My life’s journey up to this point has been one maze marked at every juncture with bends unending. What they have all taught me is that I should be ready for anything, everything, and nothing while striving to become all I desire to be. Early on in life, I was privileged to learn how to be independent and get things done while respecting the work and opinions of others. A child learns best by imitation, and I had the opportunity of having worthy mentors and teachers who taught me right and showed me exemplarily through their lives. My parents nurtured and provided for my siblings and me with the meager income they got from petty trading and plumbing. At some points, it was not enough while I was in the university, and my uncle had to provide extra financial support once in a while to cushion what they could offer. Although I did not have a cordial relationship with my uncle, he inspired me from a distance. He already holds a Ph.D. and has earned worldwide acclaim and accolades in his field. Having him as a portrait of what a successful individual looks like has helped me see beyond my circumstances in my pursuit of excellence.
While in High School, my desire to experiment and explore led me to join the JETS Club. I was later privileged to be chosen as the Laboratory Prefect based on my track record of commitment to studies, discipline, and attention to detail. Serving in this capacity further fueled my desire for research. I proceeded to run a diploma course in Mineral and Petroleum Resources Engineering as I could not initially advance to the university. By the time I was rounding off my program, I had earned a distinction and carried out a research project that led to the design and fabrication of a modern magazine to store explosive materials. These experiences challenged me mentally and psychologically and helped to serve as an excellent foundation for my foray into the university.
After gaining admission to the University of XX through my diploma course to study Chemical Engineering, I ensured to make the best use of the opportunity I had received. I also bolstered my learning experience by effectively using the library and exploring the wide variety of textbooks, journals, and publications at my disposal. My passion for assimilating and impacting knowledge led me to organize learning groups among my colleagues to discuss topics and share information. My joy was in seeing my colleagues succeed alongside me. For my undergraduate project, I was the research team lead, and I carried out a research work titled “XX.” Although the project was challenging, I was excited when it got published in an online journal. Asides from graduating with a first-class degree in the university and a distinction in my diploma program, these watershed moments convince me of my capabilities and assure me that there is no limit to what I can achieve with diligence, discipline, and the gift of mentors, coaches, and supportive colleagues. Post-Graduation, I was asked by my project supervisor to work with her as a Graduate Assistant, an offer I was only too glad to accept. I currently have my published undergraduate thesis, a technical paper, and a research proposal as by-products of my research work, in addition to the enlightenment and skills the experience has yielded.
My choice of XX University is on the premise that the school is well equipped with exceptional staff and research infrastructure across the board and has a program specifically dedicated to my research interest in Process System Engineering. The Faculty of Chemical Engineering, housing the Process Systems Engineering (PSE) group, is also thoroughly equipped with state-of-the-art computational facilities and is well funded to support cutting-edge research efforts. My choice is also supported by my knowledge of the school’s robust admission policy and impartial nature towards age, gender, race, and nationalities, as proven by my admission into the MSc program last fall. Unfortunately, I could not take up the offer as I did not possess the requisite financial resources to do so. I am excited at the prospect of working with brilliant minds across the teaching staff, specifically distinguished Professors XX, XY, XZ, and other Ph.D., students. I am optimistic about collaborating with staff and students to consolidate existing research work, developing innovative solutions and processes, and contributing to the body of research using the enviable tools at our disposal. I also anticipate acquainting myself with Graduate Program XX, which helped guide me through the application process by responding to a number of my inquiries.
While reading an article online, I came across this quote by Meadow Linn. She said, “The path of life isn’t straight. There are twists, turns, and forks on the road. One step left, or right could forever change the course of your journey.” It resonated with my experiences in life so far, and I am willing to take this critical step in shaping my life. I want to be able to look back a few years from having bagged my Ph.D. and become one of the leaders in academia, carrying out notable research work and proffering practical solutions to trending challenges faced by industries in my area of research. Seeing how far I have come despite obvious limitations convinces me that I can achieve much more in an improved environment with better facilities, mentorship, and guidance.