以下是我写我自己的statement of purpose的一些经验和感悟.doc

1. The effectiveness of career services in lower ranked schools, for example, Tulane University, is pretty low. Not many companies come to campus and even the few that come are not hiring internationals. Its frustrating to read those job requirement e-mails from career services which start with U.S Citizens or Permanent residents only . 2. Companies segment you into a particular bucket. So, even though many Chinese have an Engineering undergraduate degree and 4 years of IT consulting work experience, companies classify them into the techie category and the kinds of jobs that they can apply to are restricted due to this classification. 3. In the 30 - 50 ranked range, the M.Sc/MBA/Ph.d is no longer a differentiator. Companies are hiring only based on your past work experience in an area in which they need you. If you have an MBA, its no longer a differentiator or an excitor. An example. Last years batch had two Desis who have gone into good companies in the Financial sector. Was it due to the MBA at U.S? Absolutely not. These two people already had Masters from China and had worked in the Financial Industry in China. On the contrary, another senior who has a background similar to them has gone into technical support / programming. This bright guy could have got into this position even without an MBA or education from US. 4. Hiring is mostly through referrals. In low ranked schools, foreign students sent hundreds of job applications for internship positions through several company web sites / internet job site but had no success. 5. You will always be an outsider even in your own class. Whatever you maight thought was an advantage - work ex etc. is turning into a disadvantage. My advice to anyone contemplating moving here for a low ranked education is as follows:a. Do not accept positions outside the top25 schools. ONE MBA of Wharton could receive TEN work offers, but if you are from a No.35 school (e.g. Tulane University!) you have to fight with another TEN classmates to get ONE work offer! b. If you have to choose between a higher ranked school with no financial aid and a lower ranked school with a good financial aid package, choose the higher ranked school. This will pay off in the long run through more influential alumnus, brand value, immediate visibility to recruiters etc. c. If you are a career changer, dont come to the U.S. d. If you are offerred admission between two schools in the same ranking range and one of them is in a good location (eg. Maryland) vs. another which is not in a good location (eg. Georgia State), always choose the school that has a locational advantage. This will translate into better access to markets / companies. e. If you get admission in a b-school in China ( CEIBS etc.), choose them over an MBA from a 30 - 50 ranked school here in US.以下是我写我自己的statement of purpose的一些经验和感悟，希望对大家的申请有帮助。以下是我从的网页上摘下的一些，Though there is no one formula for preparing a successful personal statement, there are some minimum key ingredients. Explain your personal preparation for graduate studies, including: courses of interest; research experience; reason(s) for choosing this field; and distinguishing personal characteristics. In addition, state your short-term and long-term goals as they pertain to this application. Once you prepare a draft, be sure to have your personal statement reviewed by an editor. This person can either be a professional, a faculty member, administrator, or trusted friend. Whomever you choose, make sure that you are comfortable with their knowledge of the field, and their ability to carefully edit your statement.由此你可以看到，这个东西就是写你自己的经历，选择一些你学习中，工作中的经历来写。大家比较容易犯的错误就是写的空泛。我看过最多的例子就是在有些同学的中有很多例如 excellent, outstanding, perfect等等的词，其实这些词我觉得不应该是自己描述自己的，应该是别人来评价你的。你说你自己outstanding，但那些professor从你的中根本看不到你到底哪里outstanding。你要用实例告诉他你outstanding，不要空喊。其实是对你自己学习和工作的回顾和总结，如果你真正的深入到你的研究中（这里我特指研究生），那就在你的中介绍你做过的事情，克服了什么苦难，取得了什么成就，那些使你更加成熟，那些使你决定去读。另外，应该找一些关于美国graduate study的书，特指教育方面的，从中你可以真正的了解美国的，他们要什么样的人，他们欣赏哪一点。千万不要去臆测那些大学的喜好，也不要完全相信网上所流传的。你没到过美国，根本不知道那到底什么样。只有通过美国人写的东西去了解第一手资料。但是，在这里我要强调，千万别了解的太深了，当你完全了解美国的教育，你会感到很恐怖。我就有一度不敢再度了。（玩笑了）但你真正要明白的是，美国人的是为了将来做academic工作的，不是为其他准备的。所以在你申请之前，你要想清楚你要不要花年去完成这个。另外在你的中，千万别写的太幼稚了，尤其对研究生同学。你对这个领域发生兴趣是来自于你的研究工作，而不是什么高中或小学的什么经历。我曾看过一个同学写道，里面他写道他对环境工程的兴趣来自于害怕有一天由于水资源紧缺导致第三次世界大战。我相信那些教授根本不关心打不打仗，只关心你能不能做research。就是telling a story，不要总想写得多有传奇色彩，不可能。从小事中发掘你的闪光点才是真的。另外，千万不要去网上找什么模版，你用别人也用，到时大家千人一面。估计那帮教授看的都想吐。把自己的闪光点写下来，用实例去support，才最让人信服。自己的感悟，本想等申请结束后再写的，觉得现在写出来可能会给申的同学一些idea。可能会有一些观点大家不赞同，那出来大家讨论吧。写Personal Statement的九点技巧 (转)1对所要申请的学校和专业是否有深入细致的了解，能做到在写自述时紧扣学校和专业的要求及特点，突出自己的申请优势。2自己的人生经历中有什么独特的、非同寻常的地方？在家庭生活和社会生活中有哪些人或事件影响了自己的人生观和事业追求？这些影响有什么与众不同的地方？3自己最初是如何对目前所选专业感兴趣的？在其后的岁月中又是如何加深了对这一学科领域的认识？在这一领域已经取得了什么样的成绩？是什么因素使自己自信，能够在这一领域有所建树？4在上学期间自己从事了哪些助教、助研、社会实践、暑期工作？通过这些活动在什么方面得到了提高（比如科研能力、组织能力和领导能力等）？在步入社会后的工作中完成过什么项目，取得了哪些成就，表现出何等才干？5自己最终的事业目标是什么？6在自己多年来的考试成绩上有没有需要解释的地方？比方说大学成绩一直很优异但GRE成绩却不怎么理想；高年级时的成绩是否比低年级时的成绩有显著提高？7在自我奋斗的过程中是否需要克服超常的困难，如家庭生活贫困、身体残疾等？8自己是否具备杰出的品格，比如诚实、可靠、善良、刻苦等，而自己能否提供真凭实据来加以证明？是否具备值得一提的很好的特别的工作习惯和态度，以及禀性上的优异。9自己具备什么样的特殊才能，如分析能力、领导才能和交流才能？为什么比别的申请者更具有在事业上成功的把握。统计学 StatisticsStatistics Personal Statement Written by Administrator Monday, 26 April 2010 23:04 I am applying for acceptance into your graduate program for a Doctors degree in statistics. I plan to begin my studies in the fall of 1998. Nature is full of mysteries, one of which seems to be its apparent readiness to conform with mathematical principles. Such mysteries have fascinated me since my childhood, prompting me to avidly read scientific writings by Hua Lougeng, Chinas most celebrated mathematician in the modern era, even while I was still in primary school. Unable to fully understand Huas books as I must have been, I learned that mathematics was itself wrapped with mysteries.My intense interest, coupled with my hard work, in mathematics paid off. During my third year in senior middle school, I took part in the National Mathematics Contest for students in secondary education, and succeeded in winning the tenth spot in a lineup of some two hundred thousand selected participants. It was at that time that I made up my mind to pursue a career in mathematics. In 1985, I entered into the East China Normal University to major in mathematics. The mandatory courses ware concentrated mainly in two areas: statistics and application technologies. There were also many elective courses. In addition to courses of statistics and mathematics, I spent a lot of time and energy learning such practical skills as computer programming and the application of some new software systems in statistics. After graduation in 1990, I taught statistics for four years at another university until I decided that I had to satisfy my curiosity further and learn more. In 1994, I joined a graduate program at the Beijing Polytechnic University, where I concentrated my studies in the area of artificial intelligence.Never a bookworm, I presided over a sampling survey of the middle schools in Shanghai, and published my findings in the ECNU journal. The topic for my graduation paper, the problem of slow server, was actually culled from an article published in pursuing more advanced studies in a technologically more advanced country such as the United States. These journals provided me the necessary quality and amount of reference materials t keep me informed of the cutting edge of the field. The new method that I used in my research and my smooth answers at my defense of the paper could all trace their origin back to the journals that I had read. On the basis of my strong defense, the supervising committee decided unanimously t grant me an unequivocal A for my graduation paper. During the period of my graduate studies, I learned more about the realization technology (not sure what you are trying to say) by using computer programming. In image processing, I used the multianalysis and category theory in statistics, and I helped to institute a recognition system for major fingerprint characteristics. I have been working as a lecturer at the Beijing Polytechnic University since I obtained my Masters degree. Besides teaching, I have been conducting market analysis as part of several research teams.I have basically two main reasons to wish for further studies abroad. First, the rapid development of the statistical science fascinates me, and I would like to stand firmly on the cutting edge of the field by having myself grounded in more advanced theories. Second, the market research that I am now involved in is pushing me to master newer and better methodologies, I believe that graduate studies with your department is one of the best ways for me to attain both purposes.I am convinced that the academic foundation I have laid in both theoretical frameworks and practical skills will help me make a competent student in my proposed studies. I am looking forward to the day when I shall return to China with a Doctors degree to make more contribution to the development of the science of statistics in this country.Economics is a rigorous discipline to which I find myself intensely attracted. It is sublime how one can formalise such distinctly organic and complex concepts as welfare relating to individual economic units as well as society. Furthermore, an Economics related degree would allow me to explore, in depth, a range of exciting, multidisciplinary topics as diverse as game theory, a subject only hinted at at A Level and which I would love to explore in university, international trade and development studies. Eagerness to venture beyond the A Level syllabus led me to be selected for Economics, as well as Politics and Physics Masterclasses at Durham University.I am an avid reader of The Economist, Time Magazine, and The Times having an innate interest in current affairs and the machinations of the wider world. This year I had an opportunity to experience the captivating lifestyle, society, culture and economic diaspora of Kenya and Italy. Firstly as a member of Africamp 2002,where I worked with the rehabilitation of street children in Nairobi and was part of a team that reached the summit of Africas 2nd largest peak, Mt. Kenya and secondly with a Comenius Italian exchange.My choice of AS and A Levels, along with other academic achievements, help consolidate and support my desired degree choice. Economics serves as an induction to the fundamental role of economic theory in governing the choices of society. Mathematics allows me to explore the techniques of data analysis and develop an abstract mode of thought, as has Kumon Mathematics. Chemistry and AS Physics have helped broaden my depth of logical awareness. It is my interest in formalised logic that initiated me to take AS Critical Thinking, working mainly independently due to timetable conflicts, and I am currently enjoying studying argument structures and types.I have a great passion for the arts; a love of literature and poetry; my collection is published online and a selection has been internationally published in Letters From The Soul anthology and The Sound of Poetry audio CD. I am also a performing and administrative member of xxx Arts, a nationally renowned Folk Dance troupe, as well as of xxx Youth Theatre. Sport is equally important: I have played at the club and tournament level in tennis and additionally at county level in badminton. I am looking forward to gaining a coaching qualification in badminton as well as running the Great North Run next year having run the Junior Great North Run in the past years. Also, I am nearing the completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.I have been an active participant in school life, having been Chairman of the School Council, an Editor of a collaborative publication with other partner schools in Europe, worked as a Peer Mentor for Y9 pupils and managed HSBC Schoolbranch. Additonally, I have been managing director of a Young Enterprise company, have represented the school at the RSC Analytical Chemistry Competition, and have been regional semi-finalist at the Student Innovation Challenge. In the future, having soaring ambition, I see myself successfully involved in economic policy at the international level. In the summer, I would like to work for Accenture as a management consultant.-The study of mathematical sciences has intrigued me for many years. The decision to study A levels in both Maths and Physics stemmed from a high interest level and strong aptitude in both subject areas. This was reflected in the AS grades I received in June 2002; achieving an A grade in mathematics which has inspired me further in my pursuit of the subject.My interest has spread to computers and trying to link the two together has played a big part of my life in the last few years. I have taught myself, using books and other available sources, how to program in HTML and this has made it possible for me to take an active role in web design.My other academic interests include Business Studies, especially management and finance areas which link with sections of the maths course. My choice to inc