Sample SOP for MS in Psychology
When I was admitted to the college, all I wanted was to be a doctor. Along with a major, I was all set to study biology, and once after the completion of my course, I would become a rural practitioner. However, like many aspiring doctors, I soon realized that I was suffering from a syndrome called ‘Med. Student Syndrome’. I kept keeping myself in a delusion rather than accepting that I was sick. The profession did not fascinate me, which convinced me that I do not have a burning desire to become a doctor. Just for the sake of becoming a doctor and to sound fancy, I was suppressing my interests. Fortunately, by then, I came in touch with psychology, which helped me figure out what a good delusion feels like.
By the passage of time, I realized what excites and fascinates me the most was dissection, investigation, and understanding of problems that I acknowledged in the world around me. The primary reason behind this realization was Psychology. The course I got in touch with while studying psychology forced me to think and explore the world, I was living in. the courses I took were in development, behavior analysis, personality analysis, psychopathology. Behavior analysis classes helped me develop good critical and analytic skills through the repeated practice, research, and discussion of both complex and basic behavioral principles.
With XYZ, Ph.D. I received research training alongside working on social and autism behavior. Another research training, I got was from Dr. XYZ, where we were writing an honors thesis and a subsequent poster presentation. I developed my observational skills and learned how to clarify and define abstract descriptors into a concrete variable with Dr. XYZ. Talking about my honors research, initially, I started with a broad question. This question was about whether adults’ substance use behaviors related to their friendships and sensation seeking and, if yes, how. When I started collecting data and analyzing them, I narrowed my ideas. I used to get frustrated because the results didn’t support the hypotheses I was working on. For a poster presentation, I had to collect more and more data and analyze them. I soon realized that the samples I studied as a whole, males and females, had a difference in the predictor use of alcohol. This observation gave me ideas as to why, even though I hadn’t supported my original hypotheses. When I was in my bachelor’s, my biology professor said something. He said when we prove something that already does not exist, advancement in science takes place. This was proven to be accurate by my research.
At a parenting resource center, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, I am currently volunteering for a year. It is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. In the families whose children are now in the state’s custody, I have been working for Family Preservation Service. I have seen kids at a very young age have faced callous times. These children are at a critical stage of their lives and could be case studies of various risk factors. Many people put them here as ‘damaged.’ In all these months, my work has also shown me the impact on children in their social life and interaction, their way of looking at themselves and the world and their future because of abuse, divorce, etc. familial discord.
In my undergraduate research, the central issue I was introduced to was adolescent substance use. The most exciting part for me was both specific issues of it and the whole ideology for an adolescent’s context, whether peer, familial or environmental, could affect the entire adolescent’s life. I know these kids have more positive things to see in life, and I want to help them as much as possible. In particular, I am highly interested in studying the mental health of children and adolescents, particularly issues like risk and resilience, pathology and aggression, substance use. Apart from this, I also want to study how social and family context plays a crucial role and affects each of these issues. I am highly interested in finding ways to help make growing up simple or less complex, especially for high-risk kids.
There are several reasons for choosing XYZ University. Due to XYZ University’s strong emphasis on research and methodology, I am highly attracted. The well-experienced faculty and diversity in the university is also a significant reason. Students from all corners of the world gather here to pursue a master’s in Psychology. Once I complete my master’s, I would likely work in risk factors and substance abuse, especially in familial and social risk behaviors.
XYZ University has everything that I am looking for to get my expertise in. Moreover, I am confident that I have the skills, knowledge, and abilities that this university has been looking for in a student. By pursuing my master’s in Clinical Psychology program at XXX University, I will contribute to the bright future of such children I am working with. I am confident enough to enter graduate study.
I am looking forward to the consideration of my application. I am excited about this association, and I am sure it will be a fruitful one for me and the XYZ university.
FAQ
How to write SOP for MS / Masters in Psychology?
We have added sample SOP for Psychology to give you some idea on how to write SOP for masters in Psychology university course application.
What should I include in my SOP for Psychology course?
For statement of purpose of Psychology, you can include – Introduction, Academic qualification, Work experience, Ambitions, Goals, Why that course and university, your individual qualities, research experience.
