Personal Statement
Rewrite the personal statement below that address the Ph.D. program.
Personal Statement
My curiosity about the field of clinical psychology started at an early age. I learned firsthand how mental health issues could impact the individual, their loved ones, and the larger community due to growing up in a low-income area of New York City. I decided then that I wanted to work in the mental health field. After being accepted to New York University is where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Scholarship was awarded to me to help me financially and academically. At NYU, I have studied developmental psychology, global child mental health, research methods, child psychopathology, child development and social policy, and counseling interview. The Counseling Interview class with Tomasz Skiba, PsyD where I realized that I can further achieve my goal by working in a clinical setting with patients and clients.
During my time at NYU, I joined the Researching Inequity in Society Ecologically (RISE) research team as a research assistant in the Department of Applied Psychology. As a research assistant, I help in writing literature reviews, measuring paragraphs, and annotating bibliographies on juvenile delinquency and youth involvement in the justice system. A year into being part of the team, I became a data collector for the research initiative, SAFE Space. As a data collector, I visit field sites such as group homes and detention centers to administer surveys as well get a sense of the setting to report on what can help these facilities perform better for staff and youth. Being a data collector aids my clinical experience as I further advance my research skills.
Currently, I am employed as a mental health professional in Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, NY. As a mental health professional, I help organize and coordinate patients’ daily DBT activities while providing them with care and fostering a healing atmosphere in the process. I collaborate closely with psychiatrists, therapists, and nurses that support the patient during their hospitalization. When it’s time, I also employ crisis and de-escalation intervention techniques from TCI training to promote a safer environment for the patient in crisis and others. Being able to be on the frontlines of mental health, I was able to see the many ways severe mental illnesses present itself throughout different people while getting to see the health emphasis on mental health.
Along with my clinical and research roles, I have also worked in various professional capacities through internships, volunteer positions, and part-time jobs. I worked as a listener at HearMe, where I listened to people in need, helped other ‘listeners’ navigate the app’s various chat features, and supported those in distress with the use of active listening skills. As a Zoom Monitor at NYU, I helped students and professors alike with technical issues and shared insights into how we could improve the online learning experience for everyone. At the Courant Institute, I worked as an Office Assistant, where I was responsible for a wide variety of administrative tasks.
In addition, I have volunteered for a wide variety of groups, including Monday Night Hospitality, where I helped make takeout bags full of hot meals and drinks for distribution to the public, and Volunteers of America, where I helped the program for the holiday season make greeting cards. In addition, I participated in America Reads by making an activities book with a for kids ages 6 to 9. In addition, I supported high school students signing up for summer programs through the Upbound Bound/College Prep program. I collaborated with a different NYU research team to aid early childhood teachers/educators in supporting and framing story-sharing.
A PsyD program in clinical psychology is an excellent fit for me because of the combination of my academic background, research expertise, and practical work. My current time in the psychiatric hospital has honed in my passion for assisting the access to mental health care while also experiencing firsthand if I am capable to perform such work. My communication, research, and critical thinking abilities have all improved greatly over the years. Working with young people is another area in which I excel. I also have a solid grasp of American Sign Language and can communicate effectively in English, Spanish.
The PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium is a fantastic opportunity to advance my career in the direction I want. Considering my passion for increasing people’s access to mental health services, I’d like to take advantage of the Consortium’s practicum opportunities such as assisting at the Richmond Area Multi-Service Agency. That kind of practicum can support my goal of working with people of different cultures and backgrounds. I’d want to collaborate with Professor Sanno Zack on her ongoing study of the efficacy of TF-CBT for treating adults and adolescents. I may expand my understanding of clinical psychology and polish my professional skills by taking advantage of the many seminars and workshops available through the Consortium. In addition, the Consortium is an excellent venue for meeting other top experts in the field and expanding my professional network, where I can pick their brains and learn from their experiences.
