Master Programs, Statement of Purpose

[AngelaT]

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Hello guys,

I'll be applying to NYU's mental health and wellness as well as Columbia's counseling programs in fall. I'm currently working on my statement of purpose and I really need some guidance.

First, I'm wondering whether I should name specific faculties of interest or not? I know that for PhD programs, this is usually the case but I'm not sure whether this also applies to Masters. I've tried looking this up on their website, but unfortunately couldn't find any relevant information 🙁 If you believe I should mention names, how many do I need? 1 or 2?

Secondly, has anyone gotten into a Master program in Clinical Psychology and if so can you please give me some tips on how you outlined your statement? Currently I have about 4-5 pages and I'm having some trouble omitting info. I'm not sure whether I should mention anything about interest in research (and tie it into faculties' areas of research) or if I should solely focus on my desire to become a therapist? I read in a article that the admissions committee are not very fond of 'Overly altruistic people' who want to help everyone. So I'm hesitant about mentioning anything about my passion to help people. I also really don't have anyone who could help me with the content. I have friends who have offered to edit my essay but my problem right now is focusing on the content and the main theme.

I'd really appreciate your help! 🙂
Thank You!

Angela

 

[AngelaT]

🙁

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Mod note: These threads have been merged across forums owing to the similar subject matter.

 

[AngelaT]

Sorry about that! It was an accident and is removed now.

 

[paramour]

I also applied to master's programs during my first application cycle to doctoral programs. However, although I applied to clinical/counseling PhD programs, I only applied to experimental psych master's programs (so slightly different). I basically approached the statement of purpose the same way as I had for the PhD programs. Although I recognized that it was likely not necessary to identify faculty members who I would be interested in working (based on advice I received from faculty at one of these programs), I thought that it would solidify my interest in their program and might separate me from their other applicants. I expressed my interests, goals, etc. (as I would have while applying to PhD programs)--AND I kept this within 1.5-2 pages MAX!!!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I also applied to master's programs during my first application cycle to doctoral programs. However, although I applied to clinical/counseling PhD programs, I only applied to experimental psych master's programs (so slightly different). I basically approached the statement of purpose the same way as I had for the PhD programs. Although I recognized that it was likely not necessary to identify faculty members who I would be interested in working (based on advice I received from faculty at one of these programs), I thought that it would solidify my interest in their program and might separate me from their other applicants. I expressed my interests, goals, etc. (as I would have while applying to PhD programs)--AND I kept this within 1.5-2 pages MAX!!!

I'd thought I had replied earlier, but apparently either it didn't go through, or I'm only imagining having hit the submit button. Regardless, even though I didn't apply to master's programs myself (and as such paramour's reply is infinitely more informed), I was basically just going to say exactly what's mentioned above--unless directed otherwise, listing 1-2 faculty likely isn't going to hurt your app, and could potentially help (if nothing else, it might provide a segway to briefly explain your clinical/research interests). And yes, definitely aim for 1.5 to 2 pages, tops. Getting practice with writing statements of that length now will serve you well in the long run (whether the post-masters goal is employment or a doctoral program), as it's the typical length for most cover letters as well (with some of those perhaps even topping out at 1 page).

 

[wigflip]

And yes, definitely aim for 1.5 to 2 pages, tops.

+1. I haven't served on an admissions committee yet, but I've served on other committees (awards, etc.) and graded papers, and people on the other end of things kinda hate it when folks exceed the length limit. Many feel that it evinces a sense of entitlement (i.e. "sure, there's a page limit, but it doesn't apply to me because..."). Concision is a terrific skill to develop.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

+1. I haven't served on an admissions committee yet, but I've served on other committees (awards, etc.) and graded papers, and people on the other end of things kinda hate it when folks exceed the length limit. Many feel that it evinces a sense of entitlement (i.e. "sure, there's a page limit, but it doesn't apply to me because..."). Concision is a terrific skill to develop.

👍

Especially when you're writing integrated reports for providers who might have all of 4-5 minutes to read through what you've written. Sure, waxing philosophical about why X has come to be a problem is a great intellectual stimulant for us MH geeks, but in the end, learning how to say what you need to say as quickly and coherently as possible is a necessary clinical skill to develop. And honestly, it also helps you to better conceptualize the case.

 

[AngelaT]

Thanks guys for the advice! 🙂 I'm definitley cutting down the statement to 2-3 pages. This is just my very first draft. I'm having some dilemma in deciding on the main theme of my statement.
If I mention faculties, do I need to relate my experiences/interest to their areas of research? My experiences don't really relate specifically and this is what's causing me a lot of trouble. For instance, let's say one of the faculties focuses on depression. I have experience working at criminal mental institutions and as a research assistant, although none of which directly dealt with clinical depression. So it would be strange for me to mention my research experience and not tie it into faculties research.... Any advice please?! I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks! 🙂

 

[JustNoticing]

Thanks guys for the advice! 🙂 I'm definitley cutting down the statement to 2-3 pages. This is just my very first draft. I'm having some dilemma in deciding on the main theme of my statement.
If I mention faculties, do I need to relate my experiences/interest to their areas of research? My experiences don't really relate specifically and this is what's causing me a lot of trouble. For instance, let's say one of the faculties focuses on depression. I have experience working at criminal mental institutions and as a research assistant, although none of which directly dealt with clinical depression. So it would be strange for me to mention my research experience and not tie it into faculties research.... Any advice please?! I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks! 🙂

You could mention it if you like, but at least at my counseling master's, research was not a part of the program in any way. Not sure if things are different at those programs, but I know that they are geared towards producing counselors. If you need to cut something I'd go with that. I think most important is to relate your past experience to why you want to go to grad school, clinical skills you hope to acquire etc. A chance to demonstrate your maturity, and readiness for graduate level classes and clinical work.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks guys for the advice! 🙂 I'm definitley cutting down the statement to 2-3 pages. This is just my very first draft. I'm having some dilemma in deciding on the main theme of my statement.
If I mention faculties, do I need to relate my experiences/interest to their areas of research? My experiences don't really relate specifically and this is what's causing me a lot of trouble. For instance, let's say one of the faculties focuses on depression. I have experience working at criminal mental institutions and as a research assistant, although none of which directly dealt with clinical depression. So it would be strange for me to mention my research experience and not tie it into faculties research.... Any advice please?! I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks! 🙂

I'd personally aim to keep it at no longer than 2 pages, tops, no matter what. In all honesty, and I don't say this to be harsh, but as a prospective applicant to a masters program (the same goes for doctoral program applicants), there just isn't enough substance to warrant a 3-page letter. It's the same idea that's applied to resumes for recent college grads (i.e., that they just haven't done enough to warrant more than around 1 page). Heck, cover letters for postdoc and tenure-track positions generally don't go past 1.5 to 2 pages.

As for your question, as FreudianSlipper mentioned, it's likely going to vary substantially based on the program. I don't know anything about NYU or Columbia's programs, but if research isn't a part of the degree, then you're likely best off leaving it out of your cover letter. If you mention specific faculty, you can certainly state what it is that they do that interests you, although all of that could like be done in a sentence or two (e.g., "I would be particularly interested in training with Dr. XXXX based on his/her work with XXXX.").

 

[MBellows]

i'd personally aim to keep it at no longer than 2 pages, tops, no matter what. in all honesty, and i don't say this to be harsh, but as a prospective applicant to a masters program (the same goes for doctoral program applicants), there just isn't enough substance to warrant a 3-page letter. It's the same idea that's applied to resumes for recent college grads (i.e., that they just haven't done enough to warrant more than around 1 page). Heck, cover letters for postdoc and tenure-track positions generally don't go past 1.5 to 2 pages.

as for your question, as freudianslipper mentioned, it's likely going to vary substantially based on the program. I don't know anything about nyu or columbia's programs, but if research isn't a part of the degree, then you're likely best off leaving it out of your cover letter. If you mention specific faculty, you can certainly state what it is that they do that interests you, although all of that could like be done in a sentence or two (e.g., "i would be particularly interested in training with dr. Xxxx based on his/her work with xxxx.").

+ over 9000!

 

[AngelaT]

So is the consensus that even if the program requests 2 to 3 pages, it is best to limit it to 2?
I'm wondering if anyone here has gotten into masters program in counseling psychology? If so, could you please give me a few tips on how I could best outline my statement, as I'm having a rather difficult time with it.... Should I be focusing more on specific mental illnesses and tying that into faculties research, or should my statement be more general, i.e describing my passion for psychology? I'd really appreciate your help!!! Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So is the consensus that even if the program requests 2 to 3 pages, it is best to limit it to 2?
I'm wondering if anyone here has gotten into masters program in counseling psychology? If so, could you please give me a few tips on how I could best outline my statement, as I'm having a rather difficult time with it.... Should I be focusing more on specific mental illnesses and tying that into faculties research, or should my statement be more general, i.e describing my passion for psychology? I'd really appreciate your help!!! Thanks in advance! 🙂

I personally likely would just for the practice, but if they allow for 2-3 and you have 2.5, I also wouldn't spend excessive amounts of time trying to pare things down to 2.

 

[paramour]

So is the consensus that even if the program requests 2 to 3 pages, it is best to limit it to 2?
I'm wondering if anyone here has gotten into masters program in counseling psychology? If so, could you please give me a few tips on how I could best outline my statement, as I'm having a rather difficult time with it.... Should I be focusing more on specific mental illnesses and tying that into faculties research, or should my statement be more general, i.e describing my passion for psychology? I'd really appreciate your help!!! Thanks in advance! 🙂

I'd honestly still limit it to 2 max. Be concise. They will appreciate it.

You should be able to tie in your interests in psychology (i.e., why you're interested), your faculty/research interests, etc. within 2 pages. Doctoral applicants do it every year.