Sample Statement of Purpose

Environmental Engineering

I believe that the reason for the success of humans as a species is their ability to establish a relationship with and adapt themselves to the environment they live in and fully exploit the resources placed at their disposal. However, based on current environmental trends it is painfully obvious that this relationship is far from symbiotic and is taking mankind one step closer to self-extinction. Rising air and water pollution, rampant deforestation, unchecked fishing and whaling and senseless massacres of wild animals for luxury rather than need lead me to a certain disillusionment compounded with a determination to do something about these problems.

I believe that the answer to all of these lies in Environmental Engineering (EE) and that the first step towards understanding the nature of the problem and attempting a solution to it involves a Master's in EE.

Being a Civil Engineer, I am well acquainted with the basic tenets of Environmental Engineering. A good Higher Secondary examination score paved the way for admission to the Bachelor's course in the Government College of Engineering Aurangabad. Not content with this, however, I managed to get an outstanding grade in the first year and successfully obtained admission in the Government College of Engineering Pune-one of the oldest and most hallowed educational institutes in Maharashtra. In my final year I happened to visit a treatment plant owned by 'XYZ Pvt. Ltd.'- a company which specialized in exporting foodstuffs. Due to appalling Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)/Bio-degradable Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels which were well beyond those set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the plant had been given orders to close down. As students, we had to collect samples of effluents from the aeration tank and XXX. I am proud to say that based on preliminary analysis of the samples, we were able to formulate an approach to ensure that the effluent discharge levels were compliant with the norms set by the CPCB. As a result, we secured an annual maintenance contract and are currently in the process of modifying the aeration tank and ensuring the effective use of chemicals like xx and xx to control the COD levels. We now plan to set up a process to recycle the sludge formed.

In my spare time I work as a voluntary member for 'XYZ' — a non profit organization having the objectives of increasing awareness about air, water and noise pollution and encouraging traffic discipline; vital in the chaotic city of Pune. Pune is a remarkably congested city with a great density of two wheelers, a majority of them having two stroke engines, which are responsible for increased pollution. Nirdhaar sponsors pollution check camps for two wheelers and four wheelers at nominal rates, promotes traffic awareness by conducting games and quizzes in classrooms in local schools and also sponsors air pollution displays at major crossroads which indicate the levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and levels of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM). Our current responsibilities include checking the pollution levels at major crossroads on a daily basis and representing them collectively as pollution indices. The University of Pune has coordinated this with help from the Pune Municipal Corporation.

I am currently working at XYZ Pvt. Ltd. as a xxxx. My responsibilities include xxx and xxx. I intend to join the World Wide fund for Nature as an active member. Having checked out their web site on the interest, I feel myself drawn to the ongoing research in areas like xxxx and xxxx.

America offers tremendous potential for research, particularly in Environmental Engineering. It offers excellent infrastructure and a hoard of information derived from the cream of the world?s intelligentsia. I have extensively researched the department of Env Engg website hosted by the University of XX and feel that I can enrich my pool of information as well as make a substantial contribution to the pioneering research being conducted in the areas of xxxx and xxx under the able tutelage of Prof. XXX and XXX. I therefore, earnestly request you to favorably consider my application and give me a chance to prove my worth as an engineer.

Sample letter of Recommendation

by a professor

I would like to endorse the candidature of XYZ , a student whose progress I have closely monitored in the course of his under graduation in my former capacity as the head of the Electronics and Telecommunication department. I have taught him Computational Techniques and Data Structures in his second year and am currently teaching him Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ADSP), a final year elective subject. I am also monitoring his laboratory sessions on ADSP. Based on our interactions, I have come to form a favorable opinion of this earnest and diligent young man.

In the classroom XYZ came across as a reserved but sensible student who was very regular in his classroom assignments and submissions. His questions were insightful and were indicative of an incisive mind that was eager to learn and quick to comprehend. In the laboratory, XYZ displayed excellent programming skills and would always experiment with different approaches before arriving at an optimal solution.

In his junior year XYZ worked on a mini-project on a ‘Digital Stethoscope’ - an interesting and unusual concept with potential for commercial application. The project was well planned and executed within the prescribed time limit. Equally laudable was the dedication the team showed and the amount of research they put in for this project. I understand that this concept has been extended to his final year and Sahil and his team plan to add significant features to it. This project won various awards including the ‘SVC Aiya memorial prize’ hosted by XXXXX and the second prize at ‘Chrysalis 2007’ - an intra college project exhibition held annually in the college. XYZ was also involved in a wide range of extra curricular activities and his organizational skills were evident from the numerous accolades that he won for the college. From his overall competence in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), I believe that he has the dedication and the temperament necessary for graduate level research in DSP. I recommend him strongly for admission with full financial assistance and wish him all the best.