英语求学申请2

Writing the Personal Statement

Personal statements are frequently required in

applications for postgraduate study, in particular

business courses, such as MBAs, but are also required for areas such as postgraduate teacher training. You are typically allowed about 1 page of A4 (250-500 words) to "sell yourself". The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.

2. The response to very specific questions:

Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions.

For as long as I can remember, computers and other electrical devices have fascinated me. Whenever I encounter such an item, I seek to understand every aspect of its operation and immediately begin adapting it to my own specifications.

Because of this sustained interest, I have an extensive history working with electrical objects. As part of my design and technology AS coursework, I have designed and built a retractable telephone cord. To complete this process, I composed a two-step plan of action. First, I wrote a computer programme. Next, I designed and built a printed circuit board so that the telephone cord automatically retracts into the telephone, thereby

saving space, reducing clutter, and improving safety by reducing the number of wires around the telephone. Because I fully planned and executed this project, I acquired substantial knowledge of circuits and

programming. I also had the satisfaction of seeing one of my own ideas transform into an innovative, fully functioning final product.

My interest in this field extends far beyond the

requirements of my coursework; I have also worked on my own electrical engineering project during my spare time. For this project, I fitted light systems onto my car, connecting them to the main battery and building a remote control to operate the lights. To complement my studies and outside projects with intensive engineering experience, I have undertaken work at an engineering company in Cambridge. During my weeklong project, I got to experiment quite a bit, welding and using lasers and chemicals to work on a variety of materials.

Although electrical engineering constitutes my primary pursuit, I lead a life of varied interests, with music

serving as a particularly rewarding hobby. In my spare time, I play the piano and keyboard, earning a grade five level in theory and grade three at piano. I routinely play by ear, working out songs that I have heard on the television or radio, and I enjoy composing pieces on my synthesiser. I have also begun to learn jazz piano songs requiring extensive improvisation.

True to form, I have even found a way to integrate my

engineering interests into my musical activities: I often set up the lighting and speakers for my friend's mobile disco.

In pursuing a degree in the electrical engineering

program, I seek to advance my knowledge of electrical systems and perfect my personal engineering skills. I have established the strong academic foundation necessary for success, excelling in A level courses in maths, physics and design technology. Through my intensive schoolwork, hands-on work experience, and prolonged personal interest, I have demonstrated my considerable commitment to electrical engineering.

Examples of Successful Statements

Statement #1

My interest in science dates back to my years in high school, where I excelled in physics, chemistry, and math. When I was a senior, I took a first-year calculus course at a local college (such an advanced-level class was not available in

high school) and earned an A. It seemed only logical that I pursue a career in electrical engineering.

When I began my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to be exposed to the full range of engineering courses, all of which tended to reinforce and solidify my intense interest in engineering. I've also had the opportunity to study a number of subjects in the humanities and they have been both enjoyable and enlightening, providing me with a new and different perspective on the world in which we live. In the realm of engineering, I have developed a special interest in the field of laser technology and have even been taking a graduate course in quantum electronics. Among the 25 or so students in the course, I am the sole undergraduate. Another particular interest of mine is electromagnetics, and last summer, when I was a technical assistant at a world-famous local lab, I learned about its many practical applications, especially in relation to microstrip and antenna design. Management at this lab was sufficiently impressed with my work to ask that I return when I graduate. Of course, my plans following completion of my current studies are to move directly into graduate work toward my

master's in science. After I earn my master's degree, I intend to start work on my Ph.D. in electrical engineering. Later I would like to work in the area of research and development for private industry. It is in R & D that I believe I can make the greatest contribution, utilizing my theoretical background and creativity as a scientist. I am highly aware of the superb reputation of your school, and my conversations with several of your alumni have served to deepen my interest in attending. I know that, in addition to your excellent faculty, your computer

facilities are among the best in the state. I hope you will give me the privilege of continuing my studies at your fine institution.

(Stelzer pp. 38-39)

Statement #2

Having majored in literary studies (world literature) as an undergraduate, I would now like to concentrate on English and American literature.

I am especially interested in nineteenth-century

literature, women's literature, Anglo-Saxon poetry, and

folklore and folk literature. My personal literary

projects have involved some combination of these subjects. For the oral section of my comprehensive exams, I

specialized in nineteenth century novels by and about women. The relation ship between "high" and folk literature became the subject for my honors essay, which examined Toni Morrison's use of classical, biblical, African, and

Afro-American folk tradition in her novel. I plan to work further on this essay, treating Morrison's other novels and perhaps preparing a paper suitable for publication.

In my studies toward a doctoral degree, I hope to examine more closely the relationship between high and folk literature. My junior year and private studies of Anglo-Saxon language and literature have caused me to consider the question of where the divisions between folklore, folk literature, and high literature lie. Should I attend your school, I would like to resume my studies of Anglo-Saxon poetry, with special attention to its folk elements.

Writing poetry also figures prominently in my academic and professional goals. I have just begun submitting to the

smaller journals with some success and am gradually building a working manuscript for a collection. The

dominant theme of this collection relies on poems that draw from classical, biblical, and folk traditions, as well as everyday experience, in order to celebrate the process of giving and taking life, whether literal or figurative. My poetry draws from and influences my academic studies. Much of what I read and study finds a place in my creative work as subject. At the same time, I study the art of literature by taking part in the creative process, experimenting with the tools used by other authors in the past.

In terms of a career, I see myself teaching literature, writing criticism, and going into editing or publishing poetry. Doctoral studies would be valuable to me in several ways. First, your teaching assistant ship program would provide me with the practical teaching experience I am eager to acquire. Further, earning a Ph.D. in English and American literature would advance my other two career goals by adding to my skills, both critical and creative, in working with language. Ultimately, however, I see the Ph.D. as an end in itself, as well as a professional stepping stone; I enjoy studying literature for its own sake and

would like to continue my studies on the level demanded by the Ph.D. program.

(Stelzer pp. 40-41) Statement of Purpose (Sample 2)

Name:

Degree desired: Doctorate

Proposed field of Study: Food Science & Technology

Microbiological food safety has always been a focus of concern for thefood processing industry and the public. Food spoilage microorganisms are responsible for approximately one-fourth of the total amount of food disposed throughout the world (Huss, 1992). Society also pays a huge economic price for the illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens and concomitant decrease of

productivity. Thus my major interest is in researching methods for detecting microorganisms in the food system and the means for controlling or eliminating them.

After I received my master's degree and serving two years in the military, I started working as an Associate Food

Scientist at the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) in September, 1990. For the first 22 months there I was a lecturer in the Training Unit, where I taught about food processing plants as a part of employee training under the "Food GMP Authorization and Promotion Plan" and the "Promotion of CAS (ChineseAgricultural Standards ) Quality Mark System" .Both are important official systems for ensuring food quality in Taiwan nowadays; nevertheless, they lean toward plant hygienic layout and design, and end-product inspection.

At my request, I transferred to the HACCP Working Group in July, 1992.This one-year on-line microbiological survey and monitor of food processing factories advanced my understanding of environmental stresses on microorganisms and the methods of destroying them. My co-workers and I submitted the proposals "The HACCP System for Production of Frozen Roasted Eel" and "The HACCP System for Production of Ice Bar" in June, 1993.

HACCP is a preventive system of food safety. It is more effective and reasonable than conventional quality

assurance programs based on end-production testing. This system has been introduced into Taiwan by FIRDI for over four years. However, the concept of HACCP is still

frequently misunderstood or little known, partly because plant management often mistakes it for a

"trouble-shooting" system, not a "trouble-preventing" one. Another reason is the complexity of decisions about where the "real" CCPs are located and what the applicable criteria are for preventing a false sense of

security.Taiwan is demanding of specialists in this field.

From July, 1993, to the present I have been the Assistant Manager, R&D Division, in Kasei Frozen Foods Works Co., Ltd. Fortunately I could employ my knowledge here in Kasei to achieve an ambitious dream of mine:the "Umbrella of Quality Assurance." This encompassed the hygienic design of the processing equipment and layout of this plant, employee training and hygienic management, cleaning and

disinfection procedures, sampling and inspection plans, HACCP system, etc. These broadly describe my research interests.

In order to enhance my research abilities, I have taken courses in SAS (Statistical Analysis System) at Taiwan Institute of Technology. In February,1995, I will attend 90 hours of classes in "Technology of Food Quality Control Program for High-level Management" at China Productivity Center (CPC). In the subsequent months, I am also planning to study books relevant to food microbiology to make up for my lack of formal training. And then, most importantly, I would like to begin intensive study at your graduate school.

If I am admitted, I will apply my effort into achieving the following goals:

(1) To acquire the knowledge of microbiological phenomena in foods.

I plan to take some advanced courses related to food microbiology,including the following topics: microbial ecology, control and elimination methods in food

microbiology, food pathogenic bacteriology and foodborne disease hazards, food toxicology, microbiological

deterioration, shelf-life extension, establishment of microbiological criteria, methods of sampling,

enumerating, isolating and identifying microorganisms, etc.

(2) To advance my understanding of plant sanitation. At present, few scholars here are carrying out research on this subject. I strongly desire to gain expertise in hygienic design of food processing equipment, cleaner and sanitizer efficacy, biofilm, waste product handling, etc. If the situation warrants, I may also consider taking HACCP training courses on or off campus.

(3) To improve my abilities with statistics and computer applications.

Because statistical procedures are essential tools in food research, I intend to take courses related to this area at your institute.

Upon the completion of my studies,I will return to Taiwan. I aspire to devoting myself to teaching in colleges or continuing my research work in a research institute where I can serve the food industry more.

Reference

Huss, H.H. (1992) Development and use of the HACCP concept in fish processing. Int'l. J. of Food Microbiology. 15, pp33-44.