After careful consideration, I have chosen to apply to the PsyD Clinical Psychology program at Alliant International University. There were multiple factors that influenced my decision. I wanted to apply to a program that I thought would broaden my knowledge and give me the professional experience and training I needed to begin my career as a clinical psychologist. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One of the main factors that caught my attention was how the program focuses education and training on a scholar-practitioner model. The program emphasizes that students are able to begin applying their studies to clinical work early in the program. This was an extremely motivating factor in my decision to enroll in the program. The most effective learning environment for me is when I can take the theories and research I have studied and apply them directly to clinical work. This will help me to be able to effectively problem solve in a context with clients who are experiencing mental health difficulties. I also look forward to getting involved with the community and addressing issues among them. The university's approach to diversity was another deciding factor. The importance the university places on having a culturally diverse student population is extremely crucial. It is immensely beneficial to immerse students in a diverse population so that opinions can be shared by all, thus creating an environment that broadens our cognitive thinking. Embracing diversity creates an environment where students are able to freely express themselves, their ideas, and allows students to be exposed to different experiences that they may not have been exposed to before. This can help broaden my knowledge of different cultures and be able to interact effectively with community members who come from different backgrounds. In practice, physicians will work with clients from a diverse population, and exposure to a culturally diverse university can be beneficial to me as a prospective student and physician. During my time at university, I developed a specific interest in criminal behavior. The effects of mental illness on incarceration. There is extensive research and knowledge about criminal behavior and the factors that cause such behavior. Often, incarcerated people report suffering from depression, anxiety, personality disorders, or various other mental health issues. Correctional facilities have higher prevalence rates of mental disorders than the general population. My goal is to focus on how can we apply understanding criminal behavior to reduce incarceration rates of individuals with mental disorders? This is the applied clinical problem I intend to focus on in my studies to provide effective treatment and rehabilitation plans for individuals with mental health problems who are incarcerated. . Depending on the individual and their needs will depend on the treatment plan they receive. With an effective treatment plan, incarcerated individuals with mental health disorders can be relieved of their mental suffering and will decrease their chances of recidivism. One treatment plan that can be effective for many incarcerated individuals is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment model focuses on cognitive processes resulting from behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. CBT focuses on changing the way you think.