Graduate Studies in Architecture - Statement of Purpose

I am currently in the process of applying to several different graduate schools to study architecture. The basic requirements common to all schools is that the statement of purpose be limited to around 500 words and cover my background, past work, and plans for collegiate and professional work. (Typical of any other statement of purpose, I suppose)

The following is an example (draft) of a statement of purpose directed to the University of California, Los Angeles...

I did not always want to be an architect; at least not exclusively. As a child I had dreams of being many different things: such as a doctor, lawyer, or architect. Career path tests in middle and high school always told me that I was destined to be an architect; despite my attempts to alter the results. I can look back and remember drawing plans at a young age for a dog house to provide shelter for our dog from the unforgiving summer rains and winter snowfalls of Michigan; proving those tests to be right and my passion to be in architecture.

I would love to delve into my educational past, but I feel that the breadth of this statement is better suited in discussing the future. To summarize, I have received a Bachelor's degree in both architecture and engineering in order to broaden my knowledge and practical horizons. With architecture as my passion, and engineering as a support, my goal is to merge both disciplines; preventing the confrontations between architect and engineer that, too often, hinder innovation and the betterment of our environments.

Innovation of design and technology use, as well as the optimization of architecture and urban form through design and engineering is my philosophy that I wish to expand in graduate school. I look forward to overcoming all of the obstacles in my quest to attain a Master's degree of architecture, and to enter the profession and provide innovation, progression, and the betterment of the built environment.

Architecture is experiencing a flux. My excitement and interests lie in the possibilities of the architecture of tomorrow; one that is molded by new facets of design in computers, technology, and multi-disciplinary teams. How will computers, algorithms, and scripting blend with more traditional means of design such as relation to context, the environment, precedence, and sense of place; as well as the technicalities and possibilities found in engineering? That question, and many like it, is what I seek to answer through study and practice. UCLA, with its forward-thinking attitude, interest in cross-disciplinary and progressive education, and relation to the unique urban core of Los Angeles is a fine choice as the source of further intellectual and practical development. Professors such as ----- and ----- have demonstrated the effects and possibilities of computation in design, fabrication, and construction. I intend to develop and work in a symbiotic relationship with the school to dive deeper into the potentials of technology in architecture and urban form; creating new avenues for design while maintaining the old standards of architecture and holism. It is my aspiration to gain knowledge and provide the school with a mind that fears not the questions, but the hesitation to look for answers.

Architecture has always been an art and a science. As such, I will pursue the art and experiment with the science; determining the successes and failures, opportunities and shortcomings of what the future of architecture holds; ultimately achieving a better architecture for all.

I have not always wanted to be an architect; at least not exclusively.

As a child I had dreams of being many different things, such as a doctor, lawyer, or architect.

...preventing the confrontations between architect and engineer that, too often, hinder innovation and the betterment of our environments.---This is a really good point, I know there are often conflicts between the two.

UCLA, with its forward-thinking attitude, interest in cross-disciplinary and progressive education, and relation to the unique urban core of Los Angeles is a fine choice as the source of further intellectual and practical development.---This sentence alone should get you in!

Great essay, very well thought out and written. Good luck in school.

:)

Thanks for the grammatical corrections and encouraging words, Susan. I am hoping for the best :)

Architecture Grad School Statement of Purpose Update

Hello Everyone,

I had posted an earlier version of my statement of purpose in mid-August and I am here now with a new draft that took the older drafts into account, as well as responses from friends and professors. Any and all comments are welcome.

Enjoy!

Architecture has always been a professional ambition that I aspire to. It alone is a passion that resonates within me with desire that extends beyond any ordinary career path, as it does with anybody who truly loves the study and practice of the art.

My primary goal is to practice architecture and design professionally, and to use design, engineering, and technology to develop a better environment in which we live and work.

To fully realize this goal I needed to begin by attaining a Bachelor's degree in architecture, however, I did not pursue an architecture degree alone. Seeing the relationship between architecture and engineering, and knowing that I have the capabilities to master both, I included a degree in civil engineering; focusing on structural and seismic engineering. This was done with the idea in mind that a future building I design will not have to lose any design intent because of engineering issues, thus mitigating the conflicts between architect and engineer that hinder innovation and betterment of design. Receiving a bachelor's degree in both fields completes my pursuit of engineering and allows me to use the knowledge I gained in my undergraduate education to better inform the architecture I produce in future academic projects and professional practice. Moving forward, I wish to continue to follow my primary goal and to further broaden my interests and intellectual background in design.

Using my undergraduate education and the knowledge gained therein as a basis for future education and practice, new questions in architecture and design demand attention and answers. My interests lie in the abilities and potentials of computing in design; using new trends and technologies to allow computers to truly aid design and not just assist documentation, while maintaining the standards of architecture. Expanding the role of computers beyond designing singular buildings and into the realm of urbanism and cities is an analogous interest. Having grown up outside of Detroit, I have seen the devastating effects that dilapidation, sprawl, and failed urban environments can have on society and well-being. Architecture and urbanism are innately related to one another, and at any advanced level, a professional cannot consider one without the other; a better environment can only be achieved through the design and analysis of architecture and urbanism as a whole. With that in mind, how will new technologies and computer applications including generative design, scripting, and algorithms influence architecture and design? How can computer technologies influence urbanism and analyze the performance of the cities at micro and macro scales? These questions are what I seek to explore in graduate study.

UCLA, with its forward-thinking attitude, interest in cross-disciplinary and progressive education, and relation to the unique urban core of Los Angeles is my choice as the source of further intellectual and practical development. The school provides cutting-edge technology, facilities, professors, and resources that I feel are powerful tools for my graduate education, development, and architectural and urban design. I intend to develop and work symbiotically with the school to explore the potentials of technology in architecture and urbanism; creating new avenues while maintaining the traditions of architecture. It is my aspiration to gain knowledge and provide the school with a mind that fears not the questions, but the hesitation to look for the answers.

Architecture, along with engineering, technology, and urbanism from my academic background will inform the architecture of my professional future. The pursuit of innovation and integration of the art and science will not cease; ultimately achieving a better architecture for all.