The Chaotic-Neutron

After a couple of mails from different people wanting to see my SOP, I’ve decided to post it here to help them out and for anyone else who needs a sample or a direction for writing one. I am not entirely satisfied with what I have here but it did get me through 5 of the top 8 universities I applied for ! One thing I am proud of is that the SOP does speak out my mind clearly and I’ve not lied much about anything here. So anyway, read on if you want to know more about my passion and about me.

This is the SOP that I used for applying to graduate studies at TAMU.

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The greatest mystery is not that we have been flung at random between the profusion of matter and stars, but that within this Life, an accidental combination of chemicals, we can draw from ourselves images powerful enough to deny the nothingness.

Imagine the world we live in, if ‘Electricity’ had never been found. Or what if the simple screw was never ever thought of? Without such breakthroughs in the history of our evolution, what other factors would have created the future? I think often on such abstract thoughts and the consequences of it, which have invariably been the rationale behind every discovery till date. It is amazing to think about how the application of such seemingly insignificant things, developed under practical constraints of time and money has shaped our daily lives. Lofty visions to innovate, along with aspirations to go beyond the tangible limits have constantly pushed me to break the barriers ever since I was young and have led me to where I am right now.

I’ve learnt that interests and choices at the younger age are the decisive components of life. My interests towards chemistry experiments, making weird electronic equipments from worn out transistors at home, pushing the old PC-XT machine at the library to its limits by creating graphics programs in GWBASIC and trying to solve every mathematical problem I came across have brewed the passion in me to look at each scenario as an application of a construct and to create a working, practical reality out of it. It then wasn’t a difficult choice after high school to decide that I wanted to take up Engineering as my career.

I took up Engineering at the Regional Engineering College (REC), by securing a position in top 2% of students in the state, in my twelth grade. During the four years of my undergraduate studies, I have gained a lot of theoretical, as well as practical knowledge in the core areas of Chemical engineering. Also there were several incidents and opportunities that have dramatically changed my perceptions about research and plans for the future.

During my sophomore year, I had the privilege to present an internal seminar on ‘Atomic Power from Fission Energy’ for the Energy Engineering course. I discussed about the feasibility of operating a controlled Fusion reactor that could theoretically produce limitless energy. I did an in-depth research about the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor at Princeton Institute’s Plasma Physics laboratory and the Super Kamiokande Reactor in Japan, which are pioneering organizations that are working on producing a controlled Fusion Reaction. The rudimentary knowledge that I obtained created a deep impact in me and the itch to learn more on the topic has lasted in me ever since. From then on, I have been constantly reading materials about nuclear engineering, Fission and Fusion, reactors and to some extent, Quantum physics. The very thought about energy gives me goose pimples, the feeling it puts across transcends limits and the fact that everything could boil down eventually into heat or light is just plainly beautiful.

My only intent then was to undergo training and to participate in the widely known, state-of-the-art research projects in nuclear science at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR). The training has enabled me to work with some of the best minds involved in nuclear research and has dramatically influenced my perception towards the industry. Although I was allowed to participate in limited experimental work, the projects made me realize the challenges involved and introduced me to the analytical, mathematical side of research and the use of computational methods in solving problems. Another important experience during that period was a lecture by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam a renowned scientist and the current President of India, on “Nuclear Power: A Boon or Bane”. The lecture was a major eye-opener regarding the avenues and myriad uses for which Nuclear Science could be applied and used.

I believe strongly that the application of computational methods to find solutions is definitely more effective than conventional methods. I have developed excellent programming skills in C, C++, Fortran and recently Microsoft.NET. One of my greatest strengths, identifying patterns and relationships that are not obvious to others, has helped me in many situations to solve complex mathematical problems. Additionally, the various other projects (refer Resume for details) I was involved with in Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and REC involving heavy calculations and programming have given me the opportunity to realize the advantages in real time problem solving using computers.

All the academics might typically characterize me as a geek, I know, but I’m not one. My interests in reading books from fiction to philosophy, movies, soccer, table tennis and a constant flame to find and try out new things have shaped my life in a radical style. I was part of the college soccer team and there is nothing even close to the joy I feel when I am playing. Soccer is my passion and the way I see it, soccer personifies me in every facet: the never-ending rush of energy, the coordination with the team, the feeling of responsibility when in control of the ball and finally the ecstasy after scoring a goal, everything revolving around that single goal or rather the aspiration in real life.

Aspirations never die.

In addition to my academic background, I am sure that my work experience at Dell Computers will play a vital role in helping me find success in my graduate studies. It has moulded me mentally and has been a source of terrific improvement over my analytical skills, divergent thinking and my interpersonal abilities. Even now, the passion and the vigor in me to learn more about nuclear engineering hasn’t lessened or else I would not be applying for graduate studies after 2 years of academic hiatus. Now as I approach the crossroads of my education, I have absolutely no doubt in pursuing graduate study in Nuclear Engineering and later, a career in Research.

I bring along a strong grasp of fundamentals in Chemical Engineering, an aptitude for research and teamwork, a zest for challenges and an enthusiastic desire to learn all I can. I am certain that my experience gained in the nuclear and software industry will help me succeed as a Nuclear Engineer. All said and done, it boils down to living my dream, the realization of which encompasses graduate studies as a gateway for a doctoral program, so that my foot is set firmly in the path of academics and research. I would be delighted to join the Nuclear Engineer’s Group in your University.

Blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask for no other blessedness.
Thanks.

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