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'a scrupulous chemistry teacher in a middle school' - sop for PhD in material



huweiswu 1 / -  
Dec 9, 2011   #1
This is my ps, I would like to apply for PhD in material(composites or polymer materials), help me! Thank you!

Statement of Purpose
Deeply influenced by my father, a scrupulous chemistry teacher in a middle school, I have strong curiosity about the essence of matters. I am eager to find out the intrinsic reasons of any intresting phenomenon, even it is common, and enjoy the big satisfaction and benefit from it. My first time to drink beer was in my high school graduate party where I surprisely found my face turned red after just one drink but my friends didn't. Not satisfied with my friends' answer that it was nature, I decided to explain it by myself. After several hours searching on the Internet, I finally understood that it was besause of the deficiency of the enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydogenase(ALDH2), and when I realized that an ALDH2-deficient drinker had six to ten times the risk of developing esophageal cancer as a drinker not deficient in the enzyme, I decided to drink alcohol as little as possible.

When this curiosity applied to study, I often have a deeper understanding of books which helped me achieve better academic performace and remained the top one in my class during my four-year university life. I am fascinate in textile materials rather than textile machinery. After diligent study, I have acquired a solid background in fibrous materials, polymer chemistry, biomaterials and composites. And unlike most of my classmates who are more interested in university activities or reading in the library, I am more willing to stay in the lab and always exciting about sloving problems using what I have learned. In my sophomore year, I began to do some research on increasing reactive dye uptake of silk fabric by cation modification. Although I did only a small part of that research, the sense of achievement drove me to go further.

My junior year was my year of harvest, for I not only accomplished my goal of research, but also learnt the important of team work and communication. I got fund from University Innovation Research and Training Program(a project of Ministry of Education which intend to improve research ability of undergraduate) which meant I could better actualize my research and at the same time I became the leader of a five-member team. My project was to improve biocompatibility of polyester by grafting with protein. Problem arose at the very outset. As there is little functional groups on the surface of polyester, protein can not be grafted on the polyester just like polyacrylonitrile and polyethylene alcohol fibers which had a lot of -CN or -OH. We couldn't get any idea until when I accidently learnt polyester dyeing principle which indicated that polyester as a thermoplastic material could allow small molecules to get inside under high-temperature and pressure. I got inspirtion from it and thought it was possible in the same way to introduce a functional group to polyester. With the help of my research advisor, we designed a new process and finally found a kind of hydroxide which could be encased into polyester and enabled it to graft with protein. While the research went on wheels, another problem occured as some team members were not so active as before. I used to think all team members working together and doing what they liked was the most equal and best way for everyone. But things turned out to be wrong. After communication, I realized that I didn't do my job well as a team leader. I should have made a plan informing my partners the schedule and arranged work for them according to their different abilities and characters. For example, Tian was good at data analysis due to his computer skill while Peng was suitable for synthesizing new reagent as she was prudential and patient. After that, all of us became more effective and we accomplished our project on time.

In May 2009, I attended an international conference on Fibrous Materials held by Ameriacan Fiber Society in Shanghai. When listening to the speeches, a dozen of new words, such as plasma treatment, electrospun nanofibrous, layer-by-layer self assembly and so on, confused me but also raised my interest. I realized that textile materials can be so widely used in medicine, manufacturing and even aerospace and there were so much I need to learn. Coming back from Shanghai, I read more English journals on polymer and composites and finally made up my mind to further my study.

In 2010, I applied for gaduate study of several universities in HongKong and Singapore but all failed. This hit me deeply and made me think twice whether it was the right decision for me to have graduate study. After self-reflection, I believe I am suitable for research as I have a stong interest in polymer materials and love doing experiments. I would like to continue doing research in a university or to be an Engineer as my career to make contribution to my country, therefore I need to further my study. I also thought about reason why I failed and tried to improve my ability. In my one-half year graduate study, on one hand, I turned my mind into an engine of creativity when learning courses of my major, espacially composites, biomaterials and nature macromolecue chemistry. On the other hand, I listen to the open courses of MIT and Yale to adapt myself with English courses and improve my English. And at the same time I got another fund to do researches on high performace aramid fiber. I think now I am capable to pursue my PhD abroad.

I am applying for admission to your university because I believe that your graduate school can offer the kind of academic quality and environment that I need. And I believe the completion of your graduate studies will not only enable me to obtain more knowledge but also put me in a much better position to serve my country.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could give favorable consideration to my application for acceptance and financial aid.

EF_Susan - / 2310  
Dec 13, 2011   #2
I liked the first paragraph because it shows you as a human being with personality, honesty, and a sense of humor! It really does make your essay stand out, as it is not all technical...you come across as someone we all can relate to! Really, I think your essay is fine the way it is.

:)


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