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Sample Personal Statement for Political Science and International
Relations
In 1999 when I was just a freshman of the XX University of China, I
won the title of the Best Debater at the annual debate contest of the
Department of History. The subject of the debate was “ Sino-American
Relationship in the Forthcoming Millennium—on the Wane or on the Wax?”
The position of the team that I represented was that the Sino-American
relationship in the new century would be on the wax and our persuasive
arguments ensured our ultimate triumph. During the contest, the unique
perspectives, the broad range of knowledge covering history, political
science and international relations, and the overwhelming oratorical
eloquence that I demonstrated captured the attention of Prof. XXX, the
president of the panel of judges. Prof. XXX was a leading scholar in
China on modern world history and on American history. After the
debate contest, he had a private conversation with me, giving positive
comments on my performance while pointing out my inadequacies in my
knowledge. From then on, he kept giving my guidance in international
politics and relations, thus strengthening my growing interest in
those two fields.
My present decision to switch from history to political science and
international relations is further related to the unique education I
have received at XX University and to its academic atmosphere. The
university is one of the most prestigious universities in China, with
unparalleled academic reputation in economics, political science and
international relations. In such an academic environment, I have been
exposed to knowledge in a wide range of fields. In the field of
economics which I minored in, I have learned much about developmental
economics and comparative economics; in the field of international
relations, I have known much about world politics and economy, modern
world history, the political systems of the West, etc. As my
understanding of economics and history deeps, I have come to realize
that politics and international relations are the main forces behind
the development of the major powers of the present-day world and this
very realization underlies my commitment to the study of political
science and international relations as my lifelong career.
My undergraduate program should be described as rewarding and
fruitful. I was the sole student in my class to win “second-class”
scholarship for two consecutive years for outstanding performance in
the coursework of core subjects, and my overall GPA was the third
highest. Students of History Department are required to obtain the
compulsory 181 credits through their 4-year program, the toughest
requirement in the entire university. Even such a heavy load of
coursework could not satiate my academic initiative, therefore I
minored in economics to achieve extra 28 credits. I applied efficient
and effective study methods to my coursework, which ensured my
successful performance. In my systematic self-education, I read
classic works on history and economics and followed closely the latest
developments in international politics and relations.
Although a mere undergraduate, I have gained some tentative research
experience by participated in several research projects. I have served
as research assistant to Prof. XXX in the project under his
direction--American Foreign Policy After World War I. I was research
assistant to Prof. XX of the School of Economics in the project A
Study of the Non-profit International Organizations. In June 2002,
Prof. XX from the Wilson Research Center of the United States came to
address the Symposium on the Research of Cold War History in the
Future. As one of the symposium organizers, I listened to the
wonderful presentations of a number of scholars on the subject and had
a close talk with Prof. XX, who exposed me to the creative research
methodology and the impressive research achievements of the Wilson
Research Center. The experience significantly broadened my academic
horizon. My thesis, entitled The Economic Policy and Sino-American
Trade Relationship during the Clinton Administration, is a conscious
attempt to apply interdisciplinary analysis as it encompasses fields
far beyond the economic realm. Prof. XXX, who also specializes in
economic history, was my supervisor. Under his fruitful guidance, I
collected a large quantity of first-hand data and classified them into
neat categories. Based on sufficient data, I offered my own unique
analysis and proposed my interpretations of the forces at work behind
the Sino-American relations in the economic realm. My thesis was given
a “first-class” rating, a special honor eligible only to 5% of the
students in my grade annually.
My performance in extracurricular activities can testify to my
all-round personal development. I have a good foundation in computer
technology. I have obtained CISCO and CCNA certificates with a high
score of 949 points. I have some tentative teaching experience, and
won the title of the Most Valuable Teacher during my teaching
internship at the No. 2 Middle School in XX City. I have important
management experience and a strong awareness of cooperation, developed
through my organizational work in such student organizations as
Computer Network Association, Badminton Association, Economics Study
Group, and International Politics Forum. A special mention should be
made of my data retrieval for the Press Information Center of XX News
Agency. Due to my Internet skills and sensitivity to useful
information due to my broad knowledge, I retrieved, classified and
analyzed information for the Economic Decision-Making Journal and
Top-Management Information Journal for high-ranking government
officials and for top management of enterprises.
Despite my achievements heretofore, I am well aware of the intense
competitiveness in applying for an advanced degree program at XX
University which legitimately enjoys a most unparalleled academic
prestige in the world. Forbidding as it is, I am bent on a Master’s
program in Political Science and International Relations Research
whereupon I can listen to the enlightening instructions of various
academic masters. I am confident in acquiting myself satisfactorily in
your program. I will try to adapt myself to your new environment as
soon as possible and to achieve fruitful academic performance. It is
my belief that XX University will impart to me advanced knowledge,
broaden my academic perspectives, and develop my research potential.
Chin’s social and economic development requires cooperation with the
international community. With China’s increasingly important role in
the international arena, it is important for China to understand the
prevailing international tendencies and to make full use of diplomatic
resources. The United States and the European Union are two dominant
forces in the world’s political arena and how to develop constructive
relations with them is the key question China faces. On the other
hand, China can gain important diplomatic experiences by studying the
latest developments of those two forces and their both cooperative and
antagonistic relations. I will continue to enrich my knowledge in
political science, economics and history, follow closely the latest
developments in international situation, gain essential understanding
of international relations，probe in the past, present and the future
of international economics, politics and relations. I will also
examine China’s relative roles and foreign policies within the
international framework. After completing my proposed program, I will
seek a teaching and research career in China to study and to interpret
this rapidly changing world.
On August 27, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. pronounced his dream to the
entire world in his campaign in Washington for racial equality and for
Black human rights. Ultimately he sacrificed his life for the belief
that “Everyman is born equal.” As far as I myself is concerned, I have
my own dream in making this decision to pursue a Master’s Program
(leading to the doctoral program) in international relations at XX
University. The dream is to contribute all my efforts to China’s
national development in a favorable international environment in which
peace and development will be the dominant principles of the
international community. |
