rsandler00

Thanks so much newms and hahahut. I have made some revisions based on your advice: 1. I added much more about my REU. in particular, i said i didnt complete the project in summer, but am continuing to work on it (shows motivation?). Is it still too detached/objective? In my most recent such experience, I worked withDr. Gerald Loeb on the BioTAC tactile sensor at the USC Viterbi School ofEngineering. The sensor calculates forces based on variations of impedance in aconductive solution. Temperature, however, also affects the fluid’s baseimpedance. Thus, the sensor would record different forces at differenttemperatures. My role consisted of independently designing and analyzingexperiments to quantify how the impedance of the BioTAC solution changes withtemperature, and to develop an algorithm to artificially bypass these effects. Althoughthe project proved more complicated then I imagined and I did not complete itover summer, I have made much progress and am currently continuing to work onthe algorithm, with an end in sight. 2. I was more detailed about the ab i want to work in. Is this the right level of detail, should i do more or less? I believe UCLA is the school ideally suited toprovide me the guidance and knowledge to allow me to succeed as a leadingresearch scientist. Not only, needless to say, does UCLA have the reputation of a world-renowned research institution,but, after looking closely at its neuroengineeringprogram, it has several labs which appeal to me. Arguably the first step inmaking any device at the neural-interface, my long-term goal, is a thoroughknowledge of micromachining. Dr. Jack Judy’s lab has a long and successfulhistory of research in MEMS technology, and particularly in the application ofMEMS to neuroengineering. In return for your confidence in me, I will give yourprogram as many years as is takes of uncompromisingly hard work. I have noillusions about the difficulty of successfully completing a PhD, I only askthat you give me the opportunity and help to do so. Plese let me know!!! Thanks!

Thank you so much newms for the quick reply: 1. I changed my 4th paragraph (below) to reflect how I can contribute to UCLA. do you think its more BS fluff and i should talk about my background, or is it ok? I believe UCLA is the school ideally suited to provideme the guidance and knowledge to allow me to succeed as a leading researchscientist. Not only, needless to say, does UCLAhave the reputation of a world-renowned research institution, but, afterlooking closely at its neuroengineeringprogram, it has several labs which appeal to me. In particular, Dr. Jack Judy’s lab tiesstrongly with my interests in brain-machine interfaces and neural prosthetics. [o1] Inreturn, I will give your program as many years as is takes of uncompromisinglyhard work. I have no illusions about the difficulty of successfully completinga PhD, I only ask that you give me the opportunity and help to do so. 2. As far as talking about my REU's, non of them really apply to my interests. At best they gave me an intro to how a lab works and experiance programming.... How do I deal with that 3. I feel that if I get too specific about my interest, it may narrow the # of labs i could work in very small, and thus make me a less appealing candidate (UCLA doesnt have that much labs in neuroengineering as it is....) What do you think?

Hi Guys, After much tinkering, I just finished my SOP, but I feel very insecure about it... It is the first such thing i did since high school and I havent shown it to anyone yet.... Please tell me what you think!!!! I have some particular questions: 1. In paragraph 4, I mentioned 1 specific lab I want to work in. Is it good to get specific w/ labs? If i do, should I say more then 1 lab? 2. In paragrpah 2, i wrote a few sentences about my REU. I tried to make it understandable for everyone (or at least every scientist). Did I succeed! 3. Does insert about my grandma in p1 sound too cliche? 4. my essay is 526 words. is that enough? the link to the statement is below: www.simivalleyappliancerepairs.com/Statement of Purpose 2.docx THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!!!