Grad school: Statement of Intent?

[Imp]

After 2 years removed from college, I've decided to head back for my Masters of Engineering; I've always said I'd go back, just not sure when. I've got way too much free time, and have money to burn, so hey, why not.

So, the only real "challenge" to get in at the moment is writing a 'statement of intent'. I've done light googling, and will continue to do so, but anyone who's written one have some tips, or can explain to me what I should say besides "I wan in ur schoo and wan pay you ma monies"?

I may have written something similar for my college applications process, just can't remember since that was 6 years ago. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Savij]

All you have to do is talk about yourself and why you chose that college:


Dear head Mr. dude man,

I'm a douche-bag who studied douche engineering and love this field.
Now I've free time and money and I know what I want to study.
Your college is the one for be because it has the Major in douchbaggery that I've been looking for.
I think I would be a good fit at your institution of higher testitution.

Sincerely yours,
I. M. Douch-Bag
[/q]

 

[Matthiasa]

State what you are looking to get out of it, and what you can bring to it.

 

[Bibble]

I could be completely wrong here, but I always thought these Statements are the same thing as a cover letter, only that they are for going to university and not applying for a job.

If you have a job I assume you must have written at least one cover letter before. Talk about who you are, what you want, and what you can bring.

 

[MJinZ]

I hate these things, they all know that what gets written down is bullshat and we all know it too. It's like a bullshitting contest, who can shit out the best smelling shit?

So bullshit away...

Or be honest and say: "Hey fuckers, I'm here to get a degree to make more money, so take my fucking money and make it worth my while K? My grades and shit speak for itself."

 

[Tiamat]

I intend to obtain a Master's Degree.

Thanks for paying,

xxxxx



Seriously, prior to writing the statement of intent, check out the mission statement of the university and college you are applying to. Connect yourself with the current state of the art research that the department is undergoing. Get to know some of the faculty if possible (visit to see their labs). These statements are almost always about how your current skills will help you - how they will allow you to excel in that environment, how your skills will grow, how that growth will benefit the department and college, and how that growth further will benefit the community at large.

I am assuming your Master's is a research-oriented Masters where you will be defending a thesis dissertation at the end?

 

[Matthiasa]

A masters of engineering is usually a more classwork then research type thing.
It is also not what you should get if you plan on getting a Ph.D.

 

[Imp]

I could be completely wrong here, but I always thought these Statements are the same thing as a cover letter, only that they are for going to university and not applying for a job.

If you have a job I assume you must have written at least one cover letter before. Talk about who you are, what you want, and what you can bring.

Ummm... I sent out more than 60 resumes with cover letters before I got my current job. The only job I got, which I'm still at, didn't require a cover letter. So ya...

These things are canned and full of shit, but guess we all have to go through the motions.

It's a 1000 word limit, so I'll try to elaborate about my job; means I'll pay my damn bills on time at least.

 

[Leros]

Mine has:

1) Background of myself, academically and professionally
2) Reasons for wanting to attend grad school
3) What I hope to obtain from grad school
4) What graduate school will do for my future
5) Summary

 

[Imp]

A masters of engineering is usually a more classwork then research type thing.
It is also not what you should get if you plan on getting a Ph.D.

Thisaone.

M.Eng. is a total of 10 courses at the school I want to get into, all coursework, no required project or thesis. You can complete it in 2 semesters full-time, but I'm working, so 1-2 courses a semester plus summer and I'll get it done in 2-3 years.

No desire whatsoever to do any research or PhD. I should also mention that the school I want to get into is the school I did my undergrad in. It's a 20 minute walk from where I live, and right by a major subway line, so the logistics are great for morning classes and still getting into work before noon.

 

[CountZero]

When I did something similar (3 years after finishing undergrad but was looking to get back into engineering after failing to do so initially) I just wrote exactly that, that I was wanting to expand my career opportunities. Got in without a problem though I did take a class just before applying as a non-matriculated student and had that prof write me a glowing letter.

 

[SandEagle]

if you can't write a statement of intent, what makes you think you're ready for a master's degree?

 

[Hacp]

if you can't write a statement of intent, what makes you think you're ready for a master's degree?

Maybe b/c its BS? OW shit, why would you want to get a masters? Not to broaden your mind, its so you can earn more fucking money. Its not rocket science. Yet you still need to pull out that BS about broadening your mind and expanding your horizons and enriching yourself. Sigh.

 

[SandEagle]

Maybe b/c its BS? OW shit, why would you want to get a masters? Not to broaden your mind, its so you can earn more fucking money. Its not rocket science. Yet you still need to pull out that BS about broadening your mind and expanding your horizons and enriching yourself. Sigh.

its an MS, not a BS. did you even get past the 4th grade? :\

 

[Matthiasa]

It's not an MS either did you pass 4th grade?

 

[NutBucket]

How competitive is the program you're applying for? This is key to the amount of effort you should put into this

 

[HamburgerBoy]

its an MS, not a BS. did you even get past the 4th grade? :\

It's an acronym for bullshit, not Bachelor of Science.

 

[Printer Bandit]

It's not an MS either did you pass 4 grade?

Did you pass 4th grade?

 

[Matthiasa]

Did you pass 4th grade?

Ummm... probably.
I might just have gotten pushed ahead though.
Same could probably be said about my university... but a group here thinks I'm in the top xx.x% of my class.
Besides numbers that small are suppose to be written out anyways.

 

[Hacp]

its an MS, not a BS. did you even get past the 4th grade? :\

BS -> BULL-SHIT. Is this your first time using the internet? D:

 

[RGUN]

Thisaone.

M.Eng. is a total of 10 courses at the school I want to get into, all coursework, no required project or thesis. You can complete it in 2 semesters full-time, but I'm working, so 1-2 courses a semester plus summer and I'll get it done in 2-3 years.

No desire whatsoever to do any research or PhD. I should also mention that the school I want to get into is the school I did my undergrad in. It's a 20 minute walk from where I live, and right by a major subway line, so the logistics are great for morning classes and still getting into work before noon.

In Toronto? which uni is it?

 

[KeypoX]

I hate going through that crap too. Letters of rec are bullshit too.

 

[esun]

Grad schools love people that make up stuff about how much they want to do cutting-edge research in their field. Be specific if you can. They eat that up. Doesn't matter if it's true, just write it and be done.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I don't care what you write for your letter of intent. Your revised version after you get in would simply read "My intent is to gtfo!"

 

[IronWing]

Tell them what you want to accomplish. Read up on the faculty's research interests (yes, I read the thread, I know you aren't interested in research but they are and they are the gatekeepers. Remember, 9/10 of getting through grad school is shameless ego stroking, never forget it.) and reference something about their research that interests you. Tell them what you bring to the table education and experience-wise. Faculty usually aren't stupid and generally prefer to work with students with real world experience because such students are generally more serious and willing to work. Tell them what you except to do with this new degree.