Department/Program Specific Statement of Purpose Guidelines

The following departments have specific guidelines for the Statement of Purpose. If the department is not listed refer only to the General Guidelines.

Anthropology

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1900 max. word limit which address 3 concerns:

What are your principle research interests and ultimate professional goals?
What relevant preparation have you undertaken for graduate study in anthropology (i.e. course work, field school, internship, etc.)?
How can the Anthropology program at UCSD help you realize your interests and goals?

Art History

Online Statement of Purpose, only
750-1000 word limit, not to exceed 3 pages

Bioengineering

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Biological Sciences

Online Statement of Purpose, only

Biomedical Sciences

Online Statement of Purpose
1000 word limit; include responses to the following as part of your statement:

Summarize the long term goals of research in which you participated.
Describe one research problem, project or area for graduate study that excites you. Have you thought about what you want to accomplish in graduate school and how is UCSD a good match for these goals?

Chemical Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Online Statement of Purpose, only
1500 word limit

Clinical Research

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Cognitive Science

Online Statement of Purpose accepted
2500 word limit. Your statement should include the following:

Describe one research problem, project, or area for graduate study that excites you.
How has your background prepared you to pursue such a research problem?

Communication

Online Statement of Purpose accepted
No word limit; typically under 4 pages

Computer Science and Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose, only
Please make the statement concise and to the point, addressing the applicant's past accomplishments within the realm of computer science and engineering, giving reasons why the applicant feels that he or she is especially qualified for the program, and goals that the applicant wishes to pursue.

Economics

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Education Studies

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Ethnic Studies

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Writing Sample Also Required

Provide at least one writing sample (e.g., term papers) of no more than 30 pages. Applicants may submit a paper copy to the department address or send e-mail attachment (.pdf or Word files only) to taitchis@ucsd.edu.

Health Law

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

History

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

International Relations and Pacific Studies

Online Statement of Purpose, only
No word limit, applicants are encouraged to limit to 2-3 pages. Statement should include:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in international affairs.
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives.
How the IR/PS program will help you achieve these objectives.

Second Essay Also Required (online only):

Consider your three most significant strengths or three most significant weaknesses and describe the impact graduating from IR/PS will have on those characteristics. (Please do not mix strengths and weaknesses.)

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Applied Mechanics

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Audiology

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Biology

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Chemistry

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Clinical Psychology

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Language and Communicative Disorders

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Mathematics and Science Education

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Public Health - Epidemiology

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Public Health - Global Health

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Public Health - Health Behavior Studies

For the UCSD application no Statement of Purpose is required.

Latin American Studies

Online Statement of Purpose
800 word limit; your statement should include the following:

Your research interests (if you are interested in a concentration you should also include a short statement explaining your intellectual and career interests in the field).
Relevant preparation for graduate study in Latin American Studies (coursework, research experiences, or field work)
Career goals after obtaining your M.A.
Which aspects of the UCSD Latin American Studies program make us a good match for your main interests and professional goals?

Leadership of Health Care Organizations

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Linguistics

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1200 word limit, encourage limiting to (the equivalent) of one to two printed pages.
Essay should include:

Your main theoretical interest(s) in linguistics (perhaps a subfield that engages you, or a specific linguistic topic).
Relevant preparation for graduate study in linguistics, including coursework, research experiences, or field work.
Any interests in specific languages or language groups.
Most importantly, which aspects of the UCSD Linguistics department make us a good match for your main interests and professional goals.

Literature

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Literature - Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, M.A.S.

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1500 word limit

Materials Science and Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
Limit to one page. Include additional information on the following as part of your statement:

Areas of interest: Materials Synthesis and Processing, Materials Structural Characterization, Materials Property Characterization, Materials Functionality or specify other interest.
Classes of materials of interest: Structural, Electronic, Magnetic, Optical, Multi-Functional, Smart or Composites.
Who are you interested in working with?

Mathematics

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Music

Online or paper Statement of Purpose accepted
No word limit, encourage applicants to limit to 2-3 pages

Neurosciences

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Philosophy

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Physics

Online Statement of Purpose, only
Limit to one page (approximately 650 words)

Political Science

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1500 word limit

Psychology

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1500 word limit. Discuss your interests, ambitions, and experiences in psychology. What type of research would you do at UCSD? What faculty members might assist you?

Rady School of Management -- Ph.D.

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit. Statement of Purpose should include the following:

State in what areas of research you are interested and with which faculty you would like to work and why.
Discuss why you are interested in these areas and how your experiences (academic or otherwise) are relevant to your continuing academic studies. Include any research experience or publications you have.
Discuss your career goals after obtaining your Ph.D.

Rady School of Management -- M.B.A.

On-line MBA application includes 3 required essay questions; the first two have a 500 word maximum each; the third has a 250 word maximum. Two optional essays are available.

Science Studies Program

See requirements of Home Department (Communication, History, Philosophy, or Sociology)

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
1 to 2 pages typed, single spaced 10 point font (2500 word limit)

Sociology

Online Statement of Purpose, only
2500 word limit

Structural Engineering

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Theatre and Dance

Online Statement of Purpose preferred
2500 word limit

Visual Arts

Online Statement of Purpose, only
750-1000 word limit, not to exceed 3 pages