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Sample Statement of Purpose for Mechanical Engineering
I was born into a poor family in a remote mountainous village in
Shandong Province. The untimely death of my uncle, who was very close
to me, because of illness and poverty shocked me to such an extent
that I once decided to drop out of the school and to help support the
family. But my parents did not allow me to do so. Illiterate as they
were, they nonetheless understood that "Education is the key," and
were anxious to put this key in my pocket, in spite of all their
difficulties. With the growth of age, I now have a much clearer sense
of purpose for my life, which is not just to help one family, but to
lift many more out of poverty and ignorance.
I remember that I proved to be a fast learner as early as at
elementary school. For instance, I was the only one student in the
entire school who could solve linear equations with two variables. At
high school, my favorite subjects of learning were Mathematics,
Physics, and Chemistry. Every year, I participated in national or
provincial contests in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry for high
school students, and won either a first or a second prize. With this
kind of training, I gradually developed a confidence in my ability to
compete effectively in any academic circumstance. In 1996, I entered
the famed Tsinghua University as a student majoring in Precision
Instruments and Mechanics, with scores at the National University
Entrance Examinations ranking the first in the region and the fifth in
the province.
In Tsinghua University I found the gateway to the beautiful garden of
Mechanics. What I saw in its Micron and Nanotechnology Center, such as
electric generators only a few microns large, and various laser
devices in precision measurement, carried me away completely. When I
learned that in near the future, Nano-electronics could produce
pocket-sized giant computers, and make fragile porcelain ware
exceedingly robust, and, especially, that Nanotechnology will play a
central role in the development of Information Technologies, more than
Computer does, my mind was made up to pursue a career in this exciting
area, for the rest of my life.
During my undergraduate years, I built a solid foundation in the
Basics of Precision Measurement, Material Science, Precision Equipment
Engineering, and other related areas, earning excellent academic
records. In addition, I made concentrated effort in developing a
strong ability in lab research, especially during my undergraduate
senior studies and during my Master's Program. I once designed a
piezoelectrically driven micro-jet, following the idea of the spray
mechanism of the ink jet printer with certain micro-mechanical
processing. On the basis of this research, I invented a new model of
micro-jet for lung treatment. During the several months of lab
research and the writing of my graduation thesis "Experimental
Research on Micro-jets," I learned a great deal about power
electronics, microelectromechanic systems, silicon processing, and
engineering mechanics, and significantly enriched my lab experience
through dozens of lab testing projects in precision measurement, in
areas such as the sugar thickness sensor, designs of precision
mechanics, the appliances of microcomputer, the applications of
multimedia technologies, and the use of the single-chip computer.
Besides lab research, I also did part-time work with three companies,
involved in the research and development of products of micro-mechanic
systems, database, and the GIS. With these work experiences, I
developed an ability to conduct research work in corporal
environments, and also attained a keen insight into the practical and
commercial sides of micro-mechanics. I applied my knowledge of MEMS to
the preparation process of the micro-flow sensor produced by the
company. For this project I looked up a large amount of technical
literature, which also involved much translation for those who could
not read in English. My English improved considerably, after many
hours spent in the library reading IEEE publications. In this
environment, I remain a fast learner, because I have learned how to
learn, not just what to learn. I in fact learned some of the computer
programming software, such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Delphi, on
my own.
It was also during the lab experiments that I notice that most of the
key equipments I used in the lab were foreign imports. Since the
manuals that came with them often did not cover all the technical
details of their internal structures, it made them rather difficult to
operate. With this experience I began to realize that China is still
way behind Western countries in the development of precision
engineering. I wish to pursue a higher degree abroad, with a focus on
MEMS, and especially on micro-mechanical systems. To my great
surprise, I found that Arizona State University has a highly advanced
graduate program in Mechanical Engineering, which will meet my needs
perfectly. I have visited the web page of the university several
times, and have some contact with Professor Ampere Tseng, whose
research areas seem very attractive to me. Professor Tseng has in fact
encouraged me to apply to its graduate program.
There remain some problems in the lab experimentation that cannot be
solved with all the knowledge I presently have. For instance, how can
we produce orifices smaller than those already produced with more
refined precision technology so that we can observe their dynamic
characteristics? To realize this, all the technical details of the
system have to be taken into consideration. The system not only
consists of the objects to be processed and the processing devices,
but also consists of the working environment, mechanical and
environmental control, training of the operating personnel, specifics
of operation, and the fundamental understanding of the entire process.
All those procedures must be properly handled in order to ensure the
successful production of the smallest orifices possible, with perfect
accuracy under the help of the most sophisticated precision
instruments. I look forward to finding answers to this and many other
problems during my graduate study at ASU.
In my future program at your prestigious graduate school, I intend to
concentrate on the following areas of study: (1) MEMS; (2)
CAD/CAM/CIMS; (3) Micro-Mechanical System; (4) Micro-Flow; and (5)
System Control. In accordance with this, I would like to divide my
studies into three distinctive stages. First, I will continue with my
studies of the foundational courses in MEMS to construct a firmer
theoretical basis to expand the related knowledge in
electro-mechanical integration. In the second stage, I plan to
undertake some research projects that can demonstrate leading
technology and creativity, especially in the field of MEMS technology
and its application, so that I may develop myself into a specialist in
this field. Finally, since the 21st Century is bound to be a century
of nanotechnology and since China's accession into WTO has created
many technical challenges and opportunities, I believe that
nanotechnology, especially MEMS, will become the prevalent technology
in the new millennium. This will be a rare opportunity for the
maturation and the development of nanotechnology and its products. By
that time I can contribute my professional expertise to this important
process as a leading scientist in China.
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