Sample Personal Statement Psychology

Sample Personal Statement Psychology: Crafting Your Winning Application

Are you dreaming of a career in psychology, ready to delve into the fascinating world of the human mind? Applying to graduate programs or internships in psychology can be daunting, but your personal statement is your chance to shine. It’s your opportunity to showcase your unique experiences, aspirations, and suitability for the program. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to write a compelling sample personal statement for psychology, guiding you from brainstorming to final polish, ensuring your application stands out from the crowd. We’ll explore effective strategies, provide examples, and offer actionable advice to help you craft a statement that truly reflects your passion and potential.

Understanding the Importance of a Strong Personal Statement for Psychology

Your personal statement is more than just a recounting of your academic achievements; it’s a narrative showcasing your personality, motivations, and suitability for a psychology program. Admissions committees use it to assess:

Your passion for psychology: Do you possess a genuine interest in the field, or are you simply pursuing a popular career path?
Your academic preparedness: Have you demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge through coursework and research?
Your research experience: Have you undertaken any research projects that showcase your analytical and critical thinking skills?
Your personal qualities: Are you resilient, adaptable, and possess the empathy required to succeed in this demanding field?
Your career goals: Do you have a clear understanding of your future aspirations within psychology?
Your fit with the program: Do your interests and goals align with the specific program you are applying to?

A poorly written statement can undermine even the strongest academic record. A well-crafted statement, however, can elevate your application and make you a truly memorable candidate.

Structuring Your Sample Personal Statement for Psychology

A well-structured personal statement follows a logical flow, leading the reader smoothly from your introduction to your conclusion. Here's a suggested structure:

1. Introduction (Hook and Thesis): Start with a compelling hook—a captivating anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a brief, impactful statement that grabs the reader's attention immediately. Clearly state your primary interest in psychology and the specific program you are applying for.

2. Early Influences and Experiences: Discuss formative experiences that sparked your interest in psychology. This could be a personal experience, a significant event, a book, a person who inspired you, or a specific research study. Show, don’t just tell. Use vivid language and compelling details to paint a picture for the reader.

3. Academic and Research Experiences: Detail relevant academic achievements, coursework, research projects, or volunteer experiences. Highlight skills gained (critical thinking, data analysis, research methodology) and connect them to your interest in psychology. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., “achieved a 95% average in my psychology coursework”).

4. Skills and Qualities: Showcase the qualities that make you a strong candidate. Emphasize your resilience, adaptability, empathy, communication skills, and analytical abilities. Provide concrete examples to illustrate these qualities.

5. Career Goals and Aspirations: Articulate your future career goals within psychology. Be specific about your interests (e.g., clinical psychology, research, industrial-organizational psychology) and how the chosen program will help you achieve your ambitions. Demonstrate your awareness of the field and its various specializations.

6. Conclusion (Summary and Closing Statement): Briefly summarize your key points and restate your enthusiasm for the program. Leave the reader with a strong, lasting impression that reiterates your suitability for the program.

Sample Personal Statement Outline: "The Unfolding Mind"

Name: The Unfolding Mind

Contents:

Introduction: Begins with a compelling anecdote about a personal experience that sparked interest in psychology. Clearly states the applicant's desire to pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at [University Name].
Chapter 1: Early Influences: Details a childhood experience that ignited a passion for understanding human behavior.
Chapter 2: Academic Journey: Highlights relevant coursework, including strong grades in psychology-related subjects and participation in psychology club activities.
Chapter 3: Research Experience: Describes involvement in a research project on [specific topic], emphasizing skills gained in data analysis and interpretation.
Chapter 4: Personal Qualities: Demonstrates empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills through examples of volunteer work and overcoming challenges.
Chapter 5: Career Aspirations: Clearly states the applicant's ambition to become a clinical psychologist specializing in [specific area] and how this program aligns with that goal.
Conclusion: Reinforces the applicant's suitability for the program, reiterating passion and commitment to clinical psychology.

Detailed Explanation of the "Unfolding Mind" Outline:

Introduction: This section begins with a powerful anecdote, perhaps recounting a personal experience witnessing someone struggling with mental health challenges. This immediately engages the reader and sets the stage for the applicant's interest in clinical psychology. The introduction clearly states the applicant's desire to enroll in a specific Master’s program at a named university.


Chapter 1: Early Influences: This chapter elaborates on the introductory anecdote, perhaps describing how the experience sparked a curiosity about the complexities of the human mind and a desire to help others. It could include details about reading relevant books or watching documentaries that further fueled this interest.

Chapter 2: Academic Journey: This section details strong academic performance in relevant coursework, showcasing a commitment to learning and a solid foundation in psychological principles. Participation in psychology clubs or related activities would also be mentioned here, emphasizing active engagement with the field.

Chapter 3: Research Experience: This chapter highlights participation in a specific research project, providing details about the project's aims, methodology, and the applicant's role. The focus is on demonstrating the skills gained, such as data analysis, statistical interpretation, and critical thinking. The applicant should explain how this research experience reinforced their interest in psychology and contributed to their understanding of research methodologies.


Chapter 4: Personal Qualities: This section moves beyond academic accomplishments to showcase personal attributes crucial for success in clinical psychology. Examples might include volunteer work at a mental health organization, demonstrating empathy and communication skills. Overcoming personal challenges that fostered resilience and adaptability would also be relevant here.

Chapter 5: Career Aspirations: This chapter articulates clear and specific career goals. The applicant explicitly states their ambition to become a clinical psychologist specializing in a particular area, such as trauma-informed care or child psychology. This section connects the applicant's aspirations to the specific program's curriculum and faculty expertise, demonstrating careful research and a genuine understanding of the program's offerings.


Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the key points of the statement, reiterating the applicant's passion, suitability, and commitment to the program. It reinforces the narrative established throughout the statement and leaves the reader with a positive and memorable impression of the applicant's potential contributions to the field.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long should my personal statement be? Aim for around 500-700 words, adhering to any specific word count limits set by the program.

2. Should I use jargon? Avoid overly technical language unless absolutely necessary. Clarity and accessibility are key.

3. Can I use personal anecdotes? Absolutely! Personal stories make your statement more engaging and memorable.

4. How many experiences should I include? Focus on a few significant experiences that clearly demonstrate your passion and abilities.

5. Should I proofread my statement? Yes! Multiple proofreads are crucial to catch grammatical errors and typos.

6. Who should I ask to review my statement? Ask professors, mentors, or trusted advisors to provide feedback.

7. What if I don't have extensive research experience? Highlight other relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills and interests.

8. How can I make my statement stand out? Focus on authenticity, demonstrating your unique personality and perspective.

9. When should I start working on my personal statement? Begin well in advance to allow ample time for writing, revision, and feedback.

Related Articles:

1. Psychology Graduate Program Application Tips: A guide to navigating the application process for graduate psychology programs.

2. How to Choose the Right Psychology Specialization: An exploration of different psychology specializations and how to select the best fit.

3. Mastering the Psychology Interview: Advice on preparing for and succeeding in psychology program interviews.

4. Networking for Psychology Students: Strategies for building connections within the psychology field.

5. Common Mistakes in Psychology Personal Statements: A review of common errors to avoid in your personal statement.

6. The Importance of Letters of Recommendation in Psychology Applications: A guide to securing strong letters of recommendation.

7. Funding Opportunities for Psychology Graduate Students: Information on scholarships, grants, and fellowships available.

8. The Role of Clinical Experience in Psychology Applications: The value of clinical experience in strengthening your application.

9. Balancing Academic and Personal Life as a Psychology Student: Tips for managing the demands of graduate studies in psychology.


  sample personal statement psychology: The Psychopath Whisperer Kent A. Kiehl, PhD, 2014-04-22 A compelling journey into the science and behavior of psychopaths, written by the leading scientist in the field of criminal psychopathy. We know of psychopaths from chilling headlines and stories in the news and movies—from Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, to Hannibal Lecter and Dexter Morgan. As Dr. Kent Kiehl shows, psychopaths can be identified by a checklist of symptoms that includes pathological lying; lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse; grandiose sense of self-worth; manipulation; and failure to accept one’s actions. But why do psychopaths behave the way they do? Is it the result of their environment— how they were raised—or is there a genetic compo­nent to their lack of conscience? This is the question Kiehl, a protégé of famed psychopath researcher Dr. Robert Hare, was deter­mined to answer as he began his career twenty years ago. To aid in his quest to unravel the psy­chopathic mind, Kiehl created the first mobile functional MRI scanner to study psychopaths in prison populations. The brains of more than five hundred psychopaths and three thousand other offenders have been scanned by Kiehl’s labora­tory—the world’s largest forensic neuroscience repository of its kind. Over the course of The Psy­chopath Whisperer, we follow the scientific bread crumbs that Kiehl uncovered to show that the key brain structures that correspond with emotional engagement and reactions are diminished in psy­chopaths, offering new clues to how to predict and treat the disorder. In The Psychopath Whisperer, Kiehl describes in fascinating detail his years working with psy­chopaths and studying their thought processes— from the remorseless serial killers he meets with behind bars to children whose behavior and per­sonality traits exhibit the early warning signs of psychopathy. Less than 1 percent of the general population meets the criteria for psychopathy. But psycho­paths account for a vastly outsized proportion of violent crimes. And as Kiehl shows, many who aren’t psychopaths exhibit some of the behaviors and traits associated with the condition. What do you do if you discover your roommate, or boss, or the person you are dating has traits that define a psy­chopath? And what does having a diminished limbic region of the brain mean for how the legal system approaches crimes committed by psychopaths? A compelling narrative of cutting-edge science, The Psychopath Whisperer will open your eyes on a fascinating but little understood world, with startling implications for society, the law, and our personal lives.
  sample personal statement psychology: Graduate Admissions Essays, Fifth Edition Donald Asher, 2024-07-16 The fully updated fifth edition of the go-to guide for crafting winning essays for any type of graduate program or scholarship, including PhD, master's, MD, JD, Rhodes, and postdocs, with brand-new essays and the latest hot tips and secret techniques. Based on thousands of interviews with successful grad students and admissions officers, Graduate Admissions Essays deconstructs and demystifies the ever-challenging application process for getting into graduate and scholarship programs. The book presents: Sample essays in a comprehensive range of subjects, including some available from no other source: medical residencies, postdocs, elite fellowships, academic autobiographies, and more! The latest on AI, the GRE, and diversity and adversity essays. Detailed strategies that have proven successful for some of the most competitive graduate programs in the country (learn how to beat 1% admissions rates!). How to get strong letters of recommendation, how to get funding when they say they have no funding, and how to appeal for more financial aid. Brand-new sample supplemental application letters, letters to faculty mentors, and letters of continuing interest. Full of Dr. Donald Asher's expert advice, this is the perfect graduate application resource whether you're fresh out of college and eager to get directly into graduate school or decades into your career and looking for a change.
  sample personal statement psychology: The Professor Is In Karen Kelsky, 2015-08-04 The definitive career guide for grad students, adjuncts, post-docs and anyone else eager to get tenure or turn their Ph.D. into their ideal job Each year tens of thousands of students will, after years of hard work and enormous amounts of money, earn their Ph.D. And each year only a small percentage of them will land a job that justifies and rewards their investment. For every comfortably tenured professor or well-paid former academic, there are countless underpaid and overworked adjuncts, and many more who simply give up in frustration. Those who do make it share an important asset that separates them from the pack: they have a plan. They understand exactly what they need to do to set themselves up for success. They know what really moves the needle in academic job searches, how to avoid the all-too-common mistakes that sink so many of their peers, and how to decide when to point their Ph.D. toward other, non-academic options. Karen Kelsky has made it her mission to help readers join the select few who get the most out of their Ph.D. As a former tenured professor and department head who oversaw numerous academic job searches, she knows from experience exactly what gets an academic applicant a job. And as the creator of the popular and widely respected advice site The Professor is In, she has helped countless Ph.D.’s turn themselves into stronger applicants and land their dream careers. Now, for the first time ever, Karen has poured all her best advice into a single handy guide that addresses the most important issues facing any Ph.D., including: -When, where, and what to publish -Writing a foolproof grant application -Cultivating references and crafting the perfect CV -Acing the job talk and campus interview -Avoiding the adjunct trap -Making the leap to nonacademic work, when the time is right The Professor Is In addresses all of these issues, and many more.
  sample personal statement psychology: What Psychology Majors Could (and Should) be Doing Paul J. Silvia, Peter F. Delaney, Stuart Marcovitch, 2017 With more than 115,000 psychology majors graduating each year, it is an understatement to say that competition is fierce. A decent GPA is not enough to make you stand out, whether you plan to go to graduate school or to enter the world of work. So, how can you gain a competitive edge? Like a good mentor, this book steers you to the experiences outside the classroom that will build your professional portfolio and show prospective employers and grad school programs that you have the skills they want -- researching, writing, public speaking, and statistical reasoning. Since professional research experience remains the most important avenue for fostering and demonstrating these skills, the book emphasizes ways to get involved in scholarly research, including finding research opportunities, conducting the research, going to scholarly conferences, and presenting findings in papers and talks. The only book devoted to undergraduate professional skills in psychology, this second edition provides a new overview of the kinds of research experiences you might get, no matter what type of college you are attending, as well as tips for writing your CV and personal statement, succeeding in classes, and thinking about options after college. In short, this consummate guide provides all the help you will need to get the most out of your psychology degree!
  sample personal statement psychology: Incognito David Eagleman, 2011-05-31 If the conscious mind—the part you consider to be you—is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing? In this sparkling and provocative new book, the renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising mysteries: Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? What do Ulysses and the credit crunch have in common? Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant in 1916? Why are people whose names begin with J more likely to marry other people whose names begin with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? And how is it possible to get angry at yourself—who, exactly, is mad at whom? Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, Incognito is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.
  sample personal statement psychology: Introduction to Psychology Jennifer Walinga, Charles Stangor, This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section.
  sample personal statement psychology: Psychologizing Patrick M. Whitehead, 2016-09-14 Psychologizing introduces students to the study of psychology by encouraging them to approach the subject on a personal level. Classroom-tested, the psychologizing model emphasizes learning through practice. A conversational and highly engaging narrative prompts students to begin thinking like psychologists as they examine key concepts, including learning, development, personality, and emotion. Based on the practice of phenomenology, Psychologizing emphasizes meaning and context. Chapters include a discussion of influential psychologists who have adopted this attitude and, in doing so, have forever changed the way that we understand thinking and learning. By exploring how experience is always meaningful, and how meaning can only be understood within a context, students will sharpen and develop critical thinking, and reflect on how they identify and shape meaning in their own lives. This book is accompanied by ancillaries designed to enhance the experience of both instructors and students: Instructor’s Manual. This valuable resource provides a sample syllabus, open response activities for discussion, suggested research paper guidelines, and sample rubrics. Test Bank. For every chapter in the text, the Test Bank includes questions in multiple choice, true/false, and essay formats.
  sample personal statement psychology: Owl in Love Patrice Kindl, 2004 Part bird of prey, part teenage girl in love, and now part stalker, Owl Tycho’s life is complicated. It becomes even more so when an inept new shape-shifter appears on the scene. Funny, smart, and supernatural, Owl is a young woman worth getting to know.
  sample personal statement psychology: New Walk Ellie Durant, 2018-10 A moving debut novel about midwifery, marijuana and abortion.
  sample personal statement psychology: Case Conceptualization Len Sperry, Jon Sperry, 2020-05-27 Integrating recent research and developments in the field, this revised second edition introduces an easy-to-master strategy for developing and writing culturally sensitive case conceptualizations and treatment plans. Concrete guidelines and updated case material are provided for developing conceptualizations for the five most common therapy models: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, Biopsychosocial, Adlerian, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The chapters also include specific exercises and activities for mastering case conceptualization and related competencies and skills. Also new to this edition is a chapter on couple and family case conceptualizations, and an emphasis throughout on trauma. Practitioners, as well as graduate students in counseling and in clinical psychology, will gain the essential skills and knowledge they need to master case conceptualizations.
  sample personal statement psychology: Doing Time Roger Matthews, 2016-03-11 The new edition of Doing Time brings this widely recognized book up-to-date and provides an accessible and informed discussion of current debates around prisons and penal policy. Drawing on a range of international material the book provides a critical sociological analysis of developments in imprisonment.
  sample personal statement psychology: Humanitarian Work Psychology S. C Carr, M. MacLachlan, A. Furnham, 2012-04-11 Contextualizing Humanitarian work in history, justice, methods and professional ethics, this book articulates process skills for transformational partnerships between diverse organizations, motivating education, organisational learning and selecting the disaster workforce.
  sample personal statement psychology: Own Your Psychology Major! Glenn Geher, 2019 This book provides a roadmap for new psychology majors, and inspiration to help motivate students to make the most of internship, research, and service opportunities during their undergraduate years.
  sample personal statement psychology: Work in the 21st Century Frank J. Landy, Jeffrey M. Conte, 2012-12-26 This book retains the accessibility of the previous editions while incorporating the latest research findings, and updated organizational applications of the principles of I-O psychology. The scientist-practitioner model continues to be used as the philosophical cornerstone of the textbook. The writing continues to be topical, readable, and interesting. Furthermore, the text includes additional consideration of technological change and the concomitant change in the reality of work, as well as keeps and reinforces the systems approach whenever possible, stressing the interplay among different I-O psychology variables and constructs.
  sample personal statement psychology: Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology Michael A. Sayette, John C. Norcross, 2018-02-05 This book has been replaced by Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, 2020/2021 Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4143-0.
  sample personal statement psychology: Applying to Graduate School in Psychology Amanda C. Kracen, Ian J. Wallace, 2008 Applying to Graduate School in Psychology provides prospective graduate students with the insider knowledge needed to bolster their confidence and gain a competitive edge. This comprehensive resource shares personal accounts from both peer and expert perspectives to fully illustrate the ins and outs of applying and preparing for the graduate school experience. As future professionals in psychology, readers will greatly benefit from the straightforward and personal guidance offered by the student and psychologist contributors.Potential applicants learn the commonalities and differences among diverse student experiences from a variety of academic institutions and programs. This student-to-student format offers familiarity and identification with those who have successfully enrolled in graduate programs across the country. Each chapter presents practical advice, key information, and encouragement, while describing the dos and don'ts of applying. In the psychologist-written essays, renowned professionals share their academic and career development stories and provide meaningful insight into the rewards and challenges of the field. The contributors' infectious passion for psychology will inspire readers to further their education and narrow down their program of choice.
  sample personal statement psychology: The Optimum Nutrition Bible Patrick Holford, 2009-04-02 COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH. The best-selling Optimum Nutrition Bible has revolutionised health. It explains how, by giving yourself the best possible intake of nutrients, to allow your body to be as healthy as it possibly can. This revised and updated edition shows you: What a well balanced diet really means; How to boost your immune system; How to increase your energy and fitness levels; How to prevent cancer and turn back the ageing clock; How to avoid heart disease and lower your blood pressure without drugs; Why the wrong fats can kill and the right fats can heal; How to increase your IQ, memory and mental performance; Includes new charts and six new chapters, on Stimulants, Water, Eating right for your blood type, Detox, Homocysteine and Toxic Minerals.
  sample personal statement psychology: The Power of Mindful Learning Ellen J. Langer, 2016-04-05 Radical in its implications, this original and important work may change forever the views we hold about the nature of learning. In The Power of Mindful Learning, Ellen Langer uses her innovative theory of mindulness, introduced in her influential earlier book, to dramatically enhance the way we learn. In business, sports, laboratories, or at home, our learning is hobbled by certain antiquated and pervasive misconceptions. In this pithy, liberating, and delightful book she gives us a fresh, new view of learning in the broadest sense. Such familiar notions as delayed gratification, ”the basics”, or even ”right answers”, are all incapacitating myths which Langer explodes one by one. She replaces them with her concept of mindful or conditional learning which she demonstrates, with fascinating examples from her research, to be extraordinarily effective. Mindful learning takes place with an awareness of context and of the ever-changing nature of information. Learning without this awareness, as Langer shows convincingly, has severely limited uses and often sets on up for failure.With stunning applications to skills as diverse as paying attention, CPR, investment analysis, psychotherapy, or playing a musical instrument, The Power of Mindful Learning is for all who are curious and intellectually adventurous.
  sample personal statement psychology: Write Your Way In Rachel Toor, 2017-08-03 “Toor’s style is friendly, funny, and genuinely compelling, exhorting students to go deeper with their writing even (and especially) when the stakes are high.” —School Library Journal Writing, for most of us, is bound up with anxiety. It’s even worse when it feels like your whole future—or at least where you’ll spend the next four years in college—is on the line. It’s easy to understand why so many high school seniors put off working on their applications until the last minute or end up with a generic and clichéd essay. The good news? You already have the “secret sauce” for crafting a compelling personal essay: your own experiences and your unique voice. The best essays rarely catalog how students have succeeded or achieved. Good writing shows the reader how you’ve struggled and describes mistakes you’ve made. Excellent essays express what you’re fired up about, illustrate how you think, and illuminate the ways you’ve grown. More than twenty million students apply to college every year; many of them look similar in terms of test scores, grades, courses taken, extracurricular activities. Admissions officers wade through piles of files. As an applicant, you need to think about what will interest an exhausted reader. What can you write that will make her argue to admit you instead of the thousands of other applicants? A good essay will be conversational and rich in vivid details, and it could only be written by one person—you. This book will help you figure out how to find and present the best in yourself. You’ll acquire some useful tools for writing well—and may even have fun—in the process.
  sample personal statement psychology: The Premed Playbook Guide to the Medical School Application Process Ryan Gray, 2021-05-25 The fourth installment of The Premed Playbook series brings together all of the wisdom of helping thousands of students through the medical school application process.
  sample personal statement psychology: Bad Science Ben Goldacre, 2010-10-12 Have you ever wondered how one day the media can assert that alcohol is bad for us and the next unashamedly run a story touting the benefits of daily alcohol consumption? Or how a drug that is pulled off the market for causing heart attacks ever got approved in the first place? How can average readers, who aren't medical doctors or Ph.D.s in biochemistry, tell what they should be paying attention to and what's, well, just more bullshit? Ben Goldacre has made a point of exposing quack doctors and nutritionists, bogus credentialing programs, and biased scientific studies. He has also taken the media to task for its willingness to throw facts and proof out the window. But he's not here just to tell you what's wrong. Goldacre is here to teach you how to evaluate placebo effects, double-blind studies, and sample sizes, so that you can recognize bad science when you see it. You're about to feel a whole lot better.
  sample personal statement psychology: Writing for Psychology Robert O'Shea, Mark L. Mitchell, Janina Jolley, 2012-03-30 WRITING FOR PSYCHOLOGY, 4E, International Edition offers concise assistance for students writing their research analyses using APA style®. By providing concrete examples of common errors, the authors show rather than merely tell students what to do and what to avoid. This manual will help students adhere to the basics of APA style; refine critical thinking skills, library search skills, revising skills, editing skills, and proofing skills; and avoid plagiarism. Checklists precede a summary at the end of every chapter, giving students the chance to make sure they have been thorough in their reports.
  sample personal statement psychology: The Early Career Researcher’s Toolbox Andres De Los Reyes,
  sample personal statement psychology: The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission Patricia Keith-Spiegel, Michael W. Wiederman, 2000-03-01 Should I go to graduate school? How do I choose where to apply? Are my grades and accomplishments good enough to get in? Who should I ask to write recommendation letters for me, and how should I approach these people? How do I write my personal statement? When will I hear my fate, and how should I make my final decision? These are just a few of the many questions to which this well-researched, thorough, and extremely user-friendly book offers answers. Students who are contemplating graduate training in psychology, counseling, and related fields are often apprehensive and confused about applying to graduate school, but this book takes the guesswork and anxiety out of the process. The tone and features (such as the Q&A format, timeline for application-related tasks and activities, and special advice for special populations) that made the first edition so successful, eliciting hundreds of thank-you notes and e-mail messages to the author, are just as evident in this new edition. The book has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of new topics such as use of the internet and e-mail, as well as changing trends in the professions. The most obvious difference is that the book is now significantly shorter as a result of meticulous rewriting, making it even easier to use. There have been attempts since the publication of the first edition to copy the format of this book, but none of the others have successfully duplicated the depth of research-based advice and the supportive style that make this book the guide of choice for thousands of graduate-school bound students and their advisors.
  sample personal statement psychology: A Research Guide to Psychology Deborah Dolan, 2018-06-08 This authoritative research guide uses a problem-solving approach to presenting print and electronic resources. Coverage includes: Definition and deep background sources Specialized dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks Current research - Journal Articles and Annual Reviews Tests and Measures Bibliographies U.S. Government Resources Biographical Resources Directories and Organizations Style Guides Diagnostic Measures Career Path and Educational Resources Book Reviews Major Museums and Archives
  sample personal statement psychology: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD David A. Clark, 2012-04-18 This book has been replaced by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD and Its Subtypes, Second Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4101-0.
  sample personal statement psychology: Princeton Review AP Psychology Premium Prep, 2022 The Princeton Review, 2021-08-03 Make sure you’re studying with the most up-to-date prep materials! Look for the newest edition of this title, The Princeton Review AP Psychology Premium Prep, 2023 (ISBN: 9780593450871, on-sale August 2022). Publisher's Note: Products purchased from third-party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality or authenticity, and may not include access to online tests or materials included with the original product.
  sample personal statement psychology: Internships in Psychology Carol Williams-Nickelson, Mitchell J. Prinstein, 2005-01-01 Designed specifically for doctoral-level psychology graduate students, this volume will act as a personal mentor with step-by-step instructions to land an internship placement. This resource is just one of several services provided for students by the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students.
  sample personal statement psychology: Psychology and Crime Craig Webber, 2009-11-30 This book explores the links between psychology and crime, evaluating psychological explanations of crime and the use of psychology within the criminal justice system. It provides a comprehensive overview that highlights the consequences of crime for victims, offenders and wider society. The book combines classic theory with new developments in eyewitness testimony, offender profiling and forensic psychology. The resulting text offers an engaging and challenging route to a full understanding of key topics, including: the theoretical history of criminal psychology interpersonal violence, sexual violence and deviancy the psychology of crime in groups mass murder and war crimes psychology and the criminal justice system. Psychology and Crime genuinely integrates the two areas with the advanced student in mind, and includes a range of practical devices to support the learning process: chapter overviews; study questions; and further reading. Lively and accessible, it is essential reading for students and academics in criminology, sociology and psychology. The Key Approaches to Criminology series celebrates the removal of traditional barriers between disciplines and, specifically, reflects criminology’s interdisciplinary nature and focus. It brings together some of the leading scholars working at the intersections of criminology and related subjects. Each book in the series helps readers to make intellectual connections between criminology and other discourses, and to understand the importance of studying crime and criminal justice within the context of broader debates. The series is intended to have appeal across the entire range of undergraduate and postgraduate studies and beyond, comprising books which offer introductions to the fields as well as advancing ideas and knowledge in their subject areas.
  sample personal statement psychology: Malignant Sadness Lewis Wolpert, 2011-05-05 'An excellent book, the most objective short account I know of all the various approaches to depression.' Anthony Storr Several years ago, Lewis Wolpert had a severe episode of depression. Despite a happy marriage and successful scientific career, he could think only of suicide. When he did recover, he became aware of the stigma attached to depression - and just how difficult it was to get reliable information. With characteristic candour and determination he set about writing this book, an acclaimed investigation into the causes and treatments of depression, which formed the basis for a BBC TV series. This paperback edition features a new introduction, in which Wolpert discusses the reaction to his book and BBC series, and recounts his own recurring struggle with depression.
  sample personal statement psychology: Letters to a Law Student Nicholas J. McBride, Jason Varuhas, 2017 The definitive guide to studying law at university, Letters to a Law Student is an indispensable guide for any law student, at any point in their undergraduate degree. It is packed full of practical advice and helpful answers to the most common questions about studying law at university across every stage of taking, or thinking about taking, a law degree.--
  sample personal statement psychology: How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School Richard J. Stelzer, 2002 The personal statement is the single most important part of a graduate school application, and yet very few applicants know how to write one that will gain them admittance to the program of their choice. The third edition of this highly successful book can change all that by showing readers numerous ways to greatly improve their essays.
  sample personal statement psychology: Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy, and Practice National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Committee on Law and Justice, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Biological and Psychosocial Effects of Peer Victimization: Lessons for Bullying Prevention, 2016-09-14 Bullying has long been tolerated as a rite of passage among children and adolescents. There is an implication that individuals who are bullied must have asked for this type of treatment, or deserved it. Sometimes, even the child who is bullied begins to internalize this idea. For many years, there has been a general acceptance and collective shrug when it comes to a child or adolescent with greater social capital or power pushing around a child perceived as subordinate. But bullying is not developmentally appropriate; it should not be considered a normal part of the typical social grouping that occurs throughout a child's life. Although bullying behavior endures through generations, the milieu is changing. Historically, bulling has occurred at school, the physical setting in which most of childhood is centered and the primary source for peer group formation. In recent years, however, the physical setting is not the only place bullying is occurring. Technology allows for an entirely new type of digital electronic aggression, cyberbullying, which takes place through chat rooms, instant messaging, social media, and other forms of digital electronic communication. Composition of peer groups, shifting demographics, changing societal norms, and modern technology are contextual factors that must be considered to understand and effectively react to bullying in the United States. Youth are embedded in multiple contexts and each of these contexts interacts with individual characteristics of youth in ways that either exacerbate or attenuate the association between these individual characteristics and bullying perpetration or victimization. Recognizing that bullying behavior is a major public health problem that demands the concerted and coordinated time and attention of parents, educators and school administrators, health care providers, policy makers, families, and others concerned with the care of children, this report evaluates the state of the science on biological and psychosocial consequences of peer victimization and the risk and protective factors that either increase or decrease peer victimization behavior and consequences.
  sample personal statement psychology: Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology John C. Norcross, Michael A. Sayette, 2023-10-27 Featuring expert advice for applying to graduate school in clinical and counseling psychology--as well as profiles of 320 doctoral programs--this authoritative resource has now been updated for 2024/2025. This is the book that students rely on for finding the programs that meet their needs and maximizing their chances of getting in. Profiles encapsulate each program's specializations or tracks, admission requirements, acceptance rates, financial aid, research areas, and clinical opportunities. A detailed time line and multiple worksheets help students decide where to apply, build their credentials, develop strong applications, and make an informed final decision. The 2024/2025 edition discusses current developments in admissions, including the increase in GRE-optional programs and how to navigate choices around testing.
  sample personal statement psychology: Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology John C. Norcross, Michael A. Sayette, 2022-04-14 The definitive guide for prospective graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology has now been revised and updated for 2022/2023, with all-new data on more than 300 doctoral programs. This is the book you can rely on for finding the programs that meet your needs and maximizing your chances of getting in. Profiles cover each program's specializations or tracks, admission requirements, acceptance rates, financial aid, research areas, and clinical opportunities. The Insider's Guide is based on intensive research and includes information, advice, and decision-making worksheets not available from any other source. The 2022/2023 edition includes a new chapter on deciding between a doctoral or master's degree, shares insights on how COVID-19 has altered the admissions process, and addresses other timely topics.
  sample personal statement psychology: Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology Michael A. Sayette, John C. Norcross, 2020-01-20 Featuring expert advice for applying to graduate school in clinical and counseling psychology--as well as profiles of more than 300 doctoral programs--this authoritative resource has now been updated for 2020/2021. More than 150,000 prospective students have used the Insider's Guide to find the programs that meet their needs and maximize their chances of getting in. Profiles include each program's specializations or tracks, admission requirements, acceptance rates, financial aid, research areas, and clinical opportunities. A detailed time line and multiple worksheets help students complete key prerequisites, decide where to apply, develop their credentials, put together strong applications, and make an informed final decision. The 2020/2021 Edition includes profiles of 14 additional programs, plus updates about the application process.
  sample personal statement psychology: Majoring in Psychology Jeffrey L. Helms, Daniel T. Rogers, 2011-02-23 With coverage of important preparatory issues and the key psychology subfields, Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals provides undergraduate students with clear, concise, research-based information on strategies to begin a successful undergraduate career in psychology. Provides the most comprehensive text on majoring in psychology currently available Discusses the benefits of pursuing a psychology degree and key steps to prepare for a job or graduate study in the field Features brief topical contributions written by national figures in their respective subfields Incorporates current data and research on diversity-related issues as well as guidance on how to ensure personality traits and abilities match the skills that potential career paths demand
  sample personal statement psychology: Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination Institute of Medicine, Board on the Health of Select Populations, Committee on Psychological Testing, Including Validity Testing, for Social Security Administration Disability Determinations, 2015-06-29 The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for disabled individuals, and their dependent family members, who have worked and contributed to the Social Security trust funds, and Supplemental Security Income (SSSI), which is a means-tested program based on income and financial assets for adults aged 65 years or older and disabled adults and children. Both programs require that claimants have a disability and meet specific medical criteria in order to qualify for benefits. SSA establishes the presence of a medically-determined impairment in individuals with mental disorders other than intellectual disability through the use of standard diagnostic criteria, which include symptoms and signs. These impairments are established largely on reports of signs and symptoms of impairment and functional limitation. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination considers the use of psychological tests in evaluating disability claims submitted to the SSA. This report critically reviews selected psychological tests, including symptom validity tests, that could contribute to SSA disability determinations. The report discusses the possible uses of such tests and their contribution to disability determinations. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination discusses testing norms, qualifications for administration of tests, administration of tests, and reporting results. The recommendations of this report will help SSA improve the consistency and accuracy of disability determination in certain cases.
  sample personal statement psychology: Graduate School David G. Mumby, 2012 Aimed at college and university students in all major fields of study, this book covers everything one needs to know about how to apply successfully to graduate school in North America.
  sample personal statement psychology: Pieces of the Frame John McPhee, 2011-04-01 Pieces of the Frame is a gathering of memorable writings by one of the greatest journalists and storytellers of our time. They take the reader from the backwoods roads of Georgia, to the high altitude of Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico; from the social decay of Atlantic City, to Scotland, where a pilgrimage for art's sake leads to a surprising encounter with history on a hilltop with a view of a fifth of the entire country. McPhee's writing is more than informative; these are stories, artful and full of character, that make compelling reading. They play with and against one another, so that Pieces of the Frame is distinguished as much by its unity as by its variety. Subjects familiar to McPhee's readers-sports, Scotland, conservation-are treated here with intimacy and a sense of the writer at work.