Guidelines to Writing a Personal Statement for an Honours Thesis Application

A personal statement for an Honours thesis (PS499) application is an important document that helps you introduce yourself to the professor who might supervise your thesis. It's an opportunity to convey your passion, motivation, and suitability for the proposed research and to stand out among other candidates.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a personal statement. It's a highly personal document that should reflect your genuine interest and aptitude for your chosen field of study. While we provide some general suggestions below on what to include, feel free to adapt these guidelines to best represent your unique experiences and aspirations.

Before You Start Writing

Before you embark on the writing process, it is important to clarify your thoughts and ideas. Consider the following questions to help guide your reflection:

Why are you interested in doing an honours thesis in Psychology?
What has inspired your general area of interest?
What unique perspectives or skills can you bring to this thesis?
How do your academic and personal experiences support your research interests?
What are your long-term academic and career goals, and how does completing a thesis align with them?

Consider Your Audience

Remember, it takes a lot of time for professors to mentor students, so they want to work with someone who will be committed to the research process and will grow and benefit from the course in different ways be it learning new skills or learning what working in a lab is like.

Your personal statement is primarily intended for the professor(s) you are hoping will supervise your thesis – you will indicate up to 6 professors of interest and 3 broad topic areas of interest (I.e., social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, community psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. Because they are an expert in psychology and your areas of interest, your statement should showcase your knowledge, respect, and enthusiasm for psychology in general, and describe some of the broad areas in psychology that you would be most excited to learn more about and conduct research in. Remember though – in this letter you don’t need to specify specific labs or projects you want to focus on. In the application survey, you will have other spaces to select up to 8 labs of interested give a brief explanation for why you are interested in those labs specifically

Writing Your Personal Statement

Here is a checklist of some key elements you might consider including in your personal statement:

Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in taking part in the PS499 course. Explain why the course appeals to you and how it aligns with your goals.
Academic Achievements: Highlight any academic achievements that are relevant to the completion of your thesis. This could include relevant courses or previous research projects
Work Experience: If you have work or internship experience relating to your interests, detail this experience and the skills you've gained that would be beneficial for your thesis.
Personal Experiences: If personal experiences have shaped your interests, share these stories. This can be an effective way to demonstrate your motivation and dedication. This could also help your letter stand out as a unique reflection of who you are
Skills and Abilities: Discuss the skills and abilities you have that would make you a good candidate for the thesis. This could include skills, such as critical thinking or time management.
Future: Describe your goals and aspirations for doing the course and how it will prepare you for further studies or career opportunities in the field.
Conclusion: Conclude your statement with a courteous and professional tone, expressing your excitement about the possibility of working on your honour's thesis.

Writing Tips

Some things to remember and consider when writing your statement include:

Being concise and clear. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences.
Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors and typos.
Most importantly, be genuine, honest, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through! Remember, the personal statement is just that – personal. It should reflect who you are, your passion for the field, and your commitment to your proposed research.

Below are some more resources to help guide your personal statement writing.

To help you structure your personal statement, here are some "if-then" statement templates that you can tailor to your specific experiences and goals. These templates can serve as a starting point to express your interests, experiences, and aspirations in a clear and compelling way.

Relating Your Academic Achievements to general research area of interest:

If: You have excelled in coursework relevant to your area(s) of interest.
Then: "My strong performance in [relevant courses x, y, and z] has equipped me with a solid foundation in [general research area of interest]."

Linking Work Experience to general research area of interest

If: You have work or internship experience related to your general area(s) of interest.
Then: "My experience as [job/internship title] at [organization name] has provided me with practical insights into [general research area of interest]."

Applying Personal Experiences to Research Interests

If: Personal experiences have shaped your general area(s) of interest.
Then: "My personal experience with [specific experience] has motivated my interest in exploring [Research Interests] in greater depth."

Highlighting Relevant Skills and Abilities

If: You possess skills and abilities relevant to the thesis.
Then: "My skills in [specific skills] and my ability to [specific ability] make me a strong candidate for conducting research.

Linking Academic Performance to general research area(s) of interest

If: You have achieved high grades or awards in courses related to your area of interest.
Then: “My academic performance in [course name(s)] has demonstrated my aptitude and interest in [general research area of interest]. I have received [grade/award] for [course/assignment/project].”

Linking Extracurricular Activities to general research area(s) of interest

If: You have participated in clubs, societies, competitions, or events related to your area of interest.
Then: “My involvement in [extracurricular activity name] has exposed me to various aspects of [general research area of interest]. I have learned [skill/knowledge] and contributed to [outcome/impact] through [activity/task].”

Linking Future Plans to general research area(s) of interest

If: You have a clear vision of what you want to do after completing the course.
Then: “My future plans are aligned with [general research area of interest]. I aspire to [goal/objective] and pursue [opportunity/pathway].”

Remember, these are just examples. It is essential to personalize your personal statement to reflect your unique experiences, interests, and aspirations. Keep in mind that the personal statement is your opportunity to showcase who you are, your passion for your chosen field, and your commitment to the possibility of conducting research.

A finished personal statement might look something like this:

Dear potential supervisor,
I am writing to express my interest in enrolling in the PS499 Honours Thesis Course for the upcoming academic year. I am currently a third-year student majoring in Psychology at the Wilfrid Laurier University. (Introduction: Provides your name, major, university and expresses your interest in the honours thesis).

I want to do the PS499 Honours Thesis Course because I am passionate about conducting original research in psychology and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field. I hope to gain valuable skills and experience in designing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting a research project under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. I also hope to develop a deeper understanding of a specific topic of interest within psychology and prepare myself for further studies or career opportunities in the field. (This paragraph answers why the student wants to do the PS499 Honours Thesis Course, what they hope to get from it, and where it will lead them. It shows the student's motivation, goals, and aspirations for doing the course).

I think I would be a good fit for the PS499 Honours Thesis Course because I have a strong academic background and a keen interest in research. I have completed several courses that have prepared me for the research process, such as PS394 Linear Models, PS373 Close Relationships, and PS367 Research in Cognitive Neuroscience. Parallel to my academics, I have volunteered at a local daycare. This experience has helped me develop my skills in communicating with a diverse range of individuals, particularly young children. (Highlights relevant courses and work experience and how they have built a foundation for your research interest)

In addition to my academic and research qualifications, I also possess several personal strengths that I believe will help me succeed in the PS499 Honours course. I am a curious and motivated learner who enjoys exploring new questions and topics in psychology. I am also an organized and self-disciplined student who can manage my time and resources effectively and meet deadlines. Furthermore, I am a creative and innovative thinker who can come up with original and feasible ideas for research projects. Moreover, I am a collaborative and respectful team player who can work well with my supervisor and peers and seek and provide constructive feedback. Lastly, I am an adaptable and resilient individual who can cope with challenges and uncertainties that may arise during the research process. (This paragraph lists some of the student's personal qualities and attributes that are beneficial for the course. It shows the student's positive attitude and traits that will enable them to work independently and collaboratively on a research project).

I appreciate your consideration of my application and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Student ID]

You Are Not Alone. Contact Writing Services

Crafting a compelling personal statement can seem like a daunting task, but remember, you are not alone in this process. Laurier's Writing Support is here to support you every step of the way.

The Writing Support at both Waterloo and Brantford are dedicated to helping undergraduate and graduate students enhance the writing skills necessary for academic success. They provide an accessible, supportive, and student-focused environment where ideas can flourish, and students can hone their writing through critical thinking.

Here's what Writing Support offers:

One-on-One Writing Appointments: You can schedule appointments (both online and in-person) with student or professional staff members. They can provide you with personalized feedback and guidance on your personal statement.
Writing Workshops: The Writing Services organize on-campus, in-class, and online writing workshops. These workshops can equip you with valuable writing techniques and strategies.
Online Writing Resources: You can access a wealth of online resources that provide tips and advice on various aspects of academic writing.

So, don't hesitate to reach out to Laurier's Writing Support. They are an excellent resource to help you craft a personal statement that effectively communicates your unique experiences, interests, and aspirations.