Graduate School Personal Statement - Chemistry
Most of my friends start to yawn when I tell them what kinds of experiments I performed during a hard day's work in the lab. My usual pattern is to ignore them completely while I rave about fresh discoveries or rant about the frustrations of the day. Yet I can't help myself; even after a full day's work I still want to share my enthusiasm for my chosen line of work with others. However, I am often reminded by my sympathetic friends and family that being a chemistry junkie is a rarity in this world.
I can't remember not being keenly curious and fascinated by the world around me. I have always craved a deeper understanding of the basic structures that underlie our physical universe. Some approach this understanding through philosophy or religion, but I always knew that science -- and chemistry in particular -- would offer me the clearest, most brilliant glimpse of the world.
Throughout my academic career at Whatever College, I vigorously pursued coursework in the physical sciences but also took every opportunity to get my hands dirty by participating in laboratory research. I don't mind lectures and seminars, but it is in the lab and in the field that I feel my talents rest. For this reason, I have been increasingly drawn to environmental science in particular. As my undergraduate years come to a close and I look forward to graduate school, my focus for the future is more finely honed than it ever has been. With the knowledge and enthusiasm I bring, I feel I will become a worthy contributor to the ****** department at ****** School.
During the semester I spent abroad in Japan, I immersed myself not only in academics but also in a new language. This experience rounded out my experience at Whatever and offered me insight into different cultures and ways of life. Living in Japan also posed entirely new opportunities for me to overcome self-doubt, enhancing my major field of interest. My participation in USACHPPM's ORISE program, coupled with my years as a research and laboratory assistant at Whatever, have increased my stamina for what I know is a challenging and demanding field.
