Personal statement and rubric

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PSY201

Module 8, Personal Statement Instructions and Rubric

DIRECTIONS: Read through the assignment. For this assignment you will research a graduate program in psychology and write a personal statement that you would submit as part of the application process. Submit your personal statement to the assignment Dropbox no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)

Like a well-developed resume or vita, personal statements take a concerted effort over a protracted period of time.

For this assignment, you will construct a generic personal statement that you might eventually submit as part of a

graduate school application. Please answer the following questions in no fewer than 300 and no more than 750

words. Use no larger than 12-point, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins. Please double-space the

document.

Statement of Purpose Question:

1. What has prompted your interest in graduate professional education in (INSERT PROGRAM AREA HERE)?

2. What are your interests and objectives in completing this program?

3. What future goals and plans have you developed?

Personal Statement Rubric

Poor Excellent Tailored to a specific graduate program and school 1 2 3 4 5 Reasons that prompted interest in that grad school 1 2 3 4 5 Previous research experience 1 2 3 4 5 Interests: Specific faculty area that interests you. What interests you about that faculty member’s work? 1 2 3 4 5 Relevant internship/ volunteer experience 1 2 3 4 5 Career goals/Objective in completing the program 1 2 3 4 5 Does NOT discuss own mental health, experiences with therapy, or personal heartaches 1 2 3 4 5 Uses concrete examples 1 2 3 4 5 Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling 1 2 3 4 5 300-750 words in length 1 2 3 4 5 Expresses self effectively and succinctly 1 2 3 4 5 Presents self as motivated, upbeat, positive 1 2 3 4 5 Explains how attitudes, values, and personal qualities have influenced academic record and accomplishments 1 2 3 4 5 Emphasizes how personal qualities will help one succeed in Grad school 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ___________ Comments: