STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

What are the elements of a strong Statement of Purpose?

1. Clear indication of prior study in previous institution.
For instance, what was your major or major interest and why? What courses did you take or papers did you write that demonstrated academic excellence?

2. What motivated you? What obstacles did you have to overcome?

3. Write clearly about and specifically about the extent to which the Afro-American Studies Program at UCLA would facilitate that research. 
For instance, which specific professors at UCLA are doing research that accords with your interest(s) or potential interests?

What does it mean to convey a “scholarly agenda”?

1. A scholarly agenda simply means:  this is what I intend to study at your institution.
2. The scholarly agenda generally has two parts:  
Ø Background – what I’ve done in the past (papers written, special class projects or research conducted or assisted, conferences attended, courses taken (name specific professors at your previous institution)
Ø Forward- How I intend to continue that research in the future
For instance, name a few of the courses at UCLA you intend to take and explain how they will help you with your research agenda.

How do I explain my own personal circumstances?

1. If the application calls for a separate Personal Statement, indicate your personal situation there.  If not, work it into the Statement of Purpose briefly and clearly.
2. Place the personal material toward the end, after discussion of your scholarly agenda.
3. If you have specific life challenges that you have had to overcome in order to accomplish what you did academically, briefly state an example of what you did.
For instance, if a student’s GPA is lower, he or she might explain that family circumstances forced him or her to work and help support the family.  (Some students have families of their own.)
4. Also indicate other achievements in your school, community, or workplace that demonstrate your ability to set and keep goals, make and keep commitments, and be trustworthy.
For instance, a student may have been a volunteer leader in his or her church or community center.