1. SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY
School of Graduate Studies
Master of Science in Psychological Science Program
Goal Statement Form
Full Name: Madeline Anne Mitchell
Date of Birth: (12/31/1993) Clickhere toentertext.
Overall UG GPA: 2.96 Psychology GPA: 3.2
Research Design and Statistics Grade: A and C
(or other undergraduate statistics and design course)
In 1,500 words or less, please answer the following:
1. Why do you want to study Psychological Science at Shippensburg University?
2. What research or other experience do you have that has prepared you for graduate
study? (If you have not already done so, a friendly reminder that you are encouraged,
but not required, to submit a research paper or writing sample to GradAdmiss@ship.edu
as a PDF or Microsoft Word document).
3. What are your ultimate professional goals? How will a degree in Psychological Science
from Shippensburg University help you attain those goals?
Please formulate and respond to the above three questions beginning on page 2 of this
document.
Once you have sufficiently responded to the above questions, please return this form to the
Graduate Admissions Office.
We highly recommend you submit this form via email as a PDF or Word Document attachment
sent to GradAdmiss@ship.edu. You may also fax this to 717-477-4016, or send it via postal mail
Graduate Admissions Office, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA
17257.

2. Applicant Name: Clickhere toentertext. Date of Birth: Clickhere toentertext.
2
The constant sense of discovery in the study of psychology is what draws me towards
the field. People, with unique experiences and diverse biological make-up, create a world with
great variation. The uniqueness in human kind is the root of psychological science.
Psychologists have common knowledge, facts and theories in the field of psychology. Still,
many so-called truths have exceptions. We know facts such as, the amygdala is responsible for
regulating emotions. Yet, we do not know why one person may expresses anger and another
person expresses sadness in similar situations. This has been demonstrated to me in my work
experience with children. During my internship at the Chambersburg Head Start program I was
working with a child who acted out violently every time they were instructed to compete a task.
For example, the teacher would ask this child to stay in their seat during lunchtime. This child
would respond with aggressive outbreaks and physical attacks. In my current work as a
Therapeutic Staff Support person I work with a child who responds to requests from authority
figures in a very different manner. When asked to complete a task this child often responds with
ignoring the request completely. Or, the child will refuse by laying down on the floor with their
hands behind their head. Both children display acts of refusal in individual ways. What interests
me about these two kids are the reasons why they respond so oppositely to similar
environmental factors. Their differences display the uniqueness in individuals which fuels the
sense of the multiplicity with in the field of psychology.
The unmapped in psychology is what intrigues me, and draws me towards the field.
The diversity in psychology has been continuously demonstrated in my experience with
children. During my internship at the Head Start Program I experienced the boundless
differences in young people. All of the children in the classrooms were of the same age, and of
similar demographic backgrounds. Still, they were extensively unique. This internship really
demonstrated all of the ways the previous theories I studied can be applied. The children also
demonstrated the many ways none of my theories could constrain them, as individuals, to one

3. Applicant Name: Clickhere toentertext. Date of Birth: Clickhere toentertext.
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explanation. As I continued to work with them, I continued to grow and learn more through my
experience than I thought possible. My curiosity was propelled further as I continued my
experience working as the lead teacher at Child Time School Age Care. I found again the
immense diversity in children to be intriguing. I worked one on one as well as in group settings
with each child and found their multifariousness to be an advantage.
In my current work as a therapeutic staff support personal I experience first hand, the
immense diversity of human beings. My experience in behavioral therapy further charged my
interest in psychology though the use of behavioral therapy methods. The amount of variation in
the effectiveness of each treatment is highly unique to individual receiving treatment. It was
fascinating for me as I attempted to apply theories, methods, and everything else I learned
through years of studying psychology. I found that although I have a lot of knowledge, I still do
not have all of the answers. I believe this the fundamental truth in psychological science. As I
learned through experience, to accept the fact that nothing is true across the board I became
more intrigued by the field. I learned to be adaptive and innovative in my work. The constant
sense of discovery motivates me to continue studying psychology.
Through my experience in attempting to apply my education, I’ve become more driven in
my career path. I believe the uniqueness in each individual human is a strength of human kind.
In my career, I want to use that belief to continue to learn in this ever-changing field. I intend to
acquire more knowledge as I fine tune my personal skills to help others more effectively. In
furthering my education I hope to acquire new theories and build a vast array of knowledge. I
want to learn and develop as the field of psychology continues to advance. In furthering my
education I hope to change and grow with the ever-changing field of psychological science.