Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples: Psychology
Why Strong Personal Statements are so Important for Graduate School
In your psychology graduate degree application, the personal statement is crucial. It showcases your academic achievements, personal journey, career goals, and why you’re a great fit for the program. This is your chance to move beyond mere statistics—GPA, test scores, work experience—and tell your unique story. Crafting a compelling personal statement requires insight, precision, and guidance. However, finding quality personal statement for graduate school examples can be challenging. Magoosh is committed to supporting graduate applications with detailed analyses, specific feedback, and comprehensive support throughout the admissions process.
Spotlight on Successful Psychology Personal Statements
We’re excited to showcase two standout personal statement for graduate school examples covering two different psychology tracks. The first, used to apply to Columbia University, explores the therapeutic power of storytelling in the aftermath of trauma and the writer’s dedication to studying the pathways from traumatic experiences to psychopathology. This essay seamlessly weaves together the applicant’s academic pursuits and professional experiences, underlining a deep-seated commitment to understanding and fostering resilience and growth post-trauma.
Second, written for UC Berkeley, takes us on a captivating journey—from volunteering in Haiti to navigating the urban complexity of New York, and finally, to a meaningful role in tutoring across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This narrative eloquently captures the author’s evolving insight into the significant role counseling plays in psychological well-being and the drive to effect change within the psychology field.
Examples with Expert Annotated Feedback
Our feedback on each personal statement highlights strengths, suggests improvements, and offers strategic advice to boost the essay’s impact and emotional appeal. This feedback reflects our thorough grasp of the admissions process and our dedication to helping candidates refine their narratives.
Now explore our personal statements and expert commentary for inspiration on your application narratives. Whether starting your essay or finalizing it, our resources, expertise, and support guide you through the admissions journey.
Finally, our aim is to help you create a personal statement that surpasses admissions expectations, compellingly showcasing your unique story. Explore our blog for further tips, inspirational success stories, and expert advice , and move forward in your graduate school journey with confidence. Our platform is your ally in turning your graduate school aspirations into achievements.
View all posts
More from Magoosh
Leave a Comment
Please leave any questions or suggestions in the comments, we try our best to respond within a few days! Your email address will not be published.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
How to Create your Personal Statement for Psychology
Sponsored school(s).
Odds are, if you are at the stage of writing a personal statement, then you are more than likely preparing applications for graduate schools in psychology. Below find out what it is, why you need one, and get some pointers on crafting a personal statement that will put your best foot forward with the admissions committees.
What is a Personal Statement?
Commonly referred to as a “statement of purpose”, and by some as an “application essay”, a personal statement is your opportunity to introduce and sell yourself to a desired graduate program or college . In most cases, the personal statement can serve as the defining factor that allows students to stand out in a pool of applicants with equally high GPAs and test scores. Plus, a stellar statement of purpose could also help the applications of students who have unfavorable scores and grades.
Before You Begin…
Consider the type of personal statement required of you:.
Personal statements can range from a few paragraphs to several one-page essays that address different topics. They will vary widely between programs and schools, which means that you might craft quite a few of these application essays if you seek admission into various programs.
The objective of these statements all share a common thread: for the graduate committee to get a clear understanding of your career and academic aspirations as well as a sample of your writing abilities (a skill of utmost importance for comprehensive graduate study).
If Topics Are Chosen By You
The specific expectations of a statement of purpose might vary. Some schools might leave the direction and objective of the essay up to the applicant. In cases, you have the freedom to choose what you write about although, as a rule of thumb, essays should take on a professional/ academic focus rather than be personal or autobiographical. Don’t confuse personal statement with a long essay about your life growing up.
Instead, demonstrate your best attributes by outlining your fit, interests, previous experiences, servant leadership, research and courses you have taken that affirmed your dedication to the field of study. If you were not given specific questions, then be sure to touch bases with all of these that are relevant to your background in a logical and consistent manner.
If Topics Are Chosen By the Program
Other schools may provide you with a list of specific questions to answer pertaining to your career objectives and how obtaining an education with the particular program may advance you towards your goals.
Examples of specific topics outlined by graduate schools in psychology include:
Explain any previous work experience or teaching experiences you have in the field of psychology and why those experiences make you a strong candidate for our program.
Explain your long-term career goals.
Why do you think this program is a good fit for you?
How do you think this program can help you further your career objectives?
How has your previous education prepared you to take on study at the graduate or professional level?
What experience do you have conducting research? Rate your interest in conducting research.
What practitioners, researchers, or authors in the field of psychology have influenced your interest in this area of study?
Reflect on these questions or topic areas for a while before starting the writing process. Review your resume for direction about skills, experiences, or even lack of experience that you’ll want to identify and elaborate on in your paper. Write a list of attributes that you think describe you and consider how they are relevant to your interest in pursuing higher education.
During and After Writing…
Express your motivation.
When developing a statement of purpose for graduate schools in psychology, you will want to write at length about your particular interests, motivation, and passion for the field of study. Consider what experiences or traits you have that make you a better candidate than the hundreds of other applicants vying to gain admission.
Back up your expression of motivation with hard facts. The admissions committee wants a well-rounded candidate with a number of professional experiences that have helped clarify their ability to handle graduate study. Simply going on and on about how bad you want to be in the program with no relevant experiences that support that claim may not win you any favor.
Be Honest and Clear
When preparing a document that is virtually serving as a personal advertisement, you will write at length about the skills you possess that strengthen your application: academic curiosity, flexibility, maturity, persistence, and professionalism among others. When elaborating on your strengths, be sure to do so with respect to their relevance and importance. Do not go on about a characteristic that could be considered minor or irrelevant.
Also, be mindful of stating your goals and interests clearly and honestly. If you are not interested in a particular area, then leave out that information. Do not express an interest or ability that you do not have. It’s significant to discuss your weaknesses as well. If you have low test scores or a less-than-spectacular GPA, point that out in advance. Explain, if appropriate, why these aspects of your application are weak and follow up with a plan to rectify those aspects if you are accepted into graduate school.
Summary Points to Remember
- At this point, you can’t change your college or graduate school entrance test scores or your grade point average. You can, however, make a significant impact during the applications process by developing a well-written statement of purpose.
- Avoid writing at length about your personal history. Stick to the qualities and experiences that are relevant to your growth and abilities in the field of psychology.
- Answer all questions from the application and be sure to meet the page or word count requirements.
- Be sure to clearly and honestly relate your experiences and interests, also taking time to point out both strengths and weaknesses. Share how you plan to overcome those weaknesses or use them to your advantage.
- Ask someone else to look over your statement of purpose–an advisor or professor in your department–who can give you straightforward feedback on its content.
- 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.
Featured Faculty
Interview: dr. anna pecoraro, institute for the psychological sciences.
Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist Dr. Anna Pecoraro, the Director of the Masters of Science in Psychology (MSP) Progr...
- Before You Apply
- General Info
- Taking the GRE
- Recommendation Letters
- Building a Resume
- Financing Graduate School
- Choosing A Program
- Online Programs
- Finding a Good Match
- Campus Schools by State
- Doctorate/PhD Programs
- No-GRE Programs
- Undergraduate Advice
- Accreditation
- Transitioning
- Ph.D. Programs
- Best Paying Careers
Explore Careers
Search and compare 200+ Psychology Career choices along with detailed salary reports from Indeed.com, CareerBuilder, and SimplyHired
About This Site
We are an open forum for articles, manuscripts, unpublished thesis, and letters as well as a guide for job, career and program advice from like-minded Graduates. We are seeking submissions that will be of interest to the community.
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
- Future Students
- Parents/Families
- Alumni/Friends
- Current Students
- Faculty/Staff
- MyOHIO Student Center
- Visit Athens Campus
- Regional Campuses
- OHIO Online
- Faculty/Staff Directory
College of Arts and Sciences
- Awards & Accomplishments
- Communications
- Mission and Vision
- News and Events
- Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
- A&S Support Team
- Faculty Affairs
- Human Resources
- Promotion & Tenure
- Centers & Institutes
- Faculty Labs
- Undergraduate Research
- Environmental Majors
- Pre-Law Majors
- Pre-Med, Pre-Health Majors
- Find an Internship. Get a Job.
- Honors Programs & Pathways
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities
- Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs
- Online Degrees & Certificates
- Ph.D. Programs
- Master's Degrees
- Certificates
- Graduate Forms
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Departments
- Alumni Awards
- Giving Opportunities
- Dean's Office
- Department Chairs & Contacts
- Faculty Directory
- Staff Directory
- Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs Directory
Helpful Links
Navigate OHIO
Connect With Us
Writing Your Personal Statement for Graduate School
Structure and organization.
Why do you need structure? Many students write personal statements for graduate school applications that are fascinating but incomprehensible to the reader and as a result, they may be rejected. Thus, the structure and organization of your essay is a crucial component to your personal statement. With a well-structured essay, the reader will not only be interested in the content of your essay but also will know that you have the capacity to create a legible essay.
Introduction
- The introduction is the most important part of the essay, especially the first sentence. The first sentence can say a lot about the content and format of your essay.
- Keep the reader interested by making them continue to read your essay after reading the first paragraph.
- The first sentence should be unique and compelling, possibly thought provoking or attention-grabbing.
- First sentences may explain your desire to study the subject of interest or discuss the motivation that influenced your desire to study the subject of interest. State it in a creative manner.
- The sentences following the first sentence should provide a brief explanation that supports the claim stated in the first sentence.
- The body should include several paragraphs (usually about three) that provides detailed evidence to support the statement made in the introductory paragraph. The paragraphs should flow by using transitions and resolutions.
- Each paragraph should have a transition, which starts each paragraph with a topic statement that will be the theme of that paragraph (See more on transitions and resolutions below).
- Each paragraph should have a resolution, which ends each paragraph with a meaningful sentence that provides a transition to the next paragraph (See more on transitions and resolutions below).
- Experiences, accomplishments, or any other evidence that can support your claims should be included in the body. Future Goals should also be mentioned in the body.
- A short summary of your educational background can be discussed in the first paragraph.
- Personal experiences and the reasons for wanting to attend the school can be discussed in the second paragraph.
- Do not repeat what was stated in the application.
- The last paragraph should explain why you should be accepted.
- The conclusion is the last paragraph of the personal statement.
- State why you are interested in studying the subject of interest.
- State the key points mentioned in the body, such as your experiences or accomplishments that explain your interest in the subject. State it in a conclusive and brief manner.
- End on a positive note with one or two attention-grabbing sentences.
It is crucial that your paragraphs have transitions and resolutions. Transitions start a paragraph by providing a statement that suggests the theme for that paragraph. This allows the reader to be aware of the direction the essay is heading in. Transitions connect paragraphs to other paragraphs (usually preceding paragraphs), which causes the essay to flow smoothly. Resolutions, on the other hand, are statements that end paragraphs and allow for transition to the next paragraph. The resolution should not be a general statement but rather a meaningful one that connects facts included in the current paragraph. Both transitions and resolutions are beneficial in terms of making your essay clear and understandable.
Your essay should include enough detail, be personal, and specific. The purpose of a personal statement is to show the admission committee what makes you unique and different from other applicants. Your job is to display your distinct personality and provide evidence that confirms your passion and desire for the subject and the school. However, even if you can write an interesting and compelling essay, the structure and organization may not be appropriate. Therefore, it is necessary that you follow the proper structure of an essay and allow all your paragraphs to flow smoothly. The structure and organization of your personal statement will not only make your essay more comprehensible and fascinating but it will also increase your chances of being accepted
Source: Tara Kuther, Ph.D.
Adapted from: " Your guide the graduate school "
- Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
- Contact & Directions
- Climate Statement
- Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Adjunct Faculty
- Non-Senate Instructors
- Researchers
- Psychology Grads
- Affiliated Grads
- New and Prospective Students
- Honors Program
- Experiential Learning
- Programs & Events
- Psi Chi / Psychology Club
- Prospective PhD Students
- Current PhD Students
- Area Brown Bags
- Colloquium Series
- Anderson Distinguished Lecture Series
- Speaker Videos
- Undergraduate Program
- Graduate School Resources
Applying to Graduate Programs
- Writing Statements of Purpose and Other Application Essays
As noted in the application qualifications and admissions criteria section of this website, the statement of purpose (in other words, the primary application essay; sometimes also called personal statement , background statement , and other names) can play a major role in determining whether an applicant is invited to interview and in final selection decisions. Specifically, the statement can be used to assess the applicant’s fit with the program, match with faculty members, writing ability, and more. Thus, spending the time to craft a well-written statement of purpose or other types of application essays is necessary in order for your application to have a chance of succeeding. To help with this process, here we provide an overview of the process of writing such statements and other application essays.
Types of Statements of Purpose and Other Application Essays
Depending on the program, you may be required to provide a statement of purpose , application essay , autobiographical essay , personal statement , career goal statement, background statement , or other similarly named piece of writing. Each of these commonly is your opportunity to provide information about yourself beyond that communicated in the rest of your application materials. You may also be asked to provide supplementary essays such as a diversity statement.
Typically, graduate applications provide an essay prompt which includes specific questions or themes that you should address in the essay. Common themes include: 1,2
- Your long-term career plans
- Your research interests or areas of interest in psychology
- Your reasons for choosing the program that you are applying to
- Your prior research experiences
- Your academic background or objectives
- Your motivation for pursuing your field of study
It is common for programs to specify how the essay should be formatted, or at a minimum, its maximum length. For instance, an application essay may be stated to be “no longer than 2 double-spaced pages” or no more than 500 words. It is important to follow all directions and not exceed that limit.
Using the same exact essay for each application is not advised . 1,3 Each program typically has specific information that they are seeking, and if you do not directly address those details in your essay, your application will suffer. You may be able to reuse different parts of your application essays, but you should expect to have to write new material for each application.
Are there example statements of purpose that I should examine? A variety of online sources do contain example statements, and you can find links to example statements at the bottom of this page. However, application essays in general are unique to each individual – each person has a different set of experiences and different aspects that they may wish to emphasize. Moreover, writing an application essay that resembles someone else’s can result in that essay appearing derivative – and given the highly competitive application process, that is something you should avoid. Thus, examples are for reference only.
How to Write a Statement of Purpose and Other Application Essays
When writing an application essay, it can be helpful to rely on the following steps. Please note that these procedures represent a common approach for writing application essays; you may wish to adapt some of the steps, or use/add others, for best results. 1,3
1. Brainstorming/clustering
At this first stage, jot down your thoughts as you think of answers to the essay prompt. Try to think of themes that you wish to emphasize, as well as concrete examples that you may wish to describe in the essay. You can organize them into clusters (for example, write ideas in circles and draw connecting lines). Remember that the overall goal of the essay is to convince the admissions committee that you are an attractive candidate and a good fit for their program.
2. Outlining
This is an optional step. Take your brainstorming/clustering notes and organize them into an outline of how the essay will be structured. You might have a chronological structure that begins with your earlier experiences and advances towards your more recent activities. Alternatively, you may organize your essay around themes (for example, research topics). A common outline involves an opening paragraph, then discussion of academic accomplishments, research experience, other experiences, future plans and suitability for the program of interest, and a concluding paragraph. 4
3. Freewriting/initial draft
Often one of the biggest hurdles is just getting words on the page. The key here is to not worry about having your words sound perfectly the first time around. Try drafting several sentences, a paragraph or two, and see whether your thoughts translate well into prose. It is common at this stage to discard whole sections of text in favor of new material. At this conclusion of this process, you should aim to have a completed first draft.
4. Revising
It is easy to get burned out on writing, so after you have completed that first draft, set it aside for a while. Then, return with fresh eyes and read through it carefully. You are likely to find areas that need improvement – be sure to take notes or highlight them. It can help to read the essay out loud; a general rule is that if it sounds unusual when spoken aloud, it should be rewritten. Then, revise the essay.
5. Solicit feedback
Have another individual or individuals read your essays critically and provide feedback. Your mentor can be an ideal person to provide that feedback; alternatively, you might try a university writing center or your peers.
6. Revise and finalize your essay
Using the feedback and your own thoughts while reading the essay, edit it further until it is a polished product. Be sure to proofread, check formatting, and make sure that all aspects of the essay prompt are clearly and thoroughly addressed.
Statement of Purpose Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some recommended elements to include, strategies to try, and recommended elements or strategies to avoid. 1,3
- Do emphasize your individual strengths
- Do customize each statement to the program that you are submitting it to
- Do provide specific examples of relevant experiences (such as research, coursework, etc.)
- Do thoroughly address all aspects of the essay prompt
- Do use clear topic sentences, connective words or phrases, and paragraph transitions (for more information, please see the improving scientific writing section of this website)
- Do consider emphasizing your fit to the program that you are applying to
- Do consider discussing faculty mentors of interest
Dont’s
- Don’t use jokes, humor, or try to be funny
- Don’t excessively self-disclose personal problems
- Don’t be very general or vague in your research interests
- Don’t include complaints and criticisms
- Don’t use clichés such as “since my childhood I have always been interested in” or “I just want to help everyone”, unless you can genuinely and convincingly use them
Financial Aid, Fellowships, and Scholarship Application Essays
As you complete your graduate applications, you might also consider applying for financial aid or some sort of graduate research fellowship such as the Ford Foundation Fellowship or the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship . Such fellowships typically require a background statement that is similar in some aspects to the statement of purpose.
Workshops and Downloadable Resources
- For in-person discussion of the process of applying to graduate programs in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, please consider attending this department’s “Paths to PhDs” workshop and other related events (for dates and times, please check the undergraduate workshops calendar).
- Tips for Applying to Graduate Programs in Psychology (a brief summary) [ PDF ]
Further Resources
How-To Videos
- Applying to Grad School Videos
Recommended Reading
- American Psychological Association (2007). Getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
- Keith-Spiegel, P., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). The complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
- Slideshow guide to writing winning statements of purpose from UCLA
- Guide to writing statements of purpose from Purdue Online Writing Lab
- Tips for writing the statement of purpose from UC Berkeley
- 10 tips for writing statements of purpose from USC
- 11 tips for writing powerful statements of purpose from CrunchPrep.com
- Choosing a graduate program from the Association for Psychological Science
- Smart shopping for psychology doctoral programs [PDF]
APA Videos on Graduate Applications
- Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [12-part video series]
- Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [video slides in PDF format]
- UCSD Graduate Division Statement of Purpose Prompt
- UCSD Career Center Graduate Application Process
- UCSD OASIS Language and Writing Program
- UCSD Writing Programs and Resources
- UCSD Muir College Writing Hub
- UCSD Writing Hub
1 American Psychological Association (2007). Getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology .
2 norcross, j. c., & hogan, t. p. (2016). preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology: 12 modules. american psychological association [video workshop]., 3 keith-spiegel, p., & wiederman, m. w. (2000). the complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions . psychology press., 4 rutgers university camden college of arts and sciences. writing a personal statement ., prepared by s. c. pan for ucsd psychology, graphic adapted with permission from leoncastro under creative commons attribution-share alike 4.0 international license..
- Finding and Choosing Graduate Programs of Interest
- Timelines for the Graduate Application Process
- Applicant Qualifications, Admissions Criteria, and Acceptance Rates
- Requesting Letters of Recommendation
- Preparing for the Graduate Record Examination
- Graduate Admissions Interviews
- Applying to Clinical Psychology Programs
- Applying to Medical School and Professional Health Programs
- Accepting Graduate Admissions Offers
Clearing Universities & Courses
Clearing advice.
Recommended Clearing Universities
Popular Course Categories
Course Search & Discover
Start the search for your uni. Filter from hundreds of universities based on your preferences.
Search by Type
Search by region.
Recommended Universities
Northeastern University - London
London (Greater) · 100% Recommended
The University of Law
London (Greater) · 92% Recommended
University of Surrey
South East England · 98% Recommended
Search Open Days
What's new at Uni Compare
Bangor University
Boost your employability with a Computer Science degree!
University of Sussex
Choose Sussex for cutting-edge degrees in Finance, Banking, and Digital Finance.
Ranking Categories
Regional rankings.
More Rankings
Top 100 Universities
Taken from 65,000+ data points from students attending university to help future generations
About our Rankings
Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.
Guide Categories
Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, not sure what to search for, take our quick degree quiz.
Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!
Take our full degree quiz
Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.
PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES Psychology personal statements
Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto psychology and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.
Study Psychology at a BPS accredited Uni
Discover the wide world of Psychology, from human development to influences like biology and socialisation at Bangor.
Calling all curious minds! Delve into the depths of human behaviour at Swansea.
Get expert scientific training and unlock the secrets of the mind with Swansea's Psychology degrees. Explore their wide range of degrees and discover how you can tailor your studies to your interests.
Psychology Personal Statements
Submitted by anonymous
Psychology and Philosophy Personal Statement
For centuries humanity has pondered the definitions of truth and fals...
Psychology Personal Statement
While growing up, an individual experiences countless differing field...
My first experience in the field of psychology was in year 9, I was a...
My desire for wanting to pursue psychology in higher education not on...
Psychology influences our everyday decisions and moulds us into who w...
Criminology and Psychology Personal Statement
Little interests me more than trying to unwind the endless enigma of ...
“What was life without connection?” Oliver Sacks is highlighting that...
A few years ago, I watched as one of my best friend battled with anor...
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think” (Margaret M...
Submitted by Gianna
Freud’s Psychosexual Stages and the correlation between childhood act...
Submitted by Karolina
Paul Valery stated' The purpose of psychology is to give us a complet...
Submitted by Bethany
BSc Psychology Personal Statement
My decision to study psychology was not a difficult one. It is someth...
Submitted by Maisie Glover
Psychology with Criminology Personal Statement
Psychologist Phillip Zimbardo is quoted to have said “I have been pri...
Submitted by Antoinette
Every few minutes since the age of 9 I have put on hand cream. It was...
Submitted by Suri
Psychology with Business Personal Statement
Psychology's wide applications to everyday life, such as how psycholo...
Submitted by Cindy
Psychology with Foundation Year Personal Statement
“It is not primarily our physical selves that limit us but rather our...
Submitted by Caroline
Psychology and Neuroscience Personal Statement
Purpose for learning is a key difference between animal and human bra...
Submitted by Chloe
The dynamics of psychology affect our everyday lives and behaviour wh...
Submitted by Jenny
Psychology has drawn me in since I began studying it at GCSE. For me,...
Submitted by Lauren
The mind has a daily impact on our lives; influencing every decision,...
Submitted by Keren
Psychology with Forensic Psychology Personal Statement
Psychology has been part of my life indirectly for many years, from t...
Submitted by Sasha
During the holidays of 2016, I took part in some scientific based wor...
Psychotherapy and Counselling: Practices and Principles Personal Statement
I have always desired to understand feelings, behaviour and the human...
Recommended Course
undergraduate Universities
Undergraduate uni's.
Northeastern Uni
114 courses
Uni of Surrey
750 courses
Uni of East London
575 courses
Uni for Creative Arts
672 courses
Leeds Beckett Uni
454 courses
467 courses
Uni of Sunderland
340 courses
886 courses
Uni of Chester
645 courses
Heriot-Watt Uni
334 courses
Uni of Westminster
503 courses
Uni of Winchester
259 courses
Uni of Roehampton
468 courses
548 courses
Staffordshire Uni
472 courses
Uni of Bradford
390 courses
Cardiff Met Uni
501 courses
Middlesex Uni
634 courses
West London IoT
Uni of Portsmouth
761 courses
Uni of Leicester
432 courses
Uni of Hertfordshire
584 courses
Wrexham Uni
289 courses
Ravensbourne
103 courses
Kingston Uni
617 courses
Swansea Uni
1319 courses
Goldsmiths, UOL
344 courses
Uni of Suffolk
186 courses
Escape Studios
Uni of Reading
685 courses
Coventry Uni
480 courses
Uni of Bedfordshire
656 courses
Queen's Uni
635 courses
Uni of Kent
580 courses
UWE, Bristol
497 courses
Uni of Huddersfield
668 courses
Leeds Arts University
Uni of Essex
1400 courses
Uni of C.Lancashire
798 courses
709 courses
Anglia Ruskin Uni
808 courses
Uni of Brighton
407 courses
Bath Spa Uni
520 courses
Edge Hill Uni
383 courses
Uni of Hull
498 courses
ARU Writtle
104 courses
Nottingham Trent
912 courses
FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU
Degree Course Quiz
Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.
Find the latest from Uni Compare
University of Law
Ranked Top 20 amongst English universities in the 2023 National Student Survey!
Cardiff Metropolitan Uni
Ranked as the most sustainable university in Wales (P&P Uni League 2023/24)
- 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
- Mature Student Personal Statements
- Personal Statements By University
- Accountancy and Finance Personal Statements
- Actuarial Science Personal Statements
- American Studies Personal Statements
- Anthropology Personal Statements
- Archaeology Personal Statements
- Architecture Personal Statements
- Art and Design Personal Statements
- Biochemistry Personal Statements
- Bioengineering Personal Statements
- Biology Personal Statements
- Biomedical Science Personal Statements
- Biotechnology Personal Statements
- Business Management Personal Statement Examples
- Business Personal Statements
- Catering and Food Personal Statements
- Chemistry Personal Statements
- Classics Personal Statements
- Computer Science Personal Statements
- Computing and IT Personal Statements
- Criminology Personal Statements
- Dance Personal Statements
- Dentistry Personal Statements
- Design Personal Statements
- Dietetics Personal Statements
- Drama Personal Statements
- Economics Personal Statement Examples
- Education Personal Statements
- Engineering Personal Statement Examples
- English Personal Statements
- Environment Personal Statements
- Environmental Science Personal Statements
- Event Management Personal Statements
- Fashion Personal Statements
- Film Personal Statements
- Finance Personal Statements
- Forensic Science Personal Statements
- Geography Personal Statements
- Geology Personal Statements
- Health Sciences Personal Statements
- History Personal Statements
- History of Art Personal Statements
- Hotel Management Personal Statements
- International Relations Personal Statements
- International Studies Personal Statements
- Islamic Studies Personal Statements
- Japanese Studies Personal Statements
- Journalism Personal Statements
- Land Economy Personal Statements
- Languages Personal Statements
- Law Personal Statement Examples
- Linguistics Personal Statements
- Management Personal Statements
- Marketing Personal Statements
- Mathematics Personal Statements
- Media Personal Statements
- Medicine Personal Statement Examples
- Midwifery Personal Statements
- Music Personal Statements
- Music Technology Personal Statements
- Natural Sciences Personal Statements
- Neuroscience Personal Statements
- Nursing Personal Statements
- Occupational Therapy Personal Statements
- Osteopathy Personal Statements
- Oxbridge Personal Statements
- Pharmacy Personal Statements
- Philosophy Personal Statements
- Photography Personal Statements
- Physics Personal Statements
- Physiology Personal Statements
- Physiotherapy Personal Statements
- Politics Personal Statements
Psychology Personal Statement Examples
- Radiography Personal Statements
- Religious Studies Personal Statements
- Social Work Personal Statements
- Sociology Personal Statements
- Sports & Leisure Personal Statements
- Sports Science Personal Statements
- Surveying Personal Statements
- Teacher Training Personal Statements
- Theology Personal Statements
- Travel and Tourism Personal Statements
- Urban Planning Personal Statements
- Veterinary Science Personal Statements
- Zoology Personal Statements
- Personal Statement Editing Service
- Personal Statement Writing Guide
- Submit Your Personal Statement
- Personal Statement Questions 2025
- Personal Statement Changes 2024
Our psychology UCAS personal statement examples below will inspire you to write your own unique statement, and help you understand how students have successfully applied for a psychology degree in the past.
What else can I find on this page?
What is a psychology personal statement?
How do i write a psychology personal statement, what should i include in my psychology personal statement.
- How do I write my psychology personal statement introduction?
How do I write the conclusion for my psychology personal statement?
What can i do with a psychology degree.
- What are the best UK universities for psychology?
A psychology personal statement is a creative piece of writing that demonstrates your skills, experience and hobbies/extracurricular activities and how they relate to a degree in psychology.
Psychology has always been a popular and therefore competitive subject, so you need to make sure your statement stands out from the crowd and is as polished as you can make it.
At Studential, we always recommend students start by making a series of notes about themselves, which they can then use to put together a coherent personal statement. These should include:
- Specific aspects of the course that interest you
- Examples of coursework or projects you have completed
- Books, articles, etc. you have read related to the subject area
- Work experience or voluntary work in this area
- Conferences you have attended
- Personal experiences that sparked your interest in this subject
- What you hope to do once you have completed your degree in terms of your career
- Experiences that show you are a reliable and responsible person, e.g. part-time job, small business enterprise, community and/or charity work, sixth form committee, helping out at school events, etc.
You also need to think about your interests and skills, such as hobbies, other languages you speak, etc. as well as your plans for a gap year (if you're planning on taking one).
Once you have written all these down, you think about your opening paragraph, and begin to get something down. It's a good idea to allocate at least one paragraph to each bullet point to make sure you've covered everything.
When you have your first draft in place, you can revise it and ask your family, friends and tutors for help. Incorporate any feedback, comments and suggestions they offer, and see if they improve your statement.
Keep redrafting until you feel it's as polished as possible - remember, you'll be facing some stiff competition!
- The main aim of your personal statement is to show the admissions tutors why they should pick you to attend their course and university.
- Look at the course content and link it to your personal qualities, future goals and achievements. For example, you might have done some work shadowing at a counselling clinic or peer mentoring at your school or college.
- If you're applying for a joint honours, make sure you cover both subjects in the course.
- For those applying for a postgraduate course, draw attention to any clinical work experience you've completed to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the subject.
- Read our psychology personal statement examples above for inspiration on how to make yours a success (please don't plagiarise them!).
- Remember to avoid using cliches, over-used words or phrases, humour, jokes, or taking any political or religious viewpoints.
- Structure it with a clear introduction, middle and end. You only have 4,000 characters to sell yourself, so try to make every word count!
For more help and advice on what to write in your psychology 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.
How do I write a psychology personal statement introduction?
We recommend starting your psychology personal statement with either a story about how you came to be interested in the subject, or picking one or two aspects that you particularly enjoy and why you find them interesting. For example, the following applicant has chosen to talk about their childhood, and the consequences of their behaviour:
"Psychology encapsulates every aspect of our lives. From childhood, the reasons behind why we do what we do has fascinated me; and when I was disciplined for the type of mischief that one commits at a young age, my reasoning for my actions were always “To see what would happen.”
My parents mistook this as an act of mindless disobedience whereas it was in fact my first attempt at social psychology. Then, as I further discovered the leading figures in psychology, my knowledge and love of the intricacies of the human and animal mind grew."
These introductory paragraphs explain why the candidate is keen to pursue a course in psychology at university, while at the same time relating an engaging anecdote from their past, which helps to draw the reader in and make them want to read on further.
Another applicant who has submitted their statement to Studential has decided to talk about their Uncle, who has Asperger's Syndrome, and how they wondered why he was so different from everyone else:
"It was the odd behavioural traits displayed by my uncle, who has Asperger’s syndrome that first generated from a young age my questioning about why he acted so ‘differently’ to the rest of us.
This was part of what led to my interest of studying psychology, as it made me question how and why humans are so disparate from one another, and what part the brain plays in running our everyday lives."
Again, this provides an interesting hook for the reader, while demonstrating why they want to study psychology at a higher level.
These two examples should give you a good idea of how you might go about writing your own unique introduction to your psychology statement, but if you feel you need further inspiration, take a look at our list of over 100 psychology personal statement examples for more ideas.
To round off your personal statement, we suggest a paragraph or two about your extracurricular activies and hobbies, and how they have helped you to develop skills that will aid you with your psychology course at university. You may also wish to include a short sentence or two about your future ambitions or career plans, and how a degree in psychology will help you achieve these.
For example, this applicant has chosen to conclude their statement by talking about their current work experience and how it has improved their communication skills, along with their desire to complete a PhD once they've finished their undergraduate degree:
"I currently help people who struggle with language barriers by being a Spanish interpreter in different fields. Observing people from different age and cultural groups gave me first-hand experience considering the effects of stress due to the inability to communicate. This has, in addition to improving my communication skills, taught me how to deal with people from different social groups. I believe these interpersonal skills are valuable in the world of psychological research, in order to build rapport with participants in certain contexts. It has also taught me tolerance for others and the ability to remain poised during stressful situations. To culminate, in regards to my future career plans I would like to remain in further education and do a Phd in psychology- a step forward in my desired career as a researcher."
As another example, you can see how a candidate below chooses to talk to about their work experience with elderly people that have dementia, and how they want to improve their knowledge of the brain and their problem-solving skills:
"Subsequently, I did work experience at St Peter's residential care home. During my placement, I worked with nurses and kitchen staff to provide quality service to the elderly. I assisted in serving tea and lunch and also interacted with the elderly during social activities. This helped me to know how to interact with elderly people with dementia and gain a different perspective on elderly people.
I want to study psychology to further develop my knowledge in the scope of the brain, its anatomy and how it works. I want to learn how to work through problems carefully and logically applying scientific principles. Furthermore, I want to expand my awareness in all the different fields involved in the course, so that I can master any situation that I am presented with in my chosen field."
However you decide to conclude your statement, always try to relate it to the course you are applying for, i.e. psychology, and end on a positive, enthusiastic note that will make the admissions tutor want to make you an offer.
For more inspiration on how to write a conclusion, please take a look at our psychology personal statement examples .
For those with a psychology degree, there are many career options available, including:
- Clinical psychologist
- Counselling psychologist
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Further education teacher
- Health psychologist
- High intensity therapist
- Occupational psychologist
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner
- Sport and exercise psychologist
Other career paths where a psychology degree could be useful include:
- Advice worker
- Border Force officer
- UCAS Careers advice
- Chaplain
- Counsellor
- Detective
- Education consultant
- Human resources officer
- Life coach
- Market researcher
- Mediator
- Neuroscientist
- Play therapist
- Policy officer
- Psychotherapist
- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
For more help and advice on psychology careers, please see Prospects and the British Psychological Society .
What are the best universities for psychology?
Currently the best UK universities for studying psychology at are:
For more information about UK university rankings for psychology, please see The Guardian and The Complete University Guide .
Related resources
How to apply for a psychology degree.
Find out more
UCAS Pyschology Guide
Psychologist Careers
Types Of Psychology Degree
Psychology Personal Statement Writing
Advertisement
Who Is the Prosecutor Delivering the Closing Statement in the Trump Trial?
Joshua Steinglass is part of the Manhattan district attorney’s team that includes veteran prosecutors and former white-collar criminal defense lawyers.
- Share full article
By Kate Christobek
- May 28, 2024
Joshua Steinglass, the prosecutor who is delivering the hourslong closing argument in the criminal trial of Donald J. Trump, is an assistant district attorney who has served in the role in Manhattan since 1998.
He is part of an accomplished team compiled by the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, that includes former white-collar criminal defense lawyers and veteran prosecutors who have extensive experience going up against Mr. Trump.
In 2022, Mr. Steinglass helped lead the team that secured a conviction against the Trump Organization for conspiracy, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records. He also delivered the closing statement in that trial.
Mr. Steinglass has more commonly focused on trying significant violent crimes, including a brawl on the Upper East Side that led to the conviction of two Proud Boy extremists in 2019.
Kate Christobek is a reporter covering the civil and criminal cases against former president Donald J. Trump for The Times. More about Kate Christobek
Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial
Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .
Next Steps: The judge in the case set Trump’s sentencing for July 11, and Trump already indicated that he plans to appeal. Here’s what else may happen .
Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country and over the world . Here’s what Trump , voters , New Yorkers , Republicans and the White House had to say.
The Presidential Race : The verdict will test America’s traditions, legal institutions and ability to hold an election under historic partisan tension , reshuffling a race that has been locked in stasis and defined by a polarizing former president.
Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story of election interference and falsified business records.
Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .
Connecting the Dots: As rumors circulated of Trump’s reported infidelity, two accounts of women being paid to stay silent about their encounters became central to his indictment.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Nearly all doctoral programs and many master's degree programs in psychology require submission of a personal statement as part of the application package. In my experience advising students as well as serving as a graduate dean for many years, few things in the application process cause students as much anxiety and prompt so many questions.
In your psychology graduate degree application, the personal statement is crucial. It showcases your academic achievements, personal journey, career goals, and why you're a great fit for the program. This is your chance to move beyond mere statistics—GPA, test scores, work experience—and tell your unique story.
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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 conclusion is the last paragraph of the personal statement. State why you are interested in studying the subject of interest. State the key points mentioned in the body, such as your experiences or accomplishments that explain your interest in the subject. State it in a conclusive and brief manner. End on a positive note with one or two ...
Principles of writing a good personal statement. 1. Tell a story. • Show or demonstrate through concrete experience. • Don't bore the admissions commiOee! • Lively = memorable. • "The passing of my mother and grandmother from breast cancer when I was 15 years old opened my eyes to a new perspecve on life.
• A graduate school applicant who writes that s/he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from oken-repeated or =red statements. Personal Statement Do's • Answer the ques=ons that are asked • Make the introduc=on "pop"
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 ...
The complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions. Psychology Press. 4 Rutgers University Camden College of Arts and Sciences. Writing a personal statement. Prepared by S. C. Pan for UCSD Psychology
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).
This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Psychology. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. The effects of psychological trauma can be diffuse and difficult to treat, with wide-ranging causes and an unfortunate range of symptoms. Having witnessed first-hand the consequences ...
Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School. Your personal statement is your introduction to a university admission committee. The aim of your statement is to communicate that you are intelligent, and literate, and that you have interests and abilities in common with the program in which you are interested.
and the requirements of the graduate school application process, their majors are likely to commit these KODs. For example, an unmentored psychology major may interpret a personal statement at face value by perceiving it as an opportunity to share personal (i.e., private) information with the members of a graduate admissions committee. Unless
Psychology and conduct research in the area of intimate relationships, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of completing my graduate studies at the ... • c. Research interests you wish to pursue in graduate school. § Summarize personal statement . a. Description of Work Experience Relevant to Psychology and Research
The personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability (academic promise), interests, fit, goals, professionalism, motivation, and writing ability. For graduate schools in psychology, demonstrating the ability to express yourself clearly and efficiently is more important than demonstrating your creative writing skills. The faculty
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 ...
currently in a masters program! in my personal statement i discussed my experiences that aren't on my resume/cv - for me this was my brothers negative experience with a school psychologist (denied proper resources / told he'd never succeed / parents had lawsuit against school / enter a good & qualified school psychologist / great success / he now has a masters degree) and my experience of ...
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.
Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto psychology and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement. All Statements Search Psychology Courses
Psychology Personal Statement Example 5. Psychology has been a part of my life indirectly for many years, from something as insignificant as people watching in a cafe to an impromptu counselling session for a friend with emotional trauma. I have had a real desire to work with people for a long time and have always been fascinated with human ...
Personal statement. " Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world". - Nelson Mandela. I have always had a passion for working with people and providing others with the support they may need. For this reason, majoring in psychology was an easy decision. Inspired by my courses in developmental psychology, I ...
Joshua Steinglass, the prosecutor who is delivering the hourslong closing argument in the criminal trial of Donald J. Trump, is an assistant district attorney who has served in the role in ...