SOP Sample for MS in Computer Science in the USA

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I come from a highly educated family with most of them having high qualifications. From Doctors in Medicine to Doctorates to Masters, and they are experts in their respective fields. Many of my cousins and uncles who have completed their Masters in the USA are working at good and enviable positions in the country, motivating me to follow in their footsteps.

My schooling has always been in English, and as we had language training by teachers who had come from the US and Canada, I learnt through phonetics in primary school. This has helped me to get the right pronunciation and the proper structure of words that form a sentence, enabling me to express myself commendably both verbally and on paper. One of my traits that was often appreciated was my grasping power. Right from junior classes, my teachers observed that I was a very quick learner and never required re-iteration of what they taught. When I grew older, I started making power-point presentations in a catchy way and would present a lot of images over text content for better understanding. The other students would plead with me to get a copy so that they could improve their grades. And, as a result, I got better and better at using the computer. Due to my innate nature, I completed many projects and was involved in playing football, participating in science fairs, and in art and craft.

It was bit natural that I would opt for Computer Science and Engineering in under graduation. I was fortunate that I had an all-encompassing curriculum, and the subjects that were taught to me opened my eyes to this vast and wondrous world of technology. My favourite subject was Database Management and querying (DBMS). Keen to go further, I did many projects related to DBMS. I created multiple databases for the Computer Science department under the guidance of my professor such as repositories for attendance, exam results, basic details of the students, etc. and manipulated this data based on the reports that were required. (Please refer to my CV for details) In addition, I have done many internal certifications related to database, agile methodologies, and design thinking in the organization I am currently working.

One of the areas that I devoted my time to in college is social activities. I was a member of the college organization committee, and took up leadership roles in organizing cultural fests, science fairs, intra college paper presentation events, inter-state sports meet, placement drives and many more.

Since the last 3 years I have been working at [COMPANY], as a Business Analyst. I lead a team of 8, and due to my strong communication and interpersonal skills, my primary responsibility is to communicate and interpret queries/requirements of clients. I also see to it that they are up-to date with the progress and that we are ready to meet the possible changes in the upcoming stages so that we need to put in minimal efforts. I consciously create an ambiance for the team to provide optimal solutions that has resulted in successfully completed projects. Working on them from multiple locations across India, I have adapted myself to various work environments and timings. I have at times, worked up to 2 am in the office when there were high priority deliverables to ensure the deadlines are not missed.

Not only the management but also the clients have appreciated my performance leading to many awards for various aspects in the projects that I have handled. I have also received multiple appreciation mails from the clients for the successful and timely deliverables. I took the initiative to work closely with code developers thereby stretching my technical boundaries. I have also garnered technical internal certifications and trainings that have helped me gain knowledge and expertise in the business fields and technical fields. One of them is Microsoft external certification related to Microsoft Azure from which I have learnt about azure cloud technologies. In addition, I have been recognized for the multiple roles that I have taken on and my explicit inclination towards being a techno-functionalist.

In my leisure, I volunteer to educate people from my vicinity who have a poor understanding of computers. They require these skills to operate computers for their basic needs like MS office, paint, explorer, mails, etc. I am also passionate about racing and cycling, and have participated in many races that are conducted regularly for various social causes. I now wish to pursue Masters in Computer Science to enhance my skills and gain expertise in various key areas. During the program, I hope to accrue in-depth knowledge on topics such as database management, cloud services, and other niche skills that are required in the industry.

Based on my interactions with various mentors I know that I should do a Master's degree in a setting where values research, diversity, and academic preparation, are emphasized upon. Of all the countries that offer this course, my choice is the US, as it is renowned for its pedagogy and innovative methods of teaching. In addition, it draws aspiring students who wish to be mentored to utilize their potential to the fullest.

The primary reason for pursuing Masters in Computer Science, from your esteemed university is based on a careful perusal of the information I gathered from several sources. I believe that I have found my ideal destination in the fertile ground of this university with its top ranking, reputed innovation, and a strong faculty that focusses on research. Its track record, especially of the Computer Science department has a demanding curriculum and an encouraging environment, which will groom me to be a 'thought' leader in this area. The course content closely matches my interests, and the eminent faculty and excellent facilities for research are the factors that spur me on to choose your university for my graduate studies. It will open many gateways and give me hands-on experience, and I will gain mastery in a specialization of my choice. I am aware that the MS program calls for hard work and dedication. To participate in this educational program, I bring my integrity, work ethics, and rich culture. Hence, I look forward to a productive and symbiotic relationship with the university. It would be my privilege, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue my graduate studies at your university. I am certain that addressing relevant issues in the field is what will pave the way for a fruitful career. I am keen to avail of your outstanding education, as I feel that it will lead me to a career in teaching and research. I am confident that given an opportunity, I will prove to be useful and make a significant contribution to the world.

Post Masters, I would like to work on roles related to Database Management and Development. I envisage myself handling some of the major portfolios in top MNCs. I am not the kind of person who sits and works at the same place and does almost the same work every day. Every day is an opportunity to discover something new, and with my diligence, I am sure that what I do will benefit society.