General Statement of Purpose Guidelines

Department/Program Specific Statement of Purpose Guidelines

Formatting

The online Statement of Purpose accepts limited formatting options. Regardless of the font size and style you have chosen in your word processing program, it will default to a standard font once pasted into the online text box. Bold and Italic text will not carry over. Tabs and indentations will not carry over, so please insert a blank line between paragraphs. Bulleted and numbered lists will carry over.

The online Statement of Purpose is limited to approximately 2000 to 2500 words (13,200 characters). Some departments have set specific limits to the Statement, while others allow longer Statements to be submitted on paper. You must check with your department for specific Statement of Purpose requirements and guidelines (some Department/Program Specific Requirements are listed below).

Content

Focus your statement of purpose on the reasons you are interested in attending a specific graduate program at UCSD. Check the Department/Program Specific Requirements for the Statement of Purpose. The statement should be well organized, concise, and completely free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Before submitting the statement, seek constructive comments and criticism from friends and advisors.

Five primary topics to cover in your statement of purpose:

1. How did you become interested in this field? Establish that you have had a long-term interest in the field and that you have taken positive steps in pursuing your interest. Give the committee members a sense of your particular talents and abilities and their relevance to your academic interests.

2. What experiences have contributed toward your preparation for further study in this field? Demonstrate your interest by providing examples of research experiences, internships, work experience, community service, publications, or life experiences. Briefly describe what you did in each experience. Also, make sure to articulate what you have learned about the field and how those lessons stimulated you to pursue an advanced degree.

3. What are your future goals? Specifically state your degree objective (Master's or Ph.D.) and specify what subdisciplines you are interested in pursuing. For example, if you are applying in political science, the committee needs to know whether you are pursuing American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory. Let the reader know that you are planning a future career as a university professor, researcher, or consultant, or in public service or private practice (or whatever your goal happens to be).

4. What are your research interests? Within your subdiscipline, you should be able to identify one or two topics that are of interest to you. When possible, be specific about your research agenda. Remember that you will be working with professors in research; therefore, your research interests should parallel those of the faculty. (You will usually not be expected to know exactly what you want to research; faculty know that initial interests often change.)

5. How are you a "match" for the program to which you are applying? Explain what attracts you most to the institution/program to which you are applying. Align your research interests with those of one or more of the affiliated professors. The better the "match" with the program/professors, the better the chance that you will be admitted.

Other factors to weave in (remember these are secondary factors):

• Give examples of personal attributes or qualities that would help you complete graduate study successfully.
• Describe your determination to achieve your goals, your initiative and ability to develop ideas, and your ability to work independently.
• Describe background characteristics that may have placed you at an educational disadvantage (English language learner, family economic history, lack of educational opportunity, disability, etc.).
• Leave the reader believing that you are prepared for advanced academic work and will be successful in graduate school.

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 above.

Anthropology

1900 max. word limit which address 3 concerns:
1. What are your principle research interests and ultimate professional goals?
2. What relevant preparation have you undertaken for graduate study in anthropology (i.e. course work, field school, internship, etc.)?
3. 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

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Bioinformatics

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Biological Sciences

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose

Biomedical Sciences

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
1000 word limit
Include responses to the following as part of your statement:

1. Summarize the long term goals of research in which you participated.
2. 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

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Accept only the online Personal Statement
1500 word limit

Clinical Research

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Cognitive Science

2500 word limit: online Statement of Purpose accepted
Your essay should include the following:

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

Communication

No word limit; typically under 4 pages

Computer Science and Engineering

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose; 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

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Education Studies

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Ethnic Studies

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Writing Sample Also Required

Health Care Organizations

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Health Law

Online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

History

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

International Relations and Pacific Studies

Accepts online or paper Statement of Purpose
No word limit, encourage applicants to limit to 2-3 pages (if paper)
Essay should include:

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

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Applied Mechanics

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Audiology

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Biology

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Chemistry

Joint Doctoral Program SDSU/UCSD -- Clinical Psychology

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

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

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

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

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

Latin American Studies

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
800 word limit

Statement of Purpose should include the following:

1. 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).
2. Relevant preparation for graduate study in Latin American Studies (coursework, research experiences, or field work)
3. Career goals after obtaining your M.A.
4. Which aspects of the UCSD Latin American Studies program make us a good match for your main interests and professional goals?

Linguistics

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
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

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Literature - Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, M.A.S.

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
1500 word limit

Materials Science and Engineering

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
limited to 1 page
Include additional information on the following as part of your statement:

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

Mathematics

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Molecular Pathology

Online statement of purpose only: 2500 word limit.

Music

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

Neurosciences

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Philosophy

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Physics

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
Limit to one page only

Political Science

Prefers online statement of purpose. 1500 word limit.

Psychology

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
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

Rady School of Management -- MBA

Essay Questions: 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

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

1 to 2 pages typed, single spaced 10 point font (2500 word limit)

Sociology

Accepts only the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Structural Engineering

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Theatre and Dance

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose
2500 word limit

Visual Arts

Prefers the online Statement of Purpose; 1-2 pages only