Personal statement

[Ex1844]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Yes, me again. Unfortunately, writing out these personal statments has caused me a significant degree of stress. I am finding it rather difficult talking about myself.

Anyway, I was just curious about one question that seems to arise in regards to a personal statment. The question is:

"Write a Letter of Intent of one or two pages describing your
professional and career goals and how you expect graduate​

study to help you accomplish them."

The first part is obviously straightforward(goals), but I am curious what to discuss in regards to the second part(how I expect graduate study to help me accomplish them)?

I just don't know what they want to hear, and I am scared I'm going to say the wrong thing 🙁

Also, when discussing career goals for a PsyD application, I am obviously going to talk about clinical work. Should I mention anything about research, or undertaken research?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BamaPsych]

Hello 🙂

I'm applying to grad school this fall too so, since I haven't been accepted anywhere either, take what you will from my input.

Ideally with any program, be it PhD or PsyD, there will be a certain level of match involved between your interest and theirs. In your futre clinical work, do you want to work with a certain population? Old? Children? Hispanic? Gay? Etc.? You may want to include how this program could help you reach this goal (if it's an urban area and you come from a small town, the potential placement in culturally diverse practicums would aid you reach that goal). I mentioned clinical work because you mentioned a PsyD - not sure if you are app'ing to any PhD programs.

Most PsyD programs are going to have a pretty considerable research component, and since it is possible to enter academic/research with a PsyD, I see no reason why your research goals for the future / current research experiences would be viewed as irrelevant in any way. I would imagine a PsyD program would love to know if you have applied research goals for the future (treating people directly, but for the ultimate goal of contributing to psychological literature).

You could also view their faculty webpage and see if any of their research and clinical interests match yours. Though some PsyD programs dont follow the mentor system of a traditional PhD program, if you can show that you are a fit on several levels with their program (other than the obvious fact that you enjoy clinical work hence applying to a PsyD) they will be impressed.

Good luck!

 

[Ex1844]

Hello 🙂

I'm applying to grad school this fall too so, since I haven't been accepted anywhere either, take what you will from my input.

Ideally with any program, be it PhD or PsyD, there will be a certain level of match involved between your interest and theirs. In your futre clinical work, do you want to work with a certain population? Old? Children? Hispanic? Gay? Etc.? You may want to include how this program could help you reach this goal (if it's an urban area and you come from a small town, the potential placement in culturally diverse practicums would aid you reach that goal). I mentioned clinical work because you mentioned a PsyD - not sure if you are app'ing to any PhD programs.

Most PsyD programs are going to have a pretty considerable research component, and since it is possible to enter academic/research with a PsyD, I see no reason why your research goals for the future / current research experiences would be viewed as irrelevant in any way. I would imagine a PsyD program would love to know if you have applied research goals for the future (treating people directly, but for the ultimate goal of contributing to psychological literature).

You could also view their faculty webpage and see if any of their research and clinical interests match yours. Though some PsyD programs dont follow the mentor system of a traditional PhD program, if you can show that you are a fit on several levels with their program (other than the obvious fact that you enjoy clinical work hence applying to a PsyD) they will be impressed.

Good luck!

Yes, one of my professors told me that the match between yourself and a PsyD program is not as important if you were applying for a PhD. Not that the match isn't important for a PsyD, but possibly not as important. Though, I'm still going to mention a few professors names I would like to work with, etc. Thanks for the input 🙂👍