Hi,
I have drafted my SOP. I would request the moderators to look into it.
Can anyone clear some of my doubts.
1.I have a fear that i have put in lots of unnecessary stuff into my draft.
2.I am not really able to manifest my desire for research work. What changes should I incorporate ?
3. My motivation and reason of choosing Petroleum dont seem convincing, isnt it? How can I make it more specific so that they appear more appealing ??
5. I think i havent been able to clearly state my motives fr joining the college, shud i write more about my research interests?
6. Merely mentioning the name of professor is fine or..shud i include something else..?
Here is the drafted SOP:
While reading a recent World Energy magazine, I came across a rhetoric question, "Are we actually running out of OIL, or it is the draining of creative ideas?" For me this was a thought provoking question. Digging deep into the web, I came across the current oil scenario. According to a Statistical survey the world's proved oil reserves will last for just 46 years. More than 95 percent of the crude oil produced today comes from fields that have been producing for decades. Are we not able to explore new reservoirs to meet the demand? The challenges ahead are greater than ever. The present generation requires a spark of creativity and innovation. This has been my motivating factor which kept me wondering about the new possible techniques and the vast research still possible in this domain. Another encouraging factor which propels me into giving my best performance is self actualization. I have always wanted to unleash my full potential by bringing out the best in me. In my case, striving for simple experiences of life continues to be the aim. With this mindset, I bring to the table-passion, uniqueness and an innate interest in graduate research at Colorado School of Mines towards developing the most novel technology for oil production and extraction.
I am born with an inherent quest for knowledge. To satisfy my curiosity and fascination for scientific phenomenon, I used to think out of the box solutions to the problems. While studying in high school, I took part in a science project where I used solar energy to charge a supercapacitor of a car battery and gauge the amount of power it can supply on the basis of amount of time for which it was charged. My model was adjudged as one of the best science projects. To satiate my hunger for scientific aptitude, I selected science at intermediate level. Theoretical knowledge when practiced inside the laboratory gave me an inner feeling of satisfaction. When the time came for me to select a major in engineering, the recession and Global Crisis shook the economy of the world. Browsing through the financial magazines and newspapers, I came to know about the inevitable power of the "Black Gold" and the huge impact it has on the world economy. I realized that the crisis can be perceived as an opportunity to cogitate and come up with strategies for a feasible solution. This increased my curiosity and gradually I developed an interest in the oil and gas industry. I found the opportunity so engrossing that I decided to dedicate my life to the Energy Sector. The excitement, opportunity and challenges involved within the sector allured me into pursuing Bachelors in Petroleum Engineering at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.
With an aim of acquainting myself with the energy sector, every little aspect involved in the oil exploration and production was studied in detail. The curriculum involves subjects like Petroleum Exploration, Reservoir Engineering Fundamentals, Drilling and Well Completion, Petroleum Production Engineering and Petroleum Formation Evaluation. Right from the inception of my undergraduate studies, I was always running for pursuit of knowledge. To keep myself abreast with the contemporary developments I never missed an opportunity to attend conferences, Guest Lectures and Paper Presentations. Even after that, the hunger for acquainting myself with latest technology never subdued.
During my sophomore year I presented a review paper on "Well Stimulation Operations" in an intra-university SPE event. The paper involved the analysis of various problems which cause low production rates and result in decline of desirable production fluids from an oil well. Keeping in mind the recent developments in the oil extraction techniques, I also presented a paper based on "Thermal EOR Techniques". Data from a field in Mehsana, India was used in comparison of two basic EOR processes, SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) and ISC (In-Situ Combustion). Complete analysis of the recovery factor using both the techniques was discussed.
After the completion of junior year, I underwent an Industrial Training for eight weeks in ONGC, Mehsana Asset. I completed a project on Design and Optimization of Gas Lift Systems. During the internship I carried out various trouble shooting operations on the field which were helpful in providing me with the practical experience. I was also able to understand the design aspect of Gas lift mandrels and Gas lift valves. As a result I designed gas lift valves and simulated the result on a field.
In order to practice my theoretical knowledge, I involved myself in a Research Project in senior year devoted towards Hydrocarbon Potential Estimation of an oil field. The project involves the use of 3D seismic data and logging data. Understanding the stratigraphic and structural features helped in the identification of leads. Apart from using attribute analysis, Gassmann Fluid Substitution was implemented to quantify the amount of hydrocarbons and effective resource estimation of the leads, eventually turning them into drillable prospects.
I always wanted to be an individual with a balance in my life. This prompted me to take part in various co-curricular activities. I got an opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals while organizing various events under the umbrella of SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers). I was also awarded "Certificate of Achievement" by SPE President, for outstanding contributions towards initiating the SPE Student chapter in a burgeoning university like ours. I was also selected as a Head of Resource Management Team during Techno- Cultural fest, where I learnt how to manage the available resources in the best possible manner. With a proclivity towards technology, I also steered myself into Robotics and was unanimously selected as Vice-President of the University Robotics Club. I learnt various skills like handling emergency situations and tackling problems while organizing and taking part in such events.
I always have this burning desire to contribute something substantial to the society. I am a part of Rural Child Development Programme in the university, where I get to interact and spend time with the children of construction workers and laborers. I try to contribute to the society by trying to educate them and helping them in my own little manner. I was also a part of Rural Internship, under which I spent three weeks in a remote area. The motive behind this internship was to provide exposure to grass-root realities to the students, with a focus on participation in intervention by NGO's.
With a dream to fulfill my vision of being a technically and analytically sound engineer, I wish to pursue my graduate studies at Colorado School of Mines whose academic environment agrees very well with my academic and research interests. The research environment available here would foster my technical skills. I wish to continue my previous work in the field of Production Optimization and Well Stimulations with a focus on "hydraulic fracture growth and the containment mechanism" and take it to the next level. I intend to pursue my majors in the research department FAST (fracturing, acidizing, stimulation technology) under Prof. Jennifer Miskimins.
Colorado School of Mines has been extraordinary in developing highly dedicated intellectuals who contribute to the society, hence I believe it is an ideal choice for my future aspirations. Leading with a vision of developing professionals who could devise economic systems to ensure prudent and provident use of a sustainable energy society, I am of the opinion that CSM can provide necessary platform for me to display my skills. It is under the guidance of such experienced faculty of your university, that I can gain great knowledge and perform to the best of my ability. I firmly believe that the program offered at Colorado School of Mines, with its specialized courses, will help me acquire the versatility needed to reach my full potential as a Petroleum Engineer. In order to achieve my professional goal of working in a multi cultural and global environment and leaving a benchmark in the Petroleum Industry through innovative methods and making significant path breaking and phenomenal contributions, I feel that pursuing graduate study at your university will be really beneficial in terms of my academic pursuits. I seek this opportunity to portray my professional excellence and devote myself through a constant process of learning.
Thanks and Regards
"In my case, striving for simple experiences of life continues to be the aim"- ---don't see a link with your future research work, how or what do you mean by 'simple experiences' here.
"Colorado School of Mines towards developing the most novel technology for oil production and extraction."- -----you are talking about 'novel technology for oil production and extraction' and in the beginning you talk about "Are we not able to explore new reservoirs to meet the demand? " I dont belong to this filed so not able to see how paucity of reservoirs is related to new technology for oil production and extraction...Thats my personal opinion (that too being not an expert) so do check it with other people as well.
"When the time came for me to select a major in engineering, the recession and Global Crisis shook the economy of the world. Browsing through the financial magazines and newspapers, I came to know about the inevitable power of the "Black Gold" and the huge impact it has on the world economy.". ..re-work on this sentence.
"Right from the inception of my undergraduate studies, I was always running for pursuit of knowledge. To keep myself abreast with the contemporary developments I never missed an opportunity to attend conferences, Guest Lectures and Paper Presentations. Even after that, the hunger for acquainting myself with latest technology never subdued." -----looks all rhetoric...support it with some examples like name some conferences, lectures, etc.
I intend to pursue my majors in the research department FAST (fracturing, acidizing, stimulation technology) under Prof. Jennifer Miskimins. -----explain this why this Prof., check her research interest, publications, papers, etc quote that.
Last paragraph seems redundant, same things have been said again and again. Plus check the word limit, try not to re-mention things which are already there in your CV unless it shows some significant contribution to your development. Also while talking about your internship experiences state how it helped you in discovering your own research interest, you have talked only about 'what' you did there.
All the very best with your application.
I would be happy if you can have a look at my SOp as well!
