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 Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
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.
- Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
- Non-Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
- Oxford PPE 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Economics 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Modern Languages 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge Land Economy 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Psychology 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge English 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Human Sciences 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge History 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Geography 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge Philosophy 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Classics 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge Architecture 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge HSPS Programme 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Biomedical Sciences 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Engineering 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge Natural Science 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Maths 24/25 Entry
- Oxbridge Computer Science 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Physics 24/25 Entry
- Oxford PPL 24/25 Entry
- Cambridge Veterinary Science 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Chemistry 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Biology 24/25 Entry
- Oxford Biochemistry 24/25 Entry
- Non-Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
- Non-Oxbridge Dentistry 24/25 Entry
- IMAT Medicine 24/25 Entry
- Can’t Find Your Subject?
- Law Interview Programme
- PPE Interview Programme
- Economics Interview Programme
- Oxbridge Medicine Interview Programme
- Natural Science Interview Programme
- Engineering Interview Programme
- Maths Interview Programme
- Dentistry Interview Programme
- Medicine MMI Interview Programme
- Our Guarantee
Our Students
Student Success Stories
- University Access Scheme
- New Tutor Application Form
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Does It Work?
Enrol before the 17th May and get 4 hours of A-Level tutoring. Book your consultation here.
Students who enrol on a Programme before the 17th May will get 4 hours of A-Level tutoring as a complimentary addition. Begin by booking your consultation here.
- +44 (0) 208 068 0438
- [email protected]
SCIENCE PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)
HUMANITIES PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)
GET STARTED
Can't find your subject?
OXFORD TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)
CAMBRIDGE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)
MEDICINE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)
View Our Free admissions guides & resources
How UniAdmissions Cracked The Oxbridge Formula
Applying for Oxbridge is an opportunity seldom approached correctly. So how do you enter the top 16% of a strong cohort of applicants that get an offer? Discover how UniAdmissions get 2/3 of our students in.
How To Stay Motivated During Your A-Level Exams
With A-level exam season in full swing, we've put together 6 useful tips and tricks to stay motivated and achieve those expected grades.
Inside The UniAdmissions Portal: The UA Advantage
UniAdmissions students have access to the world's first dedicated Oxbridge admissions preparation platform, and this guide will help you discover exactly how the Portal will help you get your offer.
Discover all guides
ABOUT UNIADMISSIONS
Learn about who the world's first Oxbridge prep school are.
Learn about the Portal; the heart of our Programmes.
UniAdmissions' Foundation
The Foundation is our charitable arm to support disadvantaged students.
Students & Tutors
Discover who a UniAdmissions student is and our admissions criteria.
Learn about our high-performing Oxbridge tutors.
We're proud of our alumni. Read about their journey with UniAdmissions here.
Admissions Resources
Free Admissions Guides
Visit our Learning Centre and read our in-depth free guides.
We are the world's biggest Oxbridge application publisher. Learn more here.
Teachers Learning Hub
Learn about how to help your students get their place at Oxbridge.
Get Started
- Access Student Portal
- Oxbridge Programmes
- Open Day Webinar
- Tutor Application Form
- Common Questions
- Download Our Prospectus
Successful Personal Statement For Psychology At Oxford
Last Updated: 6th April 2022
Author: Rob Needleman
Table of Contents
Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it.
Today, we are looking through a Psychology applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Psychology Course at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection.
Read on to see how this candidate demonstrates their academic interests and initiative.
Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):
SUCCESSFUL?
The universities this candidate applied to were the following:
Enrolling on our Oxbridge Psychology comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts.
With our Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.
Discover our Premium Programmes today to learn how you can enrol and triple your chances of success.
Psychology Personal Statement
How does the mind work? The mind is a mystery housed within the most complex mechanism known to man: the human brain. My innate curiosity compels me to find out more about such a mystery through the study of Psychology.
I have long been interested in how our minds differ: for example, why have I always been a strong mathematician while my brother finds it challenging? Being a musician, I found Kathryn Vaughn’s research supporting a correlation between musical and mathematical abilities particularly thought provoking, while I have also wondered whether my childhood obsession with jigsaws helped me develop problem-solving skills, which are particularly relevant in Geometry: the area with the biggest rift in our abilities. Ann Dowker’s argument, in ‘Individual Differences’, that educational methods influence such differences was also particularly compelling. Therefore, in my gap year, whilst helping struggling learners in KS3 Mathematics at a local school, and, when I help educate children in Tanzania as an International Citizen Service volunteer with the VSO charity, I will evaluate the success of different educational methods. This will give me experience of carrying out my own research, and, will develop skills such as empathy, which is important in the more sensitive areas of Psychology. Furthermore, I recently assisted a University of Oxford researcher conducting follow-up assessments with children in local primary schools. These measured reading-age, language comprehension and numeracy level, and are used to gauge and refine the Catch-Up charity’s numeracy intervention programme. As some of the children being assessed were from a control group, my involvement also enlightened me to ethical aspects of research.
Differences that occur in the criminal mind are also of great interest to me. As an elected Student Ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau earlier this year, where I learnt about Rudolf Hoess. Hoess exterminated thousands of families, yet lived with his own family just outside the camp. This ignited an interest in complex behaviour; therefore I read Stanley Milgram’s research into whether ‘the Germans are different’, and learnt about his Theory of Obedience. This developed an interest in Forensic Psychology, and I subsequently attended a Forensics course at Nottingham University, where I learnt about a Forensic Psychologist’s role, during Mental Health tribunals, for example.
Deterioration of the mind, and methods to counteract this, also interest me. Reading the Psychologist has given me an insight into how the effectiveness of such methods could be analysed using a high-resolution 3D brain atlas; while a presentation from Claire Rytina enlightened me to useful cognitive treatment designed to rebuild and retrieve memory following her Viral Encephalitis. I have also voluntarily worked at a Nursing Home with some Dementia sufferers, and noticed that many sufferers enjoyed me playing music from their past, and sometimes, this triggered some of their memories. This made me wonder whether the music stimulated neurones which had lain dormant for years, similarly to when neurones are used for the first time, as Hubel and Weisel’s nature/nurture research has shown. Studying this in A level Biology gave me an interest in neuroscience, while Biology also stressed the importance of controls and fair tests, which are invaluable during Psychology experiments too. My mathematical skills in statistics will also be beneficial when analysing empirical evidence; and, the deep level of analysis and evaluation used for varying sources in A level History will be useful when studying case studies, while my essay techniques will help me when writing reports, and when considering issues from different perspectives.
Overall, I feel that my broad interests and skills will enable me to thrive as a Psychology student at a demanding University, where I would also make a positive contribution to University life.
For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:
Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge
Successful personal statement for economics at cambridge, successful personal statement for land economy at cambridge, successful personal statement for chemistry at oxford, successful personal statement for geography at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at oxford, successful personal statement for law at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at cambridge, successful personal statement for engineering at cambridge, successful personal statement for philosophy at cambridge, successful personal statement for veterinary medicine at cambridge, successful personal statement for psychological and behavioural sciences at cambridge, successful personal statement for history at oxford, successful personal statement for physics at oxford, successful personal statement for cambridge mathematics and physics, successful personal statement example for computer science at oxford, successful personal statement for english at cambridge, successful personal statement for oxford english language and literature, successful personal statement for medicine at oxford university, successful personal statement for modern languages at oxford, successful personal statement for engineering at oxford, successful personal statement for natural sciences (biological) at cambridge, successful personal statement for economics & management at oxford, successful personal statement for ppe at oxford, successful personal statement for law at cambridge, successful personal statement for dentistry at king’s college london, successful personal statement for medicine at cambridge.
Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide
Good Points Of The Personal Statement
This statement is powered by a broad range of academic interests — all of which the candidate has explored to a deep and commendable level. They are able to articulate how these interests came about, why they are important and how they intersect. In so doing, the candidate clearly demonstrates their ability to think independently, undertake independent projects and foster a wide-ranging curiosity. Furthermore, they clearly illustrate how their academic interests have had a bearing on their actions outside of the classroom; activities that require a substantial amount of initiative and endeavour.
Bad Points Of The Personal Statement
While the consideration of a range of different areas of psychology is illustrative of a consistently curious individual, this statement would have benefited from greater cohesion as an overall piece. The candidate could have also found a less rhetorical way of opening their statement; their tone at this point is not a mode of speech that they return to elsewhere, and as such, it seems somewhat like a non-sequitur. Their prose thereafter is much more engaging, and it seems unfulfilling and irrelevant to include such mystifying text at the start.
UniAdmissions Overall Score:
This candidate maturely presents their academic interests and particular areas of personal pursuit. As a result of this, they are able to demonstrate moments at which they have taken impressive amounts of initiative, and have really gone out of their way in order to experience their academic interests outside of the classroom. They are thereby able to fashion themselves as a curious, energetic, academic individual, who is able to think independently and develop their own work. There are potential areas for stylistic improvement within the statement, but they do not hinder the overall impression given of a capable and committed candidate.
This Personal Statement for Psychology is a great example of demonstrating academic interest and initiative. The candidate’s interest and passion are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.
Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.
Go to our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.
Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Psychology application.
With our Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal Statement , score highly on the TSA and teach you how to Interview effectively .
Discover our Premium Programmes by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.
UniAdmissions students placed at Oxford And Cambridge
Continue learning about Oxbridge...
Ai writing & ucas personal statements: what you need to know.
When it comes to writing in the 2020s, AI-Generation has become one of the most important issues for many industries,…
Oxbridge Personal Statements: A Complete Teacher’s Guide
As a teacher, you will support students with their UCAS Personal Statements every year, but what about Personal Statements for…
UCAS Personal Statements Are Changing in 2025
On January 12th 2023, UCAS announced that the traditional Personal Statement would be replaced by a multi-question form for university…
Writing an Economics and Management Personal Statement for Oxford? If so, you’re in the right place! In this post, we…
Successful Personal Statement For Computer Science At Oxford
Read through a successful Computer Science Personal Statement for Oxford with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why…
TSA Section 2: The Essay
Section 2 of the TSA is an extended essay responding to an excerpt of text. The best way to guide…
The Secrets to Oxbridge Admission.
- We cracked the Oxbridge formula . Find out what we discovered here.
- Looking for application support? Don't work with a random tutor. This is what you need to know first.
- Get up-to-date Oxbridge advice with our webinars. Follow our Open Days led by our experts and stay updated.
- Begin your Oxbridge journey with UniAdmissions through our programmes of support by clicking here.
Personal Statement Starter Guide
We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice. Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements.
Get it directly to your inbox by registering your email.
How would you like to speak to an Admissions Consultant?
- Log in
- Site search
Psychology personal statement
Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip) and Masters courses in psychology are one of the most popular conversion courses available. Take a look at our personal statement example to help with your application
A personal statement for a psychology conversion course isn't significantly different from an application for any other subject. You'll still be expected to discuss your reasons for choosing the course and particular institution, as well as your relevant skills and experience along with your career goals.
In addition, you will also need to cover:
- your motivation to change subjects/careers, with evidence to back up your decision
- any preparation you have done to help you study psychology at postgraduate level. This might include relevant aspects of your current undergraduate degree, independent reading or other ways you have engaged with the subject.
If you are thinking of pursuing a career in a psychological profession, relevant volunteer or work experience is valuable evidence to back up your decision to move into psychology. Rather than describing your experience, reflect on how it has shaped your motivation and what you have learned about your chosen profession.
This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.
Psychology personal statement example
Working as a listening volunteer with Nightline throughout my degree in politics and international relations prompted me to embark on a career that helps others. Here, I gained an insight into mental health conditions and saw the impact that empathetic listening and an opportunity to talk can have on those experiencing them. The training I received was my first insight into psychology, introducing me to concepts that inform our approach, such as the development of self-concept and the role of unconditional positive regard in building rapport with callers.
Learning about the theory underpinning my work at Nightline motivated me to develop a deeper understanding of psychological theories and approaches. I have undertaken a range of independent reading that I can build upon in a more structured way through the MSc in Psychology. Reading texts such as How Emotions are Made and The Body Keeps the Score to learn more about the experiences of Nightline callers has given me an insight into the complex interplay of biological and social factors that shape emotions and responses to trauma, while introducing me to research from biological and social psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience.
I am now working as a support worker in a community mental health team where I have observed the different applications of psychological approaches by clinical psychologists, therapists and counsellors. I have recently been able to sit in on meetings between clients and a clinical psychologist and observe the different approaches to assessing client's conditions as well as witness the ways the psychologist worked in partnership with clients to develop and monitor a tailored combination of practical and therapeutic support. The focus on taking evidence-informed approaches and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions motivated me to apply for the Masters in psychology to develop an in-depth understanding of the research that underpins psychological perspectives and theoretical approaches.
I chose the course at XX University due to the optional modules focused on mental health. I am excited by the applied focus of these modules and the opportunity to learn from the research practitioners teaching on the course. I have a particular interest in mental health stigma and holistic approaches to mental health management that I look forward to exploring in more depth with a view to completing my dissertation in this area.
My undergraduate degree has prepared me to engage with the scientific approaches used in psychology. Modules on social science research methods and an introduction to statistics have provided me with a good grounding on qualitative and quantitative research design that I can build upon during the MSc course. I applied my learning from the introduction to statistics module in my dissertation where I conducted statistical modelling using previous voting patterns to assess the potential impact of proposed constituency changes on future local and general elections. Throughout my degree I organised my time effectively to complete coursework, presentations and group tasks alongside my volunteer role and part-time work, consistently achieving a 2:1 in my work.
I intend to continue my support worker role part-time alongside the Masters in psychology to apply my learning and build further experience to support my application for an assistant psychologist post on graduation. The Masters in psychology is an exciting step towards my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist and, in combination with my work experience will support me in pursuing the Doctorate in clinical psychology in the longer term.
Find out more
- Search for a psychology Masters .
- Discover what psychology conversion courses involve.
- Learn more about personal statements for postgraduate applications .
- Find out more about applying for a Masters .
How would you rate this page?
On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like
- Dislike 1 unhappy-very
- Like 5 happy-very
Thank you for rating the page
- 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 psychology personal statement example 2.
Although I have only studied psychology for a relatively short period of time, I have enjoyed the subject thoroughly and have been engaged in intriguing topics such as memory and infant attachment. I originally intended to study psychology during my college years but, unfortunately, my university didn't have a psychology department.
So, I studied French language and literature at Damietta University , from where I graduated with honors in May 2012, and was among the top 10 ranked students. In the fourth year, I did a research project in which I made a comparison between the French Revolution, which occurred at the end of the eighteenth century and the 25th of January Egyptian Revolution. My project was highly rated.
After graduation, I decided to take three years off from studies to narrow my interests and think about my future. During this time, I participated; in volunteer work, I volunteered in “Resala” Charity Association to teach children and orphans, volunteered in TEDx in my city, helped the elderly and children with special needs, taught French and English language to Secondary and Preparatory school students who do not have money.
In 2015, my mother was hit by illness depression, when I began reading in Psychology and its concept; and the more I learned about it, the more I became passionate. I realised that psychology is the tool that can impact people and life as a whole.
Ultimately, I realised that I want to dedicate my life to this field .Having the desire to change the world and make it better, in order to be satisfied with life and with myself, I reckon that I need to do something significant and my work must affect other people in positive manner.
The specific area of psychology that I am interested in pursuing is Clinical Psychology. I feel that studying psychology would provide me with the answers as well as highly transferable skills such as comprehension of the human mind, effective team work, and the ability to help others when needed, which would be valuable on a day-to-day basis.
Everything we do involves psychology; the natural techniques we use to develop our strengths and the ways we learn to surpass our weaknesses has been an interest of mine since high school.
By watching others gaining their characteristics and personal skills I have been attracted towards psychology ever since. I find it fascinating how the study of a language, culture, and behavior can overlap to provide me with a more in-depth understanding of humankind.
Sigmund Freud - “Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.” There are few other things that arouse greater fascination than the human mind itself; its complexity and the mystery which enshrouds it has always appealed to me, which is why it is my dream to study psychology at university.
I read the works of Oliver Sacks, namely 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat'. The 'characters' within this book were each equally enthralling; each revealing unique stories and emotions, considered as the 'norm' in terms of attitude and behavior.
I enjoy various novels and works by psychologists to expand my knowledge of the subject such as 'The Interpretation of Dreams,' which was an excellent extension to my previous knowledge of Freud. 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' was particularly inspiring as it gave me a fictional insight into the lives of people in an asylum, principally concerned with the ways in which society applies pressure on an individual to conform to what is ours.
I find psychological case studies and accounts absorbing such as 'Malignant sadness' by Lewis Wolpert and television documentaries.'
Additionally, the entertainment programme 'Big Brother,' which the British Psychological Society labelled a "public concern," regarding its "deliberate creation of tension and conflict," gave me an insight into psychological disorders such as Tourettes Syndrome, anorexia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and increased my awareness of the ethical guidelines concerned with research.
Psychology has made me realize that in order to help someone, I have to first understand them. I want to be able to explore and investigate different theories and approaches, I want to begin to answer the fundamental questions surrounding the human consciousness, and I want to use this knowledge to help others to mend and develop.
Studying psychology will be the beginning of my journey to a challenging, fascinating and gratifying career, so when considering where to go, I feel that Korea would be the best choice.
Furthermore, I am enthralled by the Korean educational system: its flexibility, individual approach, and passionate teachers eager to provide their students with both theoretical and practical knowledge and who would motivate me to go beyond my limits.
So, I am applying to the master's degree at Sungkyunkwan university, Sungkyunkwan University (SSKU) is one of the oldest and best universities in South Korea. . The literal meaning of "Sungkyunkwan" is "an institution for building a harmonious society of perfected human beings".
The international communities of Sungkyunkwan University aim to meet this goal by creating an environment where students can thrive in cooperation with our staff and grow together in a positive way. SKKU offers an orientation session for exchange students to help them adjust into a new life in the campus environment.
SKKU International Officer also organises cultural activities and social events for all exchange students. Through these events they aim to increase our students’ sense of globalisation and multicultural understanding. because I believe that I will make an outstanding undergraduate student who will appreciate having the ability to study and expand my knowledge in a reputable learning environment.
It will allow me to greatly broaden my knowledge and understanding of psychology, I am also very optimistic about the challenges that I will face at the university, such as being more independent and being challenged academically and socially.
And in the future I am hoping to be able to offer help to those suffering from incurable disorders, in order for them to function as best as they can.
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.
Psych Careers
A graduation message for psychology students, personal perspective: lessons on purpose, persistence, and community..
Posted May 9, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer
Last year, I delivered the graduation speech for Oregon State University's School of Psychological Science, and I think the message is even more relevant today.
Three lessons on purpose , persistence , and community can help you navigate life's next chapter. From psychological research, we know that facts and figures are less impactful than personal stories, so I’ll pepper in examples from my own experiences along the way.
Think back to why you decided to become a psychology major. Was it because of a desire to help people? An insatiable curiosity about human nature? To make a difference in people’s lives? For me, it was all of the above.
I have been interested in psychology ever since I was born. I was born with Moebius syndrome , a disability characterized by facial paralysis and the inability to move my eyes from side to side. At an early age, I understood that the way I communicated was unusual, that people were confused by my lack of facial expression. I became fascinated with communication and social interaction.
These interests led me to study psychology as a college student. Toward the end of my bachelor’s I set out to do my very first college term paper on Moebius syndrome. I showed up at the library expecting to find pages and pages of answers, but I discovered there was only a handful of psych papers published on it! This was bad news for two reasons: First, I didn’t have enough sources to write my term paper. Second, my chosen field had not included people like me.
I realized I was at a crossroads. I could give up and choose another path, or I could start developing the psychological knowledge in this area.
I chose the latter. I knew that I had the unique motivation and insight to grow this field. So I applied to graduate school—but the first time I applied, I was rejected from every single program.
Graduate training in psychology research follows a mentorship model, and because there were few psychologists studying disability, and few psychologists who had disabilities themselves, I struggled to find an advisor who was interested in this topic. Eventually, I found supportive allies to be my mentors. I was the speaker at my own PhD graduation ceremony, when my mentor Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen hooded me. Just over 10 years later, I spoke at the graduation ceremony, where I am now a faculty member, and hooded my first disabled PhD student.
I've spent more than 15 years studying ableism, or prejudice toward people with disability. Nearly 20% of Americans have a disability, making it one of the largest minority groups in the U.S. And one that is now a little less underrepresented in psychology.
My experience made me acutely aware of the importance of finding purpose to live a fulfilling life. Personally, my work provides meaning by helping others with similar conditions and teaching students about a broader and more diverse swath of humanity.
I encourage you to find meaning in your work. It doesn’t have to be as entrenched in your identity as mine, and it doesn’t even have to be connected to you job. But find a field, a project, or a hobby in which you feel an intense curiosity, an excitement for learning, a passion for change, and it will drive you to persevere. Success will follow. Studies consistently show that individuals who find meaning and purpose in their work are more engaged, fulfilled, and resilient.
Purpose is your own personal mission statement. What is yours? It could be to love your fellow humans, it could be to help others. Prioritize actions that align with your mission.
Mine is to make the world a more inclusive place, using psychology!
Persistence
The quote from Thomas Edison that "genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration" rings true to me. My successes are due to simple perseverance, as well as a lot of support (see lesson on community below). What keeps me going is that I find great personal meaning in my work.
My day-to-day work is not glamorous. I spend my time working with students or sitting alone in a room and writing. I make a commitment to write around the same time every day. Disabled advocate Cassie Winter calls this type of work “butt in chair time.” This simply means creating a consistent schedule to work on your priorities. Sometimes this means staring blankly and thinking through ideas; other times it means writing furiously in a flow state. My butt in chair time creates a sustainable pace, instead of falling into boom or bust cycles, and prevents burnout .
Your work and hobbies may look different from mine. Swap butt in chair time to boots on the ground time, or whatever resonates with you. The point is, prioritize time to work on the things that matter to you.
Research links persistence with a growth mindset . It is important to note that the healthy kind of persistence involves flexibility, not ridged stubbornness. Albert Einstein said it well when he said “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Failure is feedback that we can learn and grow from. Change your approach and try again.
For example, when I didn’t get into any graduate schools the first time around, I realized I needed to change my strategy. I studied for the GRE using a different approach and retook it. I also broadened my search to other areas of the country and applied to masters programs. I first got into a masters program, which gave me the opportunity to hone my skills. Then I was ready to move into my goal, a PhD program.
In college and graduate school, I ached for friends and role models who identified as disabled but found none. My experience made me acutely aware of the need for better representation of marginalized people in higher education .
Now, I teach a class at OSU on the Psychology of Disability, where I give students with and without disabilities an opportunity to see representation of this important minority group and its intersections. I also co-founded the Disability Advocacy Research Network ( DARN ), an organization for disabled psychologists and students to find the community that I didn’t have earlier in my career . Last year, I delivered the speech at OSU's first disability graduation ceremony. I am so heartened that the next generation will be better able to find community.
That brings me to my last piece of advice. Find your community, or create it: a place where you can be authentically you.
As you enter a new stage in life, community will become all the more important. Seek out mentors who can guide you. Likewise, you are now in a position where you could mentor people who are just entering college. Studies have shown that strong social connections contribute to resilience and overall life satisfaction. In creating them, we not only enrich our own lives but also create a ripple effect of support in the lives of those around us.
Kathleen Bogart, Ph.D. , is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Oregon State University. She researches the implications of living with disability, rare disorders, or facial differences.
- Find a Therapist
- Find a Treatment Center
- Find a Psychiatrist
- Find a Support Group
- Find Online Therapy
- United States
- Brooklyn, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Portland, OR
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
- Asperger's
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Pain
- Eating Disorders
- Passive Aggression
- Personality
- Goal Setting
- Positive Psychology
- Stopping Smoking
- Low Sexual Desire
- Relationships
- Child Development
- Therapy Center NEW
- Diagnosis Dictionary
- Types of Therapy
At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.
- Emotional Intelligence
- Gaslighting
- Affective Forecasting
- Neuroscience
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
Ravensbourne University London
London (Greater) · 88% Recommended
Swansea University
Wales · 100% Recommended
University of Surrey
South East England · 98% Recommended
Search Open Days
What's new at Uni Compare
Bangor University
Transform lives with a Health and Social Care Degree from Bangor
University of Sussex
Prepare for a digitally advanced workplace with cutting edge Finance Degrees
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 EXAMPLE BSc Psychology Personal Statement
Submitted by Bethany
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.
Study Psychology at a BPS accredited Uni
Discover the wide world of Psychology, from human development to influences like biology and socialisation at Bangor.
BSc Psychology Personal Statement
My decision to study psychology was not a difficult one. It is something that plays a key part of our day to day lives, hence my choice to study this at a higher level. I have always been fascinated into how the mind communicates to the body, and why humans act the way they do. From studying this at GCSE level and then further at A level, alongside my other academic subjects, I feel like this has helped to confirm this is the right choice for me, with reinforcing my love for the subject, helping to make more educated and informed decisions. I am always willing to throw myself in to something I am passionate about, to apply myself effectively, and to gain the most out of an amazing educational opportunity.
I have developed skills that are easily transferable into the required attributes to the course, from my part time job as a sales assistant. I have learnt the importance of teamwork, as well as being independent and taking my own initiative, with constantly having to think on my feet to come up with a resolution to any given problem. I feel like this is a key and valuable skill for studying psychology, from my research into the course about the importance of research methods, all being able to come together to come to a final conclusion. From this job, I would also consider myself extremely reliable, due to my time management, commitment, as well being trustworthy, with having to deal with money. This job has also made me aware of my attention to detail, ensuring everything I do is up to a high standard, and making sure the shop looks the best it can, whilst working under pressure. These skills are easily transferable to a psychology course, helping to gain a better understanding into this world.
During years at Boswells, I have also assisted in the running of the ‘Boswells Amateur Dramatics Company’ consecutive years in a row, teaching younger years such as year 5 and 6 vital drama skills which can then be built upon. This has increased my leadership skills, as I often took charge, which involved script writing, organising costumes and scenery, as well as directing. These skills are easily applicable to an everyday setting, demonstrating how I can put myself out there with my ideas, constantly taking things into my own hands. As a result of my devotion and enthusiasm, I was awarded the ambassador award for performing arts two years in a row.
My hobbies include dance, which I have done competitively since the age of 12 until present. From this being a very team oriented sport, I have learnt a lot about compromise, and working together in a team to achieve a very high standard, which led to my team winning second place in the ‘Britain Does Variety’ national final, alongside many other first place positions. From dancing, it shows how flexible I can be, as well as my commitment and dedication. This is also demonstrated by annually committing to perform in the school’s productions.
All aspects, from the social to cognitive to biological all fascinate me about the world of psychology, a course which I will benefit greatly from studying it at a higher level. It is a limitless subject with countless opportunities for further employment due to its complexity of intertwining attributes and skills, and something I wish to throw myself in to at the best of my ability.
Recommended Course
Recommended Statements
Submitted by anonymous
Psychology and Philosophy Personal Statement
For centuries humanity has pondered the definitions of truth and falsehood. For many, the truth is simply ...
Psychology Personal Statement
While growing up, an individual experiences countless differing fields of psychology without even realisin...
My first experience in the field of psychology was in year 9, I was asked to complete a project of my choo...
My desire for wanting to pursue psychology in higher education not only stems from a personal perspective ...
undergraduate Universities
Undergraduate uni's.
Ravensbourne
103 courses
Swansea Uni
1319 courses
Uni of Surrey
750 courses
Uni of East London
575 courses
114 courses
Northeastern Uni
Uni of Roehampton
468 courses
Goldsmiths, UOL
344 courses
Middlesex Uni
634 courses
Uni of Sunderland
340 courses
Uni of Brighton
407 courses
Cardiff Met Uni
501 courses
Uni of Winchester
259 courses
Uni of Kent
580 courses
Uni of Suffolk
186 courses
467 courses
Uni for Creative Arts
672 courses
West London IoT
Uni of Leicester
432 courses
Uni of Portsmouth
761 courses
Leeds Beckett Uni
454 courses
Uni of Chester
645 courses
Uni of Bradford
390 courses
Uni of Hertfordshire
584 courses
Leeds Arts University
ARU Writtle
104 courses
886 courses
Uni of C.Lancashire
798 courses
Queen's Uni
635 courses
UWE, Bristol
497 courses
709 courses
Wrexham Uni
289 courses
Uni of Essex
1400 courses
Kingston Uni
617 courses
Escape Studios
Coventry Uni
480 courses
Staffordshire Uni
472 courses
Heriot-Watt Uni
334 courses
Uni of Westminster
503 courses
548 courses
Uni of Bedfordshire
656 courses
Uni of Huddersfield
668 courses
Uni of Reading
685 courses
Bath Spa Uni
520 courses
Anglia Ruskin Uni
808 courses
Edge Hill Uni
383 courses
Uni of Hull
498 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
Northeastern University London
93% of Northeastern's graduates are in full-time work, click here to find out more!
University of Law
Ranked Top 20 amongst English universities in the 2023 National Student Survey, click here to learn more!
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Degree Course Quiz. Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today. Browse our range of Psychology personal statement examples. Gain inspiration & make sure you're on the right track when writing your own personal statement.
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 ...
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 ...
Ebony at the University of Gloucestershire highlights a common pitfall in psychology personal statements. "Given the topic, it's not unusual to see personal statements where students have given too much personal information in terms of speaking about their own life events, mental health challenges, learning difficulties, or similar.
The University of Bristol highlights five elements of a strong, academically focused psychology statement: Ensure it is well structured and well written. Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study.
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 ...
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 University strives to ...
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 ...
Psychology is a subject that really stimulates my mind and my desire to challenge my perception of mental health. As well as this, my interest has come from a personal point. Witnessing a family member with mental health issues has made me want to understand why he behaves that way and why his illness cannot be treated in the same way we treat ...
These psychology personal statements are written by real students. Among them you will find personal statements that have formed part of successful applications to universities such as Royal Holloway, Aberystwyth and Aberdeen. Bear in mind, these personal statements are presented in exactly the way they were originally submitted to Ucas.
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.
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 ...
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.
Today, we are looking through a Psychology applicant's Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Psychology Course at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection. ... This Personal ...
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 ...
A personal statement for a psychology conversion course isn't significantly different from an application for any other subject. You'll still be expected to discuss your reasons for choosing the course and particular institution, as well as your relevant skills and experience along with your career goals. In addition, you will also need to ...
Use your closing couple of lines to summarise the most important points in your statement. 9. Check your writing thoroughly and get someone else to check it, too. 10. Give your brain a rest by forgetting about your personal statement for a while before going back to review it one last time with fresh eyes.
Psychotherapy and Counselling: Practices and Principles Personal Statement. I have always desired to understand feelings, behaviour and the human mind; always been driven toward solving the questions that start with why. However, after leading many spontaneous counselling sessions with friends, witnessing the empowering feeling it brings to ...
Postgraduate Psychology Personal Statement Example 2 I originally intended to study psychology during my college years but, unfortunately, my university didn't have a psychology department. So, I studied French language and literature at Damietta University , from where I graduated with honors in May 2012, and was among the top 10 ranked students.
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.
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
I've spent more than 15 years studying ableism, or prejudice toward people with disability. Nearly 20% of Americans have a disability, making it one of the largest minority groups in the U.S. And ...
BSc Psychology Personal Statement. Submitted by Bethany. My decision to study psychology was not a difficult one. It is something that plays a key part of our day to day lives, hence my choice to study this at a higher level. I have always been fascinated into how the mind communicates to the body, and why humans act the way they do.