Admission Essay Example: Educational Specialist School Psychology Masters Program at the University of Washington

A few years ago, in 2018, I challenged myself in a way that I did not think would affect me in so many ways to this day. I have always wanted to and finally accomplished to volunteer abroad.  Traveling to Nicaragua, I spent my spring break among children from the poorest neighborhoods of the country. Walking amongst the people, we provided a listening ear and an embrace of compassion. Given the circumstances , you would not think that they would be so joyous. The need was so great,  yet the hope set so high. Seeing the kids' desire to push forward inspired me to want to support youth in surpassing such battles that challenged their childhoods and their chances of success. 

Putting my desire to work with youth to a test, I worked as a Summer Camp Counselor the following year. Ensuring that the kids, ages 5 to 15 and international Japanese teenagers, took care of themselves, made it to their activities, and had fun, provided a new perspective when working with youth.  Filled with various learning opportunities , the experience reinforced how rewarding I find it to be working with youth . Building positive relationships with the students made it a bitter farewell, but the time there made me realize how much need and in how many areas it is present. There were kids who were in foster care struggling with finding a place to fit in, others who struggled with getting past anxiety and depression, and so  many more challenges. Even though I could not change their circumstances, I learned early on that the simple action of being present can make a huge difference for youth by knowing that they are not alone. 

Graduating last spring from Washington State University with a BS in Psychology, a BA in Criminal Justice and Criminology, as well as a BA in Spanish, I specified  my learning to focus on how youth are affected within those fields. After graduation, I applied my education to the YMCA as a Mental Health Counselor where I delved into providing support for kids by creating lessons to explore emotional intelligence. Additionally, by doing one on ones to help the kids with their challenges of impulse control, and lack of knowledge of how to play with others.

The following fall, in September 2021, wanting to build upon the YMCA experience from the YMCA and to be able to support youth furthermore, I started as a Behavior Support Specialist Paraeducator at Challenger Elementary. Leading resolution circles, talking kids through their challenging behaviors, and ensuring that youth have what they need in order to pay attention and succeed in the classroom and beyond, the experience provides a multitude of variety  and challenge. The importance of building rapport and finding strategies that work for specific children are aspects that I have especially learned and will continue to implement in the future. Working in the school system has enhanced my desire to pursue a career in that same environment. With my passion to help youth, my educational background, and my desired workplace, it has pointed me in the direction of school psychology . Given that youth spend most of their time at school, beyond the home place , it is an environment that greatly shapes who they become. I believe that School Psychology is an opportunity to help youth grow and surpass their struggles in order to do well in their classes and beyond. The Educational Specialist School Psychology Masters program at the University of Washington specifically spikes my interest because of the enhanced research focus. I believe that this research aspect is what will strengthen the skills I need to successfully provide assessment, intervention, and consultation as a School psychologist in order to best support students, teachers, and parents in the school system.

Aspiring to be a school psychologist, I would like to work in the school system, K through 12, where I can help students realize what they are struggling with and how they can surpass that. Having facilitated English courses at my college at the Writing Center for three years, I would like to continue that route and apply my psychological knowledge to the field of education. Providing awareness into this field is one of the solid ways to ensure that youth are getting the help they need in order to succeed. 

Having obtained a Psychology degree, mental health struggles greatly interest me. This is one area of research that I would like to pursue for it is something that is prevalent and consuming in today's society, yet so stigmatized. Mental health resources are often seen among society, yet commonly pushed away and ignored, building up over time and affecting kids more the older they get the lack of communication skills to exress oneself in .  Given my multicultural upbringing, being from Poland and being trilingual, cultural diversity is another aspect in school psychology that intrigues me. 

The need in the school system for providing student support is only growing, whether that be being there for students who are having a hard time coping or figuring out a plan to assist in the classroom. Looking back at the past few years, I believe that I have the experience, educational background, and the desire to be a successful School psychologist. I am confident that completing the Educational Specialist School Psychology Masters program at the University of Washington is the next step to achieving this goal.