Paragraph 1:
- Introduce your academic interest.
- How you become interested in it.
- How you explore it.
- State your goal.
- How your academic interest will help you achieve your goal.
Paragraph 2:
- Identify 2 courses (preferably something unique like Core Curriculum, etc.) and how they will help you achieve this goal. Can also connect with your values (ie. interdisciplinary) and other academic interests.
- Research you would like to participate in, and name a professor that’s conducting it who may also be teaching a class/seminar/workshop. Why do you have interest in this research and how is it related to your goal? For example, “When I read Professor X’s syllabus for her Class in Y, I was intrigued by the possibility of exploring Z, in particular…”
- Study abroad, co-op, research centers – things that would help you develop your professional career skills (and list what those skills are and why they’re necessary for your growth and future).
Paragraph 3:
- Identify 1 best/most important extracurricular offering (that connects to you in a really specific way).
- 2-3 other clubs/student organizations that you would like to join to help you get more involved in the University community. How will you contribute? What do you wish to gain? Connect with your interests, hobbies, and goals.
- Try to tie in the University’s core values/mission statement to yourself.









