Ecology and Conservation Biology: Graduate Admissions Statement of Purpose

I am applying to graduate programs in Ecology and Conservation Biology. Due to the lack of instruction, I'm finding it a little difficult to write a statement of purpose. Here's what I've got so far, and I'd be very grateful for any assistance you can give me. At the moment, this statement is almost 2 pages single spaced.

Many Thanks, Katie

I read the book, One River, during my first internship with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute during the summer of my sophomore year. One River, written by esteemed ethnobotanist Wade Davis, provides an account of tropical biology during the 1970s: a period when botanists were rapidly sampling the forests and documenting new species at an astounding rate. While the knowledge we seek as tropical botanists has changed since Wade Davis' era, one goal has remained. I believe I am an excellent candidate for Oregon State's Botany and Plant Pathology Department's graduate program because I am driven to teach and inspire the next generation of tropical biologists to pursue their interests, as the generation that came before me inspired mine.

Since my sophomore year at the University of Michigan, I have been engaged in research experiences that have deepened my theoretical knowledge of tropical biology and my technical skills with which to study it. In my most recent internship with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, I worked with Dr. L to answer the question that has enthralled many tropical biologists through the years: what mechanisms create and maintain the large degree of plant diversity in the tropics? Our project investigated the possibility that herbivore preferences may cause density-dependent pressure on plants with similar chemical defenses. The rapid coevolution of plant-herbivore interactions could create overdispersion of chemical defense traits, thereby allowing many different species to coexist and creating a mosaic of chemical defenses across the forest landscape.

My role in this research was to conduct large-scale PCR barcoding reactions on insects, to identify the insect barcode and plant barcode from plant material remaining in stomach or mouth parts at the time of collection. In addition to maintaining lab reagents and conducting protocols, I mentored five of my fellow interns in the genetics protocols of DNA extraction and PCR. This experience will prove valuable in my future endeavors as a graduate student mentor. In addition, I plan to use my experience with networks (herbivory and chemical) to aid my future research in mutualism networks of pollination in the lab of Dr. G in OSU's Botany and Plant Pathology Department.

Using this data, we are able to construct a network of plant-insect interactions. Pairing this network with a chemical defense network allows us to assess correlations between the networks. While this research is still ongoing, the preliminary chemical data suggests that there is overdispersion of chemical defense traits at the species level. When complete, this research will confirm or reject the hypothesis that overdispersion of chemical defense traits creates niche partitioning amongst tropical plant species. One future direction for this research is to determine whether defense chemistry is also overdispersed spatially. Another future direction is inquire whether species composition and demographics correlate with the spatial structure of chemical defenses.

In addition to maintaining lab reagents and conducting protocols, I mentored five of my fellow interns in the genetics protocols of DNA extraction and PCR. This experience will prove valuable in my future endeavors as a graduate student mentor. Additionally, working with an herbivory network has provided me with valuable network experience that can be applied to the pollination and dispersal networks of the tropics, which I intend to pursue in my PhD.

Another goal of my PhD will be to practice effective communication of research goals and results. My past experience in this realm has ranged from writing science-based articles for a general audience to conducting academic literature searches for an education start-up company. This experience acting as a liaison from the scientific community to the general public will prove invaluable in my future as a graduate student and beyond. I plan to use this ability to educate the public and inspire the next generation of aspiring researchers.

I wish to pursue a PhD in Oregon State due to the wide range of resources in genomic science available through the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing and the many labs that work in plant genomics. In my future research endeavors, I plan to utilize next-generation genomic techniques to answer ecological questions involving gene flow of natural plant populations.

I would make a valuable addition to Oregon State's Botany and Plant Pathology Department because I readily seek opportunities to learn new techniques and topics outside of my immediate field of ecology and tropical biology. In the fall of 2014, I worked in a plant genetics lab with the goal of sharpening my technical skills in genetics. On account of this experience, I realized that interdisciplinary exchanges facilitate the exchange of technology, methods, and experiences, which benefit the advancement of both fields.

In my future career, I plan to lead a tropical biology laboratory to study the anthropogenic effects of climate change and landscape fragmentation on tropical ecosystems. I plan to use my position as PI of a laboratory to provide opportunities to students to pursue tropical biology research. In addition to research, as my career progresses I plan to write about my experiences and knowledge I gained from conducting research in the tropics. Although many North Americans will never experience them, tropical rainforests play an integral role in global carbon storage and climate regulation. As Davis has done in recent decades, I want to shed light on contemporary tropical biology research due to the fact that is relevant yet underrepresented in present-day media.

(still need conclusion)

Katie, you can do away with the reference to One River at the start of your essay. If I remember correctly, you already used that book as part of your personal statement in a previous essay that I helped you edit. Now, whether you are submitting this SOP to the same school or not, the fact remains that the book does not really establish anything solidly related to your Phd, or is it a masters degree you are applying to? Regardless, the purpose of your statement should be to present your present qualifications and future plans in relation to your ultimate career or professional goal.

You have a wealth of relevant professional experience in your essay at the moment. However, not all of the work experience that you have is really as important as you think it is. Consider your participation in all of these activities, decide upon which particular projects you participated in allowed you to perform important or notable tasks that you managed to accomplish quite well. Then choose the 2 most important of these activities and use those experiences in the essay. Always set out to impress the reviewer with your work or internship related experience. You won't make an impression by presenting all of your work experience. He won't be able to remember all of those or pick the most important ones for you. It is up to you to represent yourself in the best light by choosing your most impressive and memorable project participation.

I would make a valuable addition to Oregon State's Botany and Plant Pathology Department because I readily seek opportunities to learn new techniques and topics outside of my immediate field of ecology and tropical biology. In the fall of 2014, I worked in a plant genetics lab with the goal of sharpening my technical skills in genetics. On account of this experience, I realized that interdisciplinary exchanges facilitate the exchange of technology, methods, and experiences, which benefit the advancement of both fields.

I find this paragraph to be the most non-essential part of your statement. You are portraying yourself as an exemplary student who will be an asset to the university but in reality, you are just making yourself sound like any other applicant. Impress the reviewer with notable accomplishments such as having a research paper published in a journal. Your work in the lab did not accomplish anything notable so you come across as merely writing a redundant essay paragraph. I would delete this paragraph if I were you.

As for your conclusion, it should be the paragraph about your future career goals and plans. Basically, you just need to revise and edit the content of this statement to make it work better :-)

Thanks so much for your comments! I'm so glad to be working with you again. Unfortunately, I haven't published anything yet, so I'll have to work with the accomplishments I do have, mainly lots of experience in labs working on other people's large projects and getting a lot done in a little time. Here's my latest revision. Thanks in advance for your comments, Sincerely, Katie

Beginning in my sophomore year at the University of Michigan, I have been engaged in research experiences that have deepened my theoretical knowledge of tropical biology and my technical skills with which to study it. Due to these experiences and my life's passion of being an environmental steward, I plan to pursue a PhD to study the consequences of landscape fragmentation on the gene flow and population genetics parameters of tropical plant communities. I hope to extend my analysis to temperate communities as well, in order to compare the effects of fragmentation when community structure and pollination strategies vary.

In my most recent internship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, I worked with Dr. L to answer the following question that has enthralled tropical biologists for decades: what mechanisms create and maintain the high degree of plant diversity in the tropics? Our project investigated the hypothesis that herbivore preferences may cause density-dependent herbivory pressure on plants with similar chemical defenses. If the chemical defense traits of tropical plant communities were to be overdispersed at one or more of the phylogenetic levels, overdispersion may provide an opportunity for the coexistence of plant species with varying chemical defenses. While this research is still ongoing, the preliminary chemical data suggests that there is overdispersion of chemical defense traits at the species level. When complete, this research will confirm or reject the hypothesis that overdispersion of chemical defense traits creates niche partitioning among tropical plant species. One future direction for this research could be to determine whether defense chemistry is also overdispersed at a spatial level, meaning are neighboring plants less chemically related than by chance?

We sought to test this hypothesis with a dual investigation of the herbivory network (at the plant and insect community level) and chemical defense network (at the plant species level) within Barro Colorado Island's 50-Ha permanent tree plot in Panama. For six months in 2015, I worked full-time in the L laboratory to conduct large-scale PCR barcoding reactions on insects and to identify the insect barcode and plant barcode from the plant material remaining in the stomach or mouthparts at the time of collection. Before the interns arrived for the summer, I helped troubleshoot protocols, order appropriate supplies, and plan a timeline for extractions and PCR reactions. I mentored five of my fellow interns in DNA extraction, PCR, and laboratory sterile technique. At the end of the summer, we had completed all 100 full plate extractions (~10,000 insects DNA extractions). Due to my ability to motivate and plan for success, we had reached our goal in just over 2 months. I plan to use this experience in my future endeavors as a graduate student mentor to undergraduates.

In addition to managerial experience, I gained valuable network analysis skills in R. Using code from R and preliminary data, I was able to construct a web of interactions between herbivores and plant hosts. We will populate a Bayesian model with the data from this food web, data from the chemical networks, and abiotic variables of the plot to determine which parameters are most influential to species composition and structure. I plan to use this experience working with networks to facilitate my future research in mutualistic pollination networks, a subject currently being investigated by Dr. G, Dr. H, and Dr. P.

I wish to pursue a PhD in Botany at Oregon State due to the wide range of resources in genomic science available through the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing and the wealth of research being done in plant genetics. These resources will be key to my future endeavors utilizing next-generation genetic techniques to answer ecological questions involving gene flow of natural plant populations.

In my future career, I plan to lead a tropical biology laboratory to study the anthropogenic effects of climate change and landscape fragmentation on tropical ecosystems. I plan to use my position as PI of a laboratory to provide opportunities to students to pursue tropical biology research. In addition to research, as my career progresses I plan to write about my experiences and knowledge I gained from conducting research in the tropics. Although many North Americans will never experience them, tropical rainforests play an integral role in global carbon storage and climate regulation. I plan to make a lasting impact on the land management of tropical regions by providing information to the policy makers and inhabitants of the tropics. I hope that my path to these goals will involve pursuing a doctorate degree within the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. I believe I would make a valuable addition to the program, as a leader and student, due to my experiences and passions within my chosen field.

Kathryn, judging from how the essay developed, the revised essay is justifying more of the purpose of the essay, it has the much needed information that supports your statement of purpose.

Moreover, the essay has a strong beginning that even got better with the details you added, both academic and professional background, the essay finally closed with a justified purpose that left no room for error.

For future reference, it will help if you add more of you academic goals and streamline the purpose of your essay in the professional side of your application, like answering the question, how does my actions and decisions affect my future, professionally and academically, more so as a person.

I believe you essay responds to the prompt very well and you should be good to go, best of luck!

Hi Katie, you certainly delivered on all the points of improvement that I provided in my previous critique of your essay. However, it still lacks refinement and polishing in terms of its presentation to the reviewer. I opted to do it for you so that you can worry about other things related to your college application already :-) I hope you like what I came up with.

As a sophomore at the University of Michigan, I have been engaged in research experiences that have deepened my theoretical knowledge of tropical biology and my technical skills with which to study it. Due to these experiences and my life's passion of being an environmental steward, I am on track to pursue a PhD to study related to the consequences of landscape fragmentation on the gene flow and population genetics parameters of tropical plant communities. I hope to extend my analysis to temperate communities as well, in order to compare the effects of fragmentation when community structure and pollination strategies vary.

During my recent internship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, I worked with Dr. L to answer the question about what mechanisms create and maintain the high degree of plant diversity in the tropics? Our project investigated the hypothesis that herbivore preferences may cause density-dependent herbivory pressure on plants with similar chemical defenses. If the chemical defense traits of tropical plant communities were to be overdispersed at one or more of the phylogenetic levels, overdispersion may provide an opportunity for the coexistence of plant species with varying chemical defenses. While this research is still ongoing, the preliminary chemical data suggests that there is overdispersion of chemical defense traits at the species level.

When completed, this research will confirm or reject the hypothesis that overdispersion of chemical defense traits creates niche partitioning among tropical plant species. One future direction for this research could be to determine whether defense chemistry is also overdispersed at a spatial level. We sought to test this hypothesis with a dual investigation of the herbivory network (at the plant and insect community level) and chemical defense network (at the plant species level) within Barro Colorado Island's 50-Ha permanent tree plot in Panama.

For six months in 2015, I worked full-time in the L laboratory to conduct large-scale PCR barcoding reactions on insects and to identify the insect barcode and plant barcode from the plant material remaining in the stomach or mouthparts at the time of collection. Before the interns arrived for the summer, I helped troubleshoot protocols, order appropriate supplies, and plan a timeline for extractions and PCR reactions. I mentored five of my fellow interns in DNA extraction, PCR, and laboratory sterile technique. At the end of the summer, we had completed all 100 full plate extractions (~10,000 insects DNA extractions). Due to my ability to motivate and plan for success, we had reached our goal in just over 2 months. I plan to use this experience in my future endeavors as a graduate student mentor to undergraduates.

In addition to managerial experience, I gained valuable network analysis skills in R. Using code from R and preliminary data, I was able to construct a web of interactions between herbivores and plant hosts. We will populate a Bayesian model with the data from this food web, data from the chemical networks, and abiotic variables of the plot to determine which parameters are most influential to species composition and structure. I plan to use this experience working with networks to facilitate my future research in mutualistic pollination networks, a subject currently being investigated by Dr. G, Dr. H, and Dr. P.

I wish to pursue a PhD in Botany at Oregon State due to the wide range of resources in genomic science available through the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing and the wealth of research being done in plant genetics. These resources will be key to my future endeavors utilizing next-generation genetic techniques to answer ecological questions involving gene flow of natural plant populations.

My future plans include the development of a tropical biology laboratory to study the anthropogenic effects of climate change and landscape fragmentation on tropical ecosystems. I plan to use my position as the PI of a laboratory to provide opportunities to students to pursue tropical biology research.

As my career progresses I plan to write about my experiences and knowledge I gained from conducting research in the tropics. Although many North Americans will never experience them, tropical rainforests play an integral role in global carbon storage and climate regulation. I plan to make a lasting impact on the land management of tropical regions by providing information to the policy makers and inhabitants of the tropics. I hope that my path to these goals will involve pursuing a doctorate degree within the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. I believe I would make a valuable addition to the program, as a leader and student, due to my experiences and passions within my chosen field.

I concentrated my efforts on polishing the content, shortening the paragraphs where possible, and fixing the format by dividing the longer paragraphs at the correct points to create 2 topic paragraphs instead. I wish you luck with your application :-)

Thank you so much, @vangiespen, how can I repay you for your help?

Katie