Format and length: 12-point font, 1” margins, double-spaced, & 3-4 pages.
Answer the following five questions, either question by question or by weaving your answers into an essay or narrative.
- How have your personal, school, work, and/or other experiences contributed to your decision to pursue a career in behavioral health social work (i.e., clinical social work)?
- What motivates you to pursue an MSW specialization in culturally responsive clinical practice with California’s diverse and vulnerable populations?
- Which area(s) or with which population(s) are you interested in sub-specializing in working with and why? (e.g., school social work, older adults with severe and chronic mental illness, substance abuse and teenagers, etc.)
- What personal characteristics and strengths will contribute to your success in graduate school?
- Reflecting on your previous experiences and current identities, what might be your most important areas of improvement for becoming an inclusive, culturally responsive behavioral health care provider (i.e., where might you need to grow)?
The most important piece of advice is to respond to the questions and to adhere to length and style requirements. Beyond that, the statement of purpose is the primary way for the Admissions Committee to hear your voice. Take the opportunity to talk about your passions and interests and help the Committee understand your fit for behavioral health social work.