Candice Brooke Coers is working to complete her final two courses to earn her associate's degree in criminal justice and bachelor's degree in psychology from Argosy University. Upon completing her degrees, her goal is to apply to Louisiana State University's clinical psychology doctoral program. She believes her diverse undergraduate studies have provided a strong foundation for graduate work. Coers also has strong interpersonal skills that she feels are important for clinical psychology. While she has little clinical training, she plans to gain experience through volunteer work after graduation to strengthen her application to LSU's program.

1. Assignment 3: Personal statement<br />Candice Brooke Coers<br />PSY 492: Advanced General Psychology<br />Argosy University<br />Personal Statement<br />“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be” (George Sheehan, n.d.). I am determined to be successful, achieve my goals, and have the will to do what it takes to accomplish the goals I have set forth for myself. Currently, I am working full-time as well as working diligently to complete the last two courses, more specifically PSY 492 Advanced General Psychology and PSY 361 Personality Theories, in my degree program; associates of art in Criminal Justice and bachelors of art in Psychology. I will obtain them as of March 2011. <br />Upon completion of these degrees, I plan to apply to Louisiana State University Department of Psychology which offers training in Clinical Psychology along with several other disciplines or specialty areas in Psychology; a long-term goal that I have set consists of acceptance into Doctoral program for Clinical Psychology at LSU’s Department of Psychology program as well as successful completion of the program. Among several prerequisites required for completion of the doctoral program for Clinical Psychology at LSU, the department specifically states “graduate students in this department are expected to develop a lifelong commitment to science and to the highest social-ethical ideals of the profession of Psychology” (LSU Department, 2011). Making and following through with commitments is something I have become accustomed to doing since making the choice to further my education. <br />Strict, yet reasonable expectations are outlined for prospective LSU graduate students; expectations include completion and proficiency of coursework in general or core areas of psychology. I am confident that my diverse or diversity in undergraduate studies have provided me with an excellent foundation for graduate study in clinical psychology. In addition to the diverse undergraduate studies completed throughout my degree programs, I possess a rich background of infinite interpersonal skills in both verbal and nonverbal individuals which is of fundamental importance to the clinical psychologist. Although I have very little training in the clinical field of psychology and have not, yet, completed any internship, I plan to promote and advocate for myself through a series of volunteer work programs after receiving my undergraduate degree in Psychology in effort to give back to the community as well as extend a network of contacts and prospective references willing to vouch for me and my work. I am confident that personal references and a network of contacts I have obtained through both work and school will speak mostly of my dedication, devotion, willingness to learn, and above and beyond performances I have made in an effort to exceed the expectations outlined for me to complete a job or project. <br />References<br />LSU Department of Psychology/Prospective Students. (2011). Retrieved from, <br /> http://www.lsu.edu/psychology/prospectivestudents. <br />