Chemical Forums

Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Education and Careers => Topic started by: putthehurtton on December 13, 2017, 04:25:46 PM

Title: Graduate Program Statement of Purpose Critique
Post by: putthehurtton on December 13, 2017, 04:25:46 PM
Hi there! I'm working on my graduate applications, and I was wondering if anybody here would mind critiquing my statement of purpose!

*MOD Edit -- attached plaintext version*
Title: Re: Graduate Program Statement of Purpose Critique
Post by: wildfyr on December 13, 2017, 06:24:39 PM
You need a conclusion paragraph.
Title: Re: Graduate Program Statement of Purpose Critique
Post by: Irlanur on December 14, 2017, 05:22:34 AM
It's not very clear to me in what context this stands. This is not really a cover letter, right? the start seems a bit sudden to me, but this really depends on the rest of the application.

Keep in mind that the most important parts of any communication is the beginning and the end (this is general, it holds for talks, letters, but also guitar solos). I think the end of your letter is actually the weakest part. it seems kind of disconnected to the rest, if you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Graduate Program Statement of Purpose Critique
Post by: putthehurtton on December 14, 2017, 11:33:34 AM
Yeah, so as part of every application there needs to be a personal statement/statement of purpose, where I say why I'd be a good fit for the program. I've heard that it's really important to include program-specific information, such as what lab you'd like to work in and why. I figured the end was the weakest part, since it's the part that changes with every application. I'm not really sure how to tie it into the rest of the statement.