Review the graduate school entrance requirements. If there is a section regarding the goal statement, pay close attention to the details of this section.
Begin the statement with a simple introduction of your reason for writing the summary. In one to two sentences, you will explain your intention to explain your background, academic interests and future goals. You are attempting to justify your admission into the graduate school.
Move to a new paragraph and begin to highlight your academic strengths. These strengths include classes that have prepared you for the counseling studies program. Include your grade point average in these classes if it was exceptional; if it was less than stellar, discuss actions taken to improve the grade. If your overall grade point average improved slowly over your undergrad career, compare different semesters to demonstrate continuous academic growth.
Describe professional goals in the third paragraph. The counseling studies graduate program is interested in your career path, which needs to be determined before deciding on a specific program. This paragraph will be direct, and while you do not have to commit to one career at this time, the graduate admissions office is interested to know you are not wasting their resources by changing directions later.
Discuss your planned course of study in the fourth paragraph. In counseling studies, possible courses of study are adolescent counseling or family counseling. The admissions office is looking for direction in your plan.
Finish the statement with a brief paragraph including your goals and background. This paragraph will be one to two sentences.