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If you're writing a psychology personal statement, describing your personal insights into the subject or how you've pursued your interest outside the classroom will impress over quoting Freud or Milgram (which might sound a little pretentious). That's what psychology admissions tutors told us when we asked them what they're looking for in your personal statement.

Five things to include in your psychology personal statement

The University of Bristol highlights five elements of a strong, academically focused psychology statement:

• Ensure it is well structured and well written .  
• Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course.
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study.
• Provide evidence of when you have pursued your interest in psychology outside the classroom (see above!)
• Give examples of non-curricular activities you are involved in which indicate the contribution you are likely to make to university life. Any relevant work experience you have under your belt is also worth talking about. But if you haven't gained experience in the field directly, think creatively - there might be ways to link observations from your part-time job, voluntary work or extra-curricular activities to psychology. One successful applicant finished her statement with a short paragraph about her Saturday job on a supermarket fish counter, describing the satisfaction she got from knowing how to gut and fillet a mackerel. Linking her experience to psychology in an innovative but relevant way was a lot more interesting than just saying it had improved her teamwork or communication skills, which are a bit broad.

Psychology tutors tell it like it is

Here are some more points to avoid:

• A lack of understanding: ‘Some applicants display a misconception of what psychology is. We want to know that you understand the importance of scientific elements of the course and the importance of statistics and experimentation’.
• Not enough engagement with the subject: ‘Some applicants are rejected because of a lack of commitment to the subject, especially in cases where it appears that they’ve applied for a mixture of courses rather than five psychology ones’.
• Making it too personal: ‘Some applicants expand too much on personal circumstances, such as mental health issues or life events. Studying psychology may not necessarily help, so don't overplay personal stories’.
• Getting the tone wrong: don’t just say you ‘want to help people’ and don’t use inappropriate language like ‘less fortunate people’. Also, avoid inserting sophisticated language or phrases if you don’t fully understand them – ‘straightforward language is never a bad thing’.

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Psychology personal statements

Scroll down this page to find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study economics and related courses at university.

Plus, over on The Uni Guide, we've also got advice from universities on what they want to see in a psychology personal statement . 

Among the tips shared by admissions experts: really research the course; be sure to understand what psychology actually covers; show the range of your interest; cover relevant work experience.

Examples of real psychology personal statements

These psychology personal statements are written by real students. Among them you will find personal statements that have formed part of successful applications to universities such as Royal Holloway, Aberystwyth and Aberdeen.

Bear in mind, these personal statements are presented in exactly the way they were originally submitted to Ucas. Don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement. 

More help with your personal statement

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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• FindAMasters
• Psychology Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Ben Taylor

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Psychology. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

The effects of psychological trauma can be diffuse and difficult to treat, with wide-ranging causes and an unfortunate range of symptoms. Having witnessed first-hand the consequences of mental trauma in several loved ones in recent years, I’m determined to place myself in a position where I can help the recovery of others in unfortunate circumstances.

I’m currently in the final year of an English Literature degree and am course to achieve a 2.1. My interest in Psychology has manifested itself in my module choices on this course, including one that examined the relationship between trauma, memory and Holocaust literature, and an elective that I took in my first year on the Philosophy of the Mind. My dissertation looks at representations of post-traumatic stress disorder in First World War literature, contemporaneous news accounts and medical textbooks. I hope that my knowledge of the cultural background and theory of Psychology will stand me in good stead when I begin my postgraduate studies, providing with me with an extra lens through which to consider the issues at hand.

The MSc in Psychology programme at your institution appeals to me because it offers a rigorous, BPS-accredited grounding in the foundational pillars of Psychology, as well as the opportunity to pursue more specialised modules in Neurotrauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Occupational Psychology. After finishing my Masters, I hope to gain the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS before applying for a doctoral degree that allows me to pursue my interest in psychological trauma and its treatment, eventually becoming a qualified psychiatrist.

Last summer I shadowed a psychologist who supported adults with complex needs, which gave me an insight into the difference that this kind of work can make to people’s lives. I’ve also been a listening volunteer for the Samaritans helpline for the past two years, an experience that has taught me the importance of compassion and open-mindedness when speaking with people in psychological distress. In addition, I’m a student ambassador and have supported my university at many open days, study fairs and graduation ceremonies over the past few years, requiring excellent organisational skills and a friendly, professional manner.

I’ve worked on a part-time basis for a local pub since 2017, something that has given me plenty of confidence and excellent interpersonal skills. Once I’ve finished my dissertation, I plan to spend my summer working full-time at the pub, saving up enough money to concentrate on my postgraduate studies next academic year.

I’m incredibly excited about the prospect of beginning an MSc in Psychology soon and see it as the natural continuation of my academic career to date, as well as the perfect way for me to put my extra-curricular experience into practice.

MSc Psychology

Leiden university faculty of behavioural and social sciences, msc - psychology, university of plymouth faculty of health, psychology - msc, liverpool hope university department of psychology, psychology (conversion) (online) msc, keele university school of psychology, forensic psychology - msc, newcastle university school of psychology, find a masters in psychology.

If you're interested in a studying Psychology, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Psychology Masters courses .

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 21 September 2023 | 10 min read

Writing a psychology personal statement: expert advice from universities 

 Get tips from the top to help you nail your psychology personal statement 

Share this page

Email & print.

Research the course and make it clear that you understand what it’s all about

• Read more:  how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Keep it focused on you 

… but make sure you understand what the course is all about and keep it academic.

• Read more:  how to write your university application

Answer the question of why you want to study psychology 

• Read more:  teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Show the range of your interest

• Read more:  personal statement FAQs

Highlight any relevant work experience

• Read more:  the ten biggest mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement

And work experience outside the healthcare sector could still be relevant, too

• Read more:  universities reveal all about personal statements

Reflect on your relevant experience

• Read more:  universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

Avoid cliches

• Read more:  how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say

Let it all flow out in your first draft

• Read more:  how long does it take for universities to reply to your application? 

Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly where you want your career to take you yet

And a few final tips from universities…, you may want to look at these..., how to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps.

Help and advice on putting your application together

Personal statement FAQs

We've gone through some of the most commonly asked personal statement questions and put all the answers in one place

Personal statement secrets – universities reveal all

Want to know how to craft an amazing personal statement? Take some advice from the experts...

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Successful Personal Statement For Psychology At Oxford

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Psychology applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Psychology Course at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection.

Read on to see how this candidate demonstrates their academic interests and initiative.   

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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Psychology Personal Statement

How does the mind work? The mind is a mystery housed within the most complex mechanism known to man: the human brain. My innate curiosity compels me to find out more about such a mystery through the study of Psychology.

I have long been interested in how our minds differ: for example, why have I always been a strong mathematician while my brother finds it challenging? Being a musician, I found Kathryn Vaughn’s research supporting a correlation between musical and mathematical abilities particularly thought provoking, while I have also wondered whether my childhood obsession with jigsaws helped me develop problem-solving skills, which are particularly relevant in Geometry: the area with the biggest rift in our abilities. Ann Dowker’s argument, in ‘Individual Differences’, that educational methods influence such differences was also particularly compelling. Therefore, in my gap year, whilst helping struggling learners in KS3 Mathematics at a local school, and, when I help educate children in Tanzania as an International Citizen Service volunteer with the VSO charity, I will evaluate the success of different educational methods. This will give me experience of carrying out my own research, and, will develop skills such as empathy, which is important in the more sensitive areas of Psychology. Furthermore, I recently assisted a University of Oxford researcher conducting follow-up assessments with children in local primary schools. These measured reading-age, language comprehension and numeracy level, and are used to gauge and refine the Catch-Up charity’s numeracy intervention programme. As some of the children being assessed were from a control group, my involvement also enlightened me to ethical aspects of research.

Differences that occur in the criminal mind are also of great interest to me. As an elected Student Ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau earlier this year, where I learnt about Rudolf Hoess. Hoess exterminated thousands of families, yet lived with his own family just outside the camp. This ignited an interest in complex behaviour; therefore I read Stanley Milgram’s research into whether ‘the Germans are different’, and learnt about his Theory of Obedience. This developed an interest in Forensic Psychology, and I subsequently attended a Forensics course at Nottingham University, where I learnt about a Forensic Psychologist’s role, during Mental Health tribunals, for example.

Deterioration of the mind, and methods to counteract this, also interest me. Reading the Psychologist has given me an insight into how the effectiveness of such methods could be analysed using a high-resolution 3D brain atlas; while a presentation from Claire Rytina enlightened me to useful cognitive treatment designed to rebuild and retrieve memory following her Viral Encephalitis. I have also voluntarily worked at a Nursing Home with some Dementia sufferers, and noticed that many sufferers enjoyed me playing music from their past, and sometimes, this triggered some of their memories. This made me wonder whether the music stimulated neurones which had lain dormant for years, similarly to when neurones are used for the first time, as Hubel and Weisel’s nature/nurture research has shown. Studying this in A level Biology gave me an interest in neuroscience, while Biology also stressed the importance of controls and fair tests, which are invaluable during Psychology experiments too. My mathematical skills in statistics will also be beneficial when analysing empirical evidence; and, the deep level of analysis and evaluation used for varying sources in A level History will be useful when studying case studies, while my essay techniques will help me when writing reports, and when considering issues from different perspectives.

Overall, I feel that my broad interests and skills will enable me to thrive as a Psychology student at a demanding University, where I would also make a positive contribution to University life.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This statement is powered by a broad range of academic interests — all of which the candidate has explored to a deep and commendable level. They are able to articulate how these interests came about, why they are important and how they intersect. In so doing, the candidate clearly demonstrates their ability to think independently, undertake independent projects and foster a wide-ranging curiosity. Furthermore, they clearly illustrate how their academic interests have had a bearing on their actions outside of the classroom; activities that require a substantial amount of initiative and endeavour.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

While the consideration of a range of different areas of psychology is illustrative of a consistently curious individual, this statement would have benefited from greater cohesion as an overall piece. The candidate could have also found a less rhetorical way of opening their statement; their tone at this point is not a mode of speech that they return to elsewhere, and as such, it seems somewhat like a non-sequitur. Their prose thereafter is much more engaging, and it seems unfulfilling and irrelevant to include such mystifying text at the start.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This candidate maturely presents their academic interests and particular areas of personal pursuit. As a result of this, they are able to demonstrate moments at which they have taken impressive amounts of initiative, and have really gone out of their way in order to experience their academic interests outside of the classroom. They are thereby able to fashion themselves as a curious, energetic, academic individual, who is able to think independently and develop their own work. There are potential areas for stylistic improvement within the statement, but they do not hinder the overall impression given of a capable and committed candidate.

This Personal Statement for Psychology is a great example of demonstrating academic interest and initiative. The candidate’s interest and passion are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Go to our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Psychology application.

With our  Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , score highly on the TSA and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

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Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples: Psychology

Why Strong Personal Statements are so Important for Graduate School

In your psychology graduate degree application, the personal statement is crucial. It showcases your academic achievements, personal journey, career goals, and why you’re a great fit for the program. This is your chance to move beyond mere statistics—GPA, test scores, work experience—and tell your unique story. Crafting a compelling personal statement requires insight, precision, and guidance. However, finding quality personal statement for graduate school examples can be challenging. Magoosh is committed to supporting graduate applications with detailed analyses, specific feedback, and comprehensive support throughout the admissions process.

Spotlight on Successful Psychology Personal Statements

We’re excited to showcase two standout personal statement for graduate school examples covering two different psychology tracks. The first, used to apply to Columbia University, explores the therapeutic power of storytelling in the aftermath of trauma and the writer’s dedication to studying the pathways from traumatic experiences to psychopathology. This essay seamlessly weaves together the applicant’s academic pursuits and professional experiences, underlining a deep-seated commitment to understanding and fostering resilience and growth post-trauma.

Second, written for UC Berkeley, takes us on a captivating journey—from volunteering in Haiti to navigating the urban complexity of New York, and finally, to a meaningful role in tutoring across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This narrative eloquently captures the author’s evolving insight into the significant role counseling plays in psychological well-being and the drive to effect change within the psychology field.

Examples with Expert Annotated Feedback

Our feedback on each personal statement highlights strengths, suggests improvements, and offers strategic advice to boost the essay’s impact and emotional appeal. This feedback reflects our thorough grasp of the admissions process and our dedication to helping candidates refine their narratives.

Now explore our personal statements and expert commentary for inspiration on your application narratives. Whether starting your essay or finalizing it, our resources, expertise, and support guide you through the admissions journey.

Finally, our aim is to help you create a personal statement that surpasses admissions expectations, compellingly showcasing your unique story. Explore our blog for further tips, inspirational success stories, and expert advice , and move forward in your graduate school journey with confidence. Our platform is your ally in turning your graduate school aspirations into achievements.

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How to Write a Psychology Personal Statement Worthy of Oxbridge!

This blog leads you through some of U2's Oxford and Cambridge-educated Psychology graduates' tips for building content for, writing and structuring your Psychology personal statements.  

Most University level Psychology courses do not require that students have taken Psychology at A-level or IB (in fact, some professors advise that students don't take it, because the A-Level/ IB syllabus is so different from what you learn at University). 

So, how do you demonstrate your aptitude for the course at university level? Whether you have studied Psychology at school, or are starting afresh, this blog will teach you how to ensure your Psychology personal statement stands out to interviewers for the top UK universities.

Tips for your Psychology Personal Statement

Few students will have written anything like a UCAS personal statement before - an approximate side of A4 on what exactly you have to offer. For some general tips on how to write a high-level and original personal statement, check out our blog on 10 Top Tips for Writing a Standout Oxbridge Personal Statement .

Your personal statement should integrate your personal interests, subject knowledge and extracurricular experience. For Psychology, we suggest focusing on three main areas: (1) highlight your personal interest in psychology, be it clinical psychology or the stigma surrounding mental health, and link this more explicitly to the range of ways you have explored the subject;

(2) emphasise your academic abilities and how these will ensure you suit the course e.g. You may mention your mathematical/ scientific abilities and how this complements/ facilitates your interest in empirically studying human behaviour; (3) discuss extra-curricular activities and how these also relate to your subject interest. E.g. Essay competitions, projects, lectures etc. 

(1) Highlight your personal interest in psychology and link this more explicitly to the range of ways you have explored the subject

If you have an initial interest in Psychology, but have not had a chance to explore it in-depth, or beyond the school syllabus, this should be the first step. Do not regurgitate your school syllabus. You’ll need to read and research the subject, refining your interests and building evidence of your wider exploration e.g. through reading books, articles and scientific research papers.

Ideas to direct your wider subject exploration:

One way of developing an early understanding of key aspects of Psychology is to briefly look at the compulsory modules of the courses that interest you and gain an initial overview of key themes/ topics through reading and research. E.g. The undergraduate psychology course at Oxford University covers: Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Neuroscience, so you could try to gain a quick appreciation of each module through research. Cambridge also provide a useful A-Z of key topics in Psychology.

After an initial introduction into broad areas of psychology and what they involve, focus in. Which areas pique your interest most? Keep a file with notes on each topic, read articles to extend your knowledge, and remember to relate concepts to your personal experience (e.g. examples from everyday life, real-world applications of concepts) so you don’t end up turning your personal statement into an essay. Why does [Insert topic] make you want to study Psychology at degree level? What catalysed your interest in [Insert topic]? Can you think of examples in your everyday life that relate? :

E.g. Following some research, you may find you are interested in Social Psychology, in particular group identity. What interests you about it? You may have read about ‘outgroup homogeneity’: the failure to see differences between members of of an out-group. Can you think of examples in your everyday experience? E.g. Racial prejudice?

Conversely, you may have started with thinking about racial prejudice, if that is something you are particularly passionate about, and that could have led you to research the psychology behind it, which could have brought you to Outgroup homogeneity. Either method is great. When it comes to writing your personal statement, it can be best to start with the personal experience/ interest and mention how this spurred you on to the academic research/ how your interest deepened with wider exploration.

Psychology Personal Statement Reading Recommendations

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Saks: This book provides case histories of patients who have suffered a range of neurological disorders. E.g. Patients who have lost their memories, patients with violent tics, those with disabilities, but who are mathematical geniuses.

Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman : Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate, Kahneman, developed ‘Prospect theory’, a theory of the psychology of choice, which has been central to the relatively new field of behavioural economics.

The book provides a good overview of a variety of key topics and is particularly useful for those with a penchant for economics (thinking about interdisciplinarity and how your subjects of interest link is always great for your personal statement), or for those simply interested in real-world applications of theories.

Try to think of examples from your everyday life e.g. How decision making can be influenced by advertising and product placement.

Bad Science - Ben Goldachre: Dr Ben Goldacre is the author of the Bad Science column in the Guardian. This humorous book should encourage you to critically appraise articles that you read and stimulate a broader discussion on subjectivity/objectivity and empiricism in psychological research. Humans introduce bias into all research - e.g. Look into the spurious findings of fMRI research when researchers do not adequately account for ‘noise’ in the data.

The Memory Illusion – Dr Julia Shaw: Forensic psychologist and memory specialist, Dr Julia Shaw, uses the latest research to show the many ways in which our brains can be led astray by memory. Learn about how errors in reconstructing memory reflect inherent biases.

If you would like to learn more about memory, check out our co-curricular division, Minds Underground™’s Mind-Enhancing Articles for Psychology, where our Oxbridge psychologists examine the role of memory and other key psychology topics/ questions.

Also try to read some scientific papers and start thinking critically about them, and stay updated on developments in psychology and psychology in the news. E.g. Through reading The New Scientist - Psychology News , Neuroscience News , Naked Scientist Psychology articles & podcasts, or the Royal Society of Psychology research articles, podcasts and blog posts.

(2) Emphasise your academic abilities and how these will ensure you suit the Psychology course.

Throughout your personal statement, you should demonstrate how you have built skills in preparation for university and for studying Psychology .

To begin preparation, brainstorm your academic abilities and skills, and how these ensure you will suit the course/s you are applying for. Extensively research your top university choices, and see if they have a page dedicated to what they want from applicants. Fill a table as in the example below to help you relate your skills to the study of Psychology.

(3) Discuss extra-curricular activities and how these relate to your subject interests

Many students mistake “extra-curricular activities” for non-subject-related activities such as sport, art, or music. Whilst you can mention these at the end of your personal statement, you are much better off mentioning co-curriculars that directly link to your subject, especially if applying to Oxford or Cambridge (non-academic activities should be 2-3 lines maximum to round-off your personal statement in this case).

If you can’t think of co-curricular activities to mention, now is the time to start finding opportunities to take part in! Here are some ideas:

Psychology Essay Competitions

Minds Underground hosts a Psychology Essay Competition each year. This year, the competition includes a Psychology Research Proposal Challenge, which is perfect for demonstrating independent research & initiative, and will encourage you to learn about experimental design, data collection, handling and analysis.

Also check out Oxford and Cambridge-run essay competitions e.g. Newnham College runs a Psychological & Behavioural Sciences competition each year.

Research Projects

You could task yourself with curating your own independent research project to mention on your personal statement.

3 Example Human Psychology Projects:

Investigating the effects of colour, word type, or other non-semantic factors on memory/reaction time/false memory recall of word lists

Influence of age/gender/multilingualism or any number of other factors on memory, number & word processing, any easily quantifiable metric.

An investigation into behavioural economics in the style of Kahneman & Tversky, looking at Type 1 & 2 decision making and how this can be influenced, for example, by advertising and product placement.

If you are looking to undertake a project under the tutelage of a Psychology subject expert, we also run specialised guided research projects through Minds Underground, usually a month in duration, with weekly project tutorial sessions (these are paid). E.g. “A Psychology or Medicine Project with a Research Associate for the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Oxford University Hospital Trust (NHS)” or “Psychiatrists & Pharmaceuticals: Alzheimer’s Research Project” with Psychology & Philosophy Oxford graduate, Georgia, who is studying for an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at UCL.

The aim is to combine teaching of high-level subject-specific content with exposure to real-world applications of these concepts, giving you the opportunity to undertake a project that is both useful for a university application and potential future career.

The projects are great to mention on personal statements, and make impressive talking points at your interview, particularly for top UK universities such as Oxbridge (our project hosts are all Oxbridge-educated), who favour applicants with an interest in scientific research. 

Societies, Summer Schools & Lectures/ Talks

 Are you part of your school’s Psychology Society ? If the school doesn’t have one, could you start one up? Or if they have a STEM society, could you introduce a Psychology element or invite speakers for lectures?

We host a fantastic Psychology Summer School for university applicants, hosted by our team of Psychology Oxbridge graduates. The weekly sessions, running from July to September, will provide a taster of University level Psychology, to provide material which students can write about in personal statements, an discuss during their interviews

There are a plethora of online lectures and talks for you to access online - E.g. Gresham College Psychology lectures, or Ted Talks on Psychology

Additional Psychology Personal Statement Advice for those applying to Oxbridge: Oxford, Cambridge

Applying to leading courses like Cambridge's Psychological and Behavioural Sciences or Oxford's Experimental Psychology course requires a tailored approach in your personal statement. Here's how you can make your statement stand out for these Oxbridge courses, compared to non-Oxbridge programmes:

Research-Centric Focus:

Highlight your interest in research from the very beginning. Discuss specific research projects you've been involved in or research findings that have fascinated you.

Look into the cutting-edge research conducted at Cambridge or Oxford and see if anything aligns with your academic interests.

Interdisciplinary Connections:

Emphasise your readiness to explore the interdisciplinary aspects of psychology. These Oxbridge courses often connect psychology with other fields. Mention your interest in related subjects such as neuroscience, biology, or even philosophy, if relevant.

Discuss how these interdisciplinary connections will enrich your understanding of psychology and your research capabilities.

Critical Thinking and Independent Study:

Both Cambridge and Oxford value independent learning and critical thinking. Share your experiences with independent research, coursework, or self-study that demonstrate your ability to think critically and engage deeply with psychology.

Specific Course Features:

Relate some of your content to the unique features of the course at either Cambridge or Oxford. For example, Cambridge's Psychological and Behavioural Sciences course includes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behaviour. Oxford's Experimental Psychology course focuses on research design and data analysis.

Explain how these aspects align with your academic goals and career aspirations.

Use of Research Methods:

Try to demonstrate your familiarity with research methods and data analysis tools, as these are central to both courses. Highlight any coursework or projects that have developed your skills in these areas.

Looking Beyond the Classroom:

Mention your involvement in psychology-related co-curricular activities, such as higher level topic areas, clubs, volunteer work, or internships, to demonstrate your dedication to the field beyond academic requirements.

You could seek guidance from your teachers or one of U2’s Oxbridge Psychology tutors, who are familiar with the specific requirements and expectations of Oxbridge courses. They can provide invaluable insights and help you refine your personal statement. Contact us if you’d like to learn more.

Next Steps: Drafting & Structuring Your Psychology Personal Statement

Try to narrow your interests down to 2 or 3 topic areas which you can use as overarching themes for your personal statement, e.g. (1) Theories of Mind, of Consciousness, (2) Psychology & Gender, (3) Social Psychology - Group Identity.

Ensure you can address these themes in depth. Have a range of resources to draw from e.g. a scientific paper, a book, research you undertook as part of an essay competition.

Ensure a strong narrative , including linking of concepts between key sections.

Demonstrate personal critical analysis to show your engagement and interest in the subject.

Example Psychology Personal Statement Structure

Aim for around four main paragraphs:

1st paragraph (introductory): What is your motivation to study Psychology? Be specific: what do you want to explore at university? What is distinctive about studying Psychology that makes it worthwhile? Ensure you talk about what motivates your study of the subject now, not a catalyst from your childhood as the interviewer will find it clichéd and less relevant.

2nd paragraph: Explore your interest in [Insert topic] through [Insert activity: e.g. Summer School]. Which of your abilities did this highlight? Link the topic to an interest in [Insert research form: An experiment, article etc.]. Link this to [Insert another activity e.g. a Cambridge lecture on X].

3rd paragraph: Link to paragraph two. This paragraph can follow the same format, but deal with a different topic/ theme.

4th paragraph: Mention extra-curricular activities that don’t relate to your subject interests really briefly (e.g., music, volunteering, anything else of relevance) and demonstrate how these have built skills in preparation for university and for studying Psychology.

You could mention your other A-Level/ IB subjects, perhaps describing how they have enhanced your study of Psychology. 

You could mention any prizes or roles of responsibility which you have had at school, including any clubs that you might organise, such as the school newspaper or student council.

It can be useful to conclude your personal statement by returning to your aptitude for studying the subject in a final few lines . Which core skills do you possess which will equip you to excel at degree level? It’s important to strike a balance between enthusiasm for the subject and evidence of skills.

Example Successful Psychology Personal Statement

Looking at personal statement examples can help you to understand how to structure your own statement and what to include. Below, we have included an example of a successful Cambridge Psychology personal statement, written by one of our 1st Class Cambridge PBS tutors. N.B. The statement is by no means perfect, but should provide an exemplar for how to weave your academic interests and co-curricular endeavours into your statement.

Over 100 trillion synapses connect to form neural networks in the brain – an engine so close to home yet more enigmatic than some of the cosmos. How can the very matter we use to think and learn unlock mysteries of the universe, yet not know exactly how it stores memories? It is these existential questions that fuel my fascination for studying the delicate mechanisms of our minds. Year one of my A-levels, what started as curiosity became increasingly interesting to me. Psychology lessons were deeply thought-provoking, particularly when biological and cognitive psychology were the topics of study. The biology behind the metaphysics of consciousness and perception has since captured me, especially when considering neurological disorders. Fascinated by these phenomena, last year I attended a lecture by Baland Jalal; he discussed his own research into a cure for sleep paralysis, as well as demonstrating his enthusiasm for the field which was a perfect cross-section of various disciplines that I love. To further explore this new intricate field of interest, I read “The New Science of Consciousness” by Paul Nunez; this book offered me a profound insight into the philosophy and “hard problems” that this science faces; whilst explanations for Alzheimer’s and Free Will are difficult to retrieve, the questions we need to ask are even harder to formulate. Cures for neurodegenerative diseases are currently beyond our grasp, which I believe will be changed with further years of research that I would be honoured to be a part of. The challenges and speculations associated with understanding the brain and our behaviour draws me into the subject as I enjoy combining abstract and logical thinking to decipher problems. Both studying logical programming in Computer Science and my EPQ (an investigation into creating a handmade Wilson Cloud Chamber) showcase the interface of these types of thinking. Self-teaching has been a critical aspect of advancing my knowledge of Neuropsychology as at A-Level there is no depth into more peculiar cases (many of which I discovered after reading “The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat” by Oliver Sacks) such as Anton-Babinski Syndrome – a rare symptom of brain damage that causes people to be “cortically blind”, yet inexplicably deny their blindness. Using my own learning techniques, in Year 12 I helped tutor students in Year 7 physics classes. The significant change in learning style developed my methods of tutoring, teaching me to work with and teach peers of varying ages and enhance my ability to describe difficult concepts in an appropriate and understandable way. During year 12 I was accepted onto the Sutton Trust US Programme – a competitive Fulbright programme for high-achieving state-school students. I was one of 150 students picked from 1000+ applicants. Learning to deal with additional, international examinations and workload alongside school, being the guitarist in a band, and rock-climbing has been essential for my personal development, allowing me to handle substantial pressure. I was awarded a visit to Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s graduate laboratories where I saw leading research into many disciplines of science. This year however I decided that the more specialised curriculum offered in the UK was better suited for me – nevertheless, I am still an alum and volunteer for the programme and was chosen to be an advisor at USA college day this year. I gave individual advice to hundreds of young people, ensuring they had information and advice they needed to pursue undergraduate studies ideal for them. As a member of my school’s Student Wellbeing team, it is evident to anyone that a distinct and recurring interest of mine is to help people. I believe this perfectly ties into my desire to research the brain, as I am driven to be part of the research that will prevent neurodegeneration, aid mental illness and answer the fundamental questions that make us human. As written by Paul Nunez, “The phenomenon of consciousness is the major unsolved challenge of our age”.

Finally, remember not to start thinking about your personal statement too late! The content building part is by far the most important - without well-thought out content and a wide range of evidence for your independent exploration, you will not be able to write an engaging personal statement. The writing part will be easy if you have lots of exciting content to draw from.

Best of luck!

Looking for a Personal Statement Tutor or Support For Your Wider Psychology Application?

Psychology personal statement tutoring.

U2’s Oxbridge-educated mentors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in a Psychology personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidate’s own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.

Oxbridge Psychology Tutoring

We have a large team of Oxbridge-educated Psychology mentors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates, who support students throughout the process, including personal statement, admissions test and interview preparation.

The Process:

1) We suggest an Oxbridge Psychology graduate as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Psychology at the University of Oxford and Cambridge, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation and the interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour diagnostic session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular Psychology application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview - this may sometimes stretch from A-Level standard to First Year Undergraduate.

Mentors ensure each student refines their interests within Psychology, and is exposed to a range of key themes and topics.

Throughout there will be a focus on the experimental side of psychology, by centering the course on real studies, and discussing the techniques and limitations involved in psychological experiments. Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during the interview.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our research projects , Psychology summer school and Oxbridge mock interview days .

Honing the skills necessary to succeed for Oxbridge ideally requires long-term preparation and mentoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the very best Oxbridge has produced.

Sessions from £75/h + VAT.

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• Psychology Personal Statement Examples

When applying to a Psychology course it’s important to write a strong psychology personal statement . Use our psychology personal statement examples as a guide for writing your UCAS application . Below are 3 examples you can read.

Personal Statement Example For Psychology

With every academic paper and publication, I read since studying Psychology at GCSE, my interest in the subject has grown. In light of my fascination with behaviour and the mind, as well as my interest in science, Psychology is my chosen subject for further study. It is extremely important to me to continue learning and building upon my knowledge, and I am passionate about engrossing myself in this subject at university.

At present, the debate of nature versus nurture is the most significant area of academic psychology that I am interested in. As a result of my interest in this argument, I have read Philip Zimbardo’s Lucifer Effect, which has furthered my intrigue and guided me in new directions. My fascination with environmental influences on human behaviour, and the idea that our surroundings can influence how we treat others, is greatly enhanced by my exploration of these concepts. Through my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue research in this field of persuasion-based behavioural studies based on Cialdini’s principles of social influence.

Weekend jobs have helped me broaden my skill base and diversify my already acquired competencies while in school, as I have been able to widen my skill base and diversify my competencies. Having worked in a Deli with one other colleague gave me the opportunity to develop my organizational and motivational skills. We ran the shop alone and worked both as a team and alone while providing high-quality customer service under pressure. I gained confidence in my leadership abilities and also learned how to function well within our small team, hit set targets, deal with customers, and assist my colleague when he was short-handed. I feel prepared for large workloads, pressured deadlines, and projects involving both team and individual work, as I have made an effort to prepare myself for the demands of higher education by having these skills while studying psychology – the benefits of having these skills will be invaluable whilst reading psychology.

As a credit controller for Harlands Services, I have developed my analytical and statistical skills and developed my eye for detail. As a result of examining and investigating unpaid contracts, my critical and numerical skills have greatly improved; I am confident of my capabilities in this field and look forward to applying them in the future. Having this position at Harlands has also been valuable – it has taught me persuasive tact when dealing with outstanding payments, and it has illustrated the benefits of dealing patiently with sometimes abusive clients. In order to develop these communication skills, I worked in the community teaching skateboarding – communication is an essential aspect of psychology, and I intend to use this aptitude in practical seminars and in projects that require interviews and verbal testing.

My ambition is to continue my studies and pursue a PhD, eventually leading to a career in academia. As part of my postgraduate studies, I am interested in the British prison environment and rehabilitation process, as well as institutional aggression. During my undergraduate studies, I realize that these interests can be developed, or even superseded.

As a member of The British Psychological Society and avid reader of The Psychologist, I have attempted to academically prepare myself for my undergraduate course over the past two years. In addition to providing excellent insight into world news and opinion, The Economist also provides informed writers and a diverse range of viewpoints. Being able to study at university offers us many opportunities to positively influence our environment and to support others. I value being aware of global events and issues.

My dedication and perseverance show that I am motivated to study psychology for academic reasons as well as to acquire the crucial skills required to be successful in college.

My career will be launched with this undergraduate degree, thus my expectation and motivation are already very high. As someone who studied psychology at both the GCSE and A Level, I feel prepared for the challenges that lie ahead and am eager to meet them with the knowledge and abilities I have gained from work experience and education, as well as those I have yet to acquire.

Read our guides:

• How To Write A Personal Statement For Psychology
• UCAS Personal Statement
• Psychiatry Personal Statements
• Neuroscience Personal Statements

Successful Psychology personal statement example

Growing up, I was fascinated by psychology after seeing a psychiatry and researching Milgram’s Electric Shock Experiment. People can apply potentially fatal shocks to innocent people, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can shape a person’s mental state. As a result of these early exposures, I developed a passion for psychology and a desire to specialize in childhood development psychology to help others navigate their own internal struggles much as my psychiatrist had helped me.

This desire was further reinforced when I had the opportunity to serve as a reading mentor to a group of children, including one with autism. This role allowed me to work with a diverse group of children, hone my patience, and observe firsthand the impact of various learning styles. I also initiated a mentoring program for children with Type 1 Diabetes, drawing on my own experiences with the condition to provide support and reassurance. My work in a pharmacy and participation in campaigns to raise funding and awareness for diabetes research have also given me valuable experience interacting with patients and advocating for their needs.

In addition to psychology, I am currently studying sociology, and business studies, and have previously studied government and politics. Group work and presentations are a regular part of my studies, enabling me to strengthen my teamwork and presentation skills. One of my favourite theories that I have explored in psychology is Bowlby’s attachment theory, which delves into how children form attachments and how these shape their development, ultimately influencing the person they will become.

Over the last 5 years, I have volunteered at a local independent charity shop on Saturdays and during my last 5 summer holidays, I volunteered three times a week. I am entrusted with a great deal of responsibility, including handling the day’s banking. I am also actively involved in campaigns to raise funding and awareness for diabetes research, including participating in walks and writing letters to my local MP. In my free time, I enjoy listening to psychology podcasts from the University of Oxford, such as “How is depression treated?” These podcasts have provided me with insight into the evolution of treatments and the varied effects of physical and psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

I also gained practical experience collecting qualitative and quantitative data as part of a joint study between the University of Manchester and the University of Bristol on cyber-safety. Aside from attending lectures, I also worked with final-year undergraduates on their projects at the University of Bristol’s Brain Week. During his research, one student examined the effects of alcohol on coordination while driving. In spite of its brief duration, this experience was extremely enlightening and sparked my excitement regarding the possibility of attending university, deepening my knowledge and understanding, and possibly conducting my own research.

Health Psychology personal statement example

I am excited to apply to study psychology at the university level as someone who has always been fascinated by how the mind works. My interest in this psychology first developed during my time at King David School, where I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in a psychology research project as part of the UK secondary school competition. This experience sparked my curiosity and passion for understanding the complexities of human behaviour, and I knew that I wanted to pursue this further.

Throughout my time in secondary school, I was an active member of the psychology club, where I enjoyed discussing and debating various psychological theories with my peers. I also took an extra-curricular psychology course, which allowed me to delve deeper into the subject and develop a greater understanding of its various sub-disciplines. In addition to my coursework, I also completed several independent research projects on topics such as the effects of social media on mental health and the role of attachment in romantic relationships. These projects further fueled my desire to explore the psychology and deepen my understanding of the human experience.

Outside of the classroom, I have always been drawn to helping others and have volunteered at a local mental health clinic, where I was able to witness firsthand the impact that psychological support can have on an individual’s well-being. This experience further solidified my desire to enter psychology and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I am confident that my passion, curiosity, and dedication to psychology make me an ideal candidate for this program, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my studies at the University level. I believe that the combination of my academic achievements and real-world experience makes me uniquely qualified for this program, and I am eager to contribute to the dynamic and diverse community at the University.

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Personal Statements

What is a Personal Statement?

A Personal Statement is a professional essay that outlines your interest for the field, relevant experiences, career goals, and fit to the program and or faculty member in which you are applying. Psychology and Psychological Sciences majors apply for a myriad of applied-masters, doctoral, and professional programs. The following tips will help you get started in addition to the supplemental articles from the APA. Students who are looking for a course that breaks down all of the steps in applying to graduate school (including writing your Personal Statement) should consider taking PSY 396C , Preparation for Graduate Programs in the Field of Psychology. This course is recommended Fall of junior year.

General Tips for any Personal Statement

• Follow the directions and answer any questions or prompts provided by your programs.
• Your Introductory Paragraph should share what ignited your passion or interest for the field (NOT TOO PERSONAL).
• Give details, include names of agencies, labs, and or faculty to help paint the picture of what you did.
• Share not only your duties but also what you learned from the experience and how that has solidified the work you want to do.
• The conclusion needs to show fit to the school/program/faculty member. (PhD programs you need to name who you are applying to specifically).
• Ensure your statement flows. Paragraphs need to have transition sentences to connect the ideas. Telling your professional story chronologically helps.
• Edit, edit, and edit again. Ask many people to read and edit your statement before submitting it to your programs.

Personal Statements for Applied Masters Programs

An applied master's program is a program that is hands-on and provides coursework and experiences such as internships and field placements to train you to do the work in your chosen field. Some examples are Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling. There are many others. These statements aim to convey your interest for the field, share your relevant hands-on experiences as evidence of your preparation, and demonstrate how you are a good match for the program.

Personal Statements for PhD Programs

Ph.D. programs are primarily research-based programs. Even if they provide Clinical Training (e.g. Clinical and Counseling Psychology), they are still fundamentally rooted in producing scientific research. Your personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself in terms of your research interests, previous research experience, and research goals. Your writing should be clear, concise, grammatically correct, and professional in tone.

Personal Statement Editing

Are you in the process of writing your personal statement for graduate or professional programs and need tutoring/editing services? The University of Arizona Writing Skills Improvement Program is your answer! They offer free and fee-based services. Students can schedule appointments or attend drop-in tutoring . Check it out!

Advice from the American Psychological Association

Applying to Grad School: What should I say in my Personal Statement

Preparing your Personal Statement for Graduate applications

Finding Fit: Personal Statements

How to Write a Personal Statement for a Counseling Master’s

Need to write a personal statement for your counseling graduate school application? This guide will help you craft a standout statement by focusing on your unique experiences and aligning them with your program.

Key takeaways

• A compelling personal statement for a counseling master’s program should narrate personal characteristics, career aspirations, and potential contributions, connecting with the admissions committee beyond academic achievements.
• The personal statement should follow a clear narrative and provide specific examples from academic, professional and extracurricular experiences to demonstrate your readiness for the program, while demonstrating fit by aligning personal values and goals with the program’s unique offerings.
• Start early, stay organized, and maintain a professional tone while writing your personal statement; address any weaknesses thoughtfully and avoid common mistakes such as clichés, excessive praise, or misuse of buzzwords.

Understanding the personal statement

The personal statement is your chance to give admissions officers a clear picture of who you are beyond the grades and jobs listed in your transcripts and resume. It’s a narrative essay that details your personality, career aspirations , and potential contributions to the field of mental health counseling. Crafting compelling personal statements is crucial to making a lasting impression on the admissions team. Think of a personal statement as the thing that transforms you from a collection of data points to a memorable portrait for those reviewing your graduate school application.

Key questions to consider before you begin

As you begin the writing process, make some notes of your past experiences. Here are some prompts to help you brainstorm the contents of your essay:

• What life events made you into the resilient, determined individual you are today?
• How have experiences in your academic background prepared you for grad school?
• Have your career goals changed from what they were during your undergraduate education? Why?
• Has a family member inspired you to take this path, either through their career or personal experiences?
• Can you pinpoint the spark that ignited your passion for counseling, the moment when you realized that it could be your future career?

As you piece together your narrative, consider how these experiences align with your academic and career goals, as well as the broader impact you envision making through your work.

Essential components of a successful personal statement

Perhaps the most intimidating thing about a graduate school personal statement is knowing that you have a lot to communicate in a relatively short essay. You need to thread your personal background with your aspirations, using examples that encapsulate your commitment, and demonstrating a clear fit for the counseling program you’re aiming to join. But if you make an outline and list all the things you want to mention, you can be sure to properly accentuate your unique strengths and also paint a vivid picture of your potential success.

Crafting a clear narrative

Keep in mind that your narrative is not a full autobiography but a focused reflection of your resilience and empathy and the other corners of your life that have informed your desire to support others as a counselor. Share those poignant moments and insights that underscore your drive and passion for helping other people, and ensure that your narrative communicates not just a series of events, but the values and strengths you bring to the program. Don't forget that the personal essay also provides an opportunity to explain any discrepancies you think might come across in your other application materials such as poor grades or professional experiences in an unrelated field.

Using specific examples

Each assertion about yourself should be backed by solid examples. Specific examples, whether they are from your academic, professional, or recreational experiences, provide the evidence that substantiates your suitability for the graduate program.

Perhaps you’ve delved into personal research on mental health initiatives, or you’ve dedicated time to volunteer work that’s enriched your understanding of community needs. These anecdotes are the good examples that will allow the admissions committee to see beyond your transcripts and test scores, into the heart of your commitment and potential.

Demonstrating program fit

Demonstrating fit with the graduate program requires an understanding of the program’s strengths and a clear articulation of how its offerings align with your career aspirations.

For instance, if you’re drawn to Oklahoma City University’s commitment to social justice within their counseling program , mention how your values and experiences resonate with this ethos. Discussing aspects of a particular program that align with your future plans can distinguish you as a worthwhile applicant, genuinely interested in the unique offerings of the program. Most graduate programs will have full curriculums and faculty listed online. Make note of courses that sound exciting , faculty members who are conducting research projects you're interested in, and program outcome statements that align with your career goals, and find a way to mention them in your statement. By highlighting these specific elements, you show that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the program.

Key tips for writing a personal statement

As you work on your grad school essay, remember these crucial pointers:

Start early and stay organized

Don't underestimate the time it will take you to write your best personal statement. Take the time to brainstorm, self-reflect, and polish your narrative until it shines with clarity and purpose.

Organization is your compass in this process, helping you navigate deadlines, requirements, and revisions with ease. Keep a keen eye on the specifics, such as word counts, spelling of university names, and formatting, ensuring that your personal statement not only meets expectations but exceeds them.

Addressing weaknesses thoughtfully

While your accomplishments will shine in your personal statement, don’t hesitate to acknowledge the challenges that have intermittently clouded them. Addressing weaknesses such as a low GPA or a challenging phase in your academic journey can actually highlight your resilience and capability for growth.

However, tread thoughtfully. Reflect on whether the personal statement is the right place to discuss these issues, and if so, ensure that the narrative emphasizes your positive qualities and the lessons learned, rather than dwelling on the negatives.

Maintaining a professional tone

A personal statement marred by grammatical errors or colloquialisms can weaken the impression you’re trying to make. Be genuine, be yourself, but remember the context. This document is a professional communication with the admissions committee, and as such, it should reflect the seriousness with which you approach this opportunity. While tools like ChatGPT could help you create an outline or can perform a grammar check on your application, avoid using it to actually write. The best personal statements resonate from their authenticity. Additionally, many graduate programs have tools they use to scan for the use of such technology and may count it against you.

Common mistakes to avoid

Beware of starting with clichés or ending with banalities—your opening and closing lines should be as impactful as the core of your statement. Avoid excessive praise of the field, focusing only on academic achievements, and misusing buzzwords. These common missteps can dilute the authenticity of your narrative and leave the admissions committee underwhelmed. Remember, admissions committees are reading hundreds of personal statements, make yours stand out.

Get help writing your personal statement for Oklahoma City University

For those aiming to be part of Oklahoma City University’s online M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, rest assured that guidance is available throughout this process. Admissions outreach advisors are at your disposal, ready to guide you through every step of crafting a personal statement that resonates with the program’s ethos and expectations.

Schedule a call to tap into the wealth of knowledge and support that OCU offers. From writing your personal statement, to putting together your letters of recommendation , to preparing for your interview , their expertise can be the beacon that illuminates your path to a successful graduate school application.

Return to Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Complete the form below before proceeding to the application portal.

Oklahoma City University has engaged Everspring , a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.

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A-Z of Personal Statements

Learn from previous student personal statements here. We have collated over 700 personal statement examples to help you on your university journey and to help you with how to write a personal statement.

These personal statement examples will show you the kind of thing that universities are looking for from their applicants. See how to structure your personal statement, what kind of format your personal statement should be in, what to write in a personal statement and the key areas to touch on in your statement.

A personal statement is a chance to tell your university all about you - a good personal statement is one that showcases your passion for the subject, what inspired you to apply for the course you’re applying for and why you think you would be an asset to the university.

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Personal Statement Help

What is a personal statement.

A personal statement is an essay written by a student applying to either a college or university. A personal statement is written and then uploaded to UCAS and is then attached to any university applications that the student may then make.

If you need more information check out our personal statement advice articles .

How to write a personal statement

There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement .

How to start a personal statement

When it comes to starting your personal statement, the best thing to do is to be succinct and to have enough tantalising information to keep the reader informed and eager for more.

Your introduction should touch on your personal qualities and why you are applying for the subject you're applying for. Keeping things short and sweet means that it also allows you to break your personal statement up, which makes it easier for the reader.

We have plenty of advice for students that are wondering about what to include in a personal statement .

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Psychology and education personal statement example.

As I've grown up, I've watched my mum graduate from a PGCE student to a senior-level alternative curriculum teacher. With powerpoints, worksheets and notepads about the dining room table weekly, I've learned to realise how much effort she truly puts into her career and into the students she works with. Not only does she develop lesson plans for whole classes, but she must develop the work for each student with a different need. As a student, you don't realise how much effort teachers put in- seeing my mum work to make connections with students that are often forgotten, and hearing students rave about her as a favourite teacher has been incredibly inspiring.

In Psychology A-Level, I've learned to connect our everyday thoughts and actions with the intricate science behind it. Particularly during the social influence topic, I was interested in the idea of complacency to authority- particularly poignant in society at the moment. I read Influence: The Psychology Of Persuasion by Dr Robert Cialdini as well as The Lucifer Effect by Phillip Zimbardo and enjoyed the idea of obedience being a perversion of human perfectionism. I was also able to apply their different theories to current events through the Speaking of Psychology podcast episode on obedience in relation to the Covid-19 vaccine. I have also applied my psychology knowledge to my own experiences in education such as through the documentary Babies, considering their ideas of nature vs nurture in relation to disobedience in education. This has also allowed me to develop my ideas on free will and determinism and use this in my A-Level studies.

Taking Maths A-Level I have had the opportunity to grow my ability to critically think about complex problems. It has also helped me to develop statistical analysis skills, something key to the scientific study of Psychology. English Literature has similarly helped me develop my academic analytical skills and has allowed me to advance my essay writing skills, essential for my future studies.

I have also dedicated time to volunteering at a local non-profit organisation that helps adults with disabilities find employment in the hospitality sector. As well as assisting and supervising volunteers, I have worked alongside the director of the organisation which has taught me essential skills such as teamwork and independence in the workplace. It has motivated me to speak out more about the inequalities found in everyday life. I would also like to learn more about the ways Psychology can be applied to assist people with disabilities, such as in the education system. In the future I would like to work with children and young people in education.

As a student from a working class family attending a grammar school in a middle class area I have felt the differences between myself and students of a higher class, and have particularly felt disadvantaged socially in relation to my peers. I would like to work toward removing this split within places of education, as well as ensuring that all students have equal opportunities. I would also like to be able to take my experiences working in the charity sector, my own time in secondary education and my future studies to find a career where I can help young people in any way I can.

I currently undertake a student leader role in school, particularly working to put together charity fundraising events and collections in school as well as independently creating a transition booklet for future students. This has helped me to develop my leadership and organisational skills, which I find beneficial for work and external volunteering roles. I also compete in local competitions in Karate, and I take pride in my progress in learning to play a variety of brass instruments throughout primary and secondary school. Learning these skills has taken patience and shows my focus and perseverance when learning. I would also like to be able to continue these extracurriculars whilst in future studies.

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There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

Author's Comments

This is my personal statement used to apply for Psychology and Education or Educational Psychology depending on the University. This got me offers from UCL, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Keele along with predicted grades A*AA

This personal statement is unrated

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