Grad School: Go for the Goals in Your Statement of Purpose
Go for the Goals in your Statement of Purpose
--Article courtesy of Accepted.com,
admissions consultancy
The statement of purpose is one of the best ways that you can
demonstrate your intellectual development, ability to write and
think clearly, and knowledge of your field. Graduate admissions
committees want to know that you understand what you're getting
into, and that you have the commitment to survive a demanding
academic program.
So how can you prove that you know what graduate school is
all about? If you aren't already a graduate student, you likely
have little firsthand experience to draw upon, but you almost
certainly do have a broad range of other relevant experiences
that you can share as you work to show the admissions committee
that you've done your research and know what you're going to do
with your degree.
Identify your goals
You know you want a graduate degree, but do you know what you
want to do with it? What is your purpose? The guidelines for your
Statement of Purpose ask you to share your background, interests,
and future goals: but are you sure exactly where you want this
degree to take you?
- Consider why you feel so passionate about your subject area.
In your personal statement, you will need to show the admissions
committee that you have enough interest in and commitment to
your field to slog through years of study, weekends when your
friends are going camping but you have to finish a paper, and
long nights wading through dense tomes so you'll have something
to say in the next day's seminar. So, spend some time considering
the experiences that sparked and fuelled your interest in your
field!
- Do you have a specific memory of what first got you interested in your subject?
- What experiences confirmed that this is what you really want
to study?
- When did you realize that this wasn't just a casual interest,
but what you actually wanted to do with your life?
- Evaluate your personality, aptitudes, and interests.
An "academic career" can mean many things, depending
on the discipline and on the individual. Some people enter the
academic world because they have a burning desire to teach; others
are born researchers who would enjoy nothing more than spending
all day in a lab; still others (perhaps most!) fall somewhere
in the middle. Which type of person are you, and how did you originally discover
where you "fit in"?
- Explore different career paths.
Research the various employment options available to graduates
from your department. Visit university career centers, do some
Internet and library research, and interview people who have
jobs that appeal to you. What do people DO with a Master's Degree
in Chemical Engineering? A Ph.D. in Art History? An M.F.A. in
Creative Writing? Are most of the opportunities in academia or
industry? Once you know where the opportunities are, it will
be much easier for you to discuss your goals in a way that makes
sense.
- Think about where you want to be after completing your graduate
degree.
Do you envision yourself on the "tenure track," teaching
and researching at a large university? Teaching at a community
college in a smaller urban area? Moving from academic life into
industry or consulting? If you're applying to Master's-level
programs, will you be able to achieve what you want to achieve
with your Master's degree, or will a Ph.D. be the natural next
step?
Write about your goals
Now that you have clarified for yourself why you want to attend
graduate school in your particular field, it's time articulate
it to the admissions committee!
- Explain your motivations.
Share your specific memories of how you decided that teaching
is the ideal career path for you, how you realized that a Ph.D.
will help you break into a non-profit career, or why you are
certain that a terminal master's degree in financial engineering
will help you become a financial analyst. Beyond the financial
rewards of your desired career path, what motivates you?
- Share some "snapshots"
of the experiences that made you want to enter this field!
- Explain how your specific experiences have helped you to
fine-tune your goals.
- Show the admissions committee what steps you have already
taken towards these goals.
- Tailor your past experiences to your goals.
Explain not only what you know about your field, but also what
you don't know-where is your knowledge particularly strong, and
what areas do you still need to learn more about in order to
reach your goals? What particular experiences or elements of
your background make you stand out from the crowd of other applicants who want to achieve
much the same thing?
- Tailor your graduate school experience to your goals.
Will you be applying for Teaching or Research Assistantships?
Have you contacted particular faculty members with experience
or publications in your area of interest who could sit on your
committee? Have you considered the various course offerings and
come up with a "short list" of courses that will bring
you closer to your career goals?
- Keep your goals statement focused.
Remember that graduate school is just one step in an ongoing
and flexible process, not the "magic button" that will
make all your dreams come true. Even if you think your career
could take you in three or four very different directions, try
to commit to a single clear career path in your application.
You can always change your mind!
Finally, remember that if you would like the guidance and support
of experienced editors as you work on your Statement of Purpose or other
parts of your grad school application, Accepted.com is here to
help. We offer a range of services that can be tailored exactly to your needs.
By Sonia Michaels, Accepted.com Senior Editor
Copyright Accepted.com
2003
