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I want to do a Master's degree in mechanical and this is what is stopping me. I have let many months slip past due to procrastination and general lazyness.

I just can't get around to writing it! I am not good at writing about myself. They want to me write all types of things I am just not sure about; like what research I want to do and my goals. I just don't know! I like everything and coming from a third world institution I was just not exposed enough to make any decision on what I really want to do.. But I just want to DO IT! whatever it is!

[I did energy option for 3rd year.. I liked it, but it is not that I didn't like the other areas of mech eng.]

What did you do? Did your essay come out easy?
Is there a template that I can use? What is the trick to it? What do they want to see?

Any help appreciated.

Could http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering inspire ideas for a mission statement and examples of specific enthusiasms about all things mechanical? It's not too - too specific but it touches on a lot of general areas, as do all things Wkikpediatric.

I would imagine that your Eng buddies are likely more versed in what your strengths are then you

Ask them what they think your greatest marketable strengths are, and see if your purpose becomes any clearer.

I help them with everything lol There is not much interest by others to take school further down here in the Caribbean. Most people just go right into a Job after B.Sc..

I just can't decide, I just don't want to write something that I have to commit to.

I did the energy option in final year.. mostly about Energy sources, Power plants engine thermodynamics, AC systems etc.

I like those very much (Execpt AC).. but I also have a side of me that is very creative. I like design. People always use to reach me to help with their machine design projects. I always thought it was fun and never really felt like i was doing work at all for that course.

Those areas are definitely my strengths.

So machine design and Energy..
I still like so many other things that I know I would be strong at!
I feel like if I pick one thing I'm going to miss out on something else.

hmmm.. I wonder if going on the school websites and looking at their research can get me some ideas.. don't know how i just thought a that..

For the record, you just did a very good job of writing about yourself

mmm.... goals...

I recommend to fall in love.

If that's not an option, let's become greedy. It works for most people.

I found that the expectations for statement of purpose (sop) essays varies quite a bit from school to school, at least here in the US. I applied last round (starting fall 09) to phD Mech. Eng. programs at Stanford, MIT and UC Berkeley (where I just finished my undergrad).

It seemed like at Stanford they don't expect you to develop your own research projects and the masters program consists of more classes than research. They expect you to shop around in labs a bit and find out what you like. At MIT it is a bit different they use your sop to link you up with professors that are doing research in that particular field and your expected to at least come up with some thesis ideas. Berkeley is kind of in between the two.

I would check out the programs at the schools you are applying to and see if the focus is more on classes or research then base the content on that. See if there are any professors doing things that you think are really cool and mention them specifically in the sop. Also a general piece of advice: if you don't have money and don't mind spending another three years in school it is easier to get funding if you are going for a phD. Also remember that the people reading these are engineers not English teachers, looking back on my essays I made a couple simple grammar/typographical errors but got into all the programs I applied to, so the they are really looking for content and to get an idea of who you are.

Out of curiosity where in the Caribbean are you from? I went to school in Jamaica briefly when I was a kid. Hope some of that helped a bit.

Maybe talking to a professor at your old uni could help... just an idea

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~natalia/stu ... /st4/4.htm

Good advice from Jake. Three things:

1. Some focus should be given to an area of your interests.
2. You need to tell them about yourself and how those interests started
3. Don't make it too long.

As mentioned above, your posts do include many of the essential elements. And, yes, if one of your professors could read it, it would be helpful.

I used to help my friends get into grad schools by proofreading their essays.

I tell them to be specific about their goals, and how their program will help them get there.

Say stuff about yourself that shows you are worthy of being a candidate, but do not bore the hell out of them. I tell my friends to try to avoid using the word "I" when talking about themselves. A little more difficult, but doable. Try not to act selfish in what you've accomplished; i.e. whatever you achieved only benefits yourself.

As for syntax... Make really good transitions from topic to topic. You don't want to appear all over the place.

Thanks everybody.

Jake_m yeah I am from Jamaica. Went to U.W.I in Trinidad.

I was about to ask you where you were from when you said the Caribbean because down here we don't have many choices except the U.W.I campuses. I was pretty sure I saw the 'smikle' name on the wheelsjamaica forum but I could be wrong.

I had to write one of these to get into a masters program and I also helped someone write one for a scholarship recently. Similar to what West is saying, you must get them interested in you by speaking about yourself but it must be to the point (no rambling). Highlight your strengths and what you are passionate about and tell them why. I don't think you need to know your research topic at this stage but it helps if you know what area you would want to research in. If you have done anything unique or worked on some interesting projects make sure you mention them. Get it proofread and be prepared to refine it.

They are some statement of purpose guidelines and templates online so do some searching.

Big up to all the Caribbean massive.

Dont know much bout how the mech E schools operate in the Islands, but at the U of Michigan, if you wanted to do postgraduate work, your best bet was to link up with a professor that was doing some research(that you liked) and branch off of that. Even better if you could possibly connect it with a program a company is investing into.

Yah.. I'm from wheelsJamaica..hehe

Well I will see how it goes.
It seems I have a lot to sort out.

n smikle wrote:Yah.. I'm from wheelsJamaica..hehe

Well I will see how it goes.
It seems I have a lot to sort out.

Yeh I knew it. I've been going on the forum to follow the captains tube-frame Evo.