PsychologyPersonalStatement.com
by Dr. Robert F. Edinger
* Helping Applicants Since 2005
drrobertedinger@gmail.com
Personal Statements of Purpose in Psychology, Professional Writing and Editing
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My name is Dr. Robert Edinger (PHD Social Ethics, USC, 1995). I help applicants to graduate school in psychology from all over the world. I only do my best, taking the time to reflect on your story and do internet research on your behalf. My service is quite different from other statement writing services for admission applicants in psychology and counseling for several reasons. I am the little guy on the web, not a big business like most of my competitors. You deal directly with me and I answer all of your questions completely free of charge. I am solely responsible for helping you to produce a statement that will get you accepted to a master's or doctoral program. If you send me your information and I accept you as a new client, I will go to work on your material within 24 hours. I usually draft an introductory paragraph at no charge or obligation so as to give you a better idea of how I can help. Let's get started! Please note that the examples on the web site are anonymous and at least three years old at the time of posting.
PHD Degree in Psychology Personal Statements and Statements of Purpose, Professional Writing and Editing, Examples, Tips, Strategies
Sample first paragraphs of the Personal Statement of Purpose for the PHD Degree in Clinical Psychology
At the center of my intellectual world stand issues surrounding the intersection of clinical psychology and mental health counseling, on the one hand, and ethnic and cultural diversity on the other – especially family dynamics. I now feel that I am at my optimal moment to begin studying towards my PHD Degree in Clinical Psychology at ____ University and I hope to make my maximum contribution to our profession by addressing the stigma that is associated with mental health counseling among Middle Eastern families in particular. I look forward to a long professional lifetime focused on mental health counseling and ethnic-minority-family dynamics from a variety of cultural perspective both within and beyond the Middle East and among Middle Eastern immigrants to America.
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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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In addition to having completed my undergraduate studies in psychology with honors, I feel that I am a strong candidate for your distinguished program leading to the doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology because of my professional experiences, first with a woman’s center and now with a homeless shelter. From September of 2012 through September of 2013 I served as a certified youth advocate after completing an intensive 8 week course. I had the profound privilege of leading community outreach projects in ____ County that included raising teen dating awareness, mentoring at risk youth, and laboring to cultivate higher levels of self esteem for my clients. Since this past August, I have been deeply immersed in the day to day affairs of our homeless shelter in ____, and I am now serving as a case manager while building a special emphasis and knowledge bank in the area of crises intervention. It is a profound honor for me to serve this highly diverse and vulnerable sector of our society. Most importantly, I now have direct experience with precisely the vulnerable groups that I hope to build a specialty studying in graduate school and then serving professionally for the balance of my life.
PHD Degree in Psychology Personal Statements and Statements of Purpose, Professional Writing and Editing, Examples, Tips, Strategies
Crafting a compelling personal statement for a PhD in Psychology is essential to stand out among applicants. Here are some tips and strategies to help you create a successful personal statement:
Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement
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Engaging Introduction: Start with an engaging anecdote or experience that sparked your interest in psychology. It should be unique and personal to grab the reader's attention.
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Be Authentic: Share your true self. Your personal statement should reflect your genuine passion for psychology and your specific interests within the field.
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Highlight Relevant Experience: Discuss your academic background, research experience, and any relevant work or volunteer positions. Mention specific projects, studies, or roles that have prepared you for a PhD.
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Showcase Skills: Emphasize the skills you've developed that are relevant to psychology, such as research methodologies, data analysis, critical thinking, and communication.
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Discuss Career Goals: Clearly outline your short-term and long-term career goals. Explain how the PhD program will help you achieve these objectives.
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Reflect on Challenges: Share any obstacles or challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them. This demonstrates resilience and personal growth.
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Personalize Your Statement: Tailor your statement to each program. Mention specific faculty members, research labs, or aspects of the program that align with your interests and goals.
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Maintain Professional Tone: Keep your tone professional and focused. Avoid casual language, slang, or irrelevant details.
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Edit and Proofread: Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors and typos. Have a mentor, professor, or friend review it for feedback.





























