Statement of interest-biomedical engineering

In lagos, the streets are walked not only by commuters but beggars alike. Little children and
their parents, little children on their own, people riddled with unimaginable diseases and their
bodies as visible proof and many other helpless people walk the streets begging for money from
passing cars. I guess at some point people used to respond to their pleas and hand them some
petty change, now not so much.
My mother seems to believe that these beggars have supernatural powers and can end up using
your kindness against you. She told me a story which my grandmother told her (who knows
where she heard it from) about a woman who had given some money to a beggar then bled to
death later that day in her bath tub. Now I don’t know how these two incidences correlate but
they seem to believe that the beggar had something to do with her death.
I don’t know whether to be amused or bewildered at their story. Nigeria has always been a
country in which people are greatly superstitious. I have my limits but it seems that alot of
Nigerians do not. How can an act of kindness be so misconstrued?
There was a little beggar boy begging by my window today. He was there for over 5 minutes
praying for me and begging. He was gesticulating with his hands that he needed something to
eat. My mum cautioned me as she saw the boy approaching the car ‘ Eniola I know how you’re
always tempted to help these people but don’t fall for their tricks’. At this point she proceeds to
tell me how most of them are evil and besides the government had provided shelter for them.
But looking at this boy’s face as he fogged up the window with his words, I didn’t care if indeed
he was evil, I just wanted to help him. I know that some of them might be dishonest but are we
any better?
He moved over to my mum’s window but she shooed him away like a fly, flicking at the glass and
warning him to clear off. He couldn’t have been more than 8 years old. I wanted to scream at my
mum, I was so frustrated at her thinking. But I can’t blame her, its the kind of country we come
from, where superstitions precede reasoning.
Honestly, I don’t know if the stories have any truth in them but at the end of the day I believe in
the power of goodness overcoming evil. If someone were to repay a good deed with evil then I
can only conclude that that person will eventually suffer for it one day. We cannot predict what
the world will do, however that should not stop us from doing good when the opportunity
presents itself.

1. Statement of Interest (1-2 page document which indicates your interest in pursuing
graduate studies with the School of Biomedical Engineering)
When I was eleven years old, I watched helplessly as my grandmother died in my arms. She left
me something that changed my life: a passion for saving lives. Some of my best days were
spent visiting cancer patients in hospitals. Since then, I have wanted to become a scientist.

Every summer throughout high school, I volunteered to make a difference. m organizing blood
donation camp to help cancer patients with blood transfusions, during their treatment, to
successfully executing “TB Diagnosis” workshops My background in the field:
Organized a blood donation camp to help cancer patients with blood transfusions during
their treatment
Along with other specialists, successfully executed “TB Diagnosis” workshop in which
information was given regarding the epidemiology of TB in third world countries, and its
rising trend in resistance against available medications
Spent time with children suffering from cancer; maintained proper hygiene and engaged
with the patients

After graduating with a first class degree from [redacted], University of [redacted], I felt I should gain some
practical experience working in a research environment to gain first-hand knowledge of what the life of a
research scientist entails. I have loved every minute of my work: especially the opportunity to participate
in cutting-edge projects and discuss ideas with senior biologists. I soon realized that, although I enjoy
handling the complex equipment and processing the results, I am not going to be satisfied with carrying
out routine procedures under the direction of others. I want to be part of the team that directs the course
of the project. My senior colleagues have encouraged my ambition and feel that I have the potential for
graduate studies.Notice how the student tries to analyze the reasons for her choices.

My love of biology started in high school. We had a young and enthusiastic teacher, Mrs [redacted], who
took us on field trips and visits. She made sure we did as much practical work as was feasible, and
demonstrated experiments that we hadn't the equipment or time to do ourselves. She also encouraged us
to read. I remember the impact reading Maynard Smith's The Theory of Evolution had on me: I wanted to
be able to explain such important ideas as clearly as he did. Quite naturally my first thoughts about a
future career tended towards teaching � I wanted to be another Mrs [redacted].It is good to explain how
you became interested in your subject. However, don't go too far back! Notice that a specific example
helps create interest.

At undergraduate level, my interests became more focused. Although physiology and ecology came easy
to me, it was biochemistry and cell biology that really captured my interest. We were fortunate to have
good laboratories and excellent professors. I found that cell biology was an interdisciplinary undertaking:
today you need a foundation in chemistry, physics and even IT to be at the forefront in this subject. This
interdisciplinary aspect of the subject suits my abilities well. I have always performed well in all science
subjects and find it challenging to apply the knowledge to practical problems. For this reason I chose to
undertake a project in my final year on the behavior of protein molecules in high energy fields at
[redacted]. The scientists at[redacted] were impressed with my practical skills and were happy to give me
a recommendation that led to my present job.Details of courses and projects help to show focus. (This
student went on to describe another important college project. She also gave a full description of her
current scientific work.)

Many people have asked me why I did not proceed directly to graduate studies after graduating. The
answer is that I wanted to make sure that I had chosen the right subject and the right place before
embarking on a course of study that would involve many years of my life. The one-year gap has also
given me time to work with the local Natural History Society: we take families on Sunday trips to the
nearby National Park to help create awareness about environmental issues. I have also been a member
and organizer of the [redacted] Film Society: we watch and discuss films from all over the world. I am
looking forward to furthering my interest in film in the [redacted] Film club, at your university, and I also
hope to use my passion for teaching in the [redacted]Social Outreach program.Explain the reasons for
any unusual features of your career (taking a year out, poor performance, etc.). Include social and
extracurricular activities to show balance in your life or because they are relevant to the course.

In selecting the University of [redacted] I have been influenced by the way your research program
addresses biological questions at the levels of molecule, gene and cell. I am particularly looking forward
to such courses as Developmental Biology and Bioinformatics. I am also excited to interact with
Professors [redacted] and [redacted] whose work is closest to what I want to pursue for the original
research component of the MS degree. I have been corresponding with [redacted], a current student,
from whom I have learned about the collaborative environment at [redacted] where I will interact with
talented students, teachers and industry professionals. I believe that I will be able to contribute to and
learn from the academically challenging environment at the University of [redacted].Try to show that you
are fully familiar with the course you are applying for.

Volunteer: Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre

Organized a blood donation camp to help cancer patients with blood transfusions during
their treatment
Along with other specialists, successfully executed “TB Diagnosis” workshop in which
information was given regarding the epidemiology of TB in third world countries, and its
rising trend in resistance against available medications
Spent time with children suffering from cancer; maintained proper hygiene and engaged
with the patients

General Member: Orphan Sponsorship Program, University of Waterloo

segué to your background in the field; (3) specific classes by title and professors you have had
(especially if well-known in the field); (4) related extracurricular activities (especially if they hint
at some personal quality you want to convey); (5) any publications or other professional
accomplishments in the field (perhaps conference presentations or public readings); (6)
explanations about problems in your background (if needed); and (7) why you have chosen this
grad school (name one or two professors and what you know of their specific areas or some
feature of the program which specifically attracts you).

and left me something that changed my life: a passion to