PhD/PsyD PGSP-Stanford Consortium Statement of Purpose question

[_Sunny]

Hi everyone,

As I am finishing up my application to the PGSP-Standford Consortium PsyD program, I am noticing a discrepancy between the prompt for the statement of purpose on the program website vs on the PSYCAS website (where we have to submit the app through).

The program website states:
Please answer the following questions in the Statement of Purpose
(Formatting: Double spaced, typed, maximum 1,000 words)
1. Brief autobiographical sketch, including what led to your interest in clinical psychology
2. What are the strengths and accomplishments that have prepared you for graduate psychology training in clinical psychology. What skills and knowledge, including academic preparation, research experience, and clinical experience, have prepared you for graduate school?
3. Discussion of your future career goals as a clinical psychologist that addresses the following: Why do you want to become a clinical psychologist and what aspects of the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium will help you reach these goals?

The PSYCAS website states:
Statement of Purpose:
Please type, double space, and maximum 1,000 words

• Brief autobiographical sketch, including what led to your interest in the practice of clinical psychology
  
• Details of your goals and purpose in applying to Palo Alto University (PAU)
  
• Discussion of your future career goals as a clinical psychologist that answers the questions: why do I want to become a clinical psychologist and how will the PAU program to which I am applying help me reach these goals?
• Your strengths and accomplishments thus far that have prepared you for graduate psychology training; i.e., your professional development to this point, including course preparation for research projects,history of publications and presentations at professional conferences, and clinical training)
• What qualities you possess that you think will be important assets as a practicing clinical psychologist.

I realize that the prompts are similar, with the exception of the question about qualities, as stated on the PSYCAS website. Does anyone have any insight as to why there is a discrepancy, and which the "real" prompt actually is? My plan right now is to go by the PSYCAS prompt, since it encompasses more info rather than less, but I have already written my statement of purpose based on the program website prompt, and thought I should ask you guys for advice before I begin reworking the essay.

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[smalltownpsych]

I think you'll be okay either way and that you are probably overthinking it. 🙂 The main thing that a reviewer will most likely be looking for is a coherent well-written narrative without any significant red flags.

 

[ClinicalTears]

Yeah, as long as you write a coherent and well-thought statement you'll be fine.

I applied to a post-doctoral program that had a different set of directions of what they wanted in the Cover Letter on every available piece of information they put out.

 

[_Sunny]

Thanks! That makes me feel a bit better.

"I applied to a post-doctoral program that had a different set of directions of what they wanted in the Cover Letter on every available piece of information they put out."
That sounds stressful. How'd you end up deciding what information to include?

 

[ClinicalTears]

Thanks! That makes me feel a bit better.

"I applied to a post-doctoral program that had a different set of directions of what they wanted in the Cover Letter on every available piece of information they put out."
That sounds stressful. How'd you end up deciding what information to include?

it was something minor, about which track I was applying for (was applying to both out of two tracks). The cover letter was pretty standard and included goals, past experiences, and fit.

As part of the application process, we had to answer a question about which track we were applying to on a separate tab/questionnaire. So I did that.

The brochure itself and the tab where I uploaded the cover letter said nothing about including which tracks. The first tab did. Then the questionnaire lol.

The prompts are similar enough for you so no worry. You can also email someone and ask for clarification, that wont hurt.

 

[_Sunny]

it was something minor, about which track I was applying for (was applying to both out of two tracks). The cover letter was pretty standard and included goals, past experiences, and fit.

As part of the application process, we had to answer a question about which track we were applying to on a separate tab/questionnaire. So I did that.

The brochure itself and the tab where I uploaded the cover letter said nothing about including which tracks. The first tab did. Then the questionnaire lol.

The prompts are similar enough for you so no worry. You can also email someone and ask for clarification, that wont hurt.

Oh wow, that's a pretty major discrepancy. Sounds like you got through it pretty well though 🙂

I definitely want to email someone and ask, but unfortunately the university is closed for the holidays, and the application is due the day they get back from break (January 2). So I'll just have to do my best with what I have available to me.