Application for Graduate Admission Fall 200#

Department of ###

My Name
Application no.: #

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
My primary purpose in applying to University of ##### for graduate studies is to prepare myself
for a career in research in the field of #########. I intend to obtain MS leading to PhD degree at
the Department of ########. My chief areas of interest I intend to concentrate over are
Operations Simulation, Optimization methods and Artificial Neural Network applications.
My early disposition to science had been quite instinctive. I grew up, inculcating a scientific
outlook, confiding in the rational knowledge that seems to unify all phenomena around us. My
fascination for science developed into an admiration by the writings of Richard Feynman, David
Darling and Stephen Hawking. Inspired by their works, I found myself working towards a scientific
career, keen to explore the world of mathematics and science in its purest form, a career in
scientific research had been the inevitable decision.
My aptitude and proclivity towards Mathematics and Sciences reflected in my performances all
throughout and securing a high rank in All-India top 1% in the Joint Entrance Examination (for
admission into the IITs) JEE & Roorkee Entrance Examination (REE) - 2000, offered me a
wonderful chance of pursuing Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) ######## at the
#####################, one of the Asias finest Civil Engineering Programs.
An intellectually stimulating and challenging atmosphere along with a rigorous and a diverse
academic curriculum at the department had been of enormous help in consolidating my
conceptual understanding in the field of Civil Engineering. Of the diverse subjects in my
undergraduate coursework, Structural Engineering initially appealed to me the most and as a
result, I greatly enjoyed the whole spectrum of Structural courses and strived hard to attain a
strong fundamental understanding and competence in these subjects and scored formidable
grades in structural design courses as well.
I was first introduced into the world of research and experimental work the summer right after my
sophomore year at ######################, wherein I had the opportunity to work in the
Reactor Safety Division (RSD) under Dr. H.S.Kushwaha, for a project titled Reliability Analysis of
Nuclear Power Plant Piping [May June 2002]. The project essentially comprised of a
comprehensive reliability analysis of 3 sets of cracked pipelines involving collecting the
experimental data and performing a stochastic analysis to obtain the relevant probabilities of
failure. The brief stint at BARC was instrumental in introducing me to the exciting field of
Structural Reliability. The idea of analyzing a structure of uncertain material behavior subjected to
random loading conditions sounded like an intriguing and a realistic concept, and invoked in me a
fresh interest in probabilistic analysis and uncertainty modeling of structures.
Pursuing this interest in reliability, referring to various technical literature and journals, I learnt in
detail about the various aspects of Reliability Engineering and about their industrial applications.
Desiring to gain more exposure in the very field, I decided to do another summer research project
following my junior year at the ##################### [May June 200#]. There, I was
involved in a project Reliability based Design of Structural Ceramics subjected to Dynamic
Loading, which required formulation of a probabilistic design methodology for ceramic structures
with inherent randomly distributed surface and volume flaws, and subjected to transient
mechanical and thermal stresses. The algorithm was later coded in C++ to be linked to FEM
analysis software and was utilized to design some specific engine components.
Working with established research groups in this particular field of stochastic modeling and
simulation of structures had been a really enjoyable and a fulfilling experience. The projects
experience was contributory in helping me develop some important perspectives in the fields of
structural design, probabilistic and statistical methods of analysis. Moreover, both projects
involving extensive programming significantly increased my proficiency with C++, which soon
developed into a sort of passion (I even scripted my own program for a comprehensive finite
element based 2D structural analysis program in my junior year). Another important revelation
from these projects is the acknowledgement that such probabilistic modeling of structural
behavior was possible only with the availability of high speed computing at our disposal

Application for Graduate Admission Fall 200#

Department of ###

My Name
Application no.: #

exemplifying yet another use of advanced computational techniques in engineering practice that
is becoming increasingly prevalent these days. To keep my self abreast with such techniques, I
have supplemented my core subjects with electives in advanced mathematics viz. Operations
Research, Linear Algebra and Mathematical Modeling as well.
Since my graduation in 200#, I have been employed with India's largest construction company ###############, as a senior engineer. Over the last year, I had been introduced to the various
functional disciplines of the prevailing construction industry, and my job provided me with
valuable exposure to planning and execution of Diaphragm Walls, Pre-stressed Post-Tensioned
Voided Slab, construction of Flexible and Rigid Pavements, Electrification etc. This experience
with the Indian construction industry helped me in conceptually integrating the theory and
practice, also introducing me to a variety of management challenges that arise in the
achievement of quality and timely completion during the execution process.
Being actively involved with the planning process, I have gained valuable insights into how
traditional methods in planning that are practiced here are increasingly turning redundant with
ever magnifying complexity of the operational processes. Thus, I observed that the planning
process and subsequent decision-making becomes a largely intuitive process. This provoked me
into first exploring about the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) as a powerful tool for
prediction, estimation and simulation of complex systems. Extensive searches and other reading
material over the Internet were instrumental in introducing me to the rudiments of other related
complex techniques like Systems Analysis, Non-Linear dynamical systems (Chaos) theory etc.
Based on both my research projects and industrial experience, I am forced to acknowledge the
mounting importance of computers in the practice of civil engineering today. Be it in predicting
structural behavior accurately or modeling complex engineering systems, huge amounts of data
and information being collected could only be analyzed and processed in computer environments
and with advanced mathematical techniques. Their tremendous capacity to influence and
importantly, rationalize the decision making process in the construction industry creates a
captivating interest in me to pursue a career in these decision sciences and the related
applications.
In this view, I thoroughly feel the need to equip myself with this knowledge by pursuing relevant
graduate studies as the next step. Although, my experiences swept over a variety of subjects
through the last 5 years, my undiminished interest in Mathematics and Science continue to
prevail. The University of ##### extensive research profile and expertise in these particular areas
of Artificial Neural Network applications and construction industry operations simulation methods
proved to be an instant motivation for me to apply. Careful consideration of all these helped me
culminate to a decision to pursue Master of Science (MS) degree ################, and I
intend to probably follow it up with a PhD. Following PhD, I intend to practice a career in the
same, spending a few years in the industry gaining hands-on practical experience.
Graduate studies at a school known for its standards of excellence is the first step towards the
realization of my goals and I look to ############## for providing me this opportunity. Your
university is known for its outstanding quality of education, distinguished faculty and advanced
program of research and hence can provide the ideal environment for my graduate and
subsequent doctoral studies. I am confident that I will be able to prove worthy of the reputation
that you have built over the years.

My Name
Date: #th ####### 200#