

2. Making your Economics personal statement an economics essay instead of elaborating on your interest or story

Although it is helpful to mention economic theories in your personal statement when you are trying to explain your motivation to study economics, or when elaborating on the books that you have read, ensure that you do not turn your whole Economics personal statement into an economics essay. Keep in mind that what the Cambridge admission tutors are looking out for when they are reading your personal statement is to understand why you want to study economics, and what makes you the perfect fit for the course. Even if you found a really difficult or obscure economics theory, talking at breadth about it rather than focusing on your story would put you at a disadvantage– these tutors would be experts in their field, and if they wanted to learn more about a particular theory, they would pick up a textbook instead of your Economics personal statement!

3. Using too much jargon or using vocabulary that you are not familiar with

You might think that using unconventional vocabulary or fancy terminology would make you sound or appear intelligent. However, especially if you are unfamiliar with the terms, this would actually work against you instead of helping your application. This is because your personal statement could end up sounding unnatural, wordy, and hard to read. Think about it this way– explaining a difficult concept in simple words is more impressive than using a difficult word incorrectly! Furthermore, Cambridge admissions tutors would be reading hundreds of Economics personal statements a day– If your Cambridge personal statement is full of jargon and tough words, it would be difficult for them to understand what you are trying to convey to them. You would not way your ideas to be lost in translation, so make sure you communicate in a simple and effective manner! Always value clarity over vocabulary.

4. Not reflecting on any experience that you mentioned in your Cambridge Economics personal statement

Your experience is only as valuable as what you have taken away or learnt from it. Especially when you are mentioning experiences that are not directly related to that of Economics, you should always mention how it is relevant to your application to Economics– whether it be your interest in it or certain personal qualities that you have. If you want to mention a particular experience that you have, however, you are unable to link it to Economics, you can think about how it has led you to develop certain transferable skills. For example, if you have done a lot of community service or volunteered at a charity, you can talk about how this has led you to be interested in learning more about Economics policies or theories that could help with inequality or poverty.

5. Only give yourself enough time to write a singular Cambridge Economics personal statement

Never expect to only write one Cambridge personal statement, and that being the final draft that you would be submitting. Your first personal statement that you craft would not be your best one, and you should always give yourself enough time to constantly improve and write multiple drafts to further improve it. After writing a draft that you are proud of, it would also be good for you to leave it aside and not think about it. After a week, you can return to it with a fresh mind, and you would be able to note out errors or aspects of it that you would like to further refine. You can also let seniors, friends, or your school’s career guidance counsellor proofread your Economics personal statement for them to give a more objective view and perspective on your personal statement. Their feedback could be immensely helpful, as sometimes we might not be the most objective person when telling our own stories. However, do remember to not share your Economics personal statement with anyone, as this could lead to unnecessary plagiarism problems!

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Ensure your enthusiasm for economics stands out

It's key to explain in your personal statement why you’re interested in economics and why you want to study it.

Think about the following:

• Show an appreciation of mathematical concepts.
• Reflect on something that has given you an insight into local, national, European or global economic issues, and explain what interests you about it.
• If you have already been studying economics at A level (or equivalent), talk about an area of the course you’ve found especially interesting.
• If you haven’t studied economics before, explain what has inspired your interest in it.
• What especially appeals to you about the subject or the courses you’ve chosen? You can look up specific course details using our course search .
• Demonstrate that you have a real interest in economic principles and concepts.
• Show some understanding of economic theory.

What to include in your economics personal statement

• Your long-term goals: explain how your degree choice fits with your future ambitions and career aspirations.
• Wider reading: do pick out one or two specific issues that had an impact on you – just saying you subscribe to ‘The Economist’ or ‘The FT’ or that you’ve read ‘Freakonomics’ or ‘The Undercover Economist’ won't have an impact unless you elaborate. Better still, think outside the box and write about something you’ve read that’s slightly more obscure. As one admissions tutor said: 'If I read about ‘Freakonomics’ one more time, I’ll scream.'
• Economics-related experience: reflect on any work experience, responsibilities, or non-academic interests or achievements that are relevant to economics or demonstrate appropriate skills or qualities.
• Other relevant insights: if you’ve undertaken an economics-related project, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or summer school, reflect on any insights this has given you.
• Demonstrate your skills: give examples of skills you possess that will serve you well as an economics student and mean you're able to proactively contribute to the course. These could include self-motivation, teamwork, the ability to think logically, effective time management, good communication, or problem-solving skills.

What not to include in your economics statement

We've also picked up some tips on what to avoid:

• Don’t skim the surface – be specific.
• Don’t give a shopping list of things you’ve read or done.
• Don’t exaggerate.
• Don’t waste space trying to impress with things you’ve done that aren’t relevant – relate everything to the courses you’re applying for.
• Don’t make sweeping claims about your 'passion for economics', how you’ve 'loved it from an early age' and 'what an honour it would be to get accepted at your university'.
• Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes.

As the University of Bristol's ' Why Study Economics? ' website says, 'a straightforward personal statement that gets all the core points across in a coherent way serves the purpose best'. So do say something that will stand you out from the crowd, but avoid being too off-the-wall.

Don't be too bland and generic, either. London School of Economics says 'your statement should be as original as possible to differentiate you from other applicants' while the University of Nottingham looks for 'students with a wide variety of interests and enthusiasms from a wide variety of backgrounds'. Strike the right balance by demonstrating your enthusiasm, your intellectual curiosity, and the quality of your insights.

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• Must read books for economics students

If you’re curious about the world around us and want to know more about the production, distribution and consumption of wealth, you may be thinking about studying economics.

But before you enrol on an economics course to learn more, it’s a good idea to get a head start on your reading. Not only will this help you decide whether economics is a subject you really want to take, but if it is, you’ll have an advantage over your peers from day one.

From pocket-sized overviews to thousand-page tomes, there are countless books on economic theory and economic history to suit all academic abilities and curiosity levels. But if you’re struggling to know where to begin, this article on the best economics books might help.

What are the top books for economics students?

Some of the best books on economics include ‘The Armchair Economist’ by Steven E. Landsburg, Michael Lewis’ ‘The Big Short’ and ‘The Undercover Economist’ by Tim Harford.

Books like ‘Economics: A Very Short Introduction’ by Partha Dasgupta and Levitt and Dubner’s ‘Freakonomics’ are ideal for beginners, while one of the best-known economics books, ‘An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’ by Adam Smith, delves into the subject in much more detail.

Read on for our full list of must-read books for people studying economics.

Ten of the best economics books for students

1. ‘an enquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations’ by adam smith.

It may have been written way back in 1776, but Smith’s classic is still widely read and held in high regard today.

As the very first scientific argument for the principles of economics, his book paved the way for all subsequent economic theory – and it continues to be recommended by many economists, historians and entrepreneurs.

While it may not be the easiest read, it’s the go-to book for students who want to understand the early theories relating to the basic mechanics of economics.

By giving theories of capital accumulation, secular change and growth and breaking down the interactions among labour, stocks, commodities, trade and taxes, Smith provides insights into 18th-century economics that remain influential in modern economics.

2. ‘Economics: A Very Short Introduction’ by Partha Dasgupta

As the name suggests, this book is ideal for those who are just looking for a brief introduction to economics.

Much lighter than Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations’, Dasgupta’s book is more accessible, describing the lives of two children who live completely different lives in very different parts of the world – the American Midwest and Ethiopia.

Combining examples from everyday life with a global approach, he provides an accessible introduction to key economic concepts, such as national policies, individual choices, equity, sustainability, efficiency, development, markets, property rights and public goods.

This pocket-sized economics book forms part of an Oxford University Press series called ‘The Very Short Introductions’, which aims to make challenging, yet interesting topics highly readable. Some of the other ‘Very Short’ economics books you might find useful are: ‘Microeconomics’ by Avinash Dixit and Robert C. Allen’s ‘Global Economic History’.

3. ‘The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine’ by Michael Lewis

You may have seen the film adaptation of this book, which was met with critical acclaim when it was released at the end of 2015. Starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, the film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

This follows on from the success of the book, which spent 28 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers list, was shortlisted for the 2010 Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award and received the 2011 Robert E. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Book Award.

‘The Big Short’ is about the build-up of the United States housing bubble during the 2000s. It describes how several individuals, who believed the housing bubble was going to burst, bet against the market and ended up profiting from the financial crisis of 2007-08, making millions when the market crashed.

4. ‘The Reckoning: Financial Accountability and the Rise and Fall of Nations’ by Jacob Soll

In this book, historian and winner of the MacArthur Foundation’s ‘Genius Grant’, Jacob Soll, charts the development of economics from the dawn of accountancy – with a focus on Western finance.

Rather than giving a technical historical account, it’s more about the social and political side of things, meaning it’s entertaining and accessible for casual readers, while still being of use to scholars and industry professionals.

He writes about the role accounting plays in global affairs, covering periods like the Italian Renaissance, the French Revolution and the financial crisis of 2007-08.

5. ‘Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything’ by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Another one to read if you’re still unsure as to whether economics is for you, ‘Freakonomics’ is amusing, while inspiring you to see the world through an economic lens.

A controversial New York Times Best Seller, it’s sold more than four million copies, making it one of the most popular economics books of all time.

It tells the stories of drug dealers, real estate agents, and covers issues such as abortion and parenting, exploring why people do what they do and how their actions have an impact on the world around them.

The authors’ intent is to encourage readers to consider the data below the surface and look beyond what they’ve been brought up to believe is true about the world around them.

Like ‘The Big Short’, it’s been made into a film, thanks to its relatability with data, human behaviour and lack of business terminology.

6. ‘The Undercover Economist’ by Tim Harford

If you’ve ever wondered why the gap between the rich and the poor is so great, then this book is for you. It reveals how instrumental economics is in our lives and will help you to understand the world around you slightly better.

Relatable and engaging, Harford highlights the relevancy of economics in everyday life, from buying a cup of coffee to sitting in a traffic jam. He exposes coffee shops, supermarkets and airlines from all over the world for the ways in which they convince us to part with our money.

Covering a wide range of economic concepts, such as limited resources, market power, market failure and inside information, this book sheds light on how what’s going on in different industries can shape our everyday lives – without us even realising it.

7. ‘The Armchair Economist: Economics and Everyday Life’ by Steven E. Landsburg

Again, this book explains the economics of everyday life in a relatable and amusing way, making it another one of the must-reads for those who want to study economics.

It goes further into the reasoning why certain things are happening in our day-to-day lives, yet manages to remain easily digestible.

Landsburg highlights the laws of human behaviour, explaining why corporations give failed executives huge pensions and why concert promoters increase ticket prices even when they know the gig will sell out months in advance.

Some of the other issues he covers include why cinema popcorn is so expensive and why drivers of safer cars have more crashes. The average person may find this fact surprising, but he explains how airbags cause accidents because drivers who believe they have safer cars take more risks. Economists understand that this is because people respond to incentives.

8. ‘Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist’ by Kate Raworth

If you feel despairing about the world and how economics has failed to play its part, then Oxford academic Raworth might help you to feel a bit more optimistic.

While she acknowledges that mainstream economics, and its outdated theories, have permitted a world in which the rich get richer while the poor get poorer, she sets out a roadmap for how things can be rectified.

Breaking down what really makes human-beings tick, Raworth highlights the far-reaching implications of ignoring the role of energy and nature’s resources.

Ambitious and radical, this book reframes what economics could be to a new generation of learners.

9. ‘Good Economics for Hard Times’ by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo

Imploring readers to end polarisation and make informed decisions based on data in order to combat the challenges faced by the world we live in, Nobel Prize-winning economists Banerjee and Duflo upend many traditionally-held thoughts, covering subjects like inequality, immigration, climate change and slowing growth.

As well as covering economic efficiency, some of the other topics they tackle include bigotry, extreme political rhetoric and the fluidity and logic of diverse preferences.

The authors demonstrate how we could have the answers to the problems we so often ignore due to our ideologies. They encourage readers to think from a new perspective, which considers the needs of the individual as well as the good of the whole, in appropriate proportions.

Building on cutting-edge research in economics and years of exploring solutions for how to alleviate extreme poverty, their book makes a convincing case for a society built on respect and compassion.

10. ‘23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism’ by Ha-Joon Chang

Chang’s revelatory book identifies some of the biggest myths in society today and turns them on their head, showing us an alternative view of the world.

Some of the concepts he puts forward are that there’s no such thing as a “free” market, poor countries are more entrepreneurial than rich ones, globalisation isn’t making the world richer and higher-paid managers don’t produce better results. He also explains how we don’t live in a digital world, because the washing machine has changed lives more than the internet.

Note that this isn’t an anti-capitalist text, though, with Chang himself stating at the beginning of the book that he believes “capitalism is still the best economic system that humanity has invented.”

Whether you want to dip your toes into the subject before you decide to enrol on a course, or you’ve always known you wanted to be an economics student, there are countless books on economic theories to choose from.

From brief introductions to in-depth volumes, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of reading material available, but we hope our list of top ten books on economic thought provides you with a good starting point.

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Trump says he's 'entitled' to attack Harris, hits inflation efforts: 3 takeaways from NJ press conference

The former president holds another news conference.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump acknowledged Thursday that he has launched personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris as they fight for control of the White House – and claimed they are justified.

"I think I'm entitled to personal attacks," Trump said during a news conference at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club that was slated to focus on the economy and the cost of living.

Flanked by tables stacked with groceries, Trump did hit President Joe Biden and Harris' handling of the American economy. But he also leveled personal insults against his 2024 rival – and used demeaning language to address immigrants in the United States.

Here are USA TODAY's top takeaways from the former president's news conference.

'I'm very angry at her'

Trump said he is "angry" at Harris over the Biden administration's handling of issues ranging from inflation to immigration. He also claimed – without evidence – that she is involved in the criminal cases pending against him, as well as his May conviction in his New York hush money case .

While people "tell me I should be nice," Trump said Harris, Biden and other Democrats "want to put me in prison."

Trump is scheduled to face sentencing in his hush money case next month. The former president also faces criminal cases in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta over alleged efforts to steal the 2020 election from Biden, though the timing in both cases are uncertain. There is no evidence that Harris or Biden have been involved in his indictments.

“I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence and I think she’ll be a terrible president,” Trump added on Thursday.

For days, fellow Republicans have urged Trump to focus on issues against Harris, not personalities; they said his slashing attacks are among the reasons Harris has pulled ahead of Trump in several polls since Biden 's withdrawal from the race. Trump also faced sweeping backlash after questioning the vice president's racial identity during an appearance last month.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said on Fox News this week that the Trump campaign needs to stop "whining."

"The campaign is not going to win talking about crowd sizes ," Haley said. "It's not going to win talking about what race Kamala Harris is. It's not going to win talking about whether she's dumb ... you can't win on those things. The American people are smart. Treat them like they're smart."

Responding to the news conference, the Harris campaign didn't have kind words for the former president. It issued a written statement mocking "whatever that was."

Trump "huffed and puffed" while utilizing "his usual lies and delusions," said Harris campaign spokesperson James Singer.

True or false? Sign up for USA TODAY's Checking the Facts newsletter.

Economy, cost of living fights

Trump did spend time criticizing the economic record of the Biden-Harris administration, including over inflation and supply chain issues.

Trump conducted the news conference a day before Harris is scheduled to a give a major economic address , including a proposal for a first-ever federal ban on price-gouging from food and grocery industries.

Asked about that proposal, Trump did not respond directly but instead knocked Harris for opposing fracking. He also accused Harris of wanting to put "price controls all over the place, which will end up driving up your prices, not down your prices."

Trump also referred to the rising prices of the groceries arrayed around him, from loaves of bread and Oreos to Fruit Loops and other breakfast cereals. Trump joked that be planned to take some Cheerios back to his cottage at Bedminster.

Americans have struggled with rising prices in recent years, but inflation rates have dropped. The Labor Department announced Wednesday that the 12-month inflation rate had fallen to 2.9%, its lowest level since 2021. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.2%. Food prices were up 2.2% on the year. Energy prices were up 1.1%, and gasoline prices were down. 

Immigration

Trump also spoke at length about another favored topic, illegal border crossings , although he used exaggeration and impossible math.

At one point, Trump claimed that "virtually 100%" of net job creation in the last year has gone to migrants – and "actually beyond the number of 100%."

He also falsely said that Harris "allowed at least 20 million people to invade our country, and she wants to give them all citizenship and free government health care and let them raid Medicare and Social Security."

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security estimated that 11 million unauthorized immigrants live in the U.S. as of January 2022. Harris has also not called for granting sweeping access to federal resources for undocumented immigrants.

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At News Conference, Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Entitled to Personal Attacks’ Against Kamala Harris

Mr. Trump suggested he has no plans to moderate the tone of his campaign even as some Republicans have pushed him to emphasize policy issues.

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By Michael Gold

Reporting from Bedminster, N.J.

• Aug. 15, 2024

Toward the end of a meandering news conference, former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday insisted he was “entitled” to continue his barrage of personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, even as Republican allies are pushing him to shift his tone and emphasize policy issues.

Saying he was “very angry” at Ms. Harris, Mr. Trump told reporters outside the clubhouse of his golf course in Bedminster, N.J., that “I think I’m entitled to personal attacks,” and that he had little respect for his Democratic opponent.

“I don’t have a lot of respect for her intelligence, and I think she’ll be a terrible president,” he said, adding, “She certainly attacks me personally.”

The former president said that he didn’t need to moderate his tone to win the Republican primary, insisting that he was now running a “very calm campaign” — and even a calm news conference. “I didn’t rant and rave,” he said of his own performance as he was in the middle of it on Thursday. “I’m a very calm person.” Still, Mr. Trump repeatedly cast his opponents as “radical” and “sick.”

His nearly 80-minute news conference was intended, in part, to show his renewed emphasis on the economy, inflation and other policy issues. He had props displayed on either side of him in anticipation of such a focus: a grocery-store haul that included three gallons of milk, seven Campbell’s soup cans, at least three dozen eggs and a box of Cheerios cereal that Mr. Trump said he wanted to take home with him.

But during both his remarks and a question-and-answer session with reporters, Mr. Trump bounced between his proposals to fight inflation, his dry recitation of economic figures that he used to criticize Ms. Harris and the Biden administration and a number of other wide-ranging tangents, including complaints about Hillary Clinton, windmills, the news media and President Biden’s decision to exit the race.

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Six novels you can read in a day

Reluctant to start on a big masterpiece try these small gems instead.

F OR A SMALL format the novella carries a lot of baggage—starting with its diminutive. It has long been seen as the middle child of the literary world: it is neither the fully fledged novel, nor the fussed-over baby of the literary family, the short story. Presented with a work of between 60 and 160 pages, agents and editors typically tell an author to scale up or pare back. Melville House, an independent publisher in New York that prides itself on publishing novellas, calls them a “renegade art form”.

In its economy and audacity, an exceptional novella comes close to poetry. It doesn’t overstay its welcome. You can read one in the time it takes to watch a play or a film, then rise from your chair with the exhilaration of having finished a work in one sitting. Zipping through several novellas can cultivate a reading habit. Many of the greatest authors have written at least one: James Joyce (“The Dead”), Ernest Hemingway (“The Old Man and the Sea”), Mary Shelley (“Mathilda”) and Leo Tolstoy (“The Death of Ivan Ilyich”), to name just a few. Here are six short novels that may enchant you.

Small Things Like These. By Claire Keegan. Grove Atlantic; 128 pages; $20. Faber & Faber; £12.99

A hard-working coal merchant with a tidy life stumbles upon a scandal, and finds a deep, unstoppable need to do what is right. There is nothing easy about that: Bill Furlong must set aside his wife’s pleas and the warnings of villagers—well-intentioned yet also complicit—who urge him to ignore what he saw in the coal shed of a convent. He knows that his actions will hurt his daughters’ prospects for an education. “Once more the ordinary part of him simply wanted to be rid of this and get on home.” Furlong does not—finds he cannot—give in to it. The book’s gorgeous use of symbolism is reminiscent at times of a fairytale: crows roost around the convent, strutting and cawing ominously. But the crime it depicts is all too real, rooted in the history of the Magdalene laundries in Ireland run by the Roman Catholic Church. “Small Things Like These” was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022, the shortest novel so far to gain that distinction.

Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? By Lorrie Moore. Knopf; 160 pages; $16. Faber & Faber; £9.99

Lorrie Moore’s book captures female adolescence and the intensity of its friendships. Berie, its adult narrator, tries to understand how, after the exuberance and small, wild joys of her teenage years, her life has become so staid and unfulfilling. She recounts a summer spent working at Storyland, a theme park, with her best friend, Sils: “She was my hero, and had been for almost as long as I could remember”. Their days are punctuated by cigarette breaks and jokes; they mock the small-town theme park and its tacky rides. But suddenly they must make a decision that is all too adult. It marks the beginning of the splintering of their friendship: one stays in their hometown, Horsehearts, the other leaves. Looking back, Berie sees the mockery and rebellion that the girls so enjoyed as callow answers to teenage insecurities. Yet her account vibrates with regret for what she has lost. Sils, for a magical while, had helped “keep the busy, roaring strange-tongued world at bay”. Moore’s writing is as luscious and funny as ever.

Open Water. By Caleb Azumah Nelson. Grove Atlantic; 160 pages; $16. Penguin; £9.99

The debut of a British-Ghanaian novelist published in 2021, “Open Water” is a love story that is equal parts graceful, defiant and mournful. The characters are two black British artists living in south-east London, whose blossoming love for each other is tested over the course of a year by racial injustice. Trauma and intimacy are central themes: the narrator must allow himself to soften into love, and work hard to stay there. “Seeing people”, he reflects, “is no small task.” The narrator, who addresses himself as “you” throughout the book, goes unnamed, as does the woman he loves. They share a deep admiration for many of the same black artists, among them Frank Ocean, Zadie Smith and Barry Jenkins, whose creations are referred to throughout the book. Read this while listening to the Spotify playlist that Caleb Azumah Nelson compiled for it.

Bonjour Tristesse. By Françoise Sagan. Translated by Heather Lloyd. Penguin; 112 pages; £9.99

This coming-of-age classic was a sensation when it came out in 1954. Françoise Sagan was just 18 years old. The novel takes place over the course of a summer in the south of France. Cécile, its 17-year-old narrator, spends languorous days at a secluded seaside villa in the company of her father, a philandering widower whom she adores and whose hedonism she emulates, and his latest mistress. When he begins a more serious romance with an old acquaintance, Cécile does everything she can to stop him from marrying, with tragic results. Cécile’s own heady romance—breezy sex with an earnest boy whom she later drops—and her existentialist musings shocked early readers. Questions of freedom, responsibility and how to lead a meaningful life were central to French philosophical thought of the 1950s. The novella’s opening lament is classic Sagan, and probably defined French ennui for a generation: “A strange melancholy pervades me to which I hesitate to give the grave and beautiful name of sorrow.”

Foe. By J.M. Coetzee. Penguin; 160 pages; $16 and £8.99

This is a beautifully imaginative retelling of Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe”, written from the perspective of Susan Barton, a woman cast away during a mutiny on a ship. She washes up on the desert island where Cruso (he loses the final “e” in J.M. Coetzee’s novel) and his companion, Friday, have lived for years. In this subversive retelling, Cruso is decidedly unheroic: taciturn, complacent and uninterested in improving his life on the island. Most of the story is told in a series of letters Barton writes after her rescue to Daniel Foe, a novelist. She asks him to help transform her account into a bestselling work of fiction—for in Mr Coetzee’s reimagining, this is her story, not Cruso’s. “Foe” explores the tension between truth and storytelling, and what an author owes to those who inspire him. It is also a woman’s reckoning with losing her power to express herself. But nowhere is that muting clearer, or more thorough, than in the person of Friday, here a black former slave who, for reasons that cannot be known for sure, is tongueless. He cannot even begin to tell his own story.

Masks. By Enchi Fumiko. Translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter. Vintage; 144 pages; $16.95 and £8.99

Among the few of Enchi Fumiko’s novels to be translated into English, in 1983, this may also be her finest. Enchi began her career as a playwright before writing fiction, for which she received little recognition until the 1950s, when “Masks” was published. It is a stone-cold story of deception, set against the backdrop of the spellbinding masks and ornate robes of traditional noh theatre. It tells the story of Mieko and her complex plot to exact revenge, for infidelity and more, on her dead husband, by manipulating the relationships between her widowed daughter-in-law and two friends who love her. Its main themes—sexual deceit, thwarted desire and the awful power of resentment—offer a reflection on the position of women in Japan at the time Enchi was writing. They also reveal her interest in spirit possession and her fascination with the powerful role of the female shaman. Although some familiarity with “The Tale of Genji” (whose 1,000-odd pages Enchi translated into modern Japanese) will enrich the reading, lack of it is no barrier to enjoying this novel in all its haunting, elegant cruelty.

Try also If you want to stick to fiction, try Jhumpa Lahiri’s short novel, “ Whereabouts” . In our appraisal in 2021 we wrote that she had taken risks for her craft that paid off beautifully. Enjoyed “Open Water”? Pick up “Small Worlds” , Caleb Azumah Nelson’s second novel, published last year: our reviewer thought it took fewer stylistic risks than his first, but told a story that has “more scope and emotional heft”. If you’re looking for non-fiction books you can read in a day, here are six to get you started. Explore our interactive article that gives estimates of how long it would take to read each of the 500 “greatest books of all time”.■

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