As a recent graduate with a double major in Business Management and Spanish and a minor in International and Global Studies, I have decided to further my education by pursuing at the graduate level linguistics, a field that has long been my passion. Although at the beginning of my undergraduate career I was driven by the notion that the melding of this passion for language (in particular the Spanish tongue) with a financially luring field of study such as business would prove most advantageous, I have since realized that most important is studying what one loves and what one finds most valuable. It is as a result of this that I am applying for admission to the Department of Linguistics at the University of [redacted].

Though I have always been highly interested in linguistics, I only became aware of its vast applications well into my undergraduate career. I have throughout college (and even before) spent my free time immersed in linguistic literature and the study of the grammars of other languages but until now it has been something I did only for the love of learning rather than for any kind of academic preparation. Now that my undergraduate career has ended I see no more fit field of study for me and indeed no more appropriate plan of action for my life than a graduate career centered around linguistics.

Although my research experience in the field of linguistics is still expanding, I resolutely maintain that I will be a well-suited candidate for the study of the discipline at the graduate level. Being that I do not have an undergraduate degree in linguistics, I recognize the possible need for me to complete additional coursework before beginning the program and I am disposed to do whatever is necessary. I understand that the caliber of study at the graduate level is much higher than anything else I have seen; this is however not a deterrent but rather an enticement.

While my academic coursework has not yielded me direct experience in the discipline of linguistics, it has afforded me with the skill set, passion and hands-on language experience one would look for in a linguistics graduate student. The mixing of my two undergraduate majors was such that it fostered a regimented sense of discipline in my academic studies (as business schools many times do), while still providing me with the coursework to drastically expand my knowledge of the Spanish language. Although I have since shed my aspirations to involve myself in the world of business, the [redacted] School of Business at [redacted] University has excelled in preparing me for the academic rigor of pursuing a graduate degree. Analytical writing, critical analysis of ideas, and the formulating and defending of personal ideas and beliefs are at the heart of the [redacted] program. Although my knowledge of economics and business practice may not be of direct relevance to a linguistics program, the methods by which I have obtained such knowledge and the academic skill set I have taken from [redacted] as a result have certainly prepared me for the rigors of graduate study.

In terms of specific experience, my undergraduate career has well prepared me by providing me with two unique opportunities. The first came in the form of the position I held for two years at [redacted] University in the Department of Modern Languages as a Spanish tutor and facilitator. As a facilitator I led groups of students (ranging anywhere from five to 25 in number) in more intense oral and auditory interaction with the language than obtained in a classroom. This naturally honed my ability to teach and impart language-related knowledge on those learning. My second impacting experience was the opportunity to spend the spring academic semester of 2009 studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For four months I lived with an Argentine family and studied at two universities, one of which was the American program that arranged the whole semester (IES Abroad) and the other being a fully Argentine institution (Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales in Buenos Aires). Although my Spanish had reached the level of fluency before my arrival in Argentina (as I had previously travelled throughout the Spanish-speaking world on different occasions), the full immersion I experienced substantially heightened my awareness and sensitivity to language and in many ways led to me to where I am today.

My linguistic interests lie in the fields of historical linguistics and phonology. Sound change (and linguistic change in general) and the way it influences dialectal evolution is something I regard as profoundly fascinating and something which I could spend several lifetimes studying were that a possibility. While I am without a doubt prepared to study language change in all of its facets, I find the romance languages to be particularly intriguing not just for the variation found within the languages themselves but for the phonological variation in the dialects within the languages (the history and evolution of Rioplatense Spanish in Argentina and Uruguay over the past 100 years has been a particularly stimulating topic of study for me). I am especially intrigued by the University of [redacted] due to the work of Dr. [redacted] in historical linguistics as well as that of Dr. [redacted] with phonological patterns.

The most compelling force behind my actions has always been the desire for self-betterment and the need to accomplish something important within my lifetime. Both of these desires are fully realizable in the study of linguistics and contributing to the realm of human knowledge is something I regard as paramount to realizing self-actualization and fulfillment. I see no better way to spend my life than contributing to the discipline which has been my lifelong obsession. I eagerly look forward to a career in the intriguing world of linguistics, and graduate study at The University of [redacted] will make this possible.

***

 This essay gained admission to a terminal masters program in linguistics at a prestigious R1 institution.

{Need more help with your linguistics Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

The first time I realized I wanted to be a physician assistant I was absolutely convinced I had typhoid fever and amoebic dysentery. I had just returned from visiting my sister in Mexico where she had contracted both illnesses living on a goat farm, and I was sure I had the same. It was a Saturday and I could not wait until Monday to see my family doctor – I chose instead to take an appointment with [redacted], a PA at the same family practice. I was unsure of what to expect, but to my relief [redacted] was both patient and thorough, and I was quickly put at ease by his clinical expertise and depth of knowledge. Turns out I had a less serious bacterial infection and after a round of antibiotics and a lot of rest I was back to my normal self. 

Only now there was the seed of a new career path planted in the back of my mind.

At the time I was still spending my spare time job shadowing and volunteering in physical therapy clinics. But, as I started to research my new career interest I was thrilled to discover the confluence of diagnosing and treatment that I felt was missing from other healthcare careers. I was later given the opportunity to shadow [redacted], the same PA who had initially piqued my interest. I found the experience both educational and rewarding, and was excited that I had found a career that combined my passions for working with people, continual learning, diagnosing, treatment, critical thinking, and collaboration in healthcare.

In college I majored in kinesiology, but continuously felt the desire to take additional higher-level science courses. I feel that my strong working knowledge of anatomy along with the intellectual foundation the other courses provided have prepared me academically for the rigorous coursework of PA school.

During my freshman year of college I was forced to reevaluate the way I approached my studies. I have always valued education and school has always come easy to me, but for the first time I started to understand my own learning style and how to apply it effectively. By my sophomore year I had found my stride and decided to work part-time to help fund my studies. My work at the College of Pharmacy for the next two and a half years provided another perspective of healthcare. I was able to spend my afternoons with highly intelligent professionals who were always willing to answer questions and provide advice.  By my senior year I was working two part-time jobs, taking a full class load, and my interest in the PA field had evolved to a strong conviction.

After graduating I became certified as a nursing assistant and was eager to begin working in a hands on environment.  My work at [redacted] Manor Rehabilitation Center was both physically and emotionally challenging, however, every morning I was eager to get to work. I had never imagined how inspiring and fulfilling providing such basic needs could be. I quickly learned that taking a few minutes to talk, laugh, listen, and provide emotional support was as important as providing efficient and comprehensive care, and as a result my appreciation for the teamwork that goes into healthcare has never been so strong.  My current work in the operating room at Memorial Hospital of [redacted] County has given me the opportunity to work alongside skilled physicians, nurses, and the occasional physician assistant. While at times I miss the patient interaction, I am grateful to be learning in the interactive and exciting classroom that the operating room becomes when the patient goes under anesthesia. The dynamic of the operating room exemplifies the teamwork that is crucial to medicine and the role of the PA.

I know that PA school will provide me with the knowledge I need to have a rewarding lifetime career in a field that is mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging.  Work as a PA requires a high level of technical proficiency, excellent communication skills, and teamwork that I know I am capable of.

I am ready to become an ethical, compassionate, and extremely competent physician assistant.

***

This essay was used for seven applications — the author was accepted to two programs, including her first choice, before withdrawing the other five applications.

{Need more help? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

I write.  I do not claim to be a writer, I do not claim to be a poet, but I write and read poetry.  This will not change.  If I write or not does not depend on my being in class.  My reading of poetry is not limited to that which is prescribed by others.  I am, however, certain that spending three years in a writing program would improve my writing.

I wish to hone my craft in the writing program. Becoming a craftsmen is a process, and to undertake this process with the focus available in the [redacted] writing program would be a great opportunity.  Devoting so much time to the study and craft of writing would be hard work at work worth doing.

Poetry is one of the ways that I can most directly approach truth. Poetry is language set to a pitch and purpose more in tune with eternity.  I can find solace, inspiration, and encouragement in the shared solitude of poetry.  Having experienced this in the reading of poetry, I cannot help but attempt to shape my own experience into poetry as both a way of communicating existence and understanding it myself.

[Redacted] is the only school to which I am applying for the MFA program.  One of the mentors most integral to my writing, [redacted], was an alumnus and my introduction to the program.  After further investigation I found many of my favorite authors among the alumi: [redacted, redacted, redacted].  I believe that [redacted] University has a fortuitous mixture of an excellent reputation, a Mountain West location and culture, and opportunity to work with preeminent writers. I hope to be able to realize my ambitions in [redacted].

***

This application won acceptance and funding to a smaller program at a state school — even with the typo in the last paragraph.

{Need more help? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

A Statement of Purpose for a Masters of Fine Arts program is perhaps the most difficult Statement of Purpose to write.  Like your writing sample, your Statement will be scrutinized.  But an MFA Statement of Purpose is also the type of Statement that allows for the most risk-taking.  Successful MFA Statement of Purpose essays often read like artist statements and are very creative.  Do not fall into the trap of only worrying about the creative aspects, though.  Your MFA Statement of Purpose still needs to demonstrate an element of thoughtfulness and groundedness that indicate an understanding of the endeavor being taken on.

Because the MFA is a terminal degree, you will especially want to include what you plan to do with your degree.  Do you plan to teach? Write? Every program has its own strengths.  Some programs are well know for their MFA in writing, while others for their MFA in installation art.  Be sure you know the strengths of the department to which you are applying, and include that information in your MFA Statement of Purpose.

MFA Statement of Purpose Examples:

1. I Write. (Poetry)

{Need more help with your MFA Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

This morning I helped present a Strategic Plan for a new venture to the executive committee for the [redacted] Health System. I am a Business Analyst for [redacted], and financial and data analysis make up the largest parts of my responsibilities. I am versed in financial analysis and planning, and I am currently responsible for integrating several databases into the larger [redacted] data structure, increasing our health care system’s access to meaningful patient and financial data. I enjoy many aspects of my job, and I currently am in the place I want to be, doing what I want to do. My interest in further education has everything to do with where I want to go from here.

My current position affords me an understanding of the health care system from a managerial perspective, however, my past experiences continue to drive my curiosity about the ways in which health care functions globally, and the ways in which we can use this knowledge to improve access to care and health outcomes. Three years ago, I had the opportunity to travel Southeast Asia for about six months. While in rural Indonesia my friend, Jeff, contracted an aggressive strain of pseudomonas bacteria in his right eye – characterized by rapid progression –  and needed to be treated immediately. The iris had clouded over, and the doctor at the local hospital informed us that his cornea was becoming “like the cheese with the holes.”

Jeff eventually made a full recovery, but in this situation, others would have been at serious risk of blindness or death. According to the physician who treated Jeff, many Indonesians who contract this type of pseudomonas lose the affected eye and sometimes parts of their face, due to physical and financial accessibility barriers to health care. For Jeff, on that day and in that place, those barriers were low. Jeff was able to travel to find care, and the cost of living worked in his favor; his total bill came to $24 USD. Others in Indonesia, and many in the United States, face barriers which discourage them from seeking care that would otherwise improve and extend their lives.

I have witnessed similar issues of access in many of the countries that I have visited.  Last summer I spent some time at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic where a friend had been volunteering for the year. While there I got to know a volunteer physician who was personally struggling with resource allocation and her sense of beneficence. She was caught between the stated goals of the organization (to care for the kids) and the obvious needs that fell outside those goals (the overwhelming poverty in the surrounding communities.) The ramifications of conflicts such as this one become more apparent in situations of scarcity, increasing the importance of thoughtful allocation when viewed from a public health perspective – a theoretical statement that I watched unfold in real life as cholera, and panic, began to spread out of Haiti and into the Dominican Republic. Personal, community, economic, and even ethical conflicts make these decisions complex. Organizational values do not always align with what individual actors believe to be best for the health of the public. This conflict interests me, and is one that I would like to explore further academically.

While investigating my path into Public Health, I met with Dr. [redacted] to discuss my varied interests. We discussed the importance and development of Edge organizations to meet the demands of healthcare reform and the analysis of patient outcomes and quality as a reimbursement model.  The areas of interest that I’ve not yet been able to explore in my professional life, but that have grown from my study and travel abroad are access to clean water, access to care, disaster management, and resource allocation. I hope to one day be able to pursue these in my professional life, and pursuing them academically will best prepare me to achieve that goal.

I believe that [redacted] is the best place for me to explore my academic interests in Public Health. I do not yet know exactly where I would like to end up, but I do know I will use the principles I learn to guide my career to contributing to the health of the public – whether it continues to be in the analysis of data to examine patient outcomes, or whether it ends up being more hands on, such as increasing access to potable water.

***

This statement gained admittance to a top School of Public Health — the only program to which the applicant applied.

{Need more help? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

To the Selection Committee:

For as long as I can remember, the origins of words have fascinated me.  Dictionaries have their own special bookshelf in our house.  When running across an unknown word, it was never enough to simply look it up.  First, anyone else in the room would be polled, a hypothesis would be put forward, and then every available dictionary would be checked and the definitions compared.  I was always fascinated by the small, seemingly negligible discrepancies.

In school my interests began gravitating towards Language Arts at a young age.  It only seemed natural that I would enroll in Advanced Placement English courses in high school, where I excelled all four years and won several awards (see CV).  Once I entered college I began to experiment and took classes in a variety of fields, but being unable to find anything that piqued my interest nearly as much as language I double majored in English and Spanish.  Unable to resist the temptation I also took several German classes and sat in on a Latin class, although it did not fit into my class schedule.

In order to complete my degree I chose to write my Spanish thesis on Hemingway’s misuse of the Spanish language in his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls.  The research for such a project was extensive and challenging, but also captivating.  I was so engaged by the subject that by the end of the semester I had read much more than I needed to about Spanish colloquial language and the cultural fears and taboos that the current, often vulgar, slang stems from.

In the realm of linguistics I have developed a particular interest in the origin and histories of languages.  I was first introduced to Indo-European linguistics in the Senior Seminar for Modern Languages at [redacted] University.  These ancient roots that have managed to hold their meaning despite almost vanishing into modern words immediately enthralled me.  I once spent an entire day sitting on the floor of the school’s library poring over etymological dictionaries that I was not allowed to check out.

I have always felt that study at the graduate level was an end in and of itself, and that learning, simply for the sake of learning, is a worthwhile pursuit.  Having said that, I firmly believe that the study of historical and comparative linguistics has never been more important.  Everyday languages disappear and die out, taking with them a unique way of viewing the world.  With this degree I hope to be well equipped to do research and fieldwork with endangered languages, and eventually go on to do doctoral work, whether at [redacted] or back in the United States.

I am highly aware of the superb reputation of [redacted] University, and my research into your Comparative Indo-European Linguistics course of study has only served to deepen my interest in attending.  I know that in addition to your excellent faculty, your program offers one of the widest ranges of languages anywhere.  I hope you will give me the privilege of continuing my studies with you.

Sincerely,

[Redacted]

***

This university required a “letter of intent,” hence the slightly varied format.

{Need more help with your linguistics Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

I first began to consider teaching English when I was in Spain.  I had enrolled in a language school when I arrived to make sure my Spanish was up to snuff before entering La Universidad de Salamanca, and most of the teachers were fantastic.  One, in particular, stood out: she was a high-energy fast-talking Spaniard from Extremadura who refused to coddle us.  She had a way of flying through the material while engaging the class in a way I had never seen before.  It was then that I began to seriously think about teaching English as a Second Language as a profession.

Over the last eight years I have taken a wide variety of foreign language classes from a wide variety of teachers, sometimes taking more than one language at a time.  And, like any subject, some of the classes were better than others.  I have begun to notice a few patterns over the years, and what started out as a love of languages has turned into an interest in how languages are taught and learned.  While in Spain I was able to take a class at the University on methods of teaching foreign languages.  Learning about the history and evolution of this field provided me with insight into the patterns that I had begun to notice between teachers, levels and languages.

I have always loved language and languages.  I have often flirted with the idea of being a teacher.  When I was in middle school I won an award for excellence in literature and language arts.  I assumed it was because I was the only student who thought the difference between a direct object and an indirect object was interesting, but receiving that award was what started me down the path I am on now.  In high school I took all honors and AP English classes, and I knew shortly after starting college that I wanted to major in English.  My love of literature has only grown over the years, and through my foreign language classes I have developed an even stronger interest in how the English language works.

Our world is changing, quickly.  As advancements in technology spur on globalization, communication between cultures is becoming increasingly more and more important.  Language is the foundation of that communication; both to understand and be understood in more than one language is essential to fostering understanding in the emerging international community.  I firmly believe that the path to making the world a better place is through individuals.  If we are not working towards intercultural acceptance on a personal level, then striving for such understanding on a global level will do no good.  Since language is merely a reflection of culture, and often a language class is the first exposure students have to that culture, the teacher’s role is a crucial one in developing cultural understanding.

Although having a specialized degree is certainly not necessary to get into ESL – there are countless stories about people who flew to Bangkok and were offered a position at a language school in less than two days – and although I might enjoy teaching overseas and intend to explore that option, I also like the idea of having the solid foundation that the Master’s degree would provide, both for the skills as well as the credentials.

I have been looking at a number of schools here in the Northwest, but through my research and in talking with Professor [redacted], I have discovered that my interests and your program perfectly align.  I like the fact that the TESOL degree is offered through the Applied Linguistics department, because while I am mostly interested in the humanities side of teaching English I think it is important that it be an interdisciplinary pursuit.  Having the program based in applied linguistics will provide me with a depth of knowledge and a breadth of skills that other programs do not offer.

As my résumé indicates, I have already had experience teaching languages, mostly tutoring fellow students in Spanish here in the U.S. or small children in English in Spain.  I have recently begun teaching an ESL class on Tuesday evenings to Mexican immigrants here in [redacted] through a grant provided by [redacted] County. This summer I will be traveling to a small village outside of [redacted], Mexico to teach English classes during the day and work on setting up a library in the evenings.  The more experience I have with this field, the more certain I become that this is where I want to be.  Every week I look forward to Tuesdays and the time I will get to spend with my class. I will never forget the smile on Antonio’s face when he told me he had passed his citizenship test one Saturday, and that he thought he had the English classes to thank.  I look forward to more such smiles in my future.

***

The author of this statement applied to only one program at a state school, to which they were accepted.

{Need more help with your linguistics Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

The page on Social Sciences explains the breadth of methodological approaches that exist in the soft sciences.  Linguistics is no exception.  Linguistics Statement of Purpose essays can fall anywhere between the no-nonsense science Statement of Purpose and the more creative humanities Statement of Purpose, and will have more or less narrative qualities depending on the type of research the applicant is proposing.  If you are applying with the intention of doing neurolinguistics, your linguistics Statement of Purpose needs to leave no doubt that you are trained and qualified to undertake such a program.  If you are applying with the intention of doing sociolinguistics work, you need to worry less about qualifications and more about making a case for your area of interest.

Like any social science field, linguistics spans a wide variety of approaches, and you need to do your homework when researching programs.  The various approaches in linguistics can include: applied linguistics, cognitive linguistics, contact linguistics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, forensic linguistics, graphology, historical linguistics, language acquisition, lexicology, linguistic anthropology, neurolinguistics, paralinguistics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and stylistics.  Do not propose to do sociolinguistics at a school that is known for its reputation in cognitive linguistics.  Although both areas technically fall under linguistics, the methodological approaches are completely different.  Make sure you know which way the program you are applying to leans, and reflect that in your linguistics Statement of Purpose.  To help you get started we have a collection of linguistics Statement of Purpose essays from a variety of fields.

Linguistics Statement of Purpose Examples:

1. A Love of Language (Applied Linguistics)

2. Words and Their Origins (Comparative Linguistics)

3. An Unlikely Candidate (General Linguistics)

{Need more help with your linguistics Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

As I write this I am currently sitting in a clinic in an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, supervising a team of ten dentists visiting for the week.  This is one of the few moments I will have to myself today.  The question I inevitably get from everyone has just come up: “How did a 24 year-old end up running an orphanage in the middle of the Caribbean?”  “By accident,” I tell them, “I applied to be the librarian.”

As I was graduating from college in 2008 I received some excellent advice.  I had already applied, and been accepted, to graduate school.  I had also been presented with the opportunity to backpack through Asia.  One afternoon I was closing up the bookstore in town where I worked to make ends meet, when one of my professors came in.  We chatted about the book he was looking for, and I told him about my dilemma.  He said something to me that I will never forget: he said take the more interesting path.  “Graduate school will still be there,” he said, “go to Asia.”  I did, and I have been on the road ever since.

At the time I was afraid that if I took time off I would find myself pulled onto some other path and I wouldn’t go back to school.  The last couple of years have had exactly the opposite effect.  In every country I have visited (there have been 22) I have found myself reading.  I have read books by local authors set in the places they live, and books by authors that knew nothing of the places they were describing.  I have read books that have influenced history in ways I am sure the authors never imagined, and I have read books that had absolutely nothing to do with the place I was in.  In Thailand I read A Child of the Northeast, and in Cambodia I couldn’t help but notice the shocking similarities between 1984 and the Khmer Rouge.  In Indonesia, when the ferry just never came back, and my two travel mates and I found ourselves trapped on an island the size of a postage stamp, I read Much Ado About Nothing – six times.

In college I majored in English because I couldn’t help myself, every single course the department offered sounded interesting.  Even when I was studying abroad in Spain and supposed to be studying Spanish I signed up for a class in American literature, which ended up being one of the most eye opening experiences I have ever had in a classroom.  It was one of the first times it ever occurred to me that different cultures view literature through different lenses.  That experience profoundly shaped the research choices I made in my final year of college, and it has continued to influence the way I read.

I used my experience in that class as a starting point for much of my senior year research.  Many of the departments at [redacted] College require their seniors to do a capstone project, and as a double major I found myself doing two.  The topic the English Department chose that year was Western literature, and under the guidance of Professor [redacted] I wrote about the construction of morality in Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It and Mark Spragg’s Where Rivers Change Direction (see writing sample).  The Modern Languages Department takes a slightly different approach and asks its seniors to write a capstone paper, in the language of study, that only they could write having just spent a year abroad.  I chose to write on the Spanish reaction to Hemingway.  I was able to take a novel that I have always loved and write about it from a very personal point of view, while weaving in literary criticism and theory, primary research, interviews, and social and linguistic aspects.

Spring semester of my senior year I was invited by the English Department to write an honors thesis.  I was delighted and chose a topic that spanned several cultures.  I wanted to write on the African Diaspora’s influence on literature in the Americas, focusing on tracing narrative structures and aspects of magic realism found in African story telling through the works of Toni Morrison, William Faulkner and Gabriel García Márquez.  It was a large project, very fascinating and very broad.  As I am sure you will note based on my transcripts, I did not finish it.  I did, however, learn several very valuable lessons.  I learned that just because topics fit together does not mean that you will have time to cover them all.  I learned that just because you see a pattern somewhere does not mean someone else before you has seen it, and there may not always be a body of extant research to use as a springboard.  And most importantly I learned some hard lessons about choosing an advisor.  I learned that finding an advisor with expertise on the topic you want to look at, and who has the time to help you, can make all the difference in the world. Although I never finished the honors thesis, I believe I ended up learning more from that paper than I would have if I had completed it.  And the lessons I learned are ones that I believe will serve me well in graduate school.

Over the past several years I have come to appreciate the excellent education [redacted] College gave me.  Not only in the classroom, but also in the astounding opportunities I was provided with outside of the classroom.  As a freshman I stumbled into a work study job as a Research and Administrative Assistant for what I would later discover was one of the most feared professors on campus.  He held impossibly high standards, and had a reputation for making students cry.  I have heard him described as a “zealot” and find the description quite apt.  I worked on several projects for him, the most notable being the primary research and collection of materials for his next book, a comparative study of the politics of eating in the United States and England.  I also worked on several articles, both in the research phases and editing phases.  My senior year we hosted a Liberty Fund symposium on assisted suicide, for which I did research that ranged from the writings of Thomas Aquinas to finding out how much the Benson Hotel would charge for a buffet lunch.  I am proud to say that Professor [redacted] retained me for my entire career at [redacted], and I am even prouder to say that after years of digging through drawers of microfiche only to be told it was the wrong article, I consider [redacted] my friend.  He taught me early on what real research looks like, and the skills he gave me will serve me well beyond graduate school.

I am interested in pursuing my doctorate at the [redacted] for very simple reasons, the first being your faculty.  Several names kept cropping up during my various research projects, and one that came up over and over again in my research on Hemingway was Professor [redacted].  As I began looking at [redacted] in earnest I found several professors doing work in areas that fascinate me.  This spring I was fortunate enough to visit campus and chat with Professor [redacted], and although he is retiring, based on the conversations I had with him and with Professor [redacted], I believe that your department, and the flexibility of the program it offers, would be an ideal fit.

Throughout my experience at [redacted] College, as well as my experiences traveling, I have come to develop a deep interest in looking at literatures of various cultures, and how those literatures affect and interact with each other.   For instance, I am especially interested in looking for a way to combine literature and sociolinguistics.  The way certain authors (Hemingway, Twain, Morrison, Díaz, etc.) use dialects and foreign languages in their writing to create a sense of place or to add what some critics have referred to as “another dimension” fascinates me.  I want to look at why they are doing it, and why it achieves the desired effect in the mind of the reader.  I believe [redacted]’s degree in comparative literature is one of the few degrees that would allow me to do that.  Between the work that Professor [redacted] is doing on dialects, the overall strength of the department in literature, and the flexibility to work with other departments and even other schools in the area, this is one of the few places where pursuing my interests would be feasible.

I believe it is important to mention, though, that it is not the academics alone that draw me to [redacted].  During my visit to [redacted]’s department I was floored by the warm welcome I received.  I was encouraged to visit the rare books section in the library and to sit in on classes.  Professor [redacted] talked with me for an extensive amount of time, answering all of my questions, discussing the resurgence of Dos Passos, and debating the impersonal nature of research in the linguistics field.  Professor [redacted] made suggestions about other scholars to look at, and passed my email address on to undergraduate [redacted] who was working on a research project he thought I would find interesting.  It is also this atmosphere of conviviality that draws me to [redacted].

That rainy afternoon in the bookstore two and a half years ago seems like a lifetime ago.  The advice that professor gave me certainly pushed me down the road less traveled.  If someone had told me back then that tonight I will be arguing with 204 kids about whether or not we’re going to watch a movie before going to bed, I probably wouldn’t have believed them.  Even here, though, the siren song is calling me.

“Where are you going next?” the dentists tease, “Afghanistan?”

“No,” I laugh, “Don’t think so.”

I smile.  I know exactly where I want to go next.  And it’s not Afghanistan.

 ***

Versions of this essay were successful with several programs, including the author’s first choice, an R1 institution and a top 15 program.

{Need more help? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}

Public Health graduate programs aim to prepare their students for work in the organizational and societal facets of healthcare.  Programs often include interdisciplinary approaches such as epidemiology, biostatistics, public policy, and community health. Successful Public Health Statement of Purpose essays demonstrate an understanding of the goals and functions of Public Health and its role in the larger field of medicine.  Programs do not necessarily look for applicants to have chosen a specialization, or for them to know exactly what they want to do with their degree, but they do look for a continued interest in the field and a grasp of the various options for specialization, and how those specializations might impact a future career.

Unlike other academic fields, Public Health is focused on real world training and implications rather than theory.  Because of this, it is important that applicants have on the ground experience.  This is less true for Masters programs than PhD programs, but regardless of what level of graduate training you are seeking, be sure to include work experience in your Public Health Statement of Purpose.

Public Health Statement of Purpose examples:

1. Crisis Indonesia

{Need more help writing your Public Health Statement of Purpose? Check out our ebook Hacking Your Statement of Purpose for a concise guide to writing and revising your Statement of Purpose.}