(BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES) AVERAGE STUDENT AND A GOOD SOP?IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Hello to all!

I have been following the activities of this forum and finally i got myself registered. I realized that this is one of the most useful 'dot.coms' u can ever find in the ocean of websites.

Hats off to all working for it.

Like many students, i am looking forward for acquiring a PhD degree in US or Germany in biological sciences and preparing for GRE and TOEFL which is the prime requirement. But The second most important thing to have in your hand is a sophisticated SOP.

For having a good SOP written one should have a strong research background, academic excellence,experience and enough extracurricular activities.But i think there are many students who are average in academics, have a very little experience but are seriously inclined towards research. I will not be wrong if i say that even a dull and shy student can be an excellent scientist if he finds opportunity.

But, for the members of Selection committee, a not so bright student would be the last in the preference list.

I need to know that what part of my SOP should be highlighted and what should be the contents of my SOP if i have an average academic score, good working hand and experience in an allied field but not exactly in the field i am applying for. I have been good in extracurricular activities but not in those involving leadership qualities. I was more inclined towards arts.

I am still trying to figure out that particular field in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES in which i would love to work, currently i am working in a good molecular biology lab but my preferences are

Epigenetics
Cell Biology and then
Molecular Biology

I also need to know if it is not wrong to slightly change my SOP (and the subject) according to the institutes and the subject they are offering a PhD in.

Thank You
I hope to get a good response.

I disagree. And in fact, I think you disagree, too. What if you had to hire an employee, and you had 5 applicants with strong track records and one applicant whose achievements were only average... would you immediately prejudge the candidate with only average credentials? She might be the only one with a VISION.

It would be quite ignorant to judge someone based on their background, and we should try to never do it. Even people who do not know this do know this on some level. They feel that they have strong intuition about people, and all the hiring managers and admission office people and committee members all have the same belief: "I know better than to blindly choose the candidate that looks good on paper.

Here is the key to success in these things: Have a clear plan with many short term goals. How inspired you would be by me if I told you I had a hunch about the mysterious causes that underlie the condition called autism... you would say to your self, "Oh, it's interesting that this guy has a hunch about autism." And then you continue to read and you find out that I am interested in the work of 3 different authorities studying autism and that I have a unique idea I want to develop... this is a real plan, it's real inspiration because I am a person who is really doing things.

That is all fiction, of course. I don't really do things. That's because I don't have a real plan. I am just like 95% of the applicants... drifting along, fancying myself a smart scholar with a bright future when I do not even really know what is important to me, what I want to do with my life. I know I want to be involved with bio science but I am not sure why. I do not have several specific steps I am going to carry out to make a particular difference in this word. I do not have a vision.

So do you see what I mean? A statement of PURPOSE is not a statement about a strong research background. It's a statement of PURPOSE!!! Look at 10 SOP's in this forum and I bet you will only find 1 or 2 that actually express a WELL DEVELOPED purpose.

What do I mean by well developed purpose? Google around about thich nhat hanh -- he has a purpose. Read about the life work of marie curie -- these are people who give a damn enough about the people in this world to actually FEEL motivated and make a plan.

So state your purpose.

But you can't because

I am still trying to figure out that particular field in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES in which i would love to work

So you do not yet have a vision. That means you can't write the thing. Get this: You do not have to commit to a lifetime of work in molec bio, but how about if you read 2 journal articles every night and pay attention to the lit reviews, and SEE what research people have been doing. Then, study research methods that apply to your interests, study the experiments that have been carried out... read The Body Electric by Becker for inspiration. Your SOP can be about your current purpose, so what are you trying to achieve right now? You do not have to figure out your whole life's purpose.

Do you see what I mean? And yes, it is good to adjust the SOP for each school, because the SOP should show ways in which RESOURCES AND PROFESSORS IN THAT PROGRAM ARE ESPECIALLY GOOD FOR HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR PURPOSE. That is how you make them feel responsible for letting you in.

So, to achieve your goal -- it's kind of cool -- you actually have to have a worthwhile effort you are going to make, and you have to set some goals and explain them in the SOP. No concrete goals, no plan. Nothing is urgently important to you right now? Then your spot is better filled by someone who is currently inspired.

Welcome to EssayForum!

I had the same questions in mind and felt grateful that they have been asked and answered well. Thanks to both of you! I can now tackle my essay.