STATEMENT OF
PURPOSE --- A FEW TIPS
In
general, the personal statement is used by graduate school faculty to
supplement and enrich the information present in the rest of the application.
Because much of the rest of the application is factual, and in many cases,
statistical information, the personal statement allows the faculty to learn
about the applicant in a somewhat different manner. First, it is used to learn
why the applicant is interested in graduate school. What got you interested in
psychology, what are your career goals, and how motivated and passionate are
you about the field? Second, it is used to evaluate how well the applicant's
interests correspond to the interests of the program to which the applicant is
applying. Are your interests and goals consistent with what that graduate
program can provide for you? Third, it is used to assess the applicant's
writing ability. Do you write in a coherent, organized, and succinct fashion?
Fourth, the personal statement is used to differentiate applicants who are in
the middle range, with good, although not outstanding, scores and grades.
First
of all, answer the question(s) asked. Do not try to stuff a square answer into
a circular question. Address all aspects of the question(s); be thorough and
organized. Sometimes, however, the question vaguely asks you to write a
"personal statement." In either case, the overall gist of the
statement (or answers to the questions) is as follows. It should be an
organized and well-written statement in which you are able to integrate your
various academic, research, practical, and life experiences in a manner that
shows your determination to pursue your goals and that the program to which you
are applying will maximize your ability to pursue those goals. One way to
conceptualize your personal statement is to consider it as a description of the
hypothesis testing approach you have taken to determining your career goals. At
some point, you likely thought, "I want to pursue a career in X area of
psychology." Then, you completed courses in that area and secured research
and applied opportunities to put your hypothesis to the test. These experiences
likely led to some discovery of what you are excited about pursuing in your
career. Perhaps you had other responsibilities or life experiences that
supported or refined your hypothesis, and you are now eager to put your
commitments to the test by entering the graduate program that will prepare you
for your career.
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DO NOT make mistakes in
grammar, spelling: or punctuation.
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Conform to the required
structural specifications (e.g., 1 page, single spaced). If no specifications
are given, no more than 1 single-spaced page or 2 double-spaced pages is a good
rule.
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Do not use cute fonts
or colored paper.
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Show individuality
without being "odd."
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Avoid discussing
personal problems, such as a recent nervous breakdown.
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Avoid clichés such as
"I want to help people" or "I want to make the world a better
place." Try to be down to earth.
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Be straightforward and
honest. If you have done your homework, then you honestly are applying to the
schools that would serve you best.
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Tone: Write with
confidence but not arrogance. Let the faculty know that you are enthusiastic,
determined, and ready for graduate school. Avoid writing the statement like you
know everything you need to know, and the school would be lucky to have you.
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Use active verbs to
describe your experiences.
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Specificity:
Demonstrate that you actively researched the school to which you are applying
(e.g., type of program, emphasis on research vs. practice, general research
area of faculty members, etc.) and that it would suit your goals. However,
being too specific (identifying the precise type of research you want to
conduct with a specific faculty member) may narrow your options and decrease
you chances of being accepted.
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Proofread it, have a
trusted friend or family member proofread it, take it to a writing lab on
campus, and then have a faculty member read it. Then proofread it again.