Autobiographical statement and weaknesses

[Psy01]

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Some programs require a "brief autobiographical sketch" as part of the personal statement. What should one be talking about in this portion? Maybe about things that led one to be interested in psych, and contributed to one's development as a psych student?

Also, some want a discussion of strengths and weaknesses. Are there any kinds of things one should definitely NOT put for weaknesses? And about how long should one address each? I guess no more than a few sentences?

 

[krisrox]

Some programs require a "brief autobiographical sketch" as part of the personal statement. What should one be talking about in this portion? Maybe about things that led one to be interested in psych, and contributed to one's development as a psych student?

Also, some want a discussion of strengths and weaknesses. Are there any kinds of things one should definitely NOT put for weaknesses? And about how long should one address each? I guess no more than a few sentences?

You're right on for the autobiographical statement; it should narrate how you became interested in your field of study. No talk about where you were born or your dog or your family : P

As for the weaknesses, this would be a good time to address a low GPA or any black marks on your record. Definitely don't say something like "stats is my weakness. I'm so bad at that class!"

 

[TriagePreMed]

As for the weaknesses, this would be a good time to address a low GPA or any black marks on your record. Definitely don't say something like "stats is my weakness. I'm so bad at that class!"

Better not bring more attention to low grades than there will already be.

Try to pick a weakness that you've worked on and what steps you took to address it.

 

[TuTuPsychL]

I disagree about not drawing attention to low grades. I mean if you have consistently poor grades across all classes throughout your entire undergraduate career, that's a different story. But if you are an A student but had one semester that killed your GPA, you might want to talk about that. Why it was hard and how you worked to redeem yourself.

My GREs were not as stellar as I would have hoped (mainly because of my Verbal) so I talked about that. I also mentioned that this little score should not define me as a student as I have proven myself through research, thesis, master's program, etc. They like to see that you 1) acknowledge that you are not perfect, 2) are aware of your weaknesses, and 3) know how to overcome them/how they make you stronger. It's all about positive reframe 🙂.

 

[Psy01]

I would also think it's good to address a black mark. One of the reasons it would be a liability is bc of its very nature - it's a black mark on an otherwise good record, and people will naturally wonder why that is. If there is a reasonable explanation, I think that can mitigate the effect.


Going back to my question, here's a verbatim example from a statement prompt:

What personal limitations or hurdles must you address in order to complete graduate school?


Now, for me, it would be stats. I don't like them, and I'm not good with them. However, I used to say that about algebra, then took a course in college and ended up actually kind of liking it and got an A. But don't say stats?

 

[krisrox]

I would also think it's good to address a black mark. One of the reasons it would be a liability is bc of its very nature - it's a black mark on an otherwise good record, and people will naturally wonder why that is. If there is a reasonable explanation, I think that can mitigate the effect.


Going back to my question, here's a verbatim example from a statement prompt:

What personal limitations or hurdles must you address in order to complete graduate school?


Now, for me, it would be stats. I don't like them, and I'm not good with them. However, I used to say that about algebra, then took a course in college and ended up actually kind of liking it and got an A. But don't say stats?

If you're going to say something like stats, you need to put a positive spin on it. Say, "I've struggled in some of my quantitative classes, but I managed to pull an A in my algebra class." Even with that, though, I'd still try to pick another limitation that I've actually overcome, not something that you still struggle with.

 

[JockNerd]

Avoid stuff like "I'm a perfectionist," or "I work too hard." This isn't a Starbucks interview, and those things are actually pretty bad in grad school (perfectionism is the difference between finishing a thesis on time and not, and working all day will result in burnout).

The easiest weaknesses are just to talk about thing you haven't done a lot of yet. So, rather than saying "I hate Stats," maybe something about not feeling like you've ever been really immersed in the analysis of a project you had ownership of. Or, stuff like not being sure what clinical population you're really interested in as your clinical experience is limited. Or, not being sure who you are as an instructor if you've never taught before. Those things are all just lack of experience rather than same enduring flaw.

 

[deleted176373]

Some programs require a "brief autobiographical sketch" as part of the personal statement. What should one be talking about in this portion? Maybe about things that led one to be interested in psych, and contributed to one's development as a psych student?

Also, some want a discussion of strengths and weaknesses. Are there any kinds of things one should definitely NOT put for weaknesses? And about how long should one address each? I guess no more than a few sentences?

The brief autobiographical sketch should identify the things about you that are "different" and influence your worldview. If you were raised by wolves, say so, and then briefly discuss how that led you to study psychology and in particular helped you develop an interest in attachment theory. That is what they are looking for. What drives and defines you.

What you should do with weaknesses is allow yourself to be a little vulnerable, but not so much so that it's a glaring fault. It is especially useful to identify weaknesses that have for the most part been resolved, yet still require your insight and monitoring to keep from getting out of control. Procrastination, while not good, is one that I addressed. It's a weakness and a strength... seeing both sides of a strength and weakness is a good way to go as well. Another one is tenacity, often regarded as a strength, it can bite you in the ass. I like this approach because it allows you to address both the strength and weakness at the same time without sounding disingenuous.

Mark

 

[Psy01]

Procrastination was actually the one I was really settling on, so that's good.


They say weaknessES though. Should more than one be addressed, or one is fine?

 

[Ancap]

Would discussing one's own problems with mental illness harm my chances? I ask this because my motivation for entering psychology came from my desire to give back what I have received in therapy and experiences with mental health professionals.

 

[deleted176373]

Would discussing one's own problems with mental illness harm my chances? I ask this because my motivation for entering psychology came from my desire to give back what I have received in therapy and experiences with mental health professionals.

Personally, and ironically, this is one I would avoid. Seems funny to think that clinical faculty might have a bias against those who have received treatment, but I believe that it could be a factor. Given the level of the competition for slots I would not give them any reason to think twice about your application.

Mark

 

[Ancap]

Personally, and ironically, this is one I would avoid. Seems funny to think that clinical faculty might have a bias against those who have received treatment, but I believe that it could be a factor. Given the level of the competition for slots I would not give them any reason to think twice about your application.

Mark

I definitely got that vibe, it is a real shame. From my experience with multiple mental health professionals, the old adage Physician, heal thyself is seriously neglected. Shouldn't they want people who have done the self work to prevent transference of dysfunction from practitioner to patient?

 

[Psy01]

I definitely got that vibe, it is a real shame. From my experience with multiple mental health professionals, the old adage Physician, heal thyself is seriously neglected. Shouldn't they want people who have done the self work to prevent transference of dysfunction from practitioner to patient?

There's a section in here about statements, and touches a bit on personal mental health matters.
http://www.unl.edu/psypage/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

 

[Ancap]

There's a section in here about statements, and touches a bit on personal mental health matters.
http://www.unl.edu/psypage/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

Thank you, and sorry to derail your thread.