<p>I always knew that I would take up Psychology, even when I didnt have the intention or the gumption of what psychology was. In high school when asked about my goal, I would always say Psychologist, Mostly to be different from my peers. During my under graduation, I took up Psychology as an adjunct to English literature, but right from the first class I knew that while English Literature would be my love, Psychology was my true passion and calling. </p>
<p>India has a complex and multi-cultural society that prides its unity in diversity. This optimism belies the true social dynamics that shape the Indian society. There is increasing mistrust and intolerance among people of dissimilar religious and regional backgrounds and there is bound to be prejudices and stereotyping. Observing posts and blog spaces on the internet and from interactions with friends and relatives I notice that there is diminishing tolerance of one another. Hate and mistrust is growing among people who do not belong to the same religion, class or ethnicity.This to me is ironic because it would be a fair assessment to make that presenting opportunities to interact with people around the world would increase awareness and help in reducing these misconceptions and prejudices. Because i find these observations disturbing, Prejudice, stereotyping and inter-group relations are subjects that interest me the most and I am looking forwardfor the opportunity to study it more closely. 10 years hence, I see myself teaching Psychology at a university in XXXX. I would like to contribute my share in giving social psychology the same respect Clinical psychology has gained here. By gaining research and field experience at a prestigious your university, I know I can take that step towards gaining the respect and expertise to accomplish this goal.
To give an overview of my academic accomplishments, I have a 4.0 GPA in my post graduation and I have got top scores in all semesters. My time at XXXXX University was a busy one, whether it was conducting practical contact classes for the distance education students or coordinating practical examination for the same. As 2005 was the inaugural year for the distance education in psychology, it was a challenge for the department to prepare and organize study material as well as conduct practical and lab work designed especially for them. The summer was spent in collaboration with few seniors in selecting and working on practical experiments that would be suitable for the contact classes.
In another project, I was one among just two students who were chosen by the head of the department, to work on her paper. This paper looked at the relation between creativity and humor. It demanded that we notice how people perceive, rate and react to the pictures. It took over 4 months to complete this and I was involved at every stage of the process.
During my graduation, despite having gone on many field trips, one out-reach program particularly influenced my desire to take up Social psychology. I was part of a team of students and program coordinators that conducted seminars and collected data from schools run for the underprivileged in a rural setting. Our department was conducting a study on the level of aspiration of rural and urban high school students and isolating the factors that contribute to the difference in the level of aspiration, if any. I was particularly affected by the fact that just outside the city; children could be so different from the ones in the city. While the children in the city looked forward and had a relatively clear picture of what they would do in the future, had long term goals, children in the rural setting had very short term goals, such as getting through high school. When asked about what they expected from life, very few had education on their priority list. Girls had higher performance rate than boys but had lower aspiration. While interacting with the students we noticed from the data obtained that lack of awareness, resources and initiative by the authorities was hindering these students from having a fair chance against highly competitive and smart urban children. </p>
<p>Under graduation at St. XXXXX College requires students to acquire a lot more than just the degree. It is mandatory for students to acquire 80 hours spent either in sport, in National Cadet Corps (N.C.C) or the National Service Scheme (N.S.S). I have spent more than 200 hours in the National Service Scheme and I have got recognition from the University for my Work and was awarded a medal and certificate. I have participated in Aids Awareness rallies, acted in skits in rural areas to spread Aids awareness, participated in blood donation camps and free health clinics as a volunteer. I am grateful for these experiences as these were instrumental in giving me a chance to observe in real life what I was studying in class and researching in the libraries.
I have I have 3.88 GPA in the 7 months intensive counseling certificate course. This course was an immensely rewarding experience. Role plays, autobiographical sessions, the therapies and the internship as a student counselor has exposed me to an integral aspect of psychology. In doing this course I came to realize that though I am good at counseling and that these skills came intuitively to me, it didnt appeal to me as much as research did.
Because of the weight of the activities and the demand of student life in my under graduation, I have just a 3.56 G.P.A in psychology. But, the experiences gained more than compensated for it as those years were the most fun years of my life. </p>
<p>In high school I was a focused student who chose to balance academics with extra curricular activities. I was elected one of the captains of my school. It is an honor to get elected and comes with a lot of responsibilities. As the captain of my school, I have choreographed many cultural programs, selected and trained middle school and high school students for inter and Intra School sports meets, debates, science fares, quizzes and represented my school at programs held by other schools. I am a confident and perspicacious individual who can take up multiple responsibilities thanks to these experiences from high school. </p>
<p>Social psychology and research gives me purpose in life and desire to know and inquire more than any other field in psychology has. Gaining a post graduate and PhD in this field is not just a means to establish myself in this profession but something that brings a meaning and direction in my life. I desire to find the whys of social phenomena, especially in a complex and heterogeneous society such as India. By taking a comprehensive course as offered by your university I can accomplish this goal of mine. </p>
<p>thanks in advance for going through this and evaluating it.</p>