Essay for Graduation Application. Help Please.
Posted on | September 19, 2007 | 4 Comments
In order to apply for the University of London Masters program there is one point that has me a bit stuck. I have to write an essay outlining my reasons for studying as per the specifications below.
A letter (no more than 500 words) outlining your reasons for wanting to study on the DLP together with relevant details of your previous education and work experience, and your current occupational responsibilities.
The part that has me a little bit worried is that I have to write about the connection between Computer Engineering / Internet / Web development and Sustainable Development.
Any ideas are much appreciated.
Comments
4 Responses to “Essay for Graduation Application. Help Please.”
Leave a Reply
September 25th, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
Hi Brendan–Although you're obviously looking to do grad work in a field very different from mine, I can recommend that you be sure to start off your statement with a succinct, but catchy paragraph. That first second impression counts a great deal with an admissions committee that handles scores of applications. Also, be sure to show how their program would be an ideal fit for you. This means that you should demonstrate that you've done some research into the department and know what their specialties are. Sometimes grad committees get great applications but end up rejecting them just because they are not sure that the student will be able to fit in. Good luck! Chris.
October 21st, 2007 @ 4:06 am
Hey Brendan,
some comments…
My first reaction was pretty similar to Tomek’s actually, essentially, if you have to convince yourself first that this is what you want, and then wrote those reasons down on paper.
Looking over the program structure, I noticed that it’s quite non-technical. This definately doesn’t allign all that well with your background. Have you thought hard about what you will want to do with this degree after you get it? The outlined graduate prospects on their website seem to be governmental/NGO policy making etc.
You say you’re not sure how this degree relates with your background, i.e. computer engineering, Internet etc… Well I think talking a bit about how you can use your background for sustainable development is a good idea. If your not too sure here are some ideas:
1) Grid Connected Renewable Energy Resources: there are lots complications that arise when you try to connect these intermittent generators to the grid. You need to design inverters etc. Most of this would fall under Electrical Engineering, however, one guy in my lab is designing a system where the inverters could be monitored remotely by the system operator using TCP/IP. I’m not sure if this is what you mean by sustainable developlment
2) Non Grid Connected Renewable Systems: These are good for remote areas and could be potentially very useful in developing countries where the power grid isn’t really established. An example would be a pv system with hydrogen storage for example. These are fairly cutting edge right now I think, many papers that I have read speculate that solar hydrogen generation is the most viable alternative to fossil fuels. The PV’s, designing the controller, running things on hydrogen, these things all need to be engineered.
3) Aggregate Load Control and Distributed Generation Systems: This is basically what my Master’s thesis will be on. Distributed Generation means you have lots of little generators feeding the grid instead of one big one. The reason being, maybe it’s obvious, that renewables can’t and won’t be able to generate the same kind of magnitude of power as big generators can now. A big Solar Generator would be 30MW maybe. I’m working on a project where loads, specifically domestic water heaters, will be connected and disconnected using a complex central controller to achieve higher system stability and reliability and reduce operational costs.
Your networking knowledge could come in here because control signals have to be communicated somehow over a WAN and then if the loads are being controlled aggregately, you probably need to have a LAN. GUI’s to monitor the system will be needed… I have recently come accross this thing called CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) that is useful for these types of projects I think. I don’t know too much about it but maybe you can look it up and mention it and sound really technical and smart.
Those are a few of my ideas, I’m not sure if that was really what you were looking for at all. I hope you found it useful in some way.
If you want to chat about it drop me a line or give me a call. Our new number out here in Fredericton is 506-454-xxxx.
Good Luck,
Talk soon,
Liam
October 21st, 2007 @ 9:01 am
Liam>
Thanks for the super-long comment.
Bastically, I don’t need to convince myself, but rather I see a difference in writing ones feelings on a piece of paper and writing them in such a way that a grad school will accept you. Especially the existing educational background being quite different from what I am applying to.
The ideas you gave are very intriguing and I will look into them further. Also, I will post a link in an upcoming entry about exactly what sustainable development means.
Thanks again,
p.s. I blanked out part of your phone number for security.
October 21st, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
I guess I was a little late with the comment anyways. Congrats on getting your application sent off. These things can be very time consuming. I’ve been working on my application to NSERC for funding for a couple of weeks and I find it really draining and a pain in the butt.
Have a nice trip,
Liam