Master-PS宝典：Guide for Writing the Statement of Purpose.doc

PS必读：Guide for Writing the Statement of PurposeVersion 1Dr. Gloria ChunThings to Keep in Mind l What they read between the lines: motivation, competence, potential as a graduate student. l Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active, not passive, voice. l Demonstrate everything by example; dont say directly, for example, that youre a persistent personyou must demonstrate it. l You dont want to make excuses, but you have talk about the mistakes youve made as a learning experience. l If there is something important that happened (poverty, illness, excessive work, etc.) which affected your grades, go ahead and state it, but write affirmatively, that is, in a way that shows your perseverance. l Make sure everything is linked with continuity and focus. l 500-600 words, 1 to 1.5 pages single spaced, typed. Writing the Statement of Purpose Part 1: Introduction l This is where you tell them what you want to study. For example, I wish to pursue a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in controls. Part 2: Summarize what you did as an undergraduate l Research what did during your undergrad career. Describe your best project(s), indicating with whom, the title of the project, what your responsibilities were and the outcome. Write technically, professors are the people who read these statements. l Important class or classes you took which stimulated your desire for graduate study, or a specific project for a class. l Work experience, especially if you had any kind of responsibility for testing, designing, or researching a product or apparatus. Part 3: If you graduated and worked for a while and are returning to grad school, indicate what youve been doing while working. l You can discuss your company, work/design team, responsibilities, what you learned, etc. You can also indicate here how this helped you focus on your graduate studies. Part 4: Here you indicate what you want to study in graduate school in greater detail. l This is a greater elaboration of your opening paragraph. l Indicate area of interest, then state questions you might have which are associated with the topic, i.e., what you might be interested in studying. You should have an area of emphasis selected before you write the statement. l Call the department or look on the web for information about the professors and their research. Are there professors whose interests match yours? If so, indicate this, as it shows a sign that you have done your homework and are highly motivated. (Be sincere, however, dont make up something bogus just to impress people.) Part 5: Conclusion l End your statement in a positive and confident manner with a readiness for the challenges of graduate study. Beatriz Lopez-Flores Director, GrAD (510) 643-6443 (tel) (510) 643-5600 (fax) Graduate Academic Division Center for Underrepresented Engineering Students 312 McLaughlin Hall #1702 Berkeley, CA 94720-1702 Version 2by Carla Trujillo, Ph.D.A) Things to Keep in Mind:1. What the admissions committee reads between the lines: motivation, competence, intellectual passion, potential as a graduate student/scholar.2. Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active, not a passive, voice. Highlight upswing in grades if applicable.3. Demonstrate everything by example; dont say directly that youre a persistent person, demonstrate it.4. You dont want to make excuses, but you can talk about the mistakes youve made as a learning experience.5. If there is something important that happened (poverty, illness, excessive work, etc.) affecting your grades state it, but write it affirmatively, that is, in a way that shows your perseverance.6. Make sure everything is well written, edited, and linked with continuity and focus.7. Unless there are special instructions about the length or format of the essay, it should be 500-600 words (1 to 1 pages) single-space, typed, 12pt. font size.B) Writing the Statement of Purpose:Part 1: IntroductionGive a brief introduction to yourself. State what sparked your interest in pursuing graduate school, and what you wish to study.Part 2: Summarize what you did as an undergraduatea) Important class you took or research project your participated in which stimulated your desire for graduate study.b) Research you conducted: indicate with whom, type of project, your responsibilities, and the outcome. Did you present the findings at a conference or submit for publication? (Each research project description should be a short paragraph.)c) Work experience, especially if you had any kind of responsibility for testing, designing, or researching a product or apparatus, or having direct experience pertinent to your future area of study.Part 3: If you graduated and worked or interned prior to returning to grad school, indicate what youve been doing: company, work/design team, responsibilities, what you learned. You can also indicate how this helped you focus your graduate studies. If you took classes to strengthen your knowledge of a particular area, or conducted post-graduation research or an independent study, write about it here.Part 4: This is the most important part of the Statement of Purpose. Here you indicate what you want to study in graduate school in greater detail. It should be a well developed paragraph. Note: the department youre applying to should ideally have courses and faculty conducting research in the area you wish to study.a) Indicate your area of interest, state questions associated with the topic, and what you might be interested in studying.b) Examine the department website for information about the professors and their research. Are there faculty whose interests parallel yours? If so, indicate this, as it shows you have done your homework and are highly motivated. c) End your statement in a positive and confident manner indicating a readiness and excitement for the challenges ahead of you.以上内容摘自：http:/grad.b