I'm applying as a transfer student and wanting to study psychology. UT asks for a Statement of Purpose, I had such a difficult time deciding what to write about. I'm still having trouble with formatting it. I have written the first two paragraphs, I'm not too proud of it so I ask for your help on how I can make it better. I'm currently working on my third paragraph on why UT is the best option for me.
What do you guys think of what I have so far?
Several experiences have triggered my passion for the psychological studies. The first is the fact that a close member of my family is diagnosed with a developmental disorder. From a six-year-old's perspective, "being extra nice" to my "special" cousin was the hardest thing I was asked to do. I couldn't bring myself to accept that there are kids out there who simply don't like playing hopscotch or hide-and-seek. I disliked him for the longest time because in my mind, he was a "weirdo" for wanting to play alone and being intrigued by things that just didn't make sense, like the red plastic bottle cap he always seemed to carry around. As I got older however, I became more accepting of his condition when I learned that he had a disorder known as autism. I realized that society does not always accept what they cannot conceive, much like how I felt when I was younger.
Another experience was when a classmate of mine was hospitalized for drug abuse. It was a shock because she didn't fit the description of a drug user - she was attentive, outgoing, and very enthusiastic towards her studies. Why then, did she suffer from a seizure related to cocaine use? How did she manage to display such positive emotions and behavior despite using life-threatening drugs? My fascination regarding that event broadened my curiosity toward human behavior; I wanted to gain insight on why we choose to engage in certain activities despite knowing it's potential harm. I realized a career in Psychology was the right path for me since this field aims to answer this and so many other questions related to the human psyche.
What do you guys think of what I have so far?
Several experiences have triggered my passion for the psychological studies. The first is the fact that a close member of my family is diagnosed with a developmental disorder. From a six-year-old's perspective, "being extra nice" to my "special" cousin was the hardest thing I was asked to do. I couldn't bring myself to accept that there are kids out there who simply don't like playing hopscotch or hide-and-seek. I disliked him for the longest time because in my mind, he was a "weirdo" for wanting to play alone and being intrigued by things that just didn't make sense, like the red plastic bottle cap he always seemed to carry around. As I got older however, I became more accepting of his condition when I learned that he had a disorder known as autism. I realized that society does not always accept what they cannot conceive, much like how I felt when I was younger.
Another experience was when a classmate of mine was hospitalized for drug abuse. It was a shock because she didn't fit the description of a drug user - she was attentive, outgoing, and very enthusiastic towards her studies. Why then, did she suffer from a seizure related to cocaine use? How did she manage to display such positive emotions and behavior despite using life-threatening drugs? My fascination regarding that event broadened my curiosity toward human behavior; I wanted to gain insight on why we choose to engage in certain activities despite knowing it's potential harm. I realized a career in Psychology was the right path for me since this field aims to answer this and so many other questions related to the human psyche.
