Samples of Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Here you can get samples of different Samples of Statement of Purpose (SOP)
SOP Template 1
I have always cherished a career in research and training in Computer Science. I feel that graduate studies at a good university like yours in pursuit of a PhD would be a step in that direction. I am confident that I will be extremely successful both as a graduate student and later as a researcher and teacher.
Ever since I was in school, I was interested in Mathematics. My success at the Regional Maths Olympiad and The National Talent Search examinations boosted this interest. I was also introduced to programming in school and was fascinated by computers. With these interests, Computer Science was the ideal choice as my undergraduate major.
The Computer Science and Engineering department at IIT Bombay has a good faculty and a wonderful course structure. It is undoubtedly one of the best in the country. The undergraduate curriculum here exposed me to all the basic areas in Computer Science and I have consistently performed well in all the core courses. I have always adopted a rigorous approach to learning and have tried to grasp the fundamentals of all the subjects. This is amply reflected in my GPA of 9.09 on 10(3.80 on 4) in a highly competitive class and in my position in the top 5% of my batch in the institute.
Over the past one and a half years, I have developed an interest in the field of Programming Languages and Systems, especially compilers. I have performed well in basic systems courses like Language Processors, Programming Languages, Database management systems, and Operating systems (please refer to the resume). I have also chosen as one of my electives for Spring the course titled Foundations of parallel computation.
I am currently working on my B. Tech thesis – which is in the field of compilers – under the guidance of Prof. D.M. Dhamdhere. I am involved in the development of GENSAT – a generator for static analysis and transformation programs. We have already incorporated into GENSAT a framework to implement intraprocedural data flow analysis using bit vectors for the representation of data flow properties. I am extending this framework by providing for the usage of sets instead of bit-vectors. This will make GENSAT a generic tool for solving monotone dataflow problems. I am also studying various techniques for interprocedural data flow analysis. My aim here is to abstract a framework in which these techniques can be implemented. In this process I will be modifying existing algorithms and possibly finding a new one.
My interests are well supported by my strong theoretical background. In my junior year, I presented a home paper on the “Theoretical Consequences of the Ellipsoid Method”. I have audited (taken as non-credit) a Post Graduate course on algorithms titled “Current Topics in Theory and Algorithms” and I have currently taken another elective on the Design and analysis of algorithms. I have also done a course on Geometric Algorithms which gave me good exposure to Randomization in algorithms. I am confident that these and the other courses I have done will stand in good stead in any future research I undertake.
I have always loved solving problems. The pleasure obtained from being absorbed in problems over extended periods of time and finally arriving at solutions is immeasurable. Many times I have
arrived at solutions that were very different from those of others. This unique bent of mind coupled with a desire to be at the forefront of a budding field drive me to pursue research. I believe myself to be mature, committed
I have good reason to believe that I will be successful as a teacher. I have received an enthusiastic response from my students when I was a course assistant in an undergraduate course titled “Computer Programming and Utilization”. I have also been a lecturer and tutor in two UNIX workshops conducted by our department at the institute level. Further, I believe that teaching a subject gives us greater insight into it.
I have chosen to pursue graduate studies at New York University because the facilities there seem to foster a healthy research environment as I could gather from the brochure of your department.
I believe that I possess the motivation, the intellectual ability, and the preparation to set out on this exhilarating and arduous path, to do justice to a demanding graduate program, and to make significant contributions to the ongoing work at Kansas State University.
SOP Template 2
My objective in graduate studies is to prepare myself for my long-term goal of a career in research and teaching in Computer Science. The first step in that direction is the pursuit of a Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to be a scientist. Hence I joined IIT Bombay, where I chose Computer Science as my undergraduate major. The undergraduate program in Computer Science and Engg. in IIT Bombay is unarguably one of the best in India and the core courses in the undergrad curriculum have helped me get a sound grasp of the fundamentals of almost all aspects of Computer Science, which is reflected by my position in the top five in a class of 33. At IIT, I also discovered the intellectual satisfaction of solving difficult problems on my own. In the summer vacation after the first year, I worked for some time with a research scholar in the Department of Computer Science and Engg. This work led to a research paper, “Heuristics for Distributed Knowledge-Based Systems”, which was published in 1994. Because of this and my success in the undergraduate courses, I feel that a career in research is suited both to my aptitude and temperament.
My idea of research in graduate studies is a proper balance of theory and practice. i.e. to get theoretical results and to see, as far as possible, the immediate impact of the same through their implementation. I am aware of the tough and arduous nature of this task and willing to take on this challenge. I believe that I have the requisite intellectual ability, motivation and the willingness to sacrifice leisure for work in order to fulfill my objective of scientific research and the attainment of intellectual satisfaction therefrom. Thus I believe that I will be able to make a meaningful contribution to the research work at Rice University.
The exacting nature of the undergraduate labs in IIT Bombay has already given me a comprehensive knowledge of systems and systems programming. But I feel that strong background, in theory, is essential for a successful career in research in an academic environment. So in order to augment the knowledge of theory that I got from the core courses, I am trying to learn as much of theory as possible in my undergraduate program. I took two courses on {\em Algorithms} and one on {\em Formal Specification and Verification of Programs} for my department electives in the seventh semester and I will be taking a course in {\em Combinatorics} next semester. My credit seminar topic viz. {\bf Randomized Algorithms} under the guidance of Prof. Sundar Vishwanathan, was also in theory. Looking at the beautiful results in algorithms, I am sure that I would be exhilarated to get some new exciting results on my own. But implementing the results and proving their practicality would give me greater satisfaction. My one-year B. Tech project, under the guidance of Prof. D. M. Dhamdhere, involves the design and implementation of an {\bf Optimizer Generator System}. In this, I have to come up with my own idea for implementing inter-procedural may-aliasing.
Currently, my research interests are in Parallelizing and Optimizing compilers and I have worked in both. I am also interested in Algorithms. I am eager to explore some of these in greater depth and make my own contribution, howsoever small, to those fields.
During my preparation for my B. Tech project, I read numerous research papers from Rice University. Thus my choice of Rice University for graduate studies is based on a careful examination of the information regarding the faculty members and the research currently going on in your school.
I look forward to joining your department as a graduate student. I am confident that graduate studies in Rice University will prove to be a rewarding task and I shall be able to fulfill my career objectives.
Name
SOP Template 3
My undergraduate studies in the department of computer Science and Engg at IIT Bombay have exposed me to a stimulating academic environment where learning and research go together. The possibilities of research in this field fascinate me.
I have excelled in academics at every step of my education. Throughout twelve years of schooling, I have always been ranked among the top of my class. I was introduced to Computer Science in junior college. I was awarded the Merit Certificate for my performance in the All India Senior School Certificate Examination -100% in Computer Science, 99\% in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. I was also placed seventh in the state-wide Physics Talent Test of the Physics Society, Madras. In the highly competitive entrance examination to the IITs I was ranked 134th among over 100,000 students.
Working under an expert whose work can serve as a model will set me on the path to contributing significantly to the ongoing research at UCLA. The research interests of the other faculty members cover a large number of topics in Computer Science and this will enable me to keep in touch with the latest developments in these fields. The excellent facilities offered by your department will provide an environment conducive to successful graduate work. In turn, I shall get intellectual satisfaction and the gratification of becoming a contributor to knowledge through research and the greater personal rewards of learning and discovery. I have performed reasonably well in my undergraduate courses at IIT, but since IIT admits only the best students throughout the country, I believe, in view of the competitive atmosphere, that the grades secured should not be considered in an absolute sense.
SOP Template 4
My undergraduate studies in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay has exposed me to a stimulating academic environment where learning and research go hand-in-hand. Through the many opportunities I have had here, I have found that I have a deep interest in research work and a strong aptitude for the type of problem-solving and problem discovery that it involves. I have therefore decided to pursue active research in Computer Science as a career.
After carefully considering my aptitude, interests, the nature of my training and my ultimate professional ambition, I have decided to pursue Ph.D. in electrical engineering specializing in the fields of my interest namely-Communications, Signal Processing and Information Theory and Coding, ultimately leading to a career in teaching and research. As a statement of purpose of my graduate study, I describe here my academic background, my research interests and my career goals.
From the residential system of IIT Bombay, I have been able to have a glimpse of the academic life and the sacrifices it involves. I feel that it is this kind of life that I am best suited for. I feel that I have enough motivation to see me through the challenges of the arduous but exhilarating career in research.
My decision to apply to Indiana University is based on a careful examination of the department brochure, world wide web information, and talking to my guide Dr. S. Ramesh. Indiana has a strong faculty in Programming Language Design. Entering the Ph. D. program here will be ideal for me.
My training at I.I.T., Bombay has not only equipped me with a strong technical base but has also instilled in me a deep interest in research. Studying in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at I.I.T., Bombay has demanded long hours of continuous work, self-motivated efforts, and a considerable amount of group activity. It has given me several opportunities to participate in various departmental activities, albeit in a small way. Learning by myself and sharing my knowledge with others has always been of prime importance to me. I have limited teaching experience from tutoring an elementary course on FORTRAN-77 for students of first-year B.Tech. program. I enjoyed the experience and would like to teach in the future too.
I look upon graduate study as an avenue to refine my skills and give a direction to my research career. It would be my first chance to make a fundamental contribution to the field in which I undertake research.
SOP Template 5
An objective analysis of my background, interests, strengths and weaknesses leads me to believe that I will be successful both as a Ph.D. candidate and later as a researcher in an academic milieu.
There are a few things whose value I realized during my undergraduate studies and now I strongly believe in them. These are hard work necessary to produce results, discipline necessity to finish task before deadlines and persistence necessity to sail through unproductive periods. My attempt throughout has been to inculcate these qualities in myself in which, I believe, I have been fairly successful.
A major weakness of mine has been my speed. I always try to attack a problem in depth which invariably requires some amount of time. As a result, I have not been able to perform very well in “three hour” exams. This weakness has been reflected in my grades. However, given sufficient time I have always been able to show good results, reflected by the good grades (AA or AB) in lab courses involving projects.
During the course of my education at IIT, I have realized and felt convinced that my true liking and aptitude lies in research and teaching. Research and teaching go hand in hand. Teaching gives one a sense of constructive participation in the education process. Research enables a person to stay in touch with the latest advances while making one’s own contributions to the field.
Over the past two years at IIT, I have cultivated a keen interest in the field of {\bf Asynchronous Circuits, Formal Design Methods in VLSI}. I have furthered my knowledge in this field by reading various relatedarticles and am actively involved in research in this area. I have also opted for a graduate level course {\bf IC Design Technology} in Spring 2020. I am currently working on {\bf Asynchronous Communication between Synchronous Finite State Machines} for my B.Tech. thesis under the guidance of {\bf Prof. S. Ramesh}. I am working towards implementing communication primitives such as {\bf rendezvous, probe} etc. at gate level in VLSI circuits. I am investigating different interconnect design methodologies which can be implemented as {\bf delay-insensitive asynchronous circuits}. In the first stage of this work, we have proposed a {\bf new protocol} to implement {\bf asynchronous rendezvous communication} and a method to implement this protocol using asynchronous circuits. I firmly believe that this project is a sufficient demonstration of my ability to conduct original and independent
research.
I believe that a symbiotic relationship between the student and his department is of utmost importance for a successful graduate program. Considering the pioneering work going on at your department in the field of my interest, your department is an ideal choice for an exciting research career. At the same time, I am confident of contributing originally to the ongoing work at your department. By working under the guidance of distinguished faculty at your department, I am sure, I will be able to exploit my potential to the fullest.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that I possess the required background and the ability to make a significant contribution to Computer Science and to Cornell. This is testified by my excellent academic record from school through my undergraduate years. I hope you will take a favorable decision regarding my admission to the Ph.D. program and look forward to joining the Department.