Hi, I am applying for a PhD at US universities in marine ecology programs. Please suggest some improvements on my SOP please.
The diversity of life in oceans is fascinating. I was attracted towards seas and their inhabitants during my undergraduate study at XYZ College, University of XYZ which was located close to the Arabian Sea. Here, at the Department of Zoology, I volunteered in the major research project on the coastal biodiversity which involved spending several hours on a small boat conducting transects and documenting observations. The research drew attention of lawmakers towards a fragile ecosystem threatened by the proposed construction activities. I emerged with a more sophisticated insight on marine species and their conservation, wishing to improve this knowledge with higher studies. This new interest gained impetus in my 3-year course of B.Sc. (Zoology) which propelled me to create a repository of molluscan shells at the department for taxonomic studies. I led the team which collected, identified and preserved shells belonging to more than 100 molluscan species. These initial years spent near sea coasts left an indelible mark on me to pursue a research-based career in marine ecology.
I entered into a 2-year M.Sc. program (Zoology) at XYZ Institute, University of XYZ with a focus on learning new tools to study biodiversity, population dynamics and ecological responses of marine communities towards environmental changes. I conducted a research project which investigated the diversity, abundance and bioactive potential of intertidal organisms at ABC coast. This study threw light on changes in species diversity and abundance under severe anthropogenic pressure on the polluted Mumbai coasts. After masters, I spent two months at XYZ Department, XYZ Institute, gaining experience on sampling macrobenthos from a river estuary using a grab and later analysis of samples at the laboratory.
One who has knowledge has the ability to make a difference. Climate change has changed the world's perception towards marine ecosystems. My interest in studying its impacts on vulnerable species inspired me to apply as a student member for the XYZ Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (2008-09). I was selected for oral presentation on the topic "Study of effects of changing climatic factors on ABC'S physiology" which I defended successfully in front of top experts from the field. I was in Antarctica for 3 months and conducted on-board experiments on ABC. Live ABC was sampled from Prydz Bay, East Antarctica and experiments were conducted to measure their metabolic rates at different temperature ranges. This fantastic experience exposed me to the working conditions on a ship during rough weather which I handled well. It also gave me a rare opportunity to assist the scientists from ABC Institute of XYZ who were studying the abundance and distribution of birds and mammals of the XYZ sector of Antarctica. I helped them in conducting aerial transects and photo-documentation for Penguins and Seals. This expedition helped a lot in consolidating my understanding of the ecological aspects of marine life and the factors influencing their distribution and abundance.
My desire to pursue studies in ecology and learn more about the field techniques fuelled me to join ABC Institute of XYZ, one of the premier wildlife research organisations in XYZ. As a result of working in the projects "AAA" and "BBB", I became familiar with the techniques used for population estimation of terrestrial mammals. I worked in diverse forest landscapes of India (Himalayan foothills, Central India, Riverine grasslands, Mangroves) including some of the most inhospitable conditions like mangrove forests of Sundarbans doing camera-trapping and line/boat transects. I also gained experience in radio-tracking of a collared tiger at Sundarbans. I learnt to use important ecology software like DISTANCE, MARK, DENSITY, PRESENCE and ArcGIS for population density estimation and satellite mapping of wild habitats. The two years spent at ABC Institute of XYZ also taught me the invaluable skills to manage, lead and collaborate effectively with people. I was part of the team at KKK National Park for tiger monitoring work which involved co-ordinating with major wildlife NGOs of India. It also developed in me the ability to analyse problems from an ecological perspective keeping in mind the logistical constraints and limitations of working in remote areas.
Long-term changes in climatic variables have devastating effects on species composition in a community having an immediate effect on local populations. I would like to enhance the knowledge on interactions within a population between a species and its competitors, mutualists, predators and prey. Another aspect of climate change, I wish to focus on is the effect of changes in species distribution on food web structure. It will be valuable to know the spatial variations in species ranges and predicting its consequences on fisheries and abundance. I am particularly interested in large marine predators and predicting their responses towards changes such as habitat alteration and climate change. I would like to further work on developing spatially explicit models that can predict biodiversity patterns across spatial and temporal scales.
I think my academic background and research experience in ecology has provided me with valuable insights to the technical aspects needed to work in this field. I am confident that I will be an active, open minded and useful member and researcher, willing to contribute to the overall research goals of a project. A motivating work environment, problem-solving research and high quality output are the principal factors which I am looking forward for my PhD. I am waiting for your kind and positive response. Thank you for your time and consideration. I'll be more than happy to provide any further information or documents if required.
I was attracted towards seas and their inhabitants during my undergraduate study at XYZ College, University of XYZ which was located close to the Arabian Sea.
After my masters, I spent two months at XYZ Department, XYZ Institute, gaining experience on sampling macrobenthos from a river estuary using a grab and later analysis of samples at the laboratory.
I was selected to give an oral presentation on the topic "Study of effects of changing climatic factors on ABC'S physiology" which I...
My desire to pursue studies in ecology and to learn more about the field techniques fueled me to join ABC Institute of XYZ,...
I would like to enhance the knowledge of interactions within a population between a species and its competitors, mutualists, predators and prey.
Another aspect of climate change, ---No comma here.--- I wish to focus on is the effect of changes in species distribution on food web structure.
I think my academic background and research experience in ecology have provided me with valuable insights into the technical aspects needed to work in this field.
Sounds like they'll be lucky to have you as a student! Good luck in school and have fun!
:)
