Writing a Statement of

Purpose

By Dawn Nielsen and Paul Kirsch

October 12, 2011Edited by Matt Roe on July 2nd 2014

A Personal Statement is not a Statement of Purpose

O In a personal statement , the applicant writes an autobiographical narrative discussing his or her life, specific experiences, and goals.

(http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/g/adminessaydef.htm)

What is a Statement of Purpose?

O In a statement of purpose the applicant describes:O his or her specific interests in psychologyO particular strengths and skillsO career goals and aspirationsO provides the reasons why the applicant

is applying to a particular program.

(http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-careers/article/5-tips-apply-psych-schools)

The Statement of Purpose provides an opportunity for the

applicant to…O Talk directly to the admissions

committee. O Stand out from among a multitude of

similarly qualified candidates. O Convince the committee that the

applicant has the spark, the thirst for knowledge that could add value to their program.

(http://www.statementofpurpose.com/whatis.html)

Your Statement of Purpose

O Determines your fit for the program

O Demonstrates your writing skills

Photo: http://users.wpi.edu/~bmoriarty/imgd202x/images/puzzle.jpg

Graduate schools are interested in the following:

O Your purpose in graduate studyO The area of study in which you wish to

specializeO Your future use of your graduate studyO Your special preparation for study in the

fieldO Any problems or inconsistencies in your

records or scoresO Any special conditions that are not

revealed elsewhere in the application

Writing Your Statement of Purpose

O Your statement should include:O An introduction – a brief synopsis of

the letterO A body – describes your goals, why you

chose the program, faculty members you would want to work with, and other assets or accomplishments you have

O A conclusion – states that you are competent, motivated, open for an interview, etc.

(www.unr.edu/psych/advising/howto.html)

Writing Your Statement of Purpose

O When describing how you came to have an interest in psychology: O focus on education and occupational

experiencesO NOT personal experiences.

O When discussing your goals and ambitions:O try to be as specific as possible.

(www.unr.edu/psych/advising/howto.html)

A Statement of Purpose ShouldO Be tailored to a specific school/program. O Tell why you are applying to that particular

school and what in their program specifically interests you

O Be objective, yet self-revelatoryO Avoid “academese” or jargonO Use specific instances or draw your

conclusions as a result of individual experience.

O Be an example of careful, persuasive writingO Be clear and concise

(www.unr.edu/psych/advising/howto.html)

A Statement of Purpose Should Not

O Be an essay about:O Your life storyO What you have always wanted to beO Psychological disturbances of your own or

of someone else you know

O Be a generic statementO Exceed the page limitO Have typographical errors

(www.unr.edu/psych/advising/howto.html)

Words to Avoid Without Explanation

significant invaluable appealing to meinteresting people appealing aspectchallenging I like it enjoyable, enjoy satisfying fascinating it’s importantrewarding valuable I can contributeappreciate helpful meant a lot to memeaningful useful helping peopleincredible feel good I like to helpstimulating remarkable exciting, excitedgratifying