JarusHub Nigeria Personal Statement Challenge: Winning Essays
Recently, JarusHub, Nigeria’s leading career resources platform and leading provider of career and education services like CV and personal statement writing, recently organized a personal statement challenge for young Nigerians.
We thought to publish the top 2 essays.
The contest requirement was:
You are seeking admission to your favourite course in JarusHub University (a fictitious university) and have been asked to write an SOP detailing why you should be offered admission to study any course of your choice.
Length: 1,000 – 1,200 words
Here are the top 3 essays (unedited) as adjudged by the assessors:
Winner
My major research interest is Biomathematics and I aim to improve and impact more on this area. In view of this I desire to be admitted into the prestigious JarusHub University as a PhD student in Mathematics department.
The worldwide increase in death rate especially in tropical countries induced by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in addition to some Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has played a major role in motivating researchers in my area of interest to put in considerable amount of work aimed at developing Mathematical models targeted at curtailing the spread of these diseases and ultimately eliminating them.
In developing countries where precautionary measures are sometimes ignorantly thrown to the wind, probably as a result of poor educational system and technology, there should exist the need by available experts in this field to suggest and develop manageable ways through Mathematical models in order to ensure that any endemic or existing disease fizzle out in lesser time at a particular geographical location. This has sparked my interest in this field as I desire to make my personal contributions to the world at large to ensure that a near disease free environment is achieved.
Under the supervision of Professor Moses Witherspoon, during my Master’s program at the department of Mathematics (UNI), my dissertation on Mathematical analysis of Hepatitis B paved ways to widen my understanding of Mathematical modelling in epidemiology because with six fractional differential equations I was able to develop a model to explain the transmission dynamics of the disease. I computed the basic reproduction number of the disease using estimated and assumed parameters. I investigated the stability of the disease free and the endemic equilibrium points using Jacobian transformation. I was also able to use MATLAB to obtain the solutions of the differential equations (by Adam’s type predictor-corrector method) and to perform simulations whose results indicated that with vaccination of susceptible individuals, treatment of infected persons and adherence by susceptible individuals to preventive measures, the disease will fizzle out with time.
Though, with basic knowledge on the usage of MATLAB to perform numerical simulations, I understand that there are other computer programs like Maple, Python, etc. that can be used to obtain a more detailed and accurate simulation results displaying graphs of different population classes against time in three dimensions (3D). I studied the University’s handbook and discovered that some of the outlined courses in my department of interest covers the teaching of these computer programs and I will very much love to learn all these in the School.
I extracted a paper from my completed thesis as directed by my supervisor and it was published online on the Volume 14, Issue 9 of the International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research on September 2018 and I trust that the article is making a positive impact in the research field of interest and the world at large judging by the citations it has attracted so far. Hopefully, I can be a part of JarusHub University and work closely with professionals so as to make more positive impact in this field.
Five months ago, I published a research article on Mathematical model of the early incidence and spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria combined with control measure (at the Volume 12, Issue 4 of the Journal of Fractional Calculus and Applications on April 2020) while considering three population classes in the country; The susceptible, Infected and the recovered for a population assumed not to be constant. In the paper the statistical information of the disease in the country from its date of arrival, February 27, 2020 up till March 30th 2020 was used to determine that the contact rate of individuals as at that period was not enough to cause a wild fire spread of the disease. The simulation result showed that with intensified control measure, the disease can be eliminated. I am currently working on a follow up article on this to describe the current situation of the Pandemic in the country. My aim is to consider more than just three population classes but to incorporate the exposed and the isolated individuals in the country, thus giving rise to five sets of differential equations. I intend to utilize the present statistical information of the disease to estimate the parameters of the model. If admitted into JarusHub University, I will love to work closely with the University’s unbeatable academic team of researchers to get more ideas that will help me to complete the follow up article on the pandemic at a shorter period of time.
Recently, I developed an interest in the transmission dynamics of a neglected tropical disease, Schistosomiasis. This disease which is mostly transmitted to humans through freshwater infested with the pathogen, Schistosoma has been modelled by few researchers, one of which happened to be Professor Darum Mataya, a lecturer at your University in my department of interest,. Having read all available online research works about this disease, I have discovered a knowledge gap which needs be filled and I hope that I can make this the subject of my Thesis. I believe that working closely with Prof. Mataya and learning from his experience in this will enable me to effectively start up and complete a dissertation on Mathematical modelling of Schistosomiasis in tropical nations.
I should also mention here that I have very much enjoyed teaching mathematics related courses as a graduate Assistant in University of Illinois (UNI) as my learning experience under my MSc thesis supervisor did not only teach me the potentials of research but also the value of teaching. I hope to become a professor of Biomathematics some day contributing positively to the society through extensive research and impacting knowledge gained from experience in the academic front to those who are opened to learn. So, I am ready to put in enough work to be an effective researcher and teacher, able to encourage upcoming researchers and teachers in this field in the nearest future. If offered admission into the prestigious JarusHub University as a PhD research student in Mathematics department to work more on my area of interest, Biomathematics, it would definitely be one step to achieving my dreams and I hope the committee would look favourably on my application.
Ist Runner Up
Statement of Purpose | M.Sc. Experimental Chemistry Applicant at JarusHub University
Chemistry and I did not have a great start. Although I was a good student with an affinity for acquiring knowledge and knowing how things worked, I performed averagely in Chemistry. Determined to improve, I became more assiduous with my studies; Wikipedia became a close friend, I would read about almost everything and even when I was ill, I would browse the symptoms and attempt to make suggestions to my doctors based on my findings. By the time I was graduating from secondary school, not only did I get an above average grade in Chemistry in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, my understanding and love for Chemistry had grown. Throughout my academic pursuit, one thing that has remained constant is my passion to enhance the quality of life of the people around me especially in a country like Nigeria that has been plagued with a number of diseases and using available tools, abilities and knowledge to do so. Hence, my motivation to pursue postgraduate studies.
With a solid foundation in Chemistry, I had outstanding results right from the first semester of my first year. At the end of my first year, I was awarded a university scholarship as the best performing student in the department of Chemistry for my cohort. This scholarship would cater for my tuition fees till graduation. During my undergraduate studies, I took courses leaning towards my future goals in areas such as Inorganic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry but one that I particularly enjoyed and excelled at were the experimental chemistry courses. I still remember being involved in those classes as it was fascinating to see the results from simply following a set of experimental procedures, also, I loved being in the laboratory and those moments at the Chemistry laboratory were exciting and surreal for me. Studying the nitrate and nitrite levels of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Lafia Nigeria as my undergraduate research project, I developed an understanding of Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), carcinogenesis and other harmful consequences of nitrate and nitrite poisoning. In addition, the study gave me a first-hand experience of how our health could be positively or negatively affected by what we ingest. Apart from gaining an understanding of how to carry out research works, it made me aware of the intricate and demanding nature of research; time, intellect, energy and finances. These efforts culminated to a first-class degree and graduating as the best student in my department. The research work was also presented at the 4th African Conference on Research in Chemistry Education and the 42nd Annual International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria which was jointly held in September 2019 and was published in the International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Science. In addition, my colleagues and I published a research work on Manganese (VII) Adsorption Kinetics from Aqueous Solutions using Watermelon (Citrillus Lanatus) peels as Adsorbent in the January 2020 issue of the Advance Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Discoveries.
The years spent pursuing my undergraduate degree and volunteering as a tutor were pivotal to shaping my choice of a career path and working as a teaching assistant during my compulsory service year allowed me the privilege to gather relevant experience working with undergraduate students, reviewing and critiquing an undergraduate seminar and grading undergraduate laboratory reports and examinations. It also opened my eyes to the diverse applications of Nanoparticles and its potential in chemical research. I have since chosen a career in the academics and I hope to become a university professor so as to contribute to the delivery of quality education across the globe and also establish a research institute for Biological and Inorganic Chemistry research in Nigeria.
Furthermore, I am certain that a master’s degree in Experimental Chemistry will set me apart both as a researcher and lecturer. This is because it is a field that spans through virtually all areas of chemistry from Physical Chemistry to Materials Chemistry and also the emerging field of Nano-Chemistry; it is a specialty that combines all my interests. Also, there are only a handful of Experimental Chemists in Nigeria which is often attributed to the uniqueness and ‘‘difficulty’’ of the course. Therefore, bagging a postgraduate degree in this area of specialization will allow me to inspire the younger generations of chemists who will like to delve into it.
Having explored the innovative and research based Department of Chemistry, state-of-the-art research facilities, affiliated research centres and the expert and globally renowned research faculty who are intensively involved in original research, expanding their knowledge and making life-changing discoveries at JarusHub University, I firmly believe that it is not just the best for me but it is one that will effectively prepare me for success in my chosen career path and help me actualize my academic and professional goals. In addition, as a top-ranking university in Nigeria with an unbeatable student mentoring program, comfortable and up-to-date research spaces it is the perfect place for me to achieve scholarly excellence.
My research interest stems from a need to combine my passion for Medicine, Inorganic Chemistry and Experimental Chemistry. I would love to explore the roles of nanoparticles and some metal ions in disease diagnosis and treatment. Knowing that Nanoparticles interact in diverse ways with their target and the vital roles Metal Ions play in biological systems, it would be fascinating to understand their contributions in disease diagnosis and treatment. I am also interested in the synthesis and development of new materials with such applications. Truly, I am committed to this intellectual journey, and to JarusHub University itself. Though I am yet to meet personally with any faculty member, I am deeply drawn to the works of Suraj Oyewale, Femi Taiwo, Emmanuel Olugbenga Ewumi and Tope Ajetunmobi. My decision to study for a postgraduate degree in Inorganic chemistry at JarusHub University is an easy yet enlightened one and I am ready for it. It will be an honour to join this great community. Thus, I would be honored if the postgraduate admissions committee will favorably consider my application for admission.
Our comments to readers:
These are just samples of decent personal statement formats. Don’t copy and paste personal statements online, universities have plagiarism detectors.
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