1. English Writing Part 8: Statement of Purpose, part 1 John E. Clayton Nanjing University, Spring, 2005

2. Please Turn In Your Homework Don’t forget to turn-in your cover letter

3. Resume Homework Grade + Pretty good = OK - Not no good

4. Syllabus 03/02 Introduction; Overview; Writing a good paragraph 03/09 Information Form; Essays – structure, thesis 03/16 Thesis Focus; Movie: Johnny LingoJournal 1 03/23 Essay Introduction and Conclusion 03/30 Movie: DaveJournal 2 04/06 Review for mid-term exam; Overcoming Fear 04/13 Mid-term examJournal 1 04/20 Resume - 1 04/27 Resume - 2Journal 2 05/04 Holiday 05/11 Business LettersJournal 1 05/18 Statement of Purpose 05/25 Statement of PurposeJournal 2 06/01 Review for final exam 06/08 Final exam

5. What is a Statement of Purpose? The “SOP” is typically a key part of your application for graduate school.

6. What is a Statement of Purpose? The “SOP” tells the admissions committee: who you are, what has influenced your career path so far, your professional interests, where you plan to go from here.

7. The Admissions Officer Will… … look through thousands of applications for a mix of students who are interesting, confident and enthusiastic, who will make the class a stimulating place.

8. Scores Are Not Everything Academic achievements and good test scores are important, but the majority of applicants will have good academic records. The SOP is a tool to help distinguish between individuals and decide who is accepted.

9. Some Valued Characteristics Creativity Curiosity Pride in your work Enthusiasm for learning Capacity for teamwork Ability to think independently

10. Self-Knowledge The examiners want to be convinced that you have thought long and hard about… who you are what things you appreciate what inspires you what you want out of life where you are going from here You needn’t have all the answers – but you should be able to show that you have thought about these things.

11. Classroom Exercise Why am I in university now? Why am I studying my major? What kind of job do I hope to get? Do I want to go to graduate school? Why? Where? Why not? What will I be doing in 10 years? Family, Career Write a one-page essay describing…

12. Homework Think about the essay you have written. Think about your life. Where are you going?