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Personal Statement Sample: Graduate School
My interest in science spans as far back as I can remember. As a child, I played with my
father's magnifying glass, inspecting leaves, grass, bugs, and anything else I could find
in my backyard. My love of investigation increased further in high school. I enrolled, and
excelled, in honors science courses, with a particular fondness for biology.
I continued my biology studies at California State University Northridge, where I was
exposed to a wide range of courses. While I enjoyed these courses, I still wasn't sure on
what I wanted to focus my studies. It wasn't until my semester abroad in Ecuador,
where I studied the ecosystems and plant communities, that I discovered my true
passion. I was fascinated with the experiments I conducted on the ecosystems. I
focused my studies on ecology and plant life, excelling in these courses, and will
graduate this May with a B.S. in Environmental Biology.
In my last semester as an undergraduate, I am working on an honors project on tropical
plant life. I am also a Research Assistant for the Biology department, aiding Professor X
on his project on Ecuadorian ecosystems. As his assistant, I am conducting
experiments on plant life and contributing research theories for his book. Professor X
has been so impressed with my work that he has offered me a summer assistant
position.
I hope to continue my studies in plant life and believe that Cornell's Graduate Field of
Horticulture can best help me excel and follow my dreams. By continuing my education
in a graduate program, I can gain more hands-on experience alongside esteemed
professors before venturing out into the real world. I hope to emphasize my studies in
Horticultural Biology and specifically study tropical ecosystems. After I earn my Ph.D. in
Horticultural Biology, I intend on working in the area of research for a private industry.
Utilizing the skills I have learned during my undergraduate courses and as a Research
Assistant, it is at Cornell that I believe I can make the greatest contribution to current
and future studies in ecology.