- Applying to Uni
- Apprenticeships
- Health & Relationships
- Money & Finance
Personal Statements
- Postgraduate
- U.S Universities
University Interviews
- Vocational Qualifications
- Accommodation
- Budgeting, Money & Finance
- Health & Relationships
- Jobs & Careers
- Socialising
Studying Abroad
- Studying & Revision
- Technology
- University & College Admissions
Guide to GCSE Results Day
Finding a job after school or college
Retaking GCSEs
In this section
Choosing GCSE Subjects
Post-GCSE Options
GCSE Work Experience
GCSE Revision Tips
Why take an Apprenticeship?
Applying for an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships Interviews
Apprenticeship Wage
Engineering Apprenticeships
What is an Apprenticeship?
Choosing an Apprenticeship
Real Life Apprentices
Degree Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships
A Level Results Day 2024
AS Levels 2024
Clearing Guide 2024
Applying to University
SQA Results Day Guide 2024
BTEC Results Day Guide
Vocational Qualifications Guide
Sixth Form or College
International Baccalaureate
Post 18 options
Finding a Job
Should I take a Gap Year?
Travel Planning
Volunteering
Gap Year Guide
Gap Year Blogs
Applying to Oxbridge
Applying to US Universities
Choosing a Degree
Choosing a University or College
Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Guide to Freshers' Week
Student Guides
Student Cooking
Student Blogs
Top Rated Personal Statements
Personal Statement Examples
Writing Your Personal Statement
Postgraduate Personal Statements
International Student Personal Statements
Gap Year Personal Statements
Personal Statement Length Checker
Personal Statement Examples By University
Personal Statement Changes 2025
Personal Statement Template
Job Interviews
Types of Postgraduate Course
Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement
Postgraduate Funding
Postgraduate Study
Internships
Choosing A College
Ivy League Universities
Common App Essay Examples
Universal College Application Guide
How To Write A College Admissions Essay
College Rankings
Admissions Tests
Fees & Funding
Scholarships
Budgeting For College
Online Degree
Platinum Express Editing and Review Service
Gold Editing and Review Service
Silver Express Editing and Review Service
UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
You are here
Postgraduate clinical psychology personal statement example.
My initial decision to major in psychology was rationalised with the idea that I could use my degree to help people.
Everyone struggles at one point in their lives and being able to help someone is a great opportunity. Furthermore, studying psychology provided something for me that the other subjects didn’t, such as a deeper understanding of my mind and behaviour.
After finishing my high school, I joined Bachelor of Arts program as I wished to explore which subject I would have a special interest in and the course consisted of several subjects including Geography, Political Science, Psychology, English, Economics and French.
By the end of my first year, I had a fondness towards psychology as it was interesting and chose to learn further about it.
During my second and third year, I studied about Social Psychology, Abnormal Behaviour as well as Statistics.
I was fascinated by how the human mind works and how it affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. I enjoyed learning about the psychological disorders and the models of abnormality.
As I didn’t have an honours in psychology at my college, I decided to take a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology.
My master’s program was a 2 year course where I gained extensive knowledge about the different fields in psychology. During my First Semester, I had courses on educational psychology, cognitive psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics.
I enjoyed research methodology as I gained a deeper understanding of how to conduct research, the different methods in research and the importance it plays in psychology as it gives scientific evidence on the new perspectives of psychology, psychological theories and factors affecting mental health.
In addition to the courses, I did an internship at Agnes Special School where I worked as a special educator for children with Learning Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism and Mental Retardation.
Through this internship, I got to know more about childhood disorders and the obstacles they face in their everyday lives. It was extremely challenging
During, my second semester I had courses such as physiological psychology, personality theories, psychological testing and positive psychology.
I enjoyed reading about personality theories especially, Alfred Adler’s Individual psychology where he describes inferiority and superiority complexes and also about the birth order and how it influences the style of life.
By learning the theories, I gained insight on how personality influences human behaviour. I also had a practical paper on Assessment of Personality where, I was exposed to the various types of personality tests such as Draw a person test, Eysenck personality questionnaire, locus of control, Neo five-factor inventory and many more.
During the third semester, I learned about counselling psychology, psychological intervention and psychopathology.
I found psychopathology very interesting as it taught me about the different psychological disorders, their aetiology, diagnosis and the signs and symptoms that make up the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.
I became interested in relationships between various biological and environmental factors which can induce disorders.
By the end of my third semester, I worked as an intern for two months at two hospitals. My first clinical internship was at XXX for 3 weeks under Dr. XXX. During my time there, I learned how to collect case histories and conduct Mental Status Examinations (MSE).
I conducted various psychometric tests such as Standard and Coloured Progressive Matrices, Seguin Form Board and LD checklist, and also observed various behaviour therapies, parent guidance and counselling, sessions for home training for children with special needs on conditions like mental retardation, learning disability, autism, hearing impairments, cerebral palsy and multiple handicaps.
I also presented a poster on Learning Disability as a part of the academic presentation, defining Learning Disability, the problems children with LD face, the management of LD and the rights these children have.
My second clinical internship was at XXX for four weeks where I worked under the supervision of XXX at the Psychiatric Department. The hospital had in-patient care as well as outpatient care where I could collect case histories and conduct Mental Status Examinations.
I got insights into the numerous disorders. I gained an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a clinical psychologist. I also attended several therapies that the psychologist conducted such as Group Therapy for de-addiction patients, Stress Management and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and various psychometric tests such as Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Rorschach inkblot test.
I also conducted psychometric tests such as Wechsler’s Intelligence Scale for Children, CAGE questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Binet Kamat Test etc.
In the fourth semester, I had courses on behaviour modification and counselling children, adolescents and adults. I was trained in numerous psychotherapy techniques such as Jacobsons Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Autogenic Training, Systematic Desensitisation, and Yoga.
I also had to present several case studies that I collected during my internships. I had a 5 days internship at XXX Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts which was aimed at preventing and management of Substance abuse with the focus soon early intervention , community based holistic approach and people’s participation.
During my time here, I interacted with several patients who has problems with substance abuse where I was able to take a session on assertiveness training for the patients and also conducted several relaxation techniques such as JPMR and Autogenic training.
Further, I got to know how the rehab centre worked and the different treatment methods used for the patients. I had another 5 days internship at XXX Palliative care, where I counselled with patients who were terminally ill by giving psychological snd social support to the patients and their caregivers.
Another internship I had was at Riya Hope Farm which was a residential centre for children with special needs. I was assigned to a child who had autism and conducted behavioural assessment of the child. Once the assessment was over, behaviour modification process was started as the child had difficulty in following the instruction that were given to him.
I also had to submit a dissertation as a part of the master’s programme where I presented a research study on “ Marital Adjustment in relation to Life Satisfaction and Gender among Young Adult Married Couples.”
I was interested in this topic due to the increasing divorce rates in India notably among the Young - Adult population and to find out whether life satisfaction influences the marital adjustment between couples.
In addition to my courses, I have attended several workshops on counselling and psychotherapy, basic and advanced hypnosis, “Dementia - Remember me” and Paranormality.
After finishing my master’s in psychology, I am currently interning at a psychiatric clinic for where I am working as an assistant counselling psychologist under the guidance of Dr XXXp.
During my time here, I have met patients with a wide range of mental health problems that may occur such as mental health disorders including depression, psychosis, personality disorder, negative life events, bereavement, domestic violence, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, traumas and relationship issues.
I have witnessed counselling of both clients and their families, and I have learned to administer and score several psychological tests used in clinical assessment.
I have enjoyed working in the clinic and found it very rewarding, not only because of the idea of helping but also because the work was interesting and challenging, as every patient is different and different approaches of counselling are needed.
As an assistant counselling psychologist, I was able to learn the different counselling techniques and how to guide patients through empathy and unconditional positive regard.
Upon completion of this masters programme, I intend join a Doctoral programme in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and to practice as a clinical psychologist, where I can provide a positive influence in the lives of people struggling with psychiatric disorders.
My personal characteristics are perfectly adaptable to this profession and I’m highly interested in this field. Moreover, my academic achievements signify my capability to reach the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.
I’m also interested in research work and understanding the various mental illness, their treatment as well as their effectiveness. My work experience has proven to me how much more I need to learn before I can attain my goal of becoming an accomplished clinical psychologist.
I am interested to join Goldsmith’s University of London for the Masters course in Foundation in Clinical Psychology and Health Services by the strong emphasis on clinical practice and research methodology as it goes particularly well with what I am looking for in a program.
I would be very excited to join the upcoming class for 2018. I feel I am well prepared to enter graduate study, and my strong motivation and career goals are a good match for what the university has to offer.
Profile info
There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.
This personal statement is unrated
Related Personal Statements
Add new comment.
Ohio State nav bar
The Ohio State University
- BuckeyeLink
- Find People
- Search Ohio State
Creating a Personal Statement
Some examples of how this question is worded:.
Please provide a personal statement describing your special interests and professional goals. Include a rank-ordered list of the three faculty members with whom you most want to work. This should be approximately 500 words and address your rationale for attempting advanced study. Be sure to include previous research experience and how you became interested in pursuing advanced training and how you feel the program will guide you in that pursuit.
A written statement reflecting a commitment to psychology and plans after completion of studies. Describe your interest areas in clinical psychology and your career plans. Describe your strengths and weaknesses for graduate study, and your need for financial support.
Keep in mind:
Spelling and grammar count! This is the first experience that faculty have with you as a human being, and not as a list of courses/grades, so make it count! Be careful with humor and long quotations from Freud, Jung, and the like (and I really wouldn’t quote Dr. Phil either…).
Be careful what you reveal in your personal statement. Your statement can help your application and it can harm your application. I would be personal, but not overly personal. Remember that sites cannot ask you about personal information—such as marital status and parental status—unless you reveal that information first. I would recommend having your advisor read through early drafts of this statement to help you craft the final product.
Writing skills matter quite a bit in the applications for both experimental and clinical programs. Spelling, grammar, word usage, style of writing—all of these will be judged in addition to the information you actually write down in the statement. Put forth a good first impression! You do not want to be viewed as careless for submitting an application with multiple typos, run-on sentences, and the like.
DO NOT DO THE FOLLOWING: If applying to a clinical/counseling program, do not state that you are applying to the program in order to help people. That is such an overused theme that application reviewers might stop reading your essay there! Instead, talk about who in particular you want to work with and why. What drew you to clinical work? What drew you to working with a particular population? What do you want to do with your career—how do you want to affect other people?
Please see this article regarding “kisses of death” in the application process.
Faculty Lists
You may be asked to include a rank-list of the faculty you would like to work with. If accepted, this is the list that the program will use to determine who you will work with, so make sure this list is accurate.
You may want to contact faculty you are interested in working with to see 1) if they are accepting students for the upcoming year, and 2) to inquire about upcoming research projects to assess your level of interest in working with that faculty member.
Again, remember that the information in this email can become part of your application so check for spelling errors before sending! Be formal—address the email to “Dr. XXXXX,” do not use abbreviations/text-speak, and sign the email with “Sincerely, Your full name and university.”
You may need to discuss how your research/clinical interests match with those of the faculty you list, so be thorough in writing about how you feel you match with the faculty member. Don’t be a stalker!
Guide to Getting Into Graduate School > Sample Personal Statement
This personal statement was written by a student applying to a clinical Psychology program. The author of this personal statement was accepted into Purdue's doctoral program in clinical Psychology.
I became initially interested in Psychology when I was helping a friend who was having problems at home and was considering suicide. I felt so helpless trying to deal with his problems that I decided to learn more about human behavior and how to help those in need. This experience led me to enroll in an introductory Psychology class in order to understand more about what motivates people. I have become more and more interested in the field of clinical Psychology during my four years as an undergraduate Psychology major. In addition to my educational experience, I actively pursued work experience in Psychology-related fields. I worked as a resident assistant in one of the dormitories during my junior year. In this role, I encountered students who had problems relating to their family, depression, suicide, alcohol, and drugs. I attained an internship position during my senior year as a residential supervisor at the Indianapolis Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, a facility dedicated to teaching brain-injured individuals not only to deal with their handicaps, but to overcome them. I witnessed counseling of both clients and their families, and I learned to administer and score several psychological tests used in clinical assessment (e.g., the Wechsler Memory Scale and the MMPI). My work experience has proven to me how much more I need to learn before I can attain my goal of becoming an accomplished researcher and teacher. I became interested in research as a sophomore when I enrolled in a senior level research class. By the time I graduate, I will have presented a total of five papers on a variety of topics at undergraduate research conferences. My experience with the first study, an examination of mood effects on time perception, led to other research endeavors on topics including student evaluation of faculty, academic integrity, and comparisons of personality profiles of brain-injured individuals. The relevance of two of these projects, academic honesty and student evaluation of faculty, led the President of my college, to invite me to present my results at two Open College Forums. This is the first time a student has presented at an Open College Forum. At Purdue University, I am specifically interested in the research efforts of Harvey Ashland (schizophrenia), Nancy Bennett (child adolescent psychotherapy outcomes), and Thomas Ginsburg (clinical, personality, and community assessment). As an undergraduate, I have learned the importance of working closely with members of the faculty. A great deal can be accomplished by working with someone who is already an expert in the field. I have become firmly committed to the beliefs that the most appropriate way to answer "real world" questions is through basic research and that these answers should be communicated in a professional manner to those audiences who can benefit most from them. My undergraduate experiences have inspired me to continue my education in graduate school so I can further my research and make meaningful contributions to Psychology.
Personal Statements
What is a Personal Statement?
A Personal Statement is a professional essay that outlines your interest for the field, relevant experiences, career goals, and fit to the program and or faculty member in which you are applying. Psychology and Psychological Sciences majors apply for a myriad of applied-masters, doctoral, and professional programs. The following tips will help you get started in addition to the supplemental articles from the APA. Students who are looking for a course that breaks down all of the steps in applying to graduate school (including writing your Personal Statement) should consider taking PSY 396C , Preparation for Graduate Programs in the Field of Psychology. This course is recommended Fall of junior year.
General Tips for any Personal Statement
- Follow the directions and answer any questions or prompts provided by your programs.
- Your Introductory Paragraph should share what ignited your passion or interest for the field (NOT TOO PERSONAL).
- Give details, include names of agencies, labs, and or faculty to help paint the picture of what you did.
- Share not only your duties but also what you learned from the experience and how that has solidified the work you want to do.
- The conclusion needs to show fit to the school/program/faculty member. (PhD programs you need to name who you are applying to specifically).
- Ensure your statement flows. Paragraphs need to have transition sentences to connect the ideas. Telling your professional story chronologically helps.
- Edit, edit, and edit again. Ask many people to read and edit your statement before submitting it to your programs.
Personal Statements for Applied Masters Programs
An applied master's program is a program that is hands-on and provides coursework and experiences such as internships and field placements to train you to do the work in your chosen field. Some examples are Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling. There are many others. These statements aim to convey your interest for the field, share your relevant hands-on experiences as evidence of your preparation, and demonstrate how you are a good match for the program.
Personal Statements for PhD Programs
Ph.D. programs are primarily research-based programs. Even if they provide Clinical Training (e.g. Clinical and Counseling Psychology), they are still fundamentally rooted in producing scientific research. Your personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself in terms of your research interests, previous research experience, and research goals. Your writing should be clear, concise, grammatically correct, and professional in tone.
Personal Statement Editing
Are you in the process of writing your personal statement for graduate or professional programs and need tutoring/editing services? The University of Arizona Writing Skills Improvement Program is your answer! They offer free and fee-based services. Students can schedule appointments or attend drop-in tutoring . Check it out!
Advice from the American Psychological Association
Applying to Grad School: What should I say in my Personal Statement
Preparing your Personal Statement for Graduate applications
Finding Fit: Personal Statements
- University of Pennsylvania
- School of Arts and Sciences
- Penn Calendar
Search form
Personal Statement
All applicants must include a personal statement that addresses the following question:
Please describe how your background and academic experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree and led you to apply to Penn. Your essay should detail your specific research interests and intellectual goals within your chosen field. Please provide information about your educational trajectory, intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions. If you have overcome adversity and/or experienced limited access to resources or opportunities in your field of study, please feel free to share how that has affected the course of your education. We are interested in your lived experiences and how your particular perspective might contribute to the inclusive and dynamic learning community that Penn values and strives to create.
The personal statement helps us evaluate the fit between your interests and skills and the Penn Psychology program. It should describe why you want to pursue a PhD in Psychology, why Penn is the right place for you to do it, what sorts of skills and experiences make you qualified to pursue a PhD in a research-intensive Psychology program like Penn’s, what kinds of questions you are interested in studying, and who on the faculty you would like to work with. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors in advance of writing the personal statement, to ensure that the research questions the applicant hopes to pursue are a good fit with research topics Penn faculty are working on. If you hope to study a question that members of our Psychology Graduate Group are not interested in pursuing, then Penn would not be a good fit for you. Please also look at the websites of faculty members whose labs you would like to join; they might have additional instructions for information they would like you to include in the personal statement. The personal statement is typically around two pages, single-spaced.
Have a language expert improve your writing
Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.
- Knowledge Base
- Applying to graduate school
- How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples
How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples
Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.
A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.
To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:
- Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
- Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
- Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?
This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.
Urban Planning Psychology History
Table of contents
Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.
Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.
For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.
There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.
The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.
Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene
An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:
- A personal experience that changed your perspective
- A story from your family’s history
- A memorable teacher or learning experience
- An unusual or unexpected encounter
To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.
Strategy 2: Open with your motivations
To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.
Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:
- Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
- Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
- How does it fit into the rest of your life?
- What do you think it contributes to society?
Tips for the introduction
- Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
- Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.
Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.
To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.
Strategy 1: Describe your development over time
One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.
- What first sparked your interest in the field?
- Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
- Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?
Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.
My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.
Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles
If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.
- Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
- Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.
Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.
Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.
Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field
Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.
- Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
- Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
- Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.
The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.
In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.
Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions
Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.
- If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
- If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
- If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.
Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.
One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.
Tips for the main body
- Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
- Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.
Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.
Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.
Strategy 1: What do you want to know?
If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?
If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.
Strategy 2: What do you want to do?
If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?
Tips for the conclusion
- Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
- Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.
You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.
Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.
Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.
Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.
A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.
A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.
However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.
The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.
Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.
If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.
Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.
If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.
If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.
If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
College essays
- College essay examples
- College essay format
- College essay style
- College essay length
- Diversity essays
- Scholarship essays
Academic writing
- Writing process
- Avoiding repetition
- Literature review
- Conceptual framework
- Dissertation outline
- Thesis acknowledgements
- Burned or burnt
- Canceled or cancelled
- Dreamt or dreamed
- Gray or grey
- Theater vs theatre
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. (2023, July 03). How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/graduate-school/personal-statement/
Is this article helpful?
Shona McCombes
Other students also liked, how to write a graduate school resume | template & example, how (and who) to ask for a letter of recommendation, master's vs phd | a complete guide to the differences, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.
✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts
Dr. Joseph H. Hammer
Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology
Personal Statement of Purpose for Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Applications
All counseling psychology doctoral (PhD or PsyD) programs require applicants to submit one or more written essays about why the applicant is interested in and qualified to enter that graduate program.
Each program calls these essays by different names, including “Personal Statement”, “Statement of Interest”, “Statement of Purpose”, “Statement of Professional Goals”, “Career Goals Statement”, “Personal Essay”, and various combinations of those terms. Programs may have you write a single statement or multiple statements (e.g., Personal Statement plus a Diversity Statement).
Writing a good statement is one of the hardest parts of applying to counseling or clinical psychology graduate programs.
One of the things that makes it hard to apply is the ambiguity and mystery that surrounds statements: what should I talk about? How long should it be? Do I talk about my experiences and interests in research, applied psychology (e.g., helping others by being a supportive listener), working with diverse groups of people, or what?
To help prospective applicants to counseling psychology doctoral programs, members of the HAMMER Lab analyzed what programs told applicants they should write about in their statement.
Check out our Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Personal Statement of Purpose Questions google spreadsheet to see the detailed analysis. See the bottom of this page for how we went about collecting data.
Before we review the take-home points of our analysis below, a brief reminder: be sure to check out my other Psych Grad School resources using the menu above, such as Graduate School Advice , Counseling Psychology Faculty Research Interests List , Best Doctoral Programs in Counseling Psychology , and What the Ideal Graduate School Applicant Looks Like . I also recommend completing the Mental Health Professions Career Test , which will give you interest scores on 21 different mental health occupations, including counseling psychology and clinical psychology.
Take-Home Points
Below are the key results from our analysis, the take-home points that every applicant should keep in mind:
- Most programs provide provide a suggested or required statement page or word length in their instructions. The most common request is 2-3 single-spaced pages . On the shorter end, some programs restrict applicants to 500 words maximum.
- 90% of the counseling psychology doctoral programs we sampled (N=50) instruct applicants to talk about their professional goals and career aspirations. In other words, no matter what programs you apply to, you should discuss this in your statement. Specifically, you should talk about your professional goals and how getting the specific doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) at that specific program (given the unique strengths and opportunities afforded by that program) will facilitate these goals.
- 52% instruct applicants to talk about their background and relevant experiences but may not clearly specify the type of experiences the applicants should discuss. (Many programs do specify the type of experience to talk about; see bullet points below.) As a rule of thumb, when applying to PhD programs, you should be ready to discuss research, applied (i.e., helping, listening, counseling, clinical), and multicultural experiences. When applying to PsyD programs, you should prioritize discussing applied and multicultural experiences (you can mention research too, especially if that program specifically requests it).
- 52% instruct applicants to clearly indicate why they want a counseling psychology doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) specifically. In other words, why not a clinical psychology degree, counseling psychology master’s degree, or a master’s in social work degree instead? Some PhD programs often want to know why you are specifically interested in the PhD instead of a PsyD (and vice versa). Even when a program does not ask you to address this specifically, I recommend always discussing how that particular degree will help you work toward your career goals.
- 59% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD program) instruct applicants to talk about why they are interested in that program specifically (versus similar programs at other institutions across the country). As a faculty member at University of Kentucky’s counseling psychology PhD program, I understand that people who apply to our program are also applying to other programs. (I always advise students to apply to 7 to 10 programs across the country that fit their professional goals, since getting into a given doctoral program is hard and you need to apply to multiple programs to maximize your chances of being offered admission.) However, even if an applicants is applying elsewhere, I still want to know “why us?”. I want to know that the applicant has carefully considered the strengths and opportunities that our program has to offer and has applied because of those unique attributes. If an applicant does not mention specific aspects of our program, then I don’t know if they are truly interested in our program or are just treating us as a “safety school” or “backup plan”. Since finding the right graduate program is more about “fit” between applicant and program rather than “being the best applicant”, I want to hear how the applicant sees themselves uniquely fitting with our program. Thus, even when not asked explicitly to address this, I recommend always discussing what attracts you to that particular program.
- 41% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their research interests. This serves two purposes. First, because PhD programs train students to be both scientists and practitioners (and some also train people to be advocates), the doctoral admissions committee want to see that a student has thoughtful research interests (not too broad, not too specific, and sufficiently flexible given that students are still early in their professional development) and is serious about wanting to get additional research training as a doctoral student. Second, some PhD programs prefer to admit students whose research interests overlap with the research interests of one or more program faculty members. More on that in the next bullet point. I recommend always discussing your research interests when applying to PhD programs even if not explicitly asked to do so by the program’s application instructions.
- 27% of PhD programs (0% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about how their research interests fit with the research interests of specific program faculty members. These programs tend to use an “apprenticeship model of research mentorship”, meaning that doctoral students apply to work under a specific core faculty member in that program, who will work closely with them to train them in the theories and techniques used to do research on the topics of interest to that faculty member. The expectation usually is that the student will help that professor out with the professor’s program of research while the student is enrolled in the program (and that the professor will help the student start to build the student’s own line of research, which will usually be topically related to the professor’s line of research). Therefore, programs that use this apprenticeship model often value selecting an applicant for admission based, not only on that student’s fit with the wider program, but on how well that student fits with a particular professor’s research team. Our counseling psychology PhD program at the University of Kentucky uses this apprenticeship model and this is why we explicitly ask all applicants to pick one (two at the most) professors with whom they could fit research-interest-wise. However, while only 24% of programs explicitly instructed applicants to address research fit with a professor, some programs implicitly expect you to address this . This is part of the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school–sometimes people expect you to know certain things, but you won’t unless you have a mentor who clues you in to this insider knowledge (or you happened to read it on the internet or a how-to guide). The tricky part is that you won’t always know if a given program wants you to talk about research fit with a professor. When the program’s website or application instructions does not provide clear guidance, I recommend that you make a case in your statement for how your research interests fit well with the research interests of one (maybe 2) of the professors in that program. Bear in mind that some programs do not use an apprenticeship model and instead select students based on overall fit with the program rather than research fit (they will often make this clear on their website/instructions), in which case you don’t have to spend time in your statement articulating research fit.
- 24% of PhD programs (13% of PsyD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their research experiences and qualifications. Even if a given PhD program does not explicitly request this information, you should always talk about this, as it’s an implicit expectation. However, make sure you are not just restating the information you listed under the “research experiences” section of your CV.
- 16% instruct applicants to talk about their past experiences with diverse people or cultures. However, even when a program does not explicit ask for this, I do recommend that you talk about this when discussing past research/applied/professional experiences. My anecdotal experience suggests that most programs like to see evidence in your application that you have experience working and/or living alongside people who share both cultural similarities and differences from you in terms of race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, (dis)ability, religion, etc. However, because some people grew up in culturally homogeneous places (surrounded by people with similar cultural identities), what’s even more important than past experience with diversity is a genuine desire moving forward to (1) learn about yourself as a cultural being with multiple identities that may carry privilege and marginalization, (2) learn to work productively with colleagues and clients who are both similar and different from yourself, and (3) learn about how interlocking systems of power influence your life and the lives of others (e.g., racism, sexism).
- 16% instruct applicants to talk about their interests, beliefs, aspirations, and/or contributions to social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, etc. This is related but different from the “past experiences with diversity” aspect mentioned above. These pieces go beyond past experience and capture what you value and how you (plan to) contribute to making the world a more just place. This is increasingly at the heart of counseling psychology as a specialty. As with the prior bullet point, even though a minority of programs explicitly instruct applicants to address this in their statement, my anecdotal experience is that most programs want to see you incorporate this into how you talk about your experiences and goals related to both research and practice.
- 26% instruct applicants to talk about their past applied (i.e., helping, listening, counseling, clinical) experience. All counseling psychology doctoral programs train their graduate students to be talk therapists, which requires being a good listener, showing empathy, problem solving abilities, a willingness to tolerate ambiguity, an openness to both positive and constructive feedback, and demonstrating cultural humility and sensitivity. To determine which applicants show promise as future psychotherapists and would therefore be suitable for admission into the doctoral program, one thing we consider is your past applied experience. Faculty want to see that you have (1) some practice with basic helping skills, (2) at least one letter of recommendation from a supervisor of one of your helping experiences that states that your helping skills are good and that you show promise as a future talk therapist, and (3) a clear track record of wanting to further develop your helping skills by seeking out relevant opportunities. Talking about your past applied experience in your statement is one way we can gather evidence about #1 and #3.
- 25% of PsyD programs (6% of PhD programs) instruct applicants to talk about their theoretical orientation, their understanding of mental illness, and/or their understanding of how people heal and change. An applicant’s answer to these questions can provide hints to faculty about how sophisticated that applicant’s clinical abilities may be. These are hard questions to answer well without having taken graduate-level therapy coursework, and more sophistication will be expected of applicants who would be joining the doctoral program after having completed a talk-therapy-related master’s degree than would be expected of applicants who joined the doctoral program after having completed only a bachelor’s degree. Most programs do not ask about this topic and there is not an implicit expectation on behalf of programs that you address this in your statement.
- 16% instruct applicants to talk about their professional strengths and/or weaknesses. Most programs do not ask about this topic and there is not an implicit expectation on behalf of programs that you address this in your statement. For those programs that do, remember that you need to strike a balance between “selling yourself” appropriately in terms of strengths and not sounding arrogant when doing so. Likewise, some weaknesses are going to be socially acceptable (e.g., typical areas of growth for new graduate students like managing mild perfectionism) whereas others will cast a shadow on your application (e.g., poor interpersonal skills, cultural insensitivity, difficulty with time management, difficult with autonomous functioning), even if they are true. While you might not need to talk about strengths and weaknesses in your statement, it’s likely you’ll have to talk about this during interviews, so make sure to put some thought into this before going on interviews.
- 38% of PsyD programs (10% of PhD programs) instruct applicants to address how the program will benefit them. This question is a combined way of asking the 3 questions of “What are your professional goals?” and “Why do you want a _____ degree specifically” and “Why are you interested in our program specifically?”. Regardless of whether a program explicitly asks this or not, there is an implicit expectation that your statement always address how your completing this chosen program will bring you closer to achieving your career goals.
In regard to our data collection strategy, our team used APA’s list of accredited counseling psychology doctoral programs (both PhD and PsyD, both counseling psychology and “combined” programs, N=84 at the time of data collection in September of 2019). We navigated to each program’s “how to apply” page to look at what instructions they provided regarding what the student should talk about in their statement(s). We copied and pasted this information into in the Counseling Psychology PhD and PsyD Personal Statement of Purpose Questions google spreadsheet. You’ll notice that we de-identified what instructions come from which program, as the point of this analysis is to get an overall snapshot, rather than to learn about a specific program (you’ll want to see the program website for that info). Some programs did not provide this information on their website but required applicants to create an account in the application portal in order to access the instructions; for our purposes, we did not include these programs in the analysis. Thus, readers should bear in mind that our analysis is based on a subset of programs that is not guaranteed to be representative of all programs. Our final sample was N=50, of which n=42 were PhDs and n=8 were PsyDs. We analyzed the set of instructions to look for topical themes (e.g., career goals), which we then coded for across programs so that counts and percentages could be created. We also calculated descriptive statistics broken down by program type (PhD vs PsyD).
- AI Content Shield
- AI KW Research
- AI Assistant
- SEO Optimizer
- AI KW Clustering
- Customer reviews
- The NLO Revolution
- Press Center
- Help Center
- Content Resources
- Facebook Group
Writing Personal Statement for Clinical Psychology Masters
Table of Contents
Are you looking for examples of personal statement for clinical psychology Masters ?
A well-crafted personal statement is an integral part of the admissions process for many universities. It allows prospective students to explain why they are uniquely qualified for the program and why they should be considered for admission.
This blog provides some great examples of successful personal statements used in clinical psychology Masters applications.
What Is a Personal Statement for Clinical Psychology Masters?
A personal statement for clinical psychology Master’s is a written document that outlines your career goals, experiences, and qualifications . It is an introduction to a university or college admissions committee, highlighting your personality and why you want to be in their program.
The statement should also demonstrate field knowledge, highlight any research projects or extracurricular activities you’ve been involved in. It will show how your candidacy would be an asset to the school.
Why Write a Personal Statement for Clinical Psychology Masters?
A successful personal statement will give your application an edge over other candidates by demonstrating why you are the perfect fit for the program .
By highlighting your qualifications and experiences, writing a compelling personal statement can help you stand out from the competition. It is also vital to demonstrate your knowledge of clinical psychology and your enthusiasm for applying to the field.
Examples of Clinical Psychology Masters Statement
“As a recent graduate from an undergraduate psychology program, I am passionate about furthering my education in clinical psychology. I have participated in a variety of research projects that have given me insight into this field. This includes one project on mental health disparities among minority populations. I believe that my skill set and experience make me an excellent candidate for this Masters program. I am eager to explore the unique opportunities that it provides.”
“I am applying for the Masters in Clinical Psychology because I believe that this program will help me reach my career goals. With a degree in psychology already, I have gained a strong foundation in the theoretical aspects of clinical psychology. I am now ready to hone and develop further these skills. I am confident that my prior research experience combined with an advanced education in this field will be helpful. It will allow me to make meaningful contributions to the field.”
“Throughout my academic and professional life, I have been passionate about understanding people and their individual experiences. My experience working as a therapist has given me a better understanding of how mental health issues affect different populations. I am now ready to move further in my career by deepening my knowledge and understanding of clinical psychology. I believe that this program can help me reach my goal of becoming a well-rounded clinician.”
Templates to Try for Clinical Psychology Masters Statement
“I am applying for the Masters in Clinical Psychology because __. My prior experience and education have made me a strong candidate for this program, as I have gained a deep understanding of __. I believe that this program will help me to better understand __ and become a well-rounded clinician.”
“I am motivated to pursue a degree in clinical psychology because __. During my undergraduate studies, I became passionate about understanding people and their individual experiences. I am confident that this program will allow me to hone my existing skill set while developing new ones. This will ultimately help further my career goals in clinical psychology.”
We hope these examples have given you insight into what makes a successful personal statement for clinical psychology Masters’ applications. Writing useful personal information requires careful thought and preparation, but it is an integral part of any admissions process. Good luck!
Abir Ghenaiet
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles
How to draft meaningful length of law school personal statement.
Are you confused on how to write a law school personal statement? One of the essential elements of your application…
- Write Personal Statement
Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try
Are you considering studying history and international relations? Or you may be curious about what a degree in this field…
Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement
Are you applying for a global management program and want to stand out from the crowd? A well-written personal statement…
How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency
Achieving a residency can be a massive accomplishment for any aspiring medical professional. To secure your spot in one of…
Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement
A personal history statement can be crucial to many applications, from university admissions to job search processes. This blog will…
Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement
Applying for a dietetic internship is a rigorous process and requires submitting a personal statement, which is an essential part…
- +919946991401
- [email protected]
Personal Statement for PhD in Clinical Psychology
Are you struggling to find the right words and expressions to write a personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology? Not confident that your current personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology can compete with that of other international students? Do you need some help with writing a personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology?
In that case, you have come to the right place. We are an experienced and skilled team of professionals working in the field for a decade. We know how to write a personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology to win admission.
For a decade, we have worked with numerous students who wanted to craft the most compelling statements for their admission. Hence, we know what the students expect and the universities need when it comes to a personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology. With the right pitch, focus, and tone, we can write impeccable statements.
How to Write a Personal Statement for PhD in Clinical Psychology?
Despite knowing the importance of a personal statement for admission, most students do not know how to write, format, and structure a personal statement. This becomes a huge area of concern for most students as every university requires one.However, one needs to understand that writing a clinical psychology doctorate personal statement is not an impossible task. But, it is not a walk in the park either. One needs to have the right attitude and willingness to work hard to create an impressive and resonating personal statement for a doctorate in clinical psychology. And there are students who write their own personal statements. If you want to write one like that, here is a list of tips to use:
The tips will pave the right path for you to amble on:
- Firstly, learn the requirements of the university for statement
- Secondly, create a strategy to write the statement to make it unique
- Thirdly, gather all the details you need to start writing the statement
- Fourthly, use a friendly tone of voice with optimism and confident
- Fifthly, explain what makes you suitable for the course and the college
- Lastly, ensure that you talk about your career goals and aspirations
No matter what type of personal statement that you write, you need to take care of these elements. Once you do that, you need not look for personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology samples online in PDF.
What Makes Us the Best to Write Personal Statement for PhD in Clinical Psychology?
Every student wants the best of personal statements to submit with their admission applications. However, the catch is that they have trouble writing them. Hence, they seek the help of professional and experienced personal statement writers . One needs to be extremely careful while choosing a service provider.
There is a range of desired qualities that a student must be able to see in a personal statement writer for PhD in clinical psychology. These qualities play a huge role in deciding the quality of the statement itself.
When you choose us, you are guaranteed to get all of these service qualities from us as we have been in the field for more than a decade.
Unrestrained Customer Service Help
When our students come to us to write clinical psychology doctorate personal statements, we know that they need more than that. Hence, we have a dedicated customer care line that our students can contact us on. They will get all the help and support from the customer care when they require them.
World-Class Quality Systems
We leverage the best of quality tools and systems to ensure that we deliver top-notch personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology. We have carefully integrated a bevy of quality assessment systems into our writing process. Therefore, we are always able to deliver impeccable personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology.
Constant Training and Skill Development
We know that the world is constantly changing. The case of the education sector is also the same. Hence, we train our writers and supporting staff to keep up with the changes of the industry to deliver the services as they need it as per the changing times. This also helps us meet the changing requirements of universities, as well.
Tailor-Made Personal Statements
We have worked with thousands of students looking to write personal statements for a range of courses and universities. This has helped understand one thing—everyone has a unique story to tell. Hence, our services also reflect this understanding. We deliver our services as our clients need them.
Value-Adding Service Plans
We work with students who want to pursue their PhD in clinical psychology from different countries due to their quality and budgetary preferences. Hence, we have made our service offerings high client-centric and affordable. We do that without compromising on the quality of the statements we deliver.
An Incredible Team of Professionals
We are extremely proud of the team that we have. Each member of the team has adequate experience in writing personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology for a range of students and universities around the world. Hence, your personal statements will always be in capable hands.
Whenever we undertake a project to write a personal statement for PhD in clinical psychology, we effectively take advantage of all these qualities. That’s why we have become one of the most reliable brands in the field for PhD personal statements.
We Also offer Personal Statement For
- personal statement for mBA
- personal statement for masters in finance
- personal statement for master of psychology
- personal statement for masters in public health
- personal statement for masters in public administration
- postgraduate personal statement
- civil engineering personal statement
- ucas personal statement
- Imperial college Personal statement
- kings college personal statement
- harvard university personal statement
- College admission personal statement
- graduate school personal statement
- oxford personal statement
- UC History Personal Statement
- Residency Personal Statement
- Internal Medicine Residency Personal Statement
- aacomas Personal Statement
- crna personal statement
- family medicine residency personal statement
- eras residency personal statement
- anesthesiology residency personal statement
- emergency medicine residency personal statement
- nurse practitioner personal statement
- personal statement for nursing school
- mental health psychiatric nursing personal statement
- psychiatry residency personal statement
- pediatrics residency personal statement
- amcas personal statement
- paramedic science personal statement
- physiotherapy personal statement
- architecture personal statement
- economic personal statement
- criminology personal statement
- nyu law personal statement
- georgetown law personal statement
- harvard law personal statement
- columbia LLM personal statement
- LLM Law School
- Phd in Computer Science Personal Science
- PhD in Biological Science Personal Science
- PhD in Clinical Psychology Personal Statement
- gi gastroenterology personal statement
- cardiology personal statement
- nephrology personal statement
- nsf grfp personal statement
- oncology personal statement
- critical care personal statement
- radiology personal statement
- hematology personal statement
- fulbright personal statement
Hire Our Personal Statement Wiring Help for PhD
Getting admission for PhD in clinical psychology in a coveted university can launch a student’s career to the stratosphere. The research opportunities and industry exposure that the student can get will certainly be impeccable. However, you need the best personal statement for the PhD in clinical psychology to start dreaming about that.
While even the most creative clinical psychology PhD personal statement cannot win you the admission, it can certainly give you much better chances of admission.
And with us, that is even more likely as we can create statements that are:
- Exceedingly creative and focused on the student
- Increasingly value-adding to the application
- Assertive of the student’s suitability for admission
- Compliant to all the university statement guidelines
- Evaluated with premium quality systems and tool
We have a team of expert personal statement writers who can write personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology even better than the examples online. We work extremely close with our clients to learn everything about them to use the same in the statement. We deliver them in any format such as PDF and Doc as they need.
If you are tired of the sample personal statements for PhD in clinical psychology and want genuine help that you can get, we can help you.
Contact SOPConsultants client support team. We would love to hear from you!
What is a personal statement for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology?
A personal statement is a written document that provides insights into your academic background, experiences, motivations, and aspirations for pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. It helps the admissions committee understand your suitability for the program.
How long should my personal statement be?
Most institutions specify a word or character limit for personal statements. Generally, they range from 500 to 1,000 words. It’s essential to adhere to these limits to demonstrate your ability to convey information concisely.
What should I include in my personal statement?
You should include information about your academic background, relevant research experience, clinical work, interests within clinical psychology, career goals, and reasons for choosing that particular program.
How should I structure my personal statement?
Start with an engaging introduction that captures the reader’s attention. Then, discuss your academic and professional journey, followed by your research interests, clinical experiences, and how the program aligns with your goals. End with a conclusion summarizing your commitment.
Can I mention personal struggles or challenges?
Yes, you can briefly mention challenges you’ve faced if they are relevant to your motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Focus on how you’ve overcome these challenges and how they’ve shaped your desire to contribute to the field.
Should I focus more on research or clinical experience?
Balance is key. Highlight both your research and clinical experiences, emphasizing how they’ve influenced your decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Showcase how these experiences complement each other.
How can I make my personal statement stand out?
Focus on your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. Avoid generic statements and clichés. Show a deep understanding of the program’s strengths and align your goals with them.
Vasuki Ram, senior writer and the founder of SOP Consultants is a B-tech Graduate who used to work in an MNC. Starting from 2013, she along with her team has assisted more than 10,000 students. Shift in her career was drastic. Read full story here.
- Chandigarh Patiala Amritsar
- Jammu & Kashmir
- SOP for MBA
- SOP for Law Internship
- SOP for Tourism
- SOP for Social Work
- SOP for Graduate School
- SOP for Phd
- SOP for Engineering
- SOP for Scholarship
- SOP for Computer Science
- +91 9946991401
- Terms and Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Refund Policy
© Copyright 2024 SOP Consultants | Designed by NS
© Copyright 2023 SOP Consultants | Designed by NS
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Example: UNC-CH Personal Statement Prompt § On a separate page, write a personal statement that includes the following: • a. Description of any work experience relevant to psychology and research (bibliographic, laboratory or other) that you may have done (or are doing) either as part of employment or to complete your present program.
This personal statement is unrated. My initial decision to major in psychology was rationalised with the idea that I could use my degree to help people. Everyone struggles at one point in their lives and being able to help someone is a great opportunity. Furthermore, studying psychology provided something for me that the other subjects didn't ...
Insider's guide to graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology: Revised 2016/2017 edition. New York: Guilford. About the author. Thomas P. Hogan, PhD, is professor of psychology and distinguished university fellow at the University of Scranton, where he served as dean of the graduate school and director of research for ten years. He ...
How to write a psychology personal statement. Here are some steps to help you write your personal statement: 1. Read the instructions thoroughly. The first step to writing an effective personal statement is to know what your audience expects from your essay. Take time to read the essay instructions for all the institutions for which you plan to ...
The Personal Statement. Most graduate schools require a personal statement as part of your application. This statement is centered around your interest in psychology, your personal background, the reasons you are applying to that particular graduate program, and your career and personal objectives. Although a well-written statement will not ...
By the time I graduate, I will have presented a total of five papers on a variety of topics at undergraduate research conferences. My experience with the first study, an examination of mood effects on time perception, led to other research endeavors on topics including student evaluation of faculty, academic integrity, and comparisons of ...
Personal Statement: An Outline to Get You Started Merry J. Sleigh, PhD Winthrop University (SC) One of the biggest challenges when applying to graduate school is writing the personal statement, particularly given that the personal statement is one of the most important criteria for graduate admission (Norcross, Kohout, & Wicherski, 2006).
and engage in the research process, and I believe the clinical psychology program at the University of California, Los Angeles is the ideal place for me to receive my graduate training. The program is an excellent fit for me as it emphasizes the importance of research. I am particularly interested in working with Dr. Steve Lee.
A written statement reflecting a commitment to psychology and plans after completion of studies. Describe your interest areas in clinical psychology and your career plans. Describe your strengths and weaknesses for graduate study, and your need for financial support. Keep in mind: Spelling and grammar count!
A Sample Personal Statement. This personal statement was written by a student applying to a clinical Psychology program. The author of this personal statement was accepted into Purdue's doctoral program in clinical Psychology. I became initially interested in Psychology when I was helping a friend who was having problems at home and was ...
10. Consider how your work can contribute to the department, university, and wider society. Our final tip for writing an excellent PhD personal statement for Psychology is to consider how your work will contribute - not only to the specific department and university you are applying for, but also to wider society.
Personal Statement Obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology will not only provide me with more specific knowledge and research opportunities at the graduate level, but it will serve as a foundation for a career in the field of psychology. An academic career would allow me to continue life long
A Personal Statement is a professional essay that outlines your interest for the field, relevant experiences, career goals, and fit to the program and or faculty member in which you are applying. Psychology and Psychological Sciences majors apply for a myriad of applied-masters, doctoral, and professional programs.
Customize each personal statement to the program or school you are applying. Elaborate on how that particular program can assist you in reaching your goals. During revisions, pay attention to the strength and dynamism of your opening paragraph. Your goal is to hook the readers and give them the desire to keep reading.
The personal statement helps us evaluate the fit between your interests and skills and the Penn Psychology program. It should describe why you want to pursue a PhD in Psychology, why Penn is the right place for you to do it, what sorts of skills and experiences make you qualified to pursue a PhD in a research-intensive Psychology program like ...
Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene. An effective way to catch the reader's attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you're stuck, try thinking about: A personal experience that changed your perspective. A story from your family's history.
Follow me at on Insta at philsguidetopsyd https://www.instagram.com/philsguidetopsyd/Other Videos to Check OutHow to pick a research topic in grad school: ht...
When applying to graduate schools, you will be expected to write a statement of purpose, commonly called a personal statement, or personal essay. This is a very important part of the application process, and it is your one opportunity to showcase your best qualities and achievements. Graduate committees from the colleges and universities that you apply to will review this document to help in ...
Programs may have you write a single statement or multiple statements (e.g., Personal Statement plus a Diversity Statement). Writing a good statement is one of the hardest parts of applying to counseling or clinical psychology graduate programs.
Example 1. "As a recent graduate from an undergraduate psychology program, I am passionate about furthering my education in clinical psychology. I have participated in a variety of research projects that have given me insight into this field. This includes one project on mental health disparities among minority populations.
Stick to summarizing your research/coursework experience in 3-4 sentences and culminate in a sentence or two about why you want to go into clinical psychology and why that program specifically. Then delve into your clinical/research experience in a bit more detail, and continue into your research interests, who you'd like to work with, and why.
KM 754e-20180919092539. Sample Persmcd Major Code: SCP Personal Statement— My academic goal is to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the field of psychology. I am the first person in my family to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Achieving my academic goal will also make me the first person in my family to receive a graduate degree.
Thirdly, gather all the details you need to start writing the statement. Fourthly, use a friendly tone of voice with optimism and confident. Fifthly, explain what makes you suitable for the course and the college. Lastly, ensure that you talk about your career goals and aspirations.