Personal Statement on Obtaining Master Degree

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The difficult road I’ve travelled over the past few years has taught me the invaluable virtue of patience and unyielding diligence. It has brought clarity and direction to my life as far as personal growth and my vocational aspiration. I am endlessly inspired by one of my favorite quotes, “Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved” — Helen Keller (1880-1968).
I struggled during my undergraduate years through the tragic loss of many loved ones in my life due to fatal car accidents and suicide. The final and most devastating blow was the slow and agonizing decline of my younger sister’s health which began while I was still in undergraduate school. I continued working towards my degree using it as an escape at times, but still I wasn’t able to focus on my grades as much as a should. I quickly learned, that there is no escape from the loss of close family, from having a little sister, your only sister, ripped from existence. She passed away a year after I graduated with my B.A. in Psychology from St. Mary’s Honors College of MD and I took time off before pursuing further education. I worked tirelessly to assemble the scattered pieces of my life and persevere; to create a life that consisted of more than just surviving, but one that was filled with substance, meaning, and goals.
When my sister died it took me a long time to get back on my feet and mentally realign myself with my goals; it was a time of reflection and growth. During the three years off I took after graduating from St. Mary’s Honors College of MD, I worked as a customer service representative, a full time nanny, and an accounts analyst at a logistics company. If there is one thi...

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... Maryland next Fall in pursuit of my PhD in Social Psychology. I am excited by that attention your program gives to the combination of ideas across several fields. I feel I would truly be able to blossom fully as researcher in the academic environment provided by your department and would be a beneficial addition to your current program. I have the experience and passion that drive me to work hard and a refined perfectionism that allows me to learn quickly and get things done correctly without taking shortcuts. Regardless of where I end up my hope is that over the next five years you will see my name emerge as a prominent leader in the field of Social Psychology. I aspire to become a member of the psychological community known for responsible, progressive, and truly meaningful research. I hope to be working with you soon, either as a graduate student or a colleague.

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