Personal Statement:Psychology 14 - The Student Room

Expert feedback from The Student Room personal statement reviewer

General Comments: This statement is pretty good, although it lacks a lot of specific content about the areas of psychology the applicant is most interested in. Forensic psychology is mentioned quite a lot, and while it's good to mention any career aspirations in a personal statement (particularly if directly related to your degree), forensic psychology isn't likely to be on the undergraduate syllabus (certainly not till 3rd year at the latest). Therefore, it is important to show interest in other areas of psychology that you will study in order to get BPS accreditation. Extra reading/work experience related to psychology could also enhance the personal statement.

Comments on the statement: Learning to understand awkward wording human behaviour is an unavoidable part of every day life for almost all people, and for me the passion overused word in personal statements to explore this further has been an unavoidable part of mine. This is rather 'pop psychology' sounding - a BA/BSc Psychology is an academic study, so it's not going to help you analyse everyone's moves around you. You need to mention the sorts of areas of psychology that interest you more specifically. The ways in which people behave and the reasons behind this behaviour has fascinated another overused word in personal statements me from a young age, and as I have grown older this fascination has also grown. Don't repeat the words in the same paragraph/sentence. Through studying psychology at GCSE and A level I have had the opportunity to expand this interest and gain insight into the study of human behaviour in an academic setting. This has allowed me to explore psychological theories and models, and I find the ability to recognise and apply these to real life situations to be very rewarding. I would suggest saving specifics for A Levels/GCSEs for after the introduction.

My previous study of psychology has been very satisfying and I hope that in pursuing this further I will have the opportunity to face a fresh and challenging experience. Through considering in more detail the topics I have previously studied and exploring new areas, I feel this course will offer me the opportunity to expand my current knowledge of psychology and give me the chance build on my previous experiences. This sentence is unnecessarily wordy and is very vague. The criminal mind has always fascinated me and I fully intend to undertake further study to specialise into forensic psychology on completion of my degree. Career aspirations are generally best saved for the conclusion, and as it is mentioned there already there is no point in wasting characters in repeating it elsewhere in the personal statement. I believe that understanding social and abnormal elements of psychology is essential in building a foundation on which to base this further study, and I am eager to explore these areas further through taking this course. This paragraph would benefit from more specifics about WHAT you found interesting (not just the stuff on the criminal mind) and WHY you found it interesting.

From each of my A level subjects I have gained insight and experience that will be relevant to the course I am applying for, and also my plans for future study. This sentence is unnecessary - show the admissions tutors this rather than tell them. A level Psychology has helped me to comprehend how complex and varied the study of the subject can be, along with teaching me how to examine the subject in a more analytical and scientific way. Keep all the specific psychology stuff together - this could be put in the paragraph above once it has been reworded to add more specific theories/studies/concepts. The study of sociology, in considering alternative explanations for the motivations behind human behaviour, has offered a contrast to the study of psychology, what alternatives? How does it differ specifically? and also encouraged me to be less rigid in my understanding of behaviour. how? Areas of sociology such as crime and deviance, along with my study of law have provided me an introduction to legal principles and understanding of crime, which I feel will aid my further study of criminal psychology. Finally, the study of English has enabled me to express myself more broadly and convey my ideas more clearly. The law and English links are particularly weak - you don't need to justify all of your A Level choices to the admissions tutors, just show your enthusiasm for the subject you are applying for.

Working part time as a waitress has taught me how to manage my time more effectively, and also encouraged better communication skills through dealing with the public, and working avoid repetition of the same word, particularly in the same sentence as part of a team with other staff. I recently began volunteering at the citizen’s advice bureau as a case assistant, supporting advisors in entering information on cases and enquiries into the computer system. This position involves dealing with information concerning very diverse situations and individuals, which has encouraged me to be more open minded, and given me insight into social and cultural backgrounds I was previously unaware of. Unless you can mention specifics, this shouldn't really be mentioned. Through this role I have also learned the importance of confidentiality and data protection. I feel that through my work experience I have learned skills essential in building the foundations for future work, especially when dealing with vulnerable people. These things won't really help in your academic study of psychology - not until you get work experience, so it's not necessary to mention anything about the workplace.

I have been an active member of the student union while at college, and have taken part in a number of activities and schemes as part of this. I don't start two sentences in a row with 'I', as it means they don't flow well together. I have operated as a peer mentor, working as part of a team offering guidance and support to other students, and also as a student ambassador, giving tours of college facilities on open days. Avoid lists like this, only mention one or two and expand on them slightly. Outside of college I enjoy drawing, which I find to be a very rewarding hobby, along with a keen interest in web design. This last bit doesn't quite flow with the rest of the sentence.

I am eager to begin university and I hope that the experience will give me that chance to develop as both a student and a person. This is a waste, as it's very vague and will apply to everyone going to university. When I have completed my degree I plan to continue onto postgraduate study to specialise into forensic psychology, a subject for which I have a great deal of enthusiasm. I hope to ultimately pursue a career in this field, and believe that I have the determination and passion to eventually reach this goal. You should be more specific about why you are a good candidate for the course (and not for going into forensic psychology/whatever else you have in mind), as it's your last chance to impress the admissions tutors to either give you an offer/invite you to interview.