I'm currently writing my personal statement for a psychology MSc and all of the (generic) advice I have found for writing personal statements for postgrad study emphasize avoiding cliches, which makes sense, but I am really struggling to say why I want to pursue a career in psychology without using the major cliche of "wanting to help people" (to be fair, it feels sickeningly cliche to even type that). If you take that out it only leaves that I am very interested in science/psychology specifically...which is blindingly obvious since I am applying for a masters in it. How can I explain my interest in this course without just giving the two reasons which surely EVERY SINGLE applicant will give?!
Not sure I'm even expecting an answer to this, I'm just venting my frustration.

Hi! I not sure this is still actual, but I just saw your question and since I'm in the process of writing the personal statement for MSc Psychology myself I decided to answer you :).
I can imagine it sucks when the only things you can think of are the classical cliches. What really helped me was not staying with the first answer I gave myself. That is when your first answer is "...because I want to help people" then just ask for more: "why do I want to help people, what does it give me?". Then you answer something like "I feel my life is more meaningful when helping people" - "why do you find the meaning in helping people and not in helping something else" and so on and so on.
I mean be hard on yourself, don't be content with the answer until you know that the answer truly explains your own individual motives. It sort of makes sense to dig deep into your motives and thoughts especially...you know...when applying for psychology :D. Hope it helps!