Statement of Purpose
SAMPLE-3 “STATEMENT OF PURPOSE” TO ACCOMPANY GRADUATE APPLICATION Statement of Purpose Name: First Last January 4, 2010 Civil Engineering (Geotechnical specialty)
The belief that an education is most valuable when it is used to serve one’s community has been instilled in me. This conviction and a natural aptitude for science and mathematics convinced me civil engineering was the most fitting career for me. In fact, they continue to be the driving forces in my pursuit of academic excellence as a senior at the University of Missouri (MU). I desire a degree in civil engineering not only because it is the most fulfilling way I can exercise my natural talents as a scholar, but because it also gives me the opportunity to solve challenges directly impacting my community. Upon receiving my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in the Geotechnical specialty. My interest in geotechnical engineering was sparked by topics such as the theory of consolidation, shear strength, and ground improvement methods introduced to me in my fundamentals of soil mechanics course. It was further cultivated when I began attending seminars presented by the geotechnical engineering program and participating in undergraduate research. I am interested in a broad range of topics including ground improvement methods, earthworks, and seismic response and would like to further my knowledge of concepts similar to these through my graduate program of study. During my four years at the University of Missouri, I have gained the qualifications and work ethic necessary to be a successful graduate student. These characteristics are exemplified by my contributions as an undergraduate research assistant in the geotechnical engineering program at MU. I began conducting research during the summer of 2008 with Dr. Greg Greene and have worked on projects focusing on driven pile foundations and slope stability. Currently I am
The belief that an education is most valuable when it is used to serve one’s community has been instilled in me. This conviction and a natural aptitude for science and mathematics convinced me civil engineering was the most fitting career for me. In fact, they continue to be the driving forces in my pursuit of academic excellence as a senior at the University of Missouri (MU). I desire a degree in civil engineering not only because it is the most fulfilling way I can exercise my natural talents as a scholar, but because it also gives me the opportunity to solve challenges directly impacting my community. Upon receiving my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in the Geotechnical specialty. My interest in geotechnical engineering was sparked by topics such as the theory of consolidation, shear strength, and ground improvement methods introduced to me in my fundamentals of soil mechanics course. It was further cultivated when I began attending seminars presented by the geotechnical engineering program and participating in undergraduate research. I am interested in a broad range of topics including ground improvement methods, earthworks, and seismic response and would like to further my knowledge of concepts similar to these through my graduate program of study. During my four years at the University of Missouri, I have gained the qualifications and work ethic necessary to be a successful graduate student. These characteristics are exemplified by my contributions as an undergraduate research assistant in the geotechnical engineering program at MU. I began conducting research during the summer of 2008 with Dr. Greg Greene and have worked on projects focusing on driven pile foundations and slope stability. Currently I am