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Psychology personal statement example (mature student) 1.
Earlier this year I was involved in a car accident, and as I sat among the wreckage I was shocked to see not one person stopped to help me. Didn’t anyone care enough to help?
If it weren’t for the science of psychology, this and so many other questions about human behaviour would go unanswered. I find the insights psychology gives into human behaviour very exciting, and have been fascinated by it for a long time.
Working in the Child Protection Unit of Cumbria Social Services has further fuelled my interest; every day I see aspects of human behaviour that could have come straight from a psychology textbook.
It is psychology brought to life, and has made me realise more than ever how much I want to move my interest in psychology from my hobby to my career.
I believe that combined with my enthusiasm for the subject, the skills I have learned through my past work experience and part time study will make me an ideal candidate for studying Psychology. My employment has taught me many transferable skills, including excellent levels of concentration and great organisational skills.
I also feel my experience of dealing with the public and colleagues will prove invaluable in a people centred discipline such as Psychology.
Over the past few years whilst working during the day I have also studied at evening classes for A Levels. Studying part time has taught me excellent study skills, as much of my study has been self-directed.
It was very challenging to study part-time, however I was utterly determined to complete each A Level, and I would apply this same determination to completing a degree to the very best of my ability.
When I am not filling my spare time with studying, I enjoy taking advantage of the benefits of living in the Lake District, going fell walking, and keeping fit in the gym.
I also love to entertain, and recently held a highly successful ‘superheroes and villains’ themed fancy dress party; as well as being fun it was fascinating to watch how people’s behaviour changes when they have a mask on!
Since deciding to apply to University I have started to undertake further study to prepare me for undergraduate study; I am currently halfway through an Open University ‘Openings’ Course, and have enrolled for an Access to Higher Education Course in Social Sciences, my tutors for which have assured me that due to my previous A Level studies I will be able to complete successfully without a problem.
I feel that I would be able to make a valuable contribution during my degree, and perhaps even more importantly, as I have worked so hard to get to this point, I would remain committed to studying because it means so much to me.
After my degree I would like to go on to do further study and perhaps undertake training to become a psychologist.
I am passionate about studying psychology, and looking forward to extending my knowledge in this exciting discipline, and contributing to it in the future.
Profile info
This personal statement was written by Chocoholic for application in 2005.
Chocoholic's university choices University of Leeds
Green : offer made Red : no offer made
Chocoholic's Comments
I am a mature student so found writing this extremely difficult! Had no teachers to help me so just had to do my best on my own - fingers crossed now.
Related Personal Statements
Ypur personal statment left.
Thu, 01/09/2005 - 00:00
Ypur personal statment left me wanting to find out more and kept me reading. After reading lots of personal statments I find this an important factor.
really really good. good
Wed, 14/09/2005 - 00:00
really really good. good opening!
I enjoyed this statement a
Sun, 18/09/2005 - 00:00
I enjoyed this statement a lot to be honest, and i can empathise with many of these obserrvations of behaviour- especially the heroes and villains part! i think the opening may have been a bit direct and personal, even for a personal statement, yet all the same I thought it was a highly cogent and articulate piece! nice one!
your opening is gud but your
Wed, 21/09/2005 - 00:00
your opening is gud but your end is too personal
I love your opening. The
Mon, 10/10/2005 - 00:00
I love your opening. The first reaction for the reader is to be shocked by it (car crash...oh my!) but you relate it to your subject without sounding like you're playing for the sympathy vote. Very clever!
I really enjoyed reading your
Wed, 19/10/2005 - 00:00
I really enjoyed reading your personal statement and hope it will work for you. it's very personal but also includes all the necessary info required. well done!
must a very simple yet
Sat, 19/08/2006 - 00:00
must a very simple yet powerful personal statment ,it kept me going to the end
well done, that was a really
Thu, 14/09/2006 - 00:00
well done, that was a really good statement....the start was catchy as well as honest! as most people woudlt stop in an accident... keep up the good work....
i like how u linked the car
Tue, 19/09/2006 - 00:00
i like how u linked the car accident with psychology.. very clever and attention grabbing.
think im repeating what some
Wed, 04/10/2006 - 16:56
think im repeating what some people have said before, ur opening paragraph will make the uni entry commission sympathetic.......luck u!!
Really gud personal statement
Sat, 07/10/2006 - 22:27
Really gud personal statement, v. good use of the english lang!
from ASIM KAMRANN( A.K.A CURLYTOP)
Tue, 10/10/2006 - 13:56
Your opening is wayyyyyyyyyyy to personal,i think you needed to get someone to proof read your statement before submitting it.
A very good opening,
Mon, 16/10/2006 - 13:47
A very good opening, especially since its something new and different from the old and boring ones.
And i have to credit you on making a psychological link between the two, really nice.
P.S. ingore the haters.
Wed, 25/10/2006 - 13:25
I really liked the opening. You showed why this subject was important to you. I think something as personal as the car crash shows why you would be more dedicated than someone with just a casual interest. I did wonder why you mentioned your fancy dress party, but liked how you were even noticing behavioural changes then, showing it's always something that's on your mind.
I really like this. Ignore
Fri, 03/11/2006 - 14:48
I really like this. Ignore the people who say your opening is bad, it's very original. It's refreshing to read something that doesn't start with "I've always been interested in psychology...". And it's helped me to focus my own personal statement, so thank you for that. Good luck to you.
Reply from Chocoholic
Sun, 05/11/2006 - 10:44
Thanks for all your comments everyone. Just thought I'd let you know how I got on - as a mature student, after submitting my UCAS form I had to go for an interview and write an essay for the admissions tutor...but a week after my interview I received an offer. I'm now in my 2nd year of the degree and loving it!
Don't be afraid of writing something a bit different in your personal statement - you need to stand out from the hundreds of applicants all with the same qualifications. Good luck to everyone currently applying to uni.
PS in case you were wondering, the car accident thing is true by the way!
Your opeing statement is
Thu, 16/11/2006 - 10:31
Your opeing statement is powerful, certainly got my interest and overall well done!!!
I found ur personal statment
Wed, 29/11/2006 - 07:23
I found ur personal statment perfect! the bigining is exelent and gets the readers attention. Great work!
I've been struggling to write
Mon, 08/01/2007 - 01:00
I've been struggling to write a personal statement of my own and have been looking at quite a few on the net. Yours is the only one to stand out as an original. As another mature student hoping to get into grad school, I am following your lead with a personal beginning and hope it distinguishes me from the hundreds of the young also applying.
Most of the statement was
Fri, 22/06/2007 - 08:48
Most of the statement was very good, but the opening only shows how you got interested in psychology. It doesn't say why the university should take you on their course.
Wed, 11/07/2007 - 10:20
i think this statement is brilliant reading this statement has really helped me as to what i need to write in my personal statement.thanx
to the person who said its
Sat, 25/08/2007 - 14:09
to the person who said its way too personal-you're wrong-that's the idea of a PERSONAL statement, its supposed to be PERSONAL!
Thu, 30/08/2007 - 22:26
This is the kind of PS i want to write... attention grabbing and different without sounding arrogant! Your opening was the best bit i think.. also nice to see you got in!
wow that was great. I've read
Fri, 14/09/2007 - 01:25
wow that was great. I've read a bunch of personal statements on the net recently and i think it was the only one i read from start to finish. the others I've got bored halfway through. You deserved to get in. Well Done!!
alright miss 'i was in an
Tue, 18/09/2007 - 11:25
alright miss 'i was in an accident'. i personally have been in an accident, but i dont think the world really needs to know? you clearly couldnt think of anything better to write. ah well, your mistake!!!!!!!!
Brilliant, your personal
Thu, 20/09/2007 - 16:11
Brilliant, your personal statement definatly stood out especially the beginning, good opening! has made me think how I want to start mine now to make it different and stand out. Well done on getting in too!
thanks youve given me some
Sat, 22/09/2007 - 23:33
thanks youve given me some good ideas :)
i think your opening
Tue, 02/10/2007 - 09:34
i think your opening paragraph is great! Writing about the car accident which you experienced helped you to really pour out your feelings which is what Psychology is all about.
i think ur opening is too
Tue, 02/10/2007 - 10:25
i think ur opening is too personal, yes relevant to some point but personal dont involve too much of it, over all it is a very good one.
Sun, 07/10/2007 - 13:10
lucky you to have survived an accident and talk about it in your ps. Some of us have nothing to right about. & to all you people out there who fink the opening was just a mistake....well obviously not!!!!! e must have done something right 2 get accepted in the uni!!! Its an ok ps, nufn to get 2 exited bwt. At least u got in ;)
Tue, 09/10/2007 - 13:27
i rekn its ded gd ;) u got in so well dun! N i like opening sentance, i fink that conversational opening sentances r best as they grab ur attention, and obviousley grabbed all ur maners attention lol.
wow! i heard about this
Thu, 11/10/2007 - 12:49
wow! i heard about this statement from a friend. we both thought it was a really good statement and the first line definately got my attention
ITS WAS REALLY GOOD THE
Thu, 25/10/2007 - 19:00
ITS WAS REALLY GOOD THE BEGINNING WAS ATTENTION GRABBING
WELL DONE!! I HAVE NO IDEA HOW 2 START MINE HELP ME OUT PLZ!!
what's with the spelling
Thu, 01/11/2007 - 18:18
what's with the spelling errors. Thank you for allowing me to notice what others may when reading through.
Fri, 09/11/2007 - 16:36
The beginning of this statement makes me shudder, corny! next
Thu, 15/11/2007 - 05:37
I think it's important to really stamp your mark on the statement from the off, so such a personal introduction is a great way of moving into a more subject-based discussion.
AmandaKaii--x
Thu, 29/11/2007 - 13:58
This personal statment is really good =] Did you get into uni with that personal statement?
i thought your personal
Wed, 23/01/2008 - 19:15
i thought your personal statement was great! it really showed your passion for the subject and i loved the opening! well done!
Fri, 14/03/2008 - 19:12
I liked it overall but you should have reviwed it more for the spelling mistakes
I found the "mask" bit about
Wed, 11/06/2008 - 11:15
I found the "mask" bit about the party a bit tongue in cheek (like trying to milk it) but aside from that it was all very intriguing!
You've really helped me draft
Tue, 29/07/2008 - 12:44
You've really helped me draft my psychology statement, you deserved your place at Leeds and I hope you passed with good honours. I wish you all the luck in the world if you decide to become a professional psychologist. Your opening paragraph is captivating and I could not help but read on, it is a fresh and welcome change from constant 'I have always been interested in...' That's like the kiss of death! Well done once again. :)
Excellent starting point for
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 16:32
Excellent starting point for my own personal statement.... As a mature student I also felt that it was important to let my personal experiences show through and feel that you have written a good example, thank you very much!
This statement is over
Mon, 08/09/2008 - 09:38
This statement is over dramatic and anyone could make that type of story up.
Sun, 12/10/2008 - 17:10
I'm currently writing mine its not going too badly but i dont have the same experience as you do. Very pleased to see all these people saying youll never get in, even though your already in.
brilliant begining (if a
Sun, 02/11/2008 - 12:44
brilliant begining (if a little personal) great statment that drips confidence
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 12:37
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 12:38
3 Year old Congratulations
Sat, 22/11/2008 - 19:34
I thought this was a fantastic statement and hope the course was as good as you hoped for!
From someone also planning to enter the field of Psychology x
After reading some of the
Tue, 02/12/2008 - 19:57
After reading some of the comments relating to this personal staement I am highly surprised at the kind of people using this website... 'Why didn't you die in the car crash, is there a psychological reason' I'm sincerely hoping that the author of this question is not actually in university studying psychology, and that their appearance on this website was merely a pathetic attempt to damage someones self image
Your personal statement is
Mon, 29/06/2009 - 13:22
Your personal statement is deffinately controversial in terms of your opening paragraph. It grabbed my attention staight away and i think you need to make yourself stand out over everyone else. Well done! Im glad you got accepted aswell.
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Example Personal Statement: Psychology
We analyse a student's personal statement.
![psychology personal statement mature students Example Personal Statement: Psychology](https://cdn.unifrog.org/image/20/11852/4.jpg)
This student applied to study Psychology and Criminology at Southampton, Royal Holloway and Swansea, as well as Psychology at Liverpool and Oxford Brookes. They received offers from all five of their universities.
Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section so you can learn from their experience.
I became interested in the relationship between human behaviour and the brain after a member of my family was diagnosed with dementia. Having noticed the relationships between the deteriorating condition and abnormal behaviour, I began to question how the brain affects memory and behaviour. My growing interest in the link between the biology of a person and their behaviour was what originally drove me to study Psychology A-Level. Studying Psychology at university will allow me to develop my research and problem solving skills as well as my interest in the mind and behaviour.
You should outline your interest in the subject without relying on one specific ‘lightbulb’ moment - in this example, the student has identified an initial interest and mentioned how they expanded on it to make their decision to study Psychology at university.
Careful not to make your response too emotive - mentioning poor health in your family as a stimulus for your interest is fine providing you keep your writing academic rather than emotional. If it’s too difficult to write about, choose a different driver.
One of the topics I found most interesting during my A-Level course was Psychopathology. This topic led me to research the inner workings of the atypical mind, particularly the mind of a criminal in Psychopath Whisperer by Kent Kiehl. The most engaging aspect of the book was a case study into a repeat offending paedophile. Despite all rehabilitation efforts failing, further investigation found a large tumour in his frontal lobe which, when removed, stopped all deviant behaviours. I find the relationship between psychology and criminology fascinating and looked into this further starting with Jim Fallon’s TED Talk ‘Exploring the mind of a killer’ where I learnt about the thought processes behind the crime, why criminals commit a crime, and whether they have free will. I used this research to help develop my understanding of my module on abnormal behaviour and would like to study this further.
Point out something specific you have studied that interests you, but avoid writing ‘I am passionate about…’. Evidence your interests by writing about ways you’ve explored your subject independently. Exploring things you find interesting without being told to by a teacher demonstrates your natural curiosity in the subject, and will give you the scope to write about your interest in topics that will be on your future courses.
Studying both Biology and Chemistry has helped me to develop my skills in conducting experiments, particularly my hypothesis writing and my ability to analyse experimental data. For example, in my Biology A-Level coursework, I studied the effect of caffeine on the breakdown of protein, hypothesising that protein breakdown would be faster after caffeine intake. I plotted my data on a variety of graphs and used them to identify the rate of the reaction. I explored my hypothesis further in psychology, looking into the effect of caffeine on mental conditions, including addiction. Using my in class research, I linked this to genetics and gene mutations as part of the nature vs nurture debate to bring in my interest in criminals as this is a key element of the study of criminal minds.
You don’t need to explain or even list the A-Levels you’re taking, but you should point out any transferable skills you’ve built, especially if they’re listed on your course page. For example, psychology courses tend to ask for scientific and analytical skills so this student has pointed out their skills in experiments, and they’ve linked this back to an interest in psychology to show how they can use their analyses across their subjects.
Remember that you need to answer the question ‘what makes me a good candidate for this course’, so pick out key examples that demonstrate that you are!
Recently, I attended a lecture by Dr Guy Sutton, a Professor in Neuroscience at Nottingham University. He discussed dissection, brain function and - most interestingly - the neuropathology of Schizophrenia. This led me to research the relationship between this mental illness and criminal behaviour. I was fascinated to find that, where previously it was thought that Schizophrenia drove people to violence, evidence has been uncovered to suggest that criminality is not a symptom of this condition, and the correlation between Schizophrenia and crime is due to the homelessness, poverty, or drug abuse that so often accompanies this illness. My research impressed upon me the importance of studying the mind; this new evidence changed both the way Schizophrenics are treated in society, and how mentally ill criminals are sentenced.
Research into and passion for your subject doesn’t have to be about reading - if you’ve visited a lecture, museum, or something similar, mention it to demonstrate your passion and commitment.
Make sure you don’t just mention the experience and move on; you should link together your experience and your reading, and reflect on what you learnt or how it improved your understanding of the subject. Linking your subject to real world events demonstrates to admissions tutors that you understand and appreciate its relevance in the world around you, and demonstrates that you are capable of processing and evaluating information independently.
I enjoy art where I love to explore the inner workings of the mind from a creative perspective. I entered a sculpture which represented motor neurone disease into a competition; I explored the conflict between the minds of both humans and animals, and my entry was exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery where I was asked to film a short video explaining my thought process behind the piece. I am also a bowler for both my District and County cricket teams where I was awarded ‘best bowler’ for three seasons for my hard work, dedication, and drive to improve. As a result of my improving teamwork and leadership skills, I am a Level 1 coach and have begun working towards my level two coaching certificate. I have recently been given the responsibility of running my own team where I hope to inspire the next generation of cricketers.
Don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements - you should be proud of them! Make sure you point out any accolades, awards, or competitions you have won or taken part in, alongside any extra curricular activities that have helped you develop your skills. You don’t have to link these back to your subject - the point of this section is to demonstrate your skills, not show that you are suitable for psychology. You don’t need a conclusion - use those characters to fill out your examples! If you do choose to end on a conclusion, write about what you are looking forward to studying, rather than any career goals; you are applying to be a student, not a future psychologist!
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How to write a good personal statement for a degree in Psychology
By university of cumbria psychology team.
![psychology personal statement mature students How to write a good personal statement for a degree in Psychology](https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/media/uoc-institute-of-health-facilities-28.jpg)
Are you considering studying psychology at University? If so, what a great choice. A degree in psychology is a fascinating and interesting choice, it can present many career opportunities, and leave you with an excellent range of graduate-level skills.
When making your application to University, one of your most important selling points will be the personal statement you write in support of your application. This can seem challenging and a bit of an intimidating task, so our UK Top 10 (Guardian 2021) Psychology team here at the University of Cumbria has put together a few useful tips for you to consider when you are writing it.
Prepare and plan
Rather than diving in and starting writing your personal statement straight away, bullet point and brainstorm a list of the items you wish to include. Try and write them in order of importance to really catch the eye of the reader with your passion and enthusiasm for psychology. It will take a few drafts to get your thoughts aligned and on paper. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time for this task so don’t leave it too close to the deadline. It’s a great idea to get feedback from friends and family – especially if any of them have studied psychology or work in a related job!
Think about your motivations
Why do you want to study psychology and what has driven you to explore this subject? Is there a particular area you are interested in such as forensic, clinical, or educational, and what drew you to this area? Many of the students studying at Cumbria say they want to help people and give back to the community. Others have a passion for research and understanding why we behave the way we do. Share your motivation as part of your personal statement. Think about how you can evidence this commitment using examples including how you have been exploring psychology through volunteering and psychology-related news articles or blog posts you’ve read. It shows the department how passionate you are about psychology before you even start.
Think about your career goals
Think about what you would like to do after you’ve graduated – even though at this point it might feel a long time away. Are you hoping to pursue a particular career or future opportunity? This is a good opportunity to demonstrate that you have researched the profession and you understand what this degree can lead to. All of our undergraduate psychology programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society and they have some great career pages on their website ( click here ). Have a read and add some details to your personal statement.
Think about the current skills and experience you have
Whilst you might not currently have any work experience in the area, there are lots of ways in which you will have gained relevant skills and experience. For example, if you have ever had any mentoring experience, worked as part of a team, led on a project, taken part in extracurricular activities (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh or after school clubs), and volunteering experience – this can also include reference to hobbies and other activities you enjoy.
Psychology is a good choice of course for people with a range of different experiences, so if you are applying to study psychology having worked in either a related or un-related job, consider what skills and experience you’ve developed that would be relevant. For example, many job roles require skills such as time management, teamwork, organisation, and problem-solving. So make sure to add these into your personal statement.
![psychology personal statement mature students Psychology interview, Person being interviewed for Psychology](https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/media/uoc-institute-of-health-facilities-31-720x480-61a19cb9-dd94-4412-a776-ce14a441f71e.png)
Make sure you include YOU!
Avoid making your personal statement sound like a list of things you have done or achieved. The department wants to hear about you – your interests, your drive, your passion, and your values. The Psychology learning community here at the University of Cumbria is made up of students on our programmes (BSc, MSc, and Ph.D.) and the staff team, they create lots of opportunities for you to get involved and feel part of the team so they want to get to know you right from the start.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA?
We offer BSc Psychology and BSc Applied Psychology courses with optional integrated foundation years and a range of MSc Psychology courses you can see here. Here at the University of Cumbria, we will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need for a successful career in Psychology. It's time for you to make a difference, visit our course page today for more information on the course, call 0845 606 1144, or email [email protected] to speak to an expert and get support with your application.
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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:
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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
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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.
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Psychology Personal Statement Example
Sample statement.
Should people accept the status quo, or should they look at why things have become a certain way and look for deeper insights? Can we ever say that something is an absolute fact, or is everything really a belief? I have found pondering questions like this in my psychology A-level course really fascinating. My reading around each topic has propelled me into a new world, and one that I want to stay within to study at an even higher level, which is why I have chosen to study psychology at university.
The other A-levels that I have studied have become supportive elements to my interest in psychology. Biology has enable me to understand more about how the brain works on a physical and chemical level and chemistry has made the biology of neurotransmitters make much more sense. I am looking forward to finding out more about the interface between the physical workings of the brain and how chemistry and chemical signalling can bring about nerve signals and, ultimately, thought.
I have also found a strong link between psychology and the humanities subjects I studied at GCSE. During the first year of college I chose English literature as an additional AS subject. I won’t pursue it to A2 level but I feel I now have a more thorough grounding in literature that will give me a life-long interest. Reading novels and fiction is a great relaxation and provides me with a different perspective on my hard science reading. Combining four subjects has made my first year at college very busy but this has made me more aware of the need to organise my time, to focus on key tasks and to not waste time.
Outside academic work I am a committed rider and although I don’t own a horse of my own, I go riding at my local stables at weekends and help out two mornings a week with mucking out. This means getting up very early, before I go to college, so it’s a good motivator. I’ve also volunteered with the riding school for disabled children that the stables has run for the past three years and I have enjoyed helping children to ride confidently when they may not be able to walk. To see their obvious pleasure in this achievement is very humbling.
Although I’m not intending to have a gap year, I have planned to travel for 3 months in the summer and go to Chile, where I hope to be able to combine riding with more volunteering. This experience will be challenging but will help me mature, ready to face the bigger challenges of university life and a career in psychology.
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Tips for Writing a Personal Statement
Keep your writing straightforward and honest..
Posted October 16, 2019
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Here are some situations that require writing a personal statement:
- Applying to college
- Applying to special camps or programs
- Applying to graduate school, law school, or medical school
- Applying to an internship program
- Applying for a job
- Applying for a promotion
- … and more!
Like it or not, you’ll be writing personal statements (sometimes referred to as a "statement of purpose") pretty much throughout your adult life. I bet that some retirement communities may even require personal statements in their application process!
As a college professor for over two decades, I’ve advised and edited hundreds—even thousands—of personal statements for students. I take this work seriously, as I know how these statements have the capacity to make or break an application.
Based on this experience (see my new book Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success ), below are some tips for making your personal statement sing, along with some classic no-nos in the process.
Tips for Making Your Personal Statement Sing
First and foremost, realize this: A large but often-unstated purpose of this statement-of-purpose assignment is to allow folks to get a sense of your writing skills. Keep this point in mind the whole while. Here are some other tips:
1. Keep it short! Students often develop this idea that the longer their paper is, the better. As my mom would say, the opposite! All things being equal, you should use as few words as possible in trying to make your point. Think about the points you are trying to make and then make those points.
Efforts to add fluff are always pretty obvious. Further, the people reading your application may have dozens or even hundreds of applications to sift through. Do them a favor by keeping it short!
2. Avoid the big-word trap. Sometimes, students feel a need to use all kinds of fancy, multi-syllabic words in their writing. Try to avoid this trap at all costs! All things being equal, I suggest this approach: Write exactly as you speak (minus slang and, of course, any profanity!).
Sure, you may use some fancy words every now and again in your speech. But speech is all about communication—trying to get someone else to understand something. Writing is no different. Big words used for the sake of using big words are not doing anyone any favors.
3. Follow the guidelines. Whatever the details of the particular application process, know that there are going to be specific guidelines. This all may pertain to word count, specific questions that you are asked to address, etc.
Here is the simplest possible suggestion I can give you: Read those guidelines and follow them 100 percent in every single way. Doing so will make sure that you make it into the pile of applications to be even considered.
4. Proofread your work. Imagine this scenario: You are applying to a job at Southeast State University. After you have submitted the application, you reread your cover letter. Check it out:
“… I am thrilled to be considered for this position at Southeast State University. …. In conclusion, let me say that I am excited about this opportunity at Fresno Institute of Technology. …”
Given that you are applying to multiple positions and/or programs, it is very likely that you are writing statements that are “tailored” for each particular position and program. That is fine and is typical. But the second that you write the name of the incorrect institution in your letter due to a lack of detailed proofreading, you might as well be throwing your application into the recycling bin. Proofread your letter carefully before sending it.
5. Have an “expert” look things over. When I was a senior in college, I recall my advisor, the formidable Dr. Gwen Gustafson of the Psychology Department at UCONN, suggesting that I bring a draft of my personal statement for her to look over before applying to Ph.D. programs. So I did.
I was surprised by how much red ink she put on my paper. But I was also grateful . And I also learned a lot. Every suggestion that she had made sense. And, at the end of the day, I took those suggestions, worked hard, and got into a great Ph.D. program in psychology that shaped the rest of my life in positive ways.
Your professors and mentors have sat on admissions and hiring committees for years. Use their wisdom to your advantage. And pay things forward when you are older and wiser.
Personal Statement No-No’s
1. Don’t overemphasize personal details. A letter that focuses on your own personal traumas and history will only go so far. Sure, it is often the case that someone has a significant personal event or history that is influential in shaping his or her interests. Myself included.
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But letters that over-emphasize one’s own adversities lose a bit when it comes to getting members of a committee to see the applicant in a professional setting. Sure, you may have baggage. And it may well ultimately have come to shape you in a positive manner. But unless the guidelines of the letter are asking about that in particular, don’t make that your headline.
2. Remember that you are not texting your friend. Be professional in your statement of purpose. Don’t use emojis. Don’t use acronyms. Use your most professional and respectful writing and communication skills. You can send all kinds of silly texts to the group chat about it after you’ve been accepted...
3. Seem like you care about them. A statement of purpose, or a personal statement, is largely about you. But the last thing you want to come across as is unempathetic and disinterested in the organization and/or program that you are applying to.
If you are applying to the master’s program in mental health counseling at Western State College, learn about who they are. Care about who they are. And include something in your statement which demonstrates that you both know about them and care about who they are.
Bottom Line
Modern professional life these days includes writing personal statements/essays at various junctions. Pretty much forever. Don’t be daunted by this task. You should be proud of who you are and capable of describing yourself, your interests, and your goals in a clear, engaging, and powerful manner.
Write from your heart. Follow the guidelines. And follow the common-sense suggestions here. You’ll go far.
Geher, G. (2019). Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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Glenn Geher, Ph.D. , is professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is founding director of the campus’ Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program.
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COMMENTS
I am passionate about studying psychology, and looking forward to extending my knowledge in this exciting discipline, and contributing to it in the future. This personal statement was written by Chocoholic for application in 2005. Chocoholic's university choices. University of Leeds. Green: offer made.
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.
5. Keep your statement story honest - and personal. You might have fewer tangible reasons for applying to university as a mature applicant than simply training for a new career. 65 year old Peter White is a retired programmer who decided to fulfil another ambition and apply for a fine arts degree. Pete successfully wrote a very personal ...
Browse our range of Psychology personal statement examples. Gain inspiration & make sure you're on the right track when writing your own personal statement. ... Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto psychology and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.
Remember that a personal statement should be written to persuade the admissions tutor that you're a good fit for the course and have the skills to succeed. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what would convince you. Be honest but avoid false modesty. Sell yourself as a future psychologist in the making.
The personal statement is almost impossible to get right on the first try. Be prepared for multiple drafts and get feedback from others. It's a good idea to solicit a variety of advice about your personal statement (a professor, another psychology student, someone who doesn't know anything about I/O).
Minority Associaon of Pre-Health Students, University of Oklahoma What is a personal statement? • A.K.A. "Professional Statement" or "Statement of Purpose" • Introduc=on to you as a candidate for graduate school • Your chance to "sell yourself" by telling your unique story • Maturity, self-knowledge, purpose, drive
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.
Nearly all doctoral programs and many master's degree programs in psychology require submission of a personal statement as part of the application package. In my experience advising students as well as serving as a graduate dean for many years, few things in the application process cause students as much anxiety and prompt so many questions.
We want to know where this interest in psychology comes from, what excites you and how you indulge your passion. Simply saying: "I have always been interested in psychology" is meaningless without presenting any evidence. Demonstrate how this interest has manifested itself and what you have done to take it further. Research the profession.
It is included as standard for Unifrog partner schools. This student applied to study Psychology and Criminology at Southampton, Royal Holloway and Swansea, as well as Psychology at Liverpool and Oxford Brookes. They received offers from all five of their universities. Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each ...
Prepare and plan. Rather than diving in and starting writing your personal statement straight away, bullet point and brainstorm a list of the items you wish to include. Try and write them in order of importance to really catch the eye of the reader with your passion and enthusiasm for psychology. It will take a few drafts to get your thoughts ...
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.
Psychology student, Beth, takes us through some hints and tips for writing your personal statement when applying to study Psychology at Edge Hill University....
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 ...
My reading around each topic has propelled me into a new world, and one that I want to stay within to study at an even higher level, which is why I have chosen to study psychology at university. The other A-levels that I have studied have become supportive elements to my interest in psychology. Biology has enable me to understand more about how ...
1. Don't overemphasize personal details. A letter that focuses on your own personal traumas and history will only go so far. Sure, it is often the case that someone has a significant personal ...
Your interest in the course is the biggest thing. Start with why you chose it. The best personal statements get to the point quickly. It's your enthusiasm for the course we want to know about - start with that. Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you are interested in studying the area you are applying for and that ...