Please help me. I'm having a hard time with this one page statment of purpose. The schools I'm applying to also require a Personal Statement, in which we are instructed to list specific accomplishments, so I wrote the purpose statment in a more general tone. Please help!
Statement of Purpose:
The fear and thrill of an architectural student review is unmatched by any other evaluation or assignment. After hours upon hours of tedious revisions and several sleepless nights, you are never "done," you are simply "out of time." The only thing that maintains confidence is the strength in conviction of design ideas and processes.
My experiences at the University of Minnesota offered me a chance to learn about the principles of architecture, develop representation skills, and gain perspective to think like a designer. Both during school and upon graduation, I have held many intern positions in the fields of lighting design, interior design, graphic design, design/build, as well as architecture. From this diverse work palette, I have a more holistic view of how architecture comes to be, causing me to appreciate all players involved. This has reaffirmed my goals as an architect, both with enhancement of skill and knowledge, as well as admiration for the profession.
The beauty of architecture is that while it stands still, it has the potential to move. Not all creations are successful, certainly, but I believe that the pursuit of that ideal is worth the demanding professional journey. At this point in my career, I still cannot answer the question "What?" when it comes to my design ambition. But I can always answer "Why?" and "How?" My specific goals and the means to the end remain to be seen, but I know why I pursue this profession. I seek innovation and appreciation, the opportunity to make architecture move people. I am driven by what I do not know, but am confident that I can know. I have a passion for design, and a thirst for learning, and matched with my overall ambition, I am confident in the quality of my contribution to my own education.
My purpose circles back to that same fear and thrill of a review. To stand next to your work and defend your design process at the risk of bad reception by the jurors, while terrifying, is a proud moment. I have been hooked on that feeling since my first review. It opened my eyes to my passion and inspired me to push forward, even after the deadline has passed.
The world of design is exhilarating, especially in an ever-changing global society. The horizon calls for solutions in building design responding to the environment, politics, technology, and changing social standards. Architecture is not just the study of structure, but more importantly, the study of people. I want to continue to add to my education and professional experience to respond to these modern challenges.
While proud of my accomplishments to date, I am not satisfied with my current level of understanding and experience. My successes have only caused me to realize that I want to know more, and that I am not finished, nor out of time. With a Master of Architecture from ___________, I look forward to adding to my experience, technical knowledge, and gaining a deeper comprehension of architecture as a practice. I know my skills will thrive in an academic environment of __________'s caliber, where excellence is the standard and innovative thinking is encouraged.
Good afternoon.
A statement of purpose is generally designed to give you the opportunity to tell the admissions officers why you want to attend their institution. It is to tell them what you will do while you are there, what you plan to study, and what you plan to do with your education when you are done at the university.
While your essay is interesting, it really does not fulfill those general requirements. It seems a bit more personal (should be included in your personal statement(s)) than a SOP should be. Spend some time talking about your "purpose"; what you intend to do at school and after, and you will have a successful SOP.
Regards,
Gloria
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