PsychologyPersonalStatement.com
by Dr. Robert F. Edinger
* Helping Applicants Since 2005 
drrobertedinger@gmail.com

Sample introductory paragraphs for the Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology

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I hope to be seen as a strong candidate for your competitive MSc program in Clinical Psychology at the University of ____ because I have always excelled as a student, especially in my Psychology classes as an undergraduate student of Psychology at ____ University. I also have excellent personal preparation not only academically but also as a volunteer serving long hours in critically important positions of support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. I am extremely highly motivated to excel in your program at ____ University to become a practicing psychologist, helping people to overcome their psychological issues and meet their challenges successfully by regaining positive perspectives and attitudes through therapy and counseling, and medication if needed.

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I will be completing my undergraduate studies in Psychology at ____ University this coming May, 2015. I hope very much to be accepted to begin your distinguished Master’s Program in Psychology at ____ University so that I might continue studying in my chosen professional field. Throughout the course of my undergraduate studies, I have learned, to put it in the words of my favorite professor: “how to think… not what to think.” As a result of learning from her and many other professors, I am now able to critically assess clinical research and what it means to be a good clinician. What I find most exciting about Psychology is the constant sense of self discovery, the ongoing understanding of one self and others, the smoke behind the mirrors. I seek lifetime immersion in the study of the motivations resulting in justifications, and why we act in the complex ways that we do, often for reasons of which we are entirely unaware. 

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Sample introductory paragraphs for the PHD Degree in Clinical Psychology

 

A young woman with part African-American and part German ancestry, most of all, I am American; and this is why I feel called to serve my country; especially, the veterans that have risked all, and came home to live and fight their wars over again in their mind, day by day. I served in the military for nine years so it is my world, my mindset, my frame of reference. I was diagnosed with PTSD aggravated by the fact that I am also a victim of military sexual trauma (MST). Nothing excites me as much as my own recovery and I have made such profound progress that I could not be more inspired to give my all to graduate school in Psychology - so as to prepare myself for making my ultimate contribution to my fellow soldiers who are in need of our support at learning to live with PTSD, in particular. I am concerned about the staggering rates of suicide among returning Veterans and I want to do all that I can to help.

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Now 33 with my Master’s Degree in Psychology complete and invaluable professional and volunteer experience under my belt, I feel strongly that I now have sufficient maturity and that it is the optimal time for me to undertake further graduate study towards the PHD Degree in Clinical Psychology. I want very much to build a career around the cause of preventing sexual violence, protecting victims and would be victims, and helping victims to heal. The fact that I was physically abused by my own father, and sexually abused by a minister who was also my mother’s boyfriend, put my own life in jeopardy as an adolescent—until I called a suicide hotline and later got some help. For the most part, my own healing process did not begin in earnest until 2007, at the age of 25, when I volunteered to staff a Rape Crisis Hotline and spent the summer as a Camp Counselor for at-risk children.

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A Senior at Florida State University, my first choice for graduate school is ____ University. I hope very much to earn the PHD in Clinical Psychology in your particularly distinguished program because I feel that I am the best fit with the emphasis of your curriculum, much of which is devoted to helping young people in particular. Throughout my studies here in Florida, earning my BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminology, I have gravitated towards the study of youth behavior. I could not be more engaged, in particular, with the study of the mechanisms or causal factors that result in mental illness among troubled youth from at-risk homes, or those caught up in the foster-care of juvenile justice systems.

 

Crafting a standout personal statement for Clinical Psychology can really set you apart. Here are some tips and strategies to get you started:

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Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

1. Start with a Strong Opening: Capture the reader's attention from the beginning. Share a compelling story or an impactful experience that ignited your passion for clinical psychology.

2. Be Authentic: Your personal statement should reflect who you are. Be honest and genuine in sharing your journey, experiences, and aspirations.

3. Highlight Relevant Experience: Discuss any academic, professional, or volunteer experiences that have prepared you for a career in clinical psychology. Highlight any research, internships, or clinical work you've done.

4. Showcase Your Skills: Mention the skills you've developed that are relevant to clinical psychology, such as communication, empathy, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

5. Discuss Your Goals: Clearly state your short-term and long-term career goals. Explain how the program you are applying to will help you achieve these goals.

6. Reflect on Challenges: Share any challenges or obstacles you've faced and how you've overcome them. This demonstrates resilience and personal growth.

7. Personalize Your Statement: Tailor your statement to each program you're applying to. Mention specific faculty members, research projects, or aspects of the program that align with your interests and goals.

8. Stay Professional: Maintain a professional tone throughout your statement. Avoid slang, overly casual language, or irrelevant information.

9. Edit and Proofread: Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors and typos. Consider asking a mentor, professor, or friend to review it for you.