STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
"If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us". This is one of my favorite precepts and at this point of life when I have completed my graduation and my future stands in front of me like a dream, this adage has now influenced me more than ever before.
The key to develop innovative concepts in any field is to look beyond the apparent and never take things for granted. I am reminded of RW Emerson's proverbial lines,"...Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave trail."
Since my early years of education, I have always been a keen and curious observer of the happenings around me. My passion for manufacturing began at an early age when I visited a Steel plant in Jamshedpur with my parents. I can still remember my surprise when my childish belief that steel was dug out readymade from the ground was shaken to reality after seeing how manufacturing process started from the digging of iron followed by a long, seemingly endless chain of processes and finally ending with the testing of steel for its various required properties. What impressed me the most was how the sequence of processes was decided and how it worked out so infallibly fine. Physics, chemistry and mathematics were my natural inclination for high school in which I successfully obtained a rank within 50 out of more than 200,000 students. Enthused by my performance and a strong determination to enter the practical world, I took a nationwide test for entrance in the field of engineering. As a reaffirmation of my caliber I got a rank in the 0.1 percentile in BITS (Birla Institute of Technology) exam and opted for mechanical engineering at Birla BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, one of India's premiere engineering colleges.
Right from a young age I have drawn inspiration from my mother. I have seen her working sleeplessly for entire nights reading journals, surfing on net, making notes for her profession and when I used to ask her why she puts in so much effort, she used to reply that she was not doing this out of compulsion; rather, it was something that she enjoyed doing. Her reply used to confound me then, but now through my undergraduate study I have understood how much fun it could be in working hard on something that one is truly passionate about. I feel I would be really lucky if I can get to build a career in something that I enjoy doing. So, after completing my graduate studies I would like to further do some research in the same field because I know the possibilities that this field presents are endless so long as we are committed fully.
During my academic years in one of the best technical environments and an educative culture of BITS, I have had a deep exposure and insight into the field of Mechanical Engineering, which has all the ingredients of scientific research that stimulate and challenge human intellect. My education instilled in me the confidence of a sound preparation and a readiness to face the rigors of graduate study and research. I have devoted significant effort in strengthening my basic concepts in all the subject courses that I attended as part of my undergraduate curriculum.
While doing my undergraduate project at Tata Motors, Pune on die designs for various automobile projects like Safari 18, Winger, Crossover and Micro Bus I realized the significance of various industrial aspects such as - 5S audits, lean manufacturing, supply chain management, shift scheduling, new investments. It didn't take me long to notice that 'production, planning and control' was the one department that linked every other department. One of the objectives of this department was to solve problems even before they surfaced and make things work out efficiently and effectively. Soon, I found myself pervasively obsessed with the study of queue systems, transportation logistics and inventory analysis. For my last semester at college, beginning Jan 2010, I have already registered myself for electives - Production Planning and Control (PPC) and Quality control. Currently, I am also undergoing a project titled "Optimizing the Supply Chain" which deals with study of the optimization techniques and putting forth models that can be effectively used for strategic planning. It includes solving Linear and Mixed Integer Programming Models for the actual industrial data and coming up with recommendations. . I saw the ubiquity of Industrial engineering which instilled in me a strong motivation to pursue a higher study in industrial engineering.
My decision to pursue graduate studies at the Columbia University is not an impulsive one. It is based on the information I have gathered from my professors and current students in the university. The IEOR @ Columbia website has been a great tool for finding detailed information about the programs and activities of the department. It was then while undergoing the research of so and so professor on this that I knew I would give anything for being a part of it. I know my grades aren't top notch but I also know that pedagogues like you are known to value passion and I believe I have nothing lacking in that department. I believe that the environs of Columbia will not only help me achieve my goals but also provide an opportunity to develop a multifaceted personality, to help me fathom all avenues of my talent, such that I am able to contribute my share to this society in full.
I wish to be considered for some kind of financial assistance from your university based upon my credentials so as to sustain my academic and living expenses and focus better in my field of interest.
INDROOP SINGH
I have the following doubts
I have more projects but in Mechanical Engg should I mention those?
My GRE quant score is 800,should i mention it in an indirect way because maths a major prereq for INDUSTRIAL ENGG?
Any other points that would make it better
Sorry posted this earlier in ug section so moving it here
