STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A Statement of Purpose is a sentence that you write, which states, in some detail, what you want to learn about in your research project. The statement guides you as you work so that you will read and take notes only on what's needed for your project. It is the personal statement about an individual, what influences them, professional interests, and plan for the future as typically described as part of a college applicants admissions application.

A written statement of purpose is a standard requirement for graduate school admission. It is a tool for the faculty on graduate school admissions committees to assess the knowledge, experience, motivation, intellectual maturity and readiness of applicants to pursue graduate education at their institution. The statement of purpose is a crucial component of the graduate school admissions process. It can determine whether an applicant is accepted or rejected, irrespective of their other qualifications.

Sample SOP for MS in CS

Few areas of my education have stimulated me to think as much as my undergraduate courses in Data Structures, Theory of Computation and Computer Programming have. When I watch videos of Pranav Mistry demonstrating his Sixth Sense technology or when I used Google Wave for the first time or even when I log into Facebook everyday and come up against some new feature, what I feel is a sense of marvel. Here are innovations that keep evolving not only technically but also hold infinite scope for creativity and logic. I feel a similar sense of exhilaration when I see my own code run successfully. It is this feeling, which till date, drives me to not give up on even the toughest of problems. And it is this love for programming, combined with my desire to dig deeper into the working of various applications and technologies, which propels me to apply for a MS in Computer Science.

Pursuing my strong interest in Computer Science has over the years enabled me to develop keen analytical and reasoning skills. Through the course of the four-year Bachelor of Technology (BS) degree program in Computer Science and Engineering at the prestigious ABC University, I acquired an overall perspective of this scientific discipline, with a particular interest in Object Oriented Programming. Data Structures, .NET Technology, Database Management, Theory of Computation and Principles of Compiler Design were some of the other areas that captured my attention. My keen interest in the subjects translated into receiving an A+ grade in the Data structures lab and averaging an A grade in the other labs. I also involved myself in numerous projects, including a prototype of a 'Billing and Inventory Management System' for a retail showroom, developed using Visual Basic and SQL Server 2005, and also the simulation of a simple SLR parser using C++ for a Principles of Compiler Design assignment. Proactive in my approach to learning, I have also completed the Cisco certified Fundamentals of Java Programming course.

Apart from the projects undertaken in college, it was my desire to gain exposure to the software industry and this prompted me to take up various trainings and internships. In the summer of 2010 and 2011, I spent a week in Germany where I was trained in Basics of Robot Programming, and Offline Robot Programming (using Roboplan V5.00), at Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik. I also completed a project titled "Study on Non Stock Transaction Monitoring" at L&T Komatsu, Bangalore in May-June 2011.

For my final University dissertation, I worked with a team of three other classmates to develop a 'Multiparty Voice Chat on Windows Platform'. The project was undertaken in L&T Infotech, Bangalore and involved building a low cost application to enable voice/text chat and file transfer, using .NET technology. The application was intended for in house communication between peer systems in the organization, thereby removing the need for a dedicated server. This assignment greatly strengthened my conceptual knowledge, and through its practical implementation, it also allowed me to further my expertise through integrating .NET technology and Network programming. In addition to enhancing my .NET skills, I also gained knowledge about multiple architectures in networking and how socket programming works. Till then my coding had been largely restricted to basic C++, and while it was a challenge to learn and implement socket programming in the .NET framework within a short span of 4-5 months, it was one I readily accepted and am richer by it.

Simultaneously, active participation in a wide range of extracurricular activities has ensured the all round development of my personality. I have taken part in cultural activities like group dance and literary activities like crossword and Sudoku competitions. I also play badminton as a hobby. Apart from this I handled the role of being the Student Representative of the Computer Science branch for four years, a responsibility that included acting as the bridge between the students and the administration, scheduling additional lectures for the class, assisting the faculty advisor in her duties and assisting the students in case of any problems. This experience brought to the fore my leadership abilities, while also assisting in honing my social skills.

Having acquired a solid foundation in the field of computer science through a rigorous undergraduate program, and my various internships in the IT industry, at this point, I feel that it is the right time to take up graduate studies. I wish to raise my understanding of the nuances of the Computer Science field and use this knowledge to further my chances for a lucrative career in Software. With a keen interest in working on the latest web technologies, I seek to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities in the field of social media which allows the combination of these technologies with one's own creative instincts.

The MS program in Computer Science offered by the University of Stony Brook will undoubtedly provide me with the right knowledge, skills and experience to pursue that dream and exploit the opportunities to the fullest extent. The practical-orientation of your in-depth coursework will allow me to not only acquire a clear understanding of the subject but also the skills to execute it. I am confident my exposure to such initiatives would quite augment my knowledge base and add tremendous value in enabling me to realize my professional goals

Sample SOP for MS in ECE

(Area of Interest: Communications and Signal Processing )

At this juncture when I have made one of the most crucial decisions in my life by selecting the right University for my Graduate studies this statement presents before you, my academic background, my research interests, my future aims and reasons for selecting your University for Graduate study.

My desire to pursue Electrical Engineering as my major for my Graduate study is influenced by many instances in my academic life. I have been interested in Mathematics and Science for a very long time, which helped me to participate in many Science Exhibitions. That was the moment I realized that the practical knowledge is superior to theoretical knowledge. My interest in Mathematics also highlighted my inquisitive nature to reach the profundity of the problem and to resolve the intricacies. The obvious outcome of my interest in Mathematics and Science was to take up Electronics and Communication Engineering for my Undergraduate study in PSG College of Technology, affiliated to Anna University which is one of the Best Colleges in India. This was then that I got introduced to the fascinating world of Electronics. My Undergraduate curriculum exposed me to a wide gamut of courses in Signal Processing, Communications, Microelectronics and Networking. In the three and half years of Undergraduate study, I have strived to maintain an approach of expanding independent effort in all my endeavors. The years of my Undergraduate education have been a truly enriching experience, and have significantly contributed to my overall personality development. Following the process of self-learning and knowledge sharing, I have consistently topped at all levels, resulting in outstanding scholastic records.

My intended area of specialization in the graduate program in Electrical Engineering at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute will be ‘Communications and Signal Processing’. This area has immense potential for innovation and exploration at present and in the future. My Undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering has given me a strong hold in these areas. My final year dissertation titled "A Novel System for Microarray Image & Data Analysis for Mutation Prognosis" involved Genomic Signal Processing and Image Signal Processing. The aim of the project is to develop a system for prognosis of mutation based diseases like cancer from the Microarray images. This project won me the ‘Best Project Work Award’ among all the Undergraduate projects in the department. My other projects in my area of interest include ‘Automatic Speaker Recognition using Linear Predictive Coefficients and Mel frequency Coefficients’ (completed project in ITTIAM Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India) and ‘Implementation of Image enhancement Techniques in BLACKFINN Processor BF533’ (IIT Madras, DSP Learning Center).

I have also participated in numerous Design Contests, the Texas Instruments Design contest 2004 being one, in which I proposed a new kind of device entitled ‘ Wireless Personal Storage Device’. In order to pursue my interest, I have also undergone Industrial/Practical training on Radar Communication, Satellite communication and Control Systems in Indian Space Research Organization and on Digital Communication in Doordarshan, Broadcasting Corporation of India. I am particularly fascinated by the areas of Speech and Image Signal Processing, Neural networking training algorithms and Wireless Communication, and would be keen to work in these areas for my Masters and Doctoral studies. I have been a student member of IEEE for past two years and a member of IEEE Signal Processing Society for one year. This has allowed me to constantly upgrade my knowledge through its seminars, workshops and publications (IEEE spectrum, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine).

I also had an opportunity to showcase my technical knowledge and intellectual ability when my paper ‘Alignment and Gridding of Microarray data using fast Fourier Transform and Wavelet Filter Banks’, got accepted for publication in International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare, Portugal and IEEE Eight International Symposium on Signal Processing and its Applications, Australia.

I believe in the statement ‘Experience is the Master of Knowledge’. I’m currently working with Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) - RFID division in Manufacturing & Logistics. My work experience has given me an opportunity to work and interact with various kinds of people. I have learnt to accept both criticism and praise with a positive frame of mind. It has taught me that the basis for good work is self-reliance, and most importantly time management. As the work I do at CTS is relevant to my area of interest (Wireless Communication), it has really acted as a confidence booster to pursue graduate studies in this field. As part of my work, I have developed an application called ‘RFID Tag Visualizer’ which could help in determining the optimum positions for placement of RFID Reader Antennas and Tags based on various analyses like read range analysis, tag orientation analysis and tag mobility analysis. Other projects that I am currently working on include- ‘Real Time Location Tacking of assets in manufacturing division using RFID system’ and RFID middleware.

Finally, I am totally convinced that my research interests would get a clear direction under the guidance of the distinguished professors at your department. The institute’s excellent research facilities, such Communications, Information and Signal Processing Research group and Center for Image Processing Research (CIPR) are some of the critical factors that have motivated me to apply to your University. I believe the program offered by your university will help me acquire the versatility needed to reach my full potential as an outstanding Researcher-cum-Teacher.

I am determined to contribute at least a drop to this ocean of Electronics. I realize that this can be best achieved by pursuing Doctoral study and then taking up a Researcher-cum-Teacher position. I have always admired the way in which a Professor derives satisfaction by disseminating his knowledge to his students, which is of course acquired by years of learning and research. The thrill of new discovery and rewards received for research work is an experience that can only be felt.

An MS degree is the first step that I have chosen to initiate my personal contribution towards becoming a researcher-cum-teacher. I am confident this would eventually culminate into a PhD program, which will take me another step forward towards achieving my long-term goal. It would be really valuable to receive a teaching or research assistantship, as this would contribute significantly to realization of my goal. A fellowship or a tuition fee waiver would serve as an incentive in my pursuit of Doctoral degree while reducing the financial impact of graduate study. Hence, I would like to be considered for all such Fellowships, Assistantships and tuition fee waivers.

Looking forward to Graduate Studies at your University.

 

SAMPLE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

      Keeping in view that my undergraduate course would be completed in a few months, I am at the crucial stage wherein I have to decide what I would be doing to improve my career. I have a great compulsion towards practical industrial work environment and therefore I wish to pursue graduation study. Also, the sweeping changes in Global Industrialization and Design Engineering have made the role of mechanical engineer a really indispensable one. It has been my deepest desire to be a part of this rapidly burgeoning community. With due reverence to the Department and the University, I pen down this Statement of purpose.

To reach the peaks of perfection, I consider studying in a suitable environment and a good university with a rewarding research program, where the research facilities and the faculty at the university are excellent is of utmost necessity.

Right from my schooling I have shown keen interest in mathematics and physics that enhanced quantitative and analytical skills in me. This strength enabled me to secure XX%  in XX(10th grade). I passed my senior secondary school  with XX% in mathematics and XX% in physics respectively and I gained an overall percentage of XX% marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, which were my main subjects. The competitive spirit within me acted as a catalyst in all my academic successes.

Pursuing engineering as my future was a natural consequence because of my love towards science and technology. To study in this field, I had to overcome hurdles, a common entrance examination, which I had to take along with hundreds of thousands of students, all aspiring to get through.  I passed with flying colors, being placed in the top X% of all students who took the examination. I took up Mechanical Engineering in XXXXX COLLEGE affiliated to prestigious XXX University as my undergraduate major because it has tremendous potential to become a dominant force in this millennium, affecting all walks of human life. I have maintained a clean and brilliant academic record throughout my years in this course.

The undergraduate study has given me a comprehensive exposure to a wide spectrum of courses, namely, Design Engineering, Kinematics of Machinery, Engineering Graphics, Finite Element Analysis, Thermodynamics, Mechanics of Solids, Robotics, Computer aided Design/Computer aided Manufacturing, etc. I strongly believe in “learning by doing”. It is the hope of coming up with path breaking results streaked with an element of uncertainty that makes experimental results extremely fascinating.

I went beyond the  foUr walls of the classroom, during my undergraduate course; I visited many industries, namely, XXX, XYZ etc. I wanted to get a closer look at the application of Mechanical Engineering. I presented a good number of technical papers at the national level. I have organized many technical and cultural events. All these extra-curricular activities have made me socially accomplished with self-confidence, communicating skills, leadership qualities and team spirit. I have undertaken two projects in final year of my Bachelor’s Degree.

I as a project leader for the above projects and I learned the practical difficulties in implementing the task, with the help of limited resources available. With guidance of technical expertise from my college I successfully completed them in time.

I was elected as the president of the department forum for my performance, leadership qualities, communication skills and organizing capabilities (I have successfully organized many events). I also participated in various inter-college competitions and in seminars. Robotic competitions give me an adrenaline rush; I am an active representative from my college in robotic competitions and also stood best at some stages. I was part of organizing committee in the department’s weekly co-curricular activities, which bring out a platform for college students to interact with experts from industry; we organized many seminars and workshops under the college support.  I stood best in robotic national level competition held at my college. I managed at the same time, to help my dad in managing agriculture lands in our village, as he was busy with his job; I took the financial responsibility of the farms and have been successfully managing it for the past 3 years.

My objectives of joining a Masters in Science field are very clear-cut. I want to hone my intellectual abilities; to acquire in-depth competence in my stream of engineering; to develop individuality and conviviality; to learn for collective good and expand my horizons of knowledge. After ten years I envision myself as engaged in a career of manufacturing. I also get immense pleasure from teaching. I enjoy interacting with people and this leads me to believe that sharing my knowledge that I gain through my masters in technical background would be a very rewarding experience. My dream is to apply my gained advanced knowledge in benefit and service of industry, which needs professionals like me most for its development.

In this era of technological revolutions, United States has been at the forefront of pioneering work in the evolution of technology with the industry giants and I hope to get benefit from this great endeavor. My decision to pursue graduate studies in your university is a result of lengthy discussions with the faculty. Browsing through the information brochure and the University's home page, I feel that the graduate study here holds a lot of promise to me. The breadth and depth of the courses coupled with a stimulating research environment seem to me the right mix for seminal work and pioneering research. 

I found your esteemed university, known for its great facilities, will be the ideal place for me to pursue my graduate studies.  Interacting with the best minds of the world will be an enriching experience and this will spur me on, to being the very best in my field. I eagerly wait for your benevolent act of accepting me into your fold and granting an admission in Masters in Mechanical Engineering program.

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING

            After three and half years of undergraduate study in Civil Engineering, I feel completely satisfied with my decision to choose engineering as my career option as it has revealed most pragmatic and down-to-earth approach to tackling human problems to me. My enthusiasm coupled with scope for innovations and opportunities available in the civil engineering has motivated me to opt for higher studies and contribute to the field through meaningful research. I sincerely believe that graduation at West Virginia University will be an ideal step in this direction.

            My decision to major in Civil Engineering was result of my desire to contribute something beautiful to the society, direct impact of Civil Engineering on every individual’s life and importance of infrastructure for development of a country. Foundation of this lay in my childhood admiration of my friends’ father who was a civil engineer and I used to be excited and inquisitive whenever I used to visit him.

            I am optimistic and hardworking and strongly believe in maintaining ethical integrity in all my endeavours. My family maintains a highly motivated ambience conducive to academic pursuit. This has ingrained the desire of competition and achievement and temperament of scientific inquiry in my character. Consequently I topped every class I attended in school and high school. My hard work and perseverance paid off when I scored in top 1% of students in Joint Entrance Examination for admission in India’s premier technology colleges, the National Institute of Technology (NIT - warangal).

            I had first formal exposure to structural engineering in course “Mechanics of Materials”. This course inculcated in me the fundamental tenets of structural behaviour which ignited my interest in this field. To strengthen my concepts I pursued courses on basic and “Advanced” “Structural Analysis” which enabled me to do elastic analysis of structures using flexibility and stiffness approaches. Design courses like basic and “Advanced” “Design of Concrete Structures”, “Design of Steel Structures” and “Analysis and Design for Wind and Earthquake Effects” equipped me with adequate tools to carryout Load Resistant Factor Design and introduced me to codal provisions. Laboratory courses helped me consolidate my fundamentals and reinforce theoretical background.

            I armed myself with the knowledge of basic geotechnical engineering in “Geotechnical Engineering I” & “II”. These courses have given me sound grasp of fundamentals. Numerous visits to construction sites enhanced my practical understanding. Elective course “Foundation Engineering” gave vital insight into design of shallow and deep foundation in clayey and sandy soil.

            I also credited courses like “Materials of Construction”, “Building Construction and Equipments” and “Functional Design of Buildings” which inculcated latest construction technology and management methods in me. “Construction Management” highlighted importance of effective team coordination for project execution in quality construction practice and exposed me to plethora of applications of Operations Research in project management.To keep myself abreast with latest information, I am regularly referring to ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Indian Construction: Journal of Builders Association of India and Magazine of Concrete Research.

            In the previous years I have paved a way to shape my career but I realised that undergraduate education has given me only glimpse of knowledge in this field. My decision for Master of Science in structural engineering or construction mangement is an effort to quench my thirst of knowledge and contribute to field by positive research. From consultants of my professors, guidance of my seniors and careful perusal of web-pages of university, I am convinced that my career will be in best hands at your University. Not only was I attracted by its distinguished faculty, excellent laboratory facilities and high reputation but also by quality of research going on. My choice of this specialisation is motivated by its multidisciplinary nature which will broaden my horizons and give me flexibility in professional practice.

The practical knowledge I received in my summer Training was really inspiring, when I was a part of a team of trainees working for National Authority of Highways India (NHAI) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited. Here I took the task of performing a study of testing of materials procured for Roads, mix design, design of reinforced concrete structures.Also I had the opportunity to visit and learn about the surveying. I was exposed to the various aspects of structural and Transportation Engineering and I got the opportunity to interact with the Engineers involved with futuristic activities that inspired me.  

 The knowledge gained through academics and experience in trainings came to lime light when I proceeded to work for M/s AARVEE associates where I took up railways as my field research for two years designing bridges, retaining walls etc.,.

My academic pursuits have not however, prevented me from participating with interest in various extracurricular activities. As coordinator of the Civil Engineering Association, Technical Festival and Cultural Festival of NIT WARANGAL, I have enjoyed working in a team while planning for the organization's activities. Apart from these I have represented my college as captain of cricket team winning the Inter NIT sports meet for our college.

The undergraduate curriculum enabled me to clear my fundamentals; so I feel the need to complete my Masters. The fast emerging global scenario in the field of Civil Engineering, and moreover the quality of education and exposure to plethora of research work in USA supplemented by my own interest, has helped me to fortify my decision to pursue graduate studies in U.S.A.

 I am applying to your university because of the excellent reputation of your school. In addition, your splendid facilities are also a major attraction to me. In my experience as a student I know for certain that good facilities can make a difference in a student's life and learning experience. I hope you will grant me the privilege of pursuing my Masters Degree in your prestigious university

 I look forward to a long and fruitful association with University of West Virginia at Morgantown