SOP sample for History

The History Student, admitted to Rice

 
Why in the world do you want to become a historian? Heaven knows Russia doesn’t need professional historians! » Having studied for five years at the department of history at Moscow State University, I was constantly surprised by how frequently I have been asked that particular question. Many have urged me over the years to make a change, to align my career with more basic interests. Unlike these people I have a firm believe that every person can create his happiness with his own hands, and my happiness is in history.

An intense interest in history has always been a trademark of mine. I grew up in a family of historians, so since early childhood I got used to the sounds of disputes in history, in which later I took part myself: Some day I grew to challenge my parents and win, using my own rules of logic and argument, in spite of their influence on my theories about history.

It was time when the USSR began its painful transformation into the new Russia; the time, full of revolutionary events and ideas, hopes and expectations for a new life after crush of communism. Conceptions, opinions and ideas, freedom of speech and opening of archives created favorable mental atmosphere, which inevitably stimulated my interest in history and aspiration for cognition. When I read books of Walter Scott, I was fascinated by Scotland. Soon my interest of Scotland became more concrete — I tried to examine actual resources of economic growth and rapid formation of capitalist system in XVIII century Scotland in order to find «remedies» for the diseases of Russian economy. My decision to become a historian followed logically the desire to grasp the meaning of the present and the perspectives of the future through understanding of the past.

Entering the department of history at Rostov State University (in my native city) was the first important step in my life. But after the first year of studies I realized that Russian «wind of change» didn’t influence «soviet» ideological approach to history, at least in the Russian province. At this time I have chosen the opinion of English philosopher Joseph Priestly as my motto: «We have to make our lives ourselves.» Inspired by the idea, I decided to do the next important step in my career: to change the kind of education and the way of life. I transferred to Moscow State University, the best institution for getting education in history in Russian Federation.

This year I graduated from Moscow State University and faced the dilemma of choosing the best way to continue my education. Today, standing on the threshold of the next vitally important period in my life, I am going to follow my principle in shaping my own life.

To help you understand my current goals better, I would like to explain my educational experience up to this point. While studying I was interested in modern British history, my research work was devoted to the British Enlightenment. The first course paper with the title «Political ideal of Joseph Priestly» had won recognition as one of the three best student’s works of the year at the department. Later I narrowed my focus to a particular problem of the Scottish Enlightenment, because my early interest to the Scottish Enlightenment was born of passion for Scotland. So in my next written works I investigated a contribution of Adam Ferguson, a famous Scottish philosopher, to development of political economy. The graduation paper had the title: «Social and economic thoughts of Adam Ferguson» and it took its place in the department’s library of the best graduation papers.

During educational process I had different experiences connected to history. For some time I was lucky enough to teach at school and work in archives and libraries (see attached Student report summary of academic records). Also my educational background and scientific importance of the theme helped me publish articles in historical magazines and to take part in conferences.

In terms of career, my goals are to teach history, conduct research projects, and publish results of the projects. To achieve my aims means to become a specialist with high qualifications. Unfortunately, the latest changes in Russia brought about not only positive democratic reforms and political freedom but also reduction of employment possibilities for scientists and curtailment of stable government subsidies for scientific projects. As a result, history suffers from this situation as all other fields of science do.

To my mind it is of key importance to have possibilities to obtain excellent education and to conduct certain research projects independently that is why I consider doctoral studies at Princeton University as the next professional stepping stone in my career. First of all, teaching assistantship program could provide me with the practical teaching experience. My desire is to learn in practice how to guide others in their explorations of the world through history, to encourage them to see in history all I see in it: the whole of human experience and the power of human intellect and imagination.

Further, earning a Ph.D. in history would advance my other goals by adding to my creative and analytical skills in history as well as in working with language. Development of history as a science in Russia depended on ideological strategy of the only ruling political party for the last seventy years. Inevitably it left traces on the main approach to history. With certainty I can assert, that manifestations of such approach are still very powerful in historical education in Russia. Apparently, we should take not only external democratic institutions, but rather change our approach to life, which can affect our approach to history. However it may be, Russian historians should use experience of colleagues from the countries with democratic traditions. I still feel I have so much more to learn about different approaches to history.

Taking all the circumstances into consideration, I came to the conclusion, that the best opportunity to pursue my «chosen path» would be to continue my education as a graduate student at Princeton University. The facilities, scholarship, and traditions of your university, combined with the caliber of the student’s body, make me confident that I will be stimulated throughout the course of my studies. Upon graduating from your program, a variety of options are available for pursuing my objectives.

In conclusion I must say that I would regard my being admitted to the graduate program not only as a great honor but more as a high responsibility and obligation of hard work.

SOP sample for Hospitality Management

MBA Hospitality Management (sop sample)

Hospitality is distinctive business activity and has a critical role in global economy leading to create percentage of jobs worldwide. And also it performs major role in satisfying guest requirement in one or the other way.

Looking at the fast growing hospitality industry, it is necessary to have a strong base in education and work experience. There is a scope of continuous growth and learning through practical experience depending on capabilities too.

It is my ambition to work as a key player in challenging and creative environment, to be instrumental in organization’s growth, to realize my potential and explore myself in productive manner and thus prove myself to be an asset for an industry.

I completed my graduation in hospitality from National council of Hotel management with second division and I still can improve my career and promotion prospects through Masters. Hence I would like to pursue my higher studies in hospitality sector from UK.

It is my keen aspiration to study my master’s degree in UK which has world’s best universities and education program for all students.

If given an opportunity to be a student of MBA in Hospitality from Ealing Hammersmith and West London College, I will be very fortunate to shape my career in advanced manner and I can furnish my knowledge and skills which I gained throughout my experiences. I will follow the rules and regulation set by the university and will focus on gaining maximum out of it.

**PG Diploma in Hospitality Management (sop sample)

Hospitality as a career is an assured one because hospitality as an industry can never wane and never can it come to an end! My first job was in McDonalds where I tasted the thrill of being part of a high end electric work environment. That was the start of the process of my falling in love with the career in hospitality industry.

Now after five years of experience in the industry, after joining yet another international brand KFC, after handling many positions and maturing as a professional, the thrill or excitement of the hospitality career has not lost its sheen a wee bit, rather it has put in mind dreams and visions of my future in hospitality business with my won set up.

 

I am from Delhi, India. As I gathered five years experience in international brands of restaurants, I did my commerce graduation and now I feel that I need more formal managerial education to further my career in the Hospitality industry. And to realize my dreams and visions of having my own hotel or a resort I do need strong formal managerial educational foundation and hence is the decision to go in for Post Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management.

 

At the last a few months at KFC I practically run the restaurant doing everything like managing, purchase, stores, finance, sales, staff, accounts etc. That was quite an experience, still I feel that formal education in a good institution with good faculties with innovative programs and projects is a must for my growth and that is the single reason of selecting your institution and the post graduate diploma in Hospitality management from Ealing Hammersmith and West London College.

 

My choice of pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management has been motivated by a desire to be a part of my father’s business. This career appears to me, as one that is most absorbing and challenging and at the same time exciting.

 

Getting the chance to study at your Institute will definitely equip me with the knowledge and expertise to excel in Hospitality industry and with the backing of a prestigious institute like yours, excellent guidance and support from your experienced and knowledgeable faculties will give me extra boost to enhance my knowledge and skills.

 

I will be interacting with different people from diverse cultures will greatly help me to understand the values of a global family. I have grown up with a broader vision towards different cultures. Therefore, I believe I will be able to contribute significantly to your institute.

SOP sample for Fisheries

Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

From: Katharine DeVilbiss

Date: 12-15-2009

Subject: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

     
Our world’s fisheries are in a decline and I would like to learn and develop ways to preserve and sustain this vital natural resource. For most of my childhood my father and I fished on the Saint Lawrence River. The abundance of pike, perch, and blue gill declined substantially in those fifteen or so years. While we would still love to visit that area, it just wouldn’t be the same if we couldn’t catch fish. 

    It is an immediate goal to obtain a research assistantship for a Masters of Science degree in fisheries.  After I obtain my MS degree, I may decide to go on for a Ph.D. or I may find a suitable position in a state, federal, or international fisheries management agency or non-governmental organization.  I obtained my bachelor's of science degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from Clemson University in December 2008, with a 3.68 GPA, and a 3.89 in all WFB courses. I plan on beginning Graduate school in the spring or fall of 2010.      
As I have furthered my education, my fascination with this field of study has continued to grow. As I’ve mentioned, I grew up fishing and have grown to love eating, watching, dissecting, and learning about fish. I don’t have to fit the mold- I can think outside of the box. That’s what scientists are encouraged to do. I want to solve problems, and hopefully see direct results. If asked what my top three qualities are, I would say I am focused, organized, and conscientious. The qualities of loyal and inquisitive are top contenders as well.      
Unfortunately, while my degree is in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, there have been few courses in fisheries available to me. However, I have developed a strong foundation in biology and ecology. Some of the relevant courses include vertebrate biology, evolutionary biology, fisheries biology, and conservation biology, organic chemistry, and freshwater ecology. Fisheries biology consisted of fish identification, a good deal of electrofishing practice, and material on sampling methods and habitat characteristics. Freshwater ecology highlighted the chemical, physical and biological processes in various bodies of water. This included diverse topics such as disease, hydrology, nutrients, and ecosystem assessment. Evolutionary biology focused on population genetics as well as principles of speciation, adaptation, and phylogeny.     
 To gain additional experience in fisheries, I assisted Dr. Jeffery Foltz, a professor of fisheries with his turquoise darter (Etheostoma inscriptum) population restoration project. Six Mile Creek is a site where natural populations of this darter have diminished due to a variety of factors. I worked with two other students to gather habitat quality measurements to determine habitat suitability of different reaches of the stream. We would determine the current populations of each reach by using electrofishing. When populations were low, we would supplement these populations with darters of the same species from a nearby stream. To monitor and evaluate the success of this program the same procedure was repeated the following year. I became familiar with equipment used to collect dissolved oxygen readings, temperature, and flow. I also learned the different ratings of substrate and areas of streams (pool, riffle, or run) as well as preferred turquoise darter habitat. I received a few introductory lessons on GIS software. We were successful and a stable population of the turquoise darters in Six Mile Creek was re-established.     
 During my collegiate career I acquired an independent internship in Australia.  I volunteered for the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries as a technician for one semester. Of the many jobs in the lab, I performed otolith extractions on yellow fin brim, mullet, whiting, pearl perch, amberjack, snapper, and mackerel. I learned to identify species and sex. I learned a procedure for using night trawls to capture blue swimmer crab: Tying a cod-end, handling by-catch, controlling a winch, and taking salinity and temperature measurements. Other sampling methods I learned were boat ramp surveys, commercial catch sampling, charter catch sampling, and some fishery-independent sampling (i.e. in fish markets). I was amazed by the variety of by-catch species and became quite proficient at otolith extractions.     I have specific interest in fisheries including both marine and freshwater especially edible species of finfish including salmon, trout, tuna, and cod. The broad areas of fish ecology, life history, population dynamics, genetics, and nutrition, excite me. I am very interested in learning aquaculture techniques for these species. I am especially interested in projects pertaining to higher efficiency fish cultivation, be it through higher yields, cost control, or reduction of nutrient loading for instance.     As a graduate student, I would like to pursue a research program that will provide in depth skills and knowledge of fisheries management and/or aquaculture. I am eager to learn and seek a program that allows for specific training in fisheries as well as to spend the majority of my graduate time in the field, gaining valuable experience and applying my classroom knowledge to real situations.      
I hope to attend a university with a program that matches my interests where I can learn and grow into a competent professional. I am an excellent candidate for graduate school because of my strong work ethic, my commitment to this field, and my ability to work both independently and with a team. After graduate school I am interested in living in the Mid-atlantic, Great Lakes, west coast, or New England area.  I would be thrilled to work with NOAA, or a federal or state hatchery.

SOP sample for Finance

MSc Finance from Newcastle University is an ideal fit for my ambitions because of the overall academic excellence, emphasis on corporate finance, and the industry-oriented environment. Exposure to the financial services industry in the UK will provide me a great opportunity to apply my acquired theoretical knowledge of finance. I plan to capitalize on these strengths as they relate to my interests.

My passion of mathematics and electronics led me to choose Electronics & Communication Engineering as my undergraduate major. After completing my graduation, I went on to do my PGDM in Finance and Marketing. I have always enjoyed and been strong in areas that require problem solving, analytical and mathematical skills. I am anxious to combine the knowledge of, and aptitude for, these skills with my interest in finance. Finance had always fascinated me right from my undergraduate studies. Engineering Economics and Management, a 3rd year undergraduate course, aroused in me a keen appreciation of the discipline of finance field. Motivated to learn more, I took short courses in Accounting, Finance and Business Management.

I have also passed various financial exams such as Financial Market, Securities Markets, and Derivative Markets exam conducted by the National Stock Exchange of India. During my PGDM course, I undertook Internship in International Tractors Ltd, wherein my topic was “Supply Chain Financing” for customers and dealers of ITL. I am a regular reader of the Financial Times, Times of India and PC World Magazine, enjoy keeping up with current affairs and business news. I actively participate in recreational activities including debate and sports competitions as well.

To achieve my career goals, I need to learn much more about current developments and techniques in finance, financial markets and financial applications and acquire hands-on experience of financial analysis. A Master’s Degree in Finance from Newcastle University, UK will provide me with theoretical understanding, an in depth idea of practical approaches in aiding managerial decision-making and research skills to enable me to develop an expertise in the core areas of financial strategies and global corporate financial operations. I would like to probe specific problem areas such as the application of quantitative analysis to understand various issues in global finance and improving decision-making and effect of increase in global communications on international finance decisions. My interests are Capital and Derivative markets, Corporate Finance, International Capital Budgeting, and Foreign Exchange Markets.

I want to build my existing skills with a degree in MSc in Finance from Newcastle University, UK. My initial goal immediately after the course is to obtain a rigorous, demanding and rewarding position in this profession. I hope to gain practical corporate experience in areas such as capital management mergers and acquisitions, risk management, pricing and sales strategies for stability and maximum returns on capital. To this end, I would also like to gain knowledge in the fields of investment analysis, financial planning, strategic finance, international finance and global financial markets during my postgraduate studies in the UK.

SOP sample for Fashion Design

Fashion designing is one of the most exciting and demanding professions of today. The world of design has always fascinated me. Since my childhood I have enjoyed designing my dresses and helping my friends and family members to manage their outfits. From my primary stage of education I have a passion for drawing, sketches etc. From that very beginning stage, I believe that I have to be a Fashion Designer. I feel even though “designing” is one of the youngest professions but it is one of the oldest human acts.

My country India has a very rich and culturally varied heritage. India can be called a Center for Fashion, where all varieties of dresses from Indian to western in multiple shades of fusions are experimented with. India is emerging as one of the major players in the world of fashion. I aspire to be a globally renowned Fashion Designer with my own Brand. To gain a global knowledge of fashion culture I have decided to earn a good Bachelors Degree in Fashion Designing from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, UK.

I have completed my class 10th(ICSE Board)with 91.4%(best five subjects) in 2007; currently I am in Class 12th and will complete it in March 2009. With my studies of class 12th, I also did a short term Fashion Designing course from “Lal Bahadur Shastri Training Institute” which helped me to develop my designing skills.

My Family is a simple one but aesthetic in their choice of outfits. They have been a major source of inspiration to turn my dreams into reality. I understand that hailing from a suburb of a small town with very limited exposure; I have been unable to portray my abilities and aptitude in the basic portfolio I could manage to prepare by myself. A true Fashion designer must have the complete knowledge about garment combination of line proportion, color and texture.

I truly enjoy designing clothes and its various accessories. I intend to learn everything about fashion designing because a complete knowledge is essential for success. I want people to dress themselves in the outfits designed by me. Today a large number of students interested in designing are crossing continents in search of new artistic sensibilities, methodologies and opportunities. I want to be one of those design students to break my regional barriers for higher and the best education I can get in a country like UK. Design education in UK is addressing the new and emerging fashion scenario. My aim is to be a graduate from your esteemed institution. By pursuing my BA Fashion from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication in UK, I will be able to gain knowledge and develop my aptitude and skills at a global level which will help me to create my niche in the International Fashion Scenario. This is my dream and I will work hard to achieve it.

SOP sample for Civil Engineering

Statements by Americans,The Engineering Student
 

A simple bridge truss was the first structure I ever analyzed. The simple combination of beams that could hold cars, trains, and trucks over long spans of water fascinated me. Having the tools to analyze the loads on the truss further increased my interest in structures. I encountered the bridge in a textbook for my first engineering class.

Knowing that the professor, Mr. John Doe, was a tough teacher, I asked him for the textbook so I could study and get ready for the class over the summer. Just arrived from Belize, I was determined to succeed. In class we learned about forces on simple members and then we put the members together to form a simple truss. At this point I had almost decided that structural engineering was the career for me. From there the class just took off: We went on to frames, distributed loads, considered friction; basically we were incorporating real world considerations into structural members. I loved the practical, problem solving aspects of the field.

At UC my classes were even more advanced. In my analysis and design classes, I especially enjoyed studying steel design because we not only learned the use of the load resistance factor design but also applied that knowledge — I designed a four-story building. The professor was a practicing engineer, and he always related the subject to real life steel structures he had engineered, for example, the SB Medical Center, an all steel building with a base isolated campus. This is the kind of project on which I would like to work, designing the structure and considering how the building will respond to ground motion. After two quarters of structural analysis, I had come as close as possible to analyzing real world structures. Looking back I realize, I had learned great tools for structural analysis, but my "tool box" was still inadequate. I lacked a very important tool: finite element analysis. According to my professor, finite element analysis has revolutionized structural analysis.

Although I liked my classes, my internship experiences really confirmed my interest in structural engineering. While working at Caltrans as a student volunteer, I reviewed computer grading output for streets under construction. The computer suggested numbers for the road grading, and I had to plot the numbers and make sure there were no abrupt grade changes so the water can drain off easily to the sides of the road. It was exciting to know that I was the last checkpoint before the whole project went for approval. It was enjoyable working on something real — Main Street — but I was somewhat disappointed I did not have the chance to work on any structures.

At UC I volunteered through the Student Research Program to work in the geotechnical library. I worked directly with a doctoral student and helped him to develop a geotechnical data base for the local area. I interpreted the data Caltrans had collected and recorded it in a form accessible to the computer and easy to read. It took hours to finish the job, but I enjoyed the precision involved so I did not mind putting in the time. My supervisor liked my work so much, he hired me to continue the project during the summer. Working on this project also showed me the importance of soils in determining buildings’ responses to earthquakes and awakened my interest in the response of skyscrapers to seismic stress and movement.

At First Choice U, I plan to enroll in the structural engineering and geomechanics program. In this program I hope to draw on my structural analysis and geotechnical research background as a foundation for studying more advanced concepts. I am particularly interested in researching the ties between the structural engineering, geomechanics, and applied mechanics. I believe research is necessary to acquire data and formulate theories, but it is just as important to know how to apply those theories and use that data in the real world. I hope to be involved in some structurally related research at First Choice U. I am particularly interested in two research facilities: The Structures and Composites Laboratory and the Earthquake Engineering Center.

After completing my degree in engineering and working on engineering projects, I know I want to design structures. That is what has fascinated me since I took Mr. Doe’s class. I also know, however, that designing structures of a complexity that appeals to me requires "more tools in my toolbox." Those I can acquire only by continuing my education. To be competent and competitive I will need a masters degree. After completing my degree, I would like to work for an American engineering consulting firm and engineer complex structures and tall buildings, perhaps focusing on the problems surrounding designing for earthquakes. My long-term goals are to return to Belize and found my own engineering consulting firm there.

 

Structural engineering will allow me to pursue a career where I can be creatively involved in problem-solving and design functional structures, like the simple truss bridge that initially captivated me in Mr. Doe’s class. My classes, work at Caltrans, and internship in geotechnical engineering have increased my knowledge of and interest in structural engineering since I first looked at the textbook shortly after my arrival in the U.S. A masters degree will give me the up-to-date tools and knowledge to be competitive and competent.

SOP sample for Engineering

The Engineering Student

 
When I heard that theoretical strength of a material is higher than its practical strength as much as hundreds times and that is all only because of presence of cracks, I was surprised. I decided to learn this phenomenon and carried out great number of various investigations to understand how cracks grow and how to predict demolition of materials with cracks. Now I can definitely say that I approached the final explanations of these questions.

I have been interested in science for a very long time. In high school, I attended additional physical course that included theoretical training as well as work in a school laboratory. There I first tried myself as an experimentalist making a simple hologram. When I started my studies at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) my interest in experimental physics only increased. MIPT opened great opportunities for my growth. After close acquaintance with laboratories of our department and their researches, I decided to work in field of experimental mechanics.

Investigations of mechanical properties of materials attracted my attention. In my second year I had spent all my spare time in the laboratory and it allowed me to make great progress in my investigations. My first research project was about stress concentration, especially at the top of the crack. My oral topic at Final Exam in physics was "Determination of stress concentration at the top of the crack". Later my interest shifted to more complex problem - investigations of crack creep growth and creep fracture. With results of this research, I took part in Scientific Technical Conference of MIPT with report "Investigation of kinetics of cracks by polarization-optics method". I was the only student from my Department who took part in this Conference. My work won third place award in the section "Physical Mechanics" and as one of the best works of the Conference will be published in the collection "Transactions of MIPT 1997". Currently I prepare my latest work for publication in scientific journal "Applied Mathematics and Mechanics".

Work in the laboratory gave me many qualities that will be needed for successful Ph.D. study. The strongest is skill to work with laboratory equipment. Participation in Scientific Conference developed my public speaking skills. That all and Bachelor of Sciences that I will receive next June will help me in graduate study at Your University. Another skill that work in the laboratory gave me is skill to communicate with people and as a result I became the captain of my department soccer team and later the captain of my institute soccer team. In addition, I think my participation in the Students' Theater helps to form my personality. I think I will not only enhance scientific potential of Your Department, but also enrich cultural and sport life of Your University.

Unfortunately the latest changes in Russia brought about not only positive democratic reforms and political freedom but also reduction of employment possibilities for scientists and curtailment of stable government subsidies for scientific projects. As a result the concerns about students suffered a lot. All this encouraged me to look for possibilities to continue my study in the USA. I think it would be a good chance to receive high-level education under guidance of strong scientists and excellent teachers and with the help of first-class equipment.