M.Sc. Food Science admission essay
As a child, I was always fascinated by the variety of foods and beverages that I saw. I was always zealous about learning the behind-the-scene processes and brainstorming involved in producing the food items available on the shelf of every store. The different television shows, and the teachings regarding the chemistry and biology involved that can affect food, fueled my interest in this field. In school, there wasn't much of a focus on this field, except for learning some basics about the various nutrients present in food and the flora and fauna that may have some effect on it.
I got to pursue my graduation in food technology from Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, which is one of the premier institutes in India for food science and technology. Over the four years, I learned about food science and processing technology. In the first year, we learned about the basics of food science, the various chemical and microbial analysis performed on food samples, the post-harvest processes performed on crops, and the parameters involved. Fundamental topics, like fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, were also covered along with the abovementioned ones. During the second and third years, I learned about the processes involved in processing cereal-based, vegetables & fruits-based, and milk & poultry animal-based food products. I also learned about the equipment present in a big processing plant, learning about the basics, functions, and design parameters. Couple this with the hands-on experience that we got at the Experiential Learning Unit, which mimics a large-scale processing plant on a far smaller scale, and the labs helped me learn a lot in a far smaller period than I expected. The final year involved us all preparing reports regarding the things we learned, along with researching a topic assigned to us by the college. I researched the topic "Standardization of roasting procedure for green peas" along with three other members. The roasted samples obtained were assessed for changes in nutritional values and differences in sensory attributes. All students also received hands-on training experience in major food industries as a part of the in-plant training program.
It is promising that I will get the first division in my college. I also have actively participated in various cultural and science fests at my university. I have been a member of the organizing committee for ADROIT, a national science fest that we organize yearly on World Food Day, which falls on October 16th. During my four years, I also volunteered for National Service Scheme, providing for the poor and spreading awareness regarding yoga, reduction in alcohol consumption, afforestation, cleanliness, sanitation, etc. I am an avid music enthusiast, and I was a member of my school's marching band for five years, performing in front of leaders of national importance.
Having gained quite a bit of knowledge from my bachelor's, I felt the need to go a bit more specific with what I wanted to learn and research. I feel that I have a lot to learn before I set foot in the food processing sector. And the University of Guelph offers the best choice for me to gain valuable knowledge in this field. The opportunity to learn and gain more knowledge about food science, getting the opportunity to do research in the field of food science, specifically food chemistry, which is of my utmost interest. I am also impressed by the facilities the faculty provides. Plus, the research work done by the professors and current and former students in the field of food science has caught my attention. The history of the university is unmatched, and the friendly environment that the people of the country in general offer will help me achieve my goal of becoming a food scientist and contributing to the consumer's well-being.
Therefore, I believe my strong background in food science, coupled with my zeal to learn new things and my positive attitude toward life make me an ideal candidate. This, along with the vast knowledge I gained across the four years of my Bachelor's makes me feel that I am ready to undertake a new step in my quest to gain further knowledge in this field and, I feel that your university offers me the best possible chance to learn new things and understand concepts I learned in a better way so that I can apply the learning in a better way and serve my purpose well.
