Application Question - not the SOP

[OreoMint]

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I've read a few threads regarding the SOP, but I have a question regarding an 'autobiography'. I'm filling out my last school application and they are asking for a SOP and an autobiography (no one else has asked this) wanting the following answered:

• your personal and family background and how these are related to your career choice
• other factors that have led you to pursue a career in professional psychology
• the strengths and weaknesses you bring to a career in professional psychology
• what professional activities you would like to pursue after graduation

My main issue is with the first two bullet points because of books and articles I've read stating not to include any personal mental health problems. For example: http://psychology.unl.edu/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

One reason why I want to be a psychologist is because of my past and being able to overcome depression and anxiety.

Do I put aside the article/book advice and include it?

Thanks.

 

[Phipps]

I've read a few threads regarding the SOP, but I have a question regarding an 'autobiography'. I'm filling out my last school application and they are asking for a SOP and an autobiography (no one else has asked this) wanting the following answered:

• your personal and family background and how these are related to your career choice
• other factors that have led you to pursue a career in professional psychology
• the strengths and weaknesses you bring to a career in professional psychology
• what professional activities you would like to pursue after graduation

My main issue is with the first two bullet points because of books and articles I've read stating not to include any personal mental health problems. For example: http://psychology.unl.edu/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

One reason why I want to be a psychologist is because of my past and being able to overcome depression and anxiety.

Do I put aside the article/book advice and include it?

Thanks.

...you said "...one reason." If it is one reason really, one among others, I would talk about other reasons too, in a balanced manner. I don't think it is bad, the intention to help based on one's own previous story. Most applicants probably have an element of that. However, I would expect enough awareness about it and would hope the applicant has worked through it and can demonstrate that s/he is metally, emotionally, psychologically strong and stable enough to go thru grad school, besides all the other selection criteria, of course. I think the school's questions you are listing are all right; interesting to see how applicants answer...; I don't think that is an ethics violation and the such.

 

[QAsPsych]

I am a fellow applicant, not even a grad student, so take my advice with a grain of salt maybe, but....

I would advise strongly against including things about personal mental health. I consider the personal statement (a couple schools I am applying for ask for this as well as SOP, and basically the questions were the same as what you describe above as an autobiography) to be a chance to talk about advantages you are using to the fullest / disadvantages you have overcome, and maybe explain a hole in your application. I am using mine, for those schools that require this, as a chance to explain early poor grades; I am talking about my lack of initial preparedness for college at 18 and the challenge of coming out at that time and how I have completely overcome them. My understanding is that revealing you have had a history of mental health issues is viewed as unprofessional and also a case of using graduate school to explore your issues rather than to learn research/practice, which is frowned upon. I have been advised very, very strongly against revealing any sort of history; my advisors don't want to know if I have any sort of mental health history themselves, even.

Just my two cents, but this is what I have been told. If you read the Mitch's Grad School Advice thing that is passed around, he specifically cites this type of disclosure as a way that they filter out who to invite for interviews after grades/GRE's.

Best of luck!