Amanda Corona

Personal Statement
My interest in political science dates back to my years in high school, where I excelled in
government and a course by the name of street law. When I was a senior, I was one of the ten
students to be selected for a DC immersion program. It was in the week spent in DC that I fell in
love with the environment and made it a goal to be a part of the constantly moving city. The
program allowed us to take the most controversial issues and debate in front of think tank
representatives. After witnessing the knowledge that the think tank employees possessed it
seemed only logical that I pursue a career in political science.
When I began my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to be exposed to the full
range of political science courses, all of which tended to reinforce and solidify my intense
interest in government. I did however soon realize that the field of political science was very
broad and I set out to follow a more specified path. I transferred to a liberal arts college in order
to study intelligence. At a liberal arts college I have had the opportunity to study a number of
subjects in the humanities and they have been both enjoyable and enlightening, providing me
with a new and different perspective on the world in which we live. The difference in classes are
not the only exposure I was surrounded by, moving from Texas to a more diverse area with
varying opinions also enhanced the college experience.
In the realm of government, I have developed a special interest in the field of middle east
policy and have even been a founding member in a national security journal at my university that
addresses the problems in the region. Among the 10 or so students in the organization, I am the
head reporter and writer for the middle east. Another particular interest of mine is intelligence
and national security studies, and since switching my degree to intelligence I have been able to
assess situations from an intelligence community perspective.

Amanda Corona
Through the major I have learned about past intelligence operations both successes and
failures and have been able study those that took place in the middle east. Operations that were
carried out in conjunction with the middle east perspective with an understanding of a culture
more often than not affects the success rate of a mission outcomes. The administration at my
university was sufficiently impressed with the work of the national security journal so much so
that I was offered class credit for our weekly club meetings.
Of course, my plans following completion of my current studies are to move directly into
graduate work toward my master's in middle east and mediterranean studies. After I earn my
master's degree, I intend to start work on my Ph.D. in philosophy in policy analysis. Later I
would like to work in the area of middle east research and analysis for a private industry. It is in
analysis that I believe I can make the greatest contribution, utilizing my theoretical background
and creativity as a researcher. Eventually I would like to work for a think tank in the DC area,
primarily focusing on conflict in the middle east and possible long term solutions.