Graduate / Statement of Purpose for a Post-Bac Applicant [3]

Here is my statement of purpose for the admission into the University of Washington's Aquatics and Fisheries Science department. I already have a bachelor's degree so I will be entering as a post-bac student to an undergrad program, so they are not expecting me to have the experience of someone applying to a grad program, but I thought the graduate category would be best for posting this. Here are the SOP requirements:

Here is my SOP...

Everyday, the marine community is experiencing an increase in disturbance types that shape and organize ecosystems. As the repercussions of human impact on the natural world continue to grow, it is becoming increasingly important for us to be able to understand how we can minimize such disturbance. As an aspiring marine ecologist, I would like to be able to understand how the natural system responds to these disturbance types, in hopes to not only be able to share my ideas, concerns, and goals; but also implement my resources to decrease the negative effects of society, and allow for sustainable ecosystems to thrive.

I have spent the last two years doing independent study on basic marine ecology and conservation issues to pursue the fascination I have for marine life, and the ambition I have to conserve it. My thoughts are best said in the words of the famous marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson, "The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction." In January 2011, I decided it was time for me to step up and do something about it, so I packed up my car and moved to Seattle to pursue an education at the University of Washington. The Aquatics and Fisheries Sciences program is a distinguished program. As someone interested in the conservation and ecology of marine wildlife, as soon as I discovered the program I realized this was exactly where I needed to be.

When I was initially pursuing an undergraduate degree in 2004 at Minnesota State University Moorhead, my parent's insistence to study something practical with a high job outlook, along with their imposed religious beliefs, steered me away from studying science. Instead of following my true passion, I chose to study Advertising and Photojournalism. Even though my previous education is not what I truly wanted, it has provided me with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. These are two skills that I believe will allow me to excel in my future research and academic relationships, and are often underrated by students pursuing a career in science.

In July 2011 I started volunteering as a surveyor for COASST, a project that works out of the U of W with efforts to monitor seabird mortality based on natural and human impact. Through my initial training with COASST and the time I've spent surveying local beaches, I have witnessed firsthand how every organism is somehow influenced by every part of its environment. The work I have completed with COASST has inspired me to explore additional learning opportunities within the AAFS department, so I attended a recent seminar on the Impacts of Climate Change on Pack-Ice Associated Arctic Marine Mammals by assistant professor Kristen Laidre, PhD. I was able to see first-hand some of the devastating effects caused by climate change. Not only is marine life directly affected, but it also has a major impact on society as a whole. The research Dr. Laidre has been performing on the effects of climate change is very similar to the work I aspire to do, so I contacted her to find out the route she took to establish her current career. She emphasized getting involved in research opportunities as soon as possible after enrolling as an undergraduate student; I believe the U of W is the only institute that would allow me to get the research experience I will need to prepare for later admission to a graduate program, as well as for my future career in general. The students in the AAFS department speak strongly of the many research opportunities available, such as the mentorship program with the American Fisheries Society, which allows undergrads to be mentored directly by graduate students with similar research interests.

After speaking with the Student Services Coordinator in the Aquatics and Fisheries Sciences department, I was able to get a good idea of what my course load would look like if enrolled at the U of W fall 2012. I estimate spending two full academic years enrolled in the Aquatics and Fisheries Science program at the U of W, including summer enrollment in order to participate in the field research course, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Birds and Mammals, at the Friday Harbor Laboratory. Some of the specific courses I look forward to enrolling in at the U of W include FISH 323, FISH 330, and ATM 211. With my current transfer credits, my general education requirements are completed; and in order to be better prepared to start a full course load in the AAFS department, I have spoken with an advisor at South Seattle Community College and plan to enroll in CHEM 139 & 122, and MATH 141 & 142 in spring and summer 2012.

I am fully aware of the highly regarded reputation of your school, as it is often referred to as a top tier research school and I am confident I have the qualities necessary to be an excellent student. I have spent my adulthood developing who I am as a person and striving to maintain that in spite of the influence of others. I have come to the realization that one cannot be truly happy until they are able to let go of other's expectations and follow their own heart. I sincerely believe that every person is capable of doing anything he/she sets her mind to, but it requires intense passion, determination, communication, and hard work. I feel that I have prepared myself to the fullest extent to enroll as a fulltime student in fall 2012 and hope you consider me as a solid candidate for enrollment.