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MH3
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Hello everyone! I am a senior undergrad and I have been working on my statement of purpose for grad school. It still needs a lot of work so I would appreciate any advice on how to improve it. The text below is some of the more concrete portion of it but definitely open for revisions. I still have to add my research experience and the specific school lab research so excluding that I would love to hear ways to improve it and really show that I am a good candidate for a PhD program. I would appreciate any help.
"I am an undergraduate applied physics and chemistry major interested in obtaining a PhD in physics with a concentration in condensed matter physics. I want to utilize my interests in the overlapping concepts of physics and chemistry to research materials that can be used in developing clean technology focused on more efficient and accessible clean energy and water to help create a sustainable and healthy environment for future generations.
I went from dreaming about joining Doctors without Borders to being fascinated by the technological applications of materials, with one constant goal- to learn about the complex aspects of nature and use my knowledge to help others. I was eager to pursue a career in STEM but it wasn’t until I started studying physics and chemistry that I had a more clear direction on how I could utilize what I learned. I would teach myself about elements, their properties, and how they reacted but always had lingering questions about the underlying concepts.
Delving into the discipline of physics filled in these blanks and introduced me to an amazing world beautifully described by the math and intricacies of concepts that described the mechanisms of natural phenomena. The extensive application of both disciplines in areas from medicine to engineering inspired me to pursue applied physics and chemistry bachelor’s degrees and understand the foundational concepts that drive innovation. Driven by a passion for combating climate change and improving the quality of life for future generations I am excited to utilize the educational and personal skills I have developed as a scientist to explore the applications of physics and chemistry in technology.
A physics department email about research seminars I received at the start of my undergrad was the start of an exciting educational and personal journey full of difficult but wonderful and worthwhile experiences that have prepared me for a successful future in research. I began attending these seminars to learn what research tied into my own interests in creating a more sustainable future, and it was my first condensed matter research seminar that immediately interested me. The concepts sparked a fascination with all the possibilities of how the research could be utilized in studying materials and novel phenomena for various applications such as improving solar cells, photodetectors, and water purification systems.
The more I read up on the research, the more curious I became about understanding the concepts. The strange, unintuitive aspects of quantum mechanics and the vital role they played in studying material properties were fascinating. Learning the ways in which these concepts dictate how the world is structured and exemplify the complexity of natural phenomena was even more remarkable because it presented an amazing view from which the world could be understood and improved. Physics and chemistry provided a feeling of wonderment and became a light to guide me towards my goals. I had come across an incredible opportunity when I received an email reply for the chance to begin working in …’s quantum materials and devices research lab. I was excited to gain research experience but I didn’t realize the extent to which this opportunity would support not only my educational goals but also my personal growth in becoming a scientist.
I had a turbulent home life and, without a support system, became a diffident and anxious college student. Working in the lab allowed me to pursue a passion for science that felt increasingly drowned out by the stress and anxiety and gave me hope for my future. With the combination of extracurricular activities, school, and research my workload was heavy but I learned to take advantage of my growth in my personal life and education. I learned to balance assignments with my extracurricular activities, research, and several-hour daily commute to perform my work efficiently and make the best use of my time. My experiences collectively improved my ability to approach obstacles from various perspectives, adapt to changing and unexpected circumstances, and work collaboratively through challenges. I continued to develop my skills through research projects through which I gained extensive experiences that have prepared me to pursue a PhD and a career in sustainable technology research.
During the quarters I came into the lab whenever I had free time and over the summer I was able to fully immerse myself in my work; I would spend hours learning about a topic, working on a project, or reading literature to find ways to solve a problem I encountered in research. By interacting with people who shared the same interests as me, I gradually began to open up and set small goals for myself to overcome my anxiety: to ask questions, go for group lunches, and introduce myself to someone new. I started to gain back more of my confidence and began interacting more with my colleagues. I gained new perspectives on how to approach my own projects and the problems I encountered.
I also had several opportunities to discuss papers in our lab journal clubs through which I challenged myself to learn new concepts and improve my understanding of those I was familiar with. I improved my public speaking skills through the journal clubs, discussing projects with my colleagues, and presenting results in group meetings. I have enjoyed immersing myself in an environment where I explore new ideas, learn invaluable lessons from challenging myself and have a more clear vision of my future, and the endless opportunities to follow my scientific interests. My research experiences challenged me to open up and continue to improve the personal skills needed to succeed in research and contribute to an innovative future. As I continued to develop these skills through research projects, I strengthened my physics foundation and challenged my problem-solving abilities."
"I am an undergraduate applied physics and chemistry major interested in obtaining a PhD in physics with a concentration in condensed matter physics. I want to utilize my interests in the overlapping concepts of physics and chemistry to research materials that can be used in developing clean technology focused on more efficient and accessible clean energy and water to help create a sustainable and healthy environment for future generations.
I went from dreaming about joining Doctors without Borders to being fascinated by the technological applications of materials, with one constant goal- to learn about the complex aspects of nature and use my knowledge to help others. I was eager to pursue a career in STEM but it wasn’t until I started studying physics and chemistry that I had a more clear direction on how I could utilize what I learned. I would teach myself about elements, their properties, and how they reacted but always had lingering questions about the underlying concepts.
Delving into the discipline of physics filled in these blanks and introduced me to an amazing world beautifully described by the math and intricacies of concepts that described the mechanisms of natural phenomena. The extensive application of both disciplines in areas from medicine to engineering inspired me to pursue applied physics and chemistry bachelor’s degrees and understand the foundational concepts that drive innovation. Driven by a passion for combating climate change and improving the quality of life for future generations I am excited to utilize the educational and personal skills I have developed as a scientist to explore the applications of physics and chemistry in technology.
A physics department email about research seminars I received at the start of my undergrad was the start of an exciting educational and personal journey full of difficult but wonderful and worthwhile experiences that have prepared me for a successful future in research. I began attending these seminars to learn what research tied into my own interests in creating a more sustainable future, and it was my first condensed matter research seminar that immediately interested me. The concepts sparked a fascination with all the possibilities of how the research could be utilized in studying materials and novel phenomena for various applications such as improving solar cells, photodetectors, and water purification systems.
The more I read up on the research, the more curious I became about understanding the concepts. The strange, unintuitive aspects of quantum mechanics and the vital role they played in studying material properties were fascinating. Learning the ways in which these concepts dictate how the world is structured and exemplify the complexity of natural phenomena was even more remarkable because it presented an amazing view from which the world could be understood and improved. Physics and chemistry provided a feeling of wonderment and became a light to guide me towards my goals. I had come across an incredible opportunity when I received an email reply for the chance to begin working in …’s quantum materials and devices research lab. I was excited to gain research experience but I didn’t realize the extent to which this opportunity would support not only my educational goals but also my personal growth in becoming a scientist.
I had a turbulent home life and, without a support system, became a diffident and anxious college student. Working in the lab allowed me to pursue a passion for science that felt increasingly drowned out by the stress and anxiety and gave me hope for my future. With the combination of extracurricular activities, school, and research my workload was heavy but I learned to take advantage of my growth in my personal life and education. I learned to balance assignments with my extracurricular activities, research, and several-hour daily commute to perform my work efficiently and make the best use of my time. My experiences collectively improved my ability to approach obstacles from various perspectives, adapt to changing and unexpected circumstances, and work collaboratively through challenges. I continued to develop my skills through research projects through which I gained extensive experiences that have prepared me to pursue a PhD and a career in sustainable technology research.
During the quarters I came into the lab whenever I had free time and over the summer I was able to fully immerse myself in my work; I would spend hours learning about a topic, working on a project, or reading literature to find ways to solve a problem I encountered in research. By interacting with people who shared the same interests as me, I gradually began to open up and set small goals for myself to overcome my anxiety: to ask questions, go for group lunches, and introduce myself to someone new. I started to gain back more of my confidence and began interacting more with my colleagues. I gained new perspectives on how to approach my own projects and the problems I encountered.
I also had several opportunities to discuss papers in our lab journal clubs through which I challenged myself to learn new concepts and improve my understanding of those I was familiar with. I improved my public speaking skills through the journal clubs, discussing projects with my colleagues, and presenting results in group meetings. I have enjoyed immersing myself in an environment where I explore new ideas, learn invaluable lessons from challenging myself and have a more clear vision of my future, and the endless opportunities to follow my scientific interests. My research experiences challenged me to open up and continue to improve the personal skills needed to succeed in research and contribute to an innovative future. As I continued to develop these skills through research projects, I strengthened my physics foundation and challenged my problem-solving abilities."
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