Personal Statement:Psychology 7

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Psychology Personal Statement

I desire an academic approach to the complex processes and interactions that determine human behaviour. I have an extremely analytical mind and objective view on life, and so am fascinated by subjects helping me gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that shape our actions and our lives.

The study of Sociology A-level has inspired my inquisitive personality by enabling me to analyse people and society from opposing perspectives, and has led me to develop an interest in the study of psychology. I have increasingly questioned the meaning behind unusual behaviour, such as aggression, and the significance of techniques we use, as humans as defence mechanisms, such as humour. In addition, the multitude of real-world applications of psychology has also aroused my interest. For example, the psychology of group processes can be applied to such contexts ranging from jury decisions, to political debate, to a group of friends' discussion.

Psychology is a subject that I will be suited to as I thrive on debate. I have become a more experienced debater through the analytical A-levels of English Literature, Sociology, History and Economics and through extra-curricular activities. I write articles for the local Village Magazine on topical village events, and I was a member of the school debating society. I often took part in internal debating competitions, many of which were often linked to psychological debates, such as the varying influence of peer groups upon young people's behaviour.

In the field of psychology my varied interests include altruism, the psychology of gender and crowd behaviour. Books that I have read that may aid my studies range from "The Freud Reader" (Edited by Simon Gay) and "The Private Life of the Brain" (Susan Greenfield). In addition, regularly reading the "Psychology Review" has also increased my thirst for the subject, as I have learnt of the dynamic nature of psychology, becoming informed of contemporary debates in psychology, such as the recent criticisms of Philip Zimbardo's famous Stanford prison experiment.

At present I am on a gap year in which I am volunteering full time in a residential accommodation for young people with disabilities to enable them to develop their independent living skills. This invaluable and rewarding opportunity will enable me to give back to a community that I have taken so much from. Furthermore, I intend to travel to either New Zealand or the northern states of the United States. This time will be employed as a chance to explore and study a different culture whilst aiding my preparation for the independence of university life.

My consistent academic achievements and dedication at school were extremely important to me, and were rewarded with the Sixth Form awards for Economics, English Literature and Overall Effort and Achievement. I was also proud to be the only student at my school to ever achieve an Advanced Extension Award (AEA), gaining a Distinction in Economics.

In addition, I took a full and active role in my school's community, and intend to do the same once at University. I acted as a form representative through much of the school, I conducted duties overseeing the main school when in the 6th Form, and I was a library assistant. I also enjoyed supporting school charity events and fundraising events, for example, I sold newspapers, and ribbons supporting National AIDS Day.

In my spare time I enjoy exploring my creative talents through a number of outlets. I am an enthusiastic Saxophone player; I have played in many orchestras and wind bands, and the most recent grade I have taken in Grade 5. I also thoroughly enjoy drama, and have taken part in many school and amateur dramatic performances throughout my school career. In addition, I enjoy abstract painting, and I took a photography course at college last year.

Above all, I believe I am a determined and disciplined student with very high, but realistic goals. I am excited about the immense opportunity of studying psychology at University, learning new skills, knowledge and a tolerance of the diversity of human nature that I will undoubtedly gain.

Comments

Overall, this is a rather good statement! The candidate clearly knows what psychology is about, by mentioning specific examples and has done some extra reading around the subject. Bits do need expanding on in some places and some parts are a little bit 'waffle-y' however.

The order is a bit odd - it would be better to order it 1. intro, 2. academics, 3. school responsibilities 4. extra-curricular activities/hobbies/gap year 5. conclusion

Review

I desire an academic approach to the complex processes and interactions that determine human behaviour. I have an extremely analytical mind and objective view on life, and so am fascinated over-used word in PSs! by subjects helping me gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that shape our actions and our lives. this could be expanded on to include some more specific things, or how the applicant became interested in psychology

The study of Sociology A-level 'The study of' is repeated in this sentence, so this should be reworded, such as 'Doing A Level Sociology...' has inspired my inquisitive personality by enabling me this bit is rather wordy! Just saying that it 'has improved your ability...' or something to analyse people and society from opposing perspectives, and has led me to develop an interest in the study of psychology. I have increasingly questioned the meaning behind unusual behaviour, such as aggression, and the significance of techniques we use, as humans as defence mechanisms, such repetition of 'such' as humour. In addition, the multitude of real-world applications of psychology has also aroused my interest. For example, the psychology of group processes can be applied to such contexts ranging from jury decisions, to political debate, to a group of friends' discussion. don't tell the admissions tutors something they already know! Instead, say why it interests you

Psychology is a subject that I will be suited to as I thrive on debate. I have become a more experienced debater through the analytical A-levels of delete 'of' English Literature, Sociology, History and Economics and through extra-curricular activities. I write articles for the local Village Magazine on topical village events, and I was a member of the school debating society. I often took part in internal debating competitions, many of which were often linked to psychological debates, such as the varying influence of peer groups upon young people's behaviour. this paragraph is a bit off - it goes from subjects, to extra curricular activities to school activities. Try and keep bits the same together. Say how being analytical is good for psychology

In the field of psychology my varied interests include altruism, the psychology of gender and crowd behaviour. several interests have already been mentioned, I would leave this sentence out Books that I have read that may aid my studies range from "The Freud Reader" (Edited by Simon Gay) and "The Private Life of the Brain" (Susan Greenfield). the applicant should mention what was learned/what was interesting in these? In addition, regularly reading the "Psychology Review" has also increased my thirst for the subject, as I have learnt of the dynamic nature of psychology, becoming informed of contemporary debates in psychology, such as the recent criticisms of Philip Zimbardo's famous Stanford prison experiment.

At present I am on a gap year in which I am volunteering full time in a residential accommodation for young people with disabilities to enable them to develop their independent living skills. link to psychology? This invaluable and rewarding opportunity will enable me to give back to a community that I have taken so much from. Furthermore, I intend to travel to either New Zealand or the northern states of the United States. This time will be employed as a chance to explore and study a different culture psychology link? Although I don't know how the culture would be too different from our own whilst aiding my preparation for the independence of university life.

My consistent academic achievements and dedication at school were extremely important to me, and were rewarded with the Sixth Form awards for Economics, English Literature and Overall Effort and Achievement. I was also proud to be the only student at my school to ever achieve an Advanced Extension Award (AEA), gaining a Distinction in Economics. this is the sort of thing for the referee to mention

In addition, I took a full and active role in my school's community, and intend to do the same once at university. not necessary I acted as a form representative through much of the school, I conducted duties overseeing the main school when in the sixth Form, and I was a library assistant. I also enjoyed supporting school charity events and fundraising events; for example, I sold newspapers, delete comma and ribbons supporting National AIDS Day.

In my spare time I enjoy exploring my creative talents through a number of outlets. I am an enthusiastic saxophone player; I have played in many orchestras and wind bands, no comma and the most recent grade I have taken in Grade 5. this is a bit wordy - it would be better to just say 'and have completed Grade 5 I also thoroughly enjoy drama, and have taken part in many school and amateur dramatic performances throughout my school career. In addition, I enjoy abstract painting, and I took a photography course at college last year.

Above all, I believe I am a determined and disciplined student with very high, but realistic goals. I am excited about the immense opportunity of studying psychology at university, learning new skills, knowledge and a tolerance of the diversity of human nature that I will undoubtedly gain. the conclusion needs to be more specific to the degree and say why the applicant is a good candidate for the course