24 December 2008

What makes a personal statement compelling?

Good personal statements tell stories that demonstrate your strengths.
1. Knowing your strengths – How can you be of value or how can you contribute? Begin
by looking at your good experiences for evidence of your strengths and then ask those
who know you best for their thoughts. Don’t overlook the value of a true friend’s honest
assessment of your strengths. Many people find they have hidden strengths that are only
obvious to their close friends and family.
2. Knowing your audience – Research the program(s) and organization(s) to which you are
applying through online searches, reading catalog / program descriptions, and emailing
for more information. Talk with professors, graduate students, advisers, and colleagues
met during internships.
3. Making a good case for the “match” between you and the program or organization to
which you are applying.
4. Telling a story that demonstrates your strengths with examples and that sets you
apart from others and shows how you can contribute. Avoid just writing a first-person
essay where each paragraph is a direct response to the points you are being asked to
address. Avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “I want.”

22 December 2008

What is personal statement??

The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample.
Personal statements are commonly requested when applying for scholarships and graduate /
professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive
teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or
for internship applications.
It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons
for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique
ways you can contribute to the program / organization to which you are applying. A statement
of purpose is designed to communicate five things:
1. Writing abilities – grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
2. Connections between your past education / experiences and future goals.
3. Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
4. What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
5. How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.

21 December 2008

What is personal statement??

The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample.
Personal statements are commonly requested when applying for scholarships and graduate /
professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive
teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or
for internship applications.
So what is a personal statement? It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons
for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique
ways you can contribute to the program / organization to which you are applying. A statement
of purpose is designed to communicate five things:
1. Writing abilities – grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
2. Connections between your past education / experiences and future goals.
3. Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
4. What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
5. How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.

17 December 2008

Sample SOP#26

We all have ambitions, some generic, like wanting to become a millionaire, and some more specific, like wanting to be a doctor. My ambition is to become a scientist, something I have always dreamed of since the age of five. I am an avid fan of the Star Trek series, and am greatly moved by the visions of the future that Gene Roddenberry and Irvine Kirschner, the creators of the sci-fi epic, bring to us. The thought that science could lift mankind to different planes of existence has been the inspiration behind my choosing to follow my childhood dream.

In my religion, Hinduism, working for the betterment of society that nurtures us is one of the fundamental tenets. After the completion of my tenth standard, I realized that the best way I could contribute to society was by making use of my innate talents, which were recognized by my teachers as ideal for a career in scientific research. On my teachers’ advice, I chose the science stream of study for standard eleven and twelve, rejecting the commerce stream. This proved to be the most pivotal decision of my life.

Starting in the eleventh standard, my already burgeoning fascination for physics and mathematics bloomed. I began to take a liking to the area of semiconductor physics and the nature of matter. In the standard twelve national level examinations, I was commended by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for being among the top 0.01% of all students taking the examination. My standard twelve project titled “Logic Gate Design” was the object of several accolades and is still being used today as a part of the practical classes in my alma mater. I subsequently chose to do my bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication (ECE), for I felt that it had all the makings of a course that comprised of both the physics that I loved and it’s application in today’s world.

As the course progressed, I noticed that it was a conglomerate of many areas, each with its profundity, and realized that I had to make a choice from among the myriad that were available. My liking for core electronics had grown by the time I reached this crossroad, and I boldly chose VLSI as my area of research. I now look to how I can sate my yearning to bring about the same revolution that has made a few of the world’s cities the virtual Meccas of technological advances, to the rest of the planet which has been in suspended animation. VLSI is one field of electronics with a very bright future. The world needs people who are both trained in VLSI as well as willing to work for the betterment of humanity. I was deeply inspired by the makers of the new version of Linux called “Ubuntu”. These were highly trained, sophisticated individuals who created an operating system which is primarily intended “for the benefit of mankind”. It is with this goal in mind that I intend to pursue my master’s degree.

I exposure to VLSI began with my industrial training at “VI Microsystems”, where I was introduced to the basics of IC fabrication. I was then selected to attend a training programme at the meteorological department of India, where I acquainted myself with the applications of VLSI in form of weather satellite electronics. It was during this training programme that I decided to major in VLSI. My final semester project is titled “Standard cell design using the semi custom approach” is an ambitious project aimed at the complete replacement of certain components in the existing PSpice library. I have presented papers titled “The Spin Transistor-improvements” and “Protection from the E-Bomb”. Both of these have been commended for their novelty. I hope to further my research in VLSI at your prestigious institute, and request you to consider me for admission into the MS program “Microelectronics and VLSI” with full financial support.

15 December 2008

Sample SOP #9


Statement of purpose

In India, virtually bursting at its seams with a population of a billion, one was resigned to waiting in line for most services from cradle to grave. The advent of computers has started a metamorphosis, which has quickened the pace of life. This has kindled in me a strong desire to be a part of the ongoing ‘Computer Revolution’.

Science and related fields have always fascinated me. With Computer Science and Information technology penetrating all walks of life, my search for a suitable course of undergraduate study ended with Computer Engineering. I have strived for excellence in all that I pursue, and this is reflected in my high academic standing, fifth in the first year among students of all engineering disciplines in my college and first in the second year among over 100 students in the computer department.

Through my education, I have gained valuable experience, especially from my final year project and my entry in an inter-collegiate paper contest. My project titled ‘Intranet BBS’ which implements messaging and file services in Java, has exposed me to platforms like Windows NT and UNIX. The paper I entered was titled ‘Mobile Computing using IPv6’, for which I won an appreciation prize. It covered the concepts surrounding IP addressing, neighbor discovery protocol and support for mobile computation in IPv6. These major pieces of work have narrowed my areas of specific interest to Operating Systems and Computer Networking, which together have made it possible to provide information at the tip of our hands, anytime, anywhere. My desire to learn more about computers has also caused me to go above and beyond the requirements of my degree. As a result, in addition to my final year project I am doing a module on ‘Speech Recognition and Coding’ as part of a funded special research project titled ‘Systems Automation using Smart Cards’.

My interest in Computers does not stop at just acquiring information and experience through education. I am also very enthusiastic about sharing it with others. I voluntarily conducted two Visual Basic workshops for the Computer Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at our college where my teaching skills were greatly appreciated. I enjoyed the experience and look forward to doing similar work in the future.

The need for education and training continues throughout life. Advances in information technology are so rapid that those who are not able to ride the wave of change are often left far behind. I do not want to be left in the dust and believe that a good, sound educational background and the opportunity to do independent research at the Master’s level would give me a head start and enable me to exploit these advances in technology in the most constructive manner. My current academic goal is to complete a Masters Program in Computer Science, which is a stepping stone towards my ambition of achieving significant technological advancement in this field. My academic record coupled with my project experience gives me the confidence to successfully complete, and amply benefit from your reputed program and state-of-the-art research facilities.

On completion of my graduate studies, I would like to pursue a career in a reputed American corporation to gain practical experience and to imbibe and assimilate the well-known American work ethic. The knowledge, skills and experience gained in America will equip me to take up the unique challenges and tremendous opportunities of improving the quality of computerized systems in the next millennium.

13 December 2008

LOR #1

l

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

*******

Assistant Professor,

Department of Mathematics

***** College of Engineering

I have known **********. as a disciplined, intuitive and an inquisitive student for the past three and a half years. He is a final year student of the Bachelor’s degree program in Electronics and Communication Engineering at our institution.

I have taught him the fundamentals of Engineering Mathematics, which encompasses Differential Equations, 3-Dimensional Geometry, Calculus of Single & Many Variables, Matrices and Determinants, Contour Integration, Fourier Transforms, Laplace Transforms and Z-Transforms. His aptitude, grasp of mathematical concepts and eagerness to explore are qualities that have impressed me.

‘Communications and Signal Processing’ is ****** area of interest. His project in “Image Processing” for the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) required skillful application of theory coupled with in-depth knowledge of mathematics. The scope and execution of the project reaffirmed my faith in his capabilities. I would rate him in the top 5% of the undergraduate students in his area of interest.

He is lucid in communicating his ideas, aided by a flair for languages. He has been an active member of the organizing committee of the “National Technical Symposium” held at the college and has earned laurels as an efficient administrator.

***** is a meritorious student who consistently shows a keen urge towards acquiring knowledge. He has the potential to achieve his goals through hard work and perseverance, complemented by a solid foundation of technical knowledge.

I am very pleased to recommend ****, with financial assistance, for the MS EE program at your prestigious university.

09 December 2008

Flow of SOP #1

Typical flow of a statement of purpose:

1) Begin by introducing yourself to the reader and provide some details about your personal background as it relates to the field of study

2) Then discuss your academic experiences as they relate to your field- include both academic activities as well as extra curricular activities

3) Then discuss your research experiences or if none, talk about your research related courses and how they prepared you for research

4) Then make the connection between these experiences and your field of study- it is good to mention a major idea in the field of study- it shows that you are knowledgeable and think about the field.

5) Mention any special aspects of your application (grades, GRE scores, publication)

6) Move on to what you expect from the program and your career goals

7) Mention why program is a good match with career goals

8) You can standardize your statement but should tailor the last paragraph specifically for each program that you apply to…reviewers will note this


05 December 2008

Useful tips #4

5) Be truthful and don’t make boasting statements or conclusions for the reader. Instead of concluding that you are a good researcher, just give your qualifications and let the reader make that conclusion

6) Try answering these questions:

What have I learned academically that stimulated me to pursue this field?

How did I learn this? Lecture, readings, hands-on experiences

Are there any personal experiences that influenced my career choice?

What are my career goals- what will you do with the degree?

7) Use the statement to address a weakness or discrepancy in your record

Low grades freshman year- death in family ruined one semester- figure grades without chemistry or math- grades over Jr and Sr years if higher-grades in major

8) Address any special circumstances such as working through school- and medical or financial hardships that you worked through- it shows character

9) Revision- best if you can put away for several days- examine every word and ask if it is necessary…plan on revising your statement several times

02 December 2008

Useful Tips #3

1) Brainstorm previous academic experiences and qualifications but also include relevant work or other experiences…sales job for social psyc, lab tech for neuroscience

2) Make several outlines of brainstormed items and see which order of presentation best- reflects the overall theme of ‘why you should accept me’

3) Write in a straightforward manor. Avoid flowery language or language used strictly to impress a reader. Be concise. Never use more words than necessary.

4) Be specific in your writing: better to say what techniques, procedures, and apparatus you are familiar with than just saying that you have much research experience…don’t say ‘good with computers’ or ‘can handle animals’ say what computer programs you used…what type of animal and how did you handle them