Statement of Purpose [1]-2

PUBLIC_FLAG_#{@journal.pf_int} RSS feed of Eiko's latest journal entries Dec 15th 2011 13:35

This is an essay which I'm going to use to apply to architecture grad school in the U.S.


○○○ is name of the school.



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I am going to apply for M.ARCH 2 course in the ○○○. I’ve studied architecture for five and a half years in Japan. I traveled and lived in more than 10 countries which have different customs and cultures. Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values. Also, architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, the customs, and the identity of the people. That is to say, different cultures make different spaces or shapes. I would like to be an architect who is not regulated by my own culture. In fact, many people who have various different notions and identities gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.

My strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence for continuous and hard work. Sometimes, I devote hundreds of hours to make one model or drawing which was not very easy to concentrate on for a long time, but which I finally completed with satisfaction. The main theme in architecture that I discuss in my graduation thesis and master’s thesis is flexibility of space. In general, architecture is solid and unmovable, but our bodies are movable and for every time span of several years our lives need significant change. I think the idea of “flexibility” can apply to movable furniture, system of structure, communities and program of planning. I’ve received three awards for my work including a national contest, and their concepts are mainly couched in “flexibility”. I've trained in three architectural companies for my internship. In particular, my experience with C+A (Coelacanth and Associates), a famous Japanese architectural firm known for their innovative designs of schools, gave me the confidence to work as an architect. I joined as an assistant in their competition to design an elementary school. I not only helped them make models and CG, but I also participated in their discussions. In the end, we won the competition. After that, they told me that our success was thanks to me and that they wanted me to work with them.

Although I have only a year and a half left to gain my Master’s degree at the Osaka Institute of Technology, I am planning to quit the course and enter the ○○○. This is because I realize that my weak point is that my design tend to diverge from formal structures and become just impractical and theoretical. It is difficult to achieve pragmatic design in my university or any other university in Japan. The works of the students in the ○○○ always fascinate me. I would like to try to design structures using real materials and to have discussions based on our practice sessions.

In the future, I would like to design houses and elementary schools. My experiences in designing an elementary school as part of a class assignment, graduate thesis, and internship at C+A piqued my interest in the challenge offered by architectural design schools. A "house" and an "elementary school" are different both in scale and nature. I believe that a house has to be designed to be affordable, comfortable for human habitation, and to meet the special needs of each owner. I consider and design small spaces from a child’s point of view, and an elementary school is the aggregate of all those small spaces. To me, the essence found in both houses and elementary schools cannot be differentiated between the two, but designs to realize this essence are rarely achieved in most existing schools, especially in Japan. This is the problem that I would like most to solve.
Dec 15th 2011 13:53 Samantha

  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values.
  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I have learned that there are no universal values. [this is correct... but are you sure this is what you mean to say?]

 

  • Also, architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, the customs, and the identity of the people.
  • Also, architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, customs, and identity of all people.

 

  • In fact, many people who have various different notions and identities gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.
  • In fact, many people who have various different identities gather together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.

 

  • My strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence for continuous and hard work.
  • The strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence for continuous hard work.

 

  • Sometimes, I devote hundreds of hours to make one model or drawing which was not very easy to concentrate on for a long time, but which I finally completed with satisfaction.
  • Sometimes, I devote hundreds of hours to make one model or drawing. While it is not easy to concentrate for long periods of time, I always complete my pieces to my satisfaction.

 
Dec 15th 2011 14:31 Eiko
Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I have learned that there are no universal values. [this is correct... but are you sure this is what you mean to say?]
If I say " ... I have learned that the values are not universal.", does it make sense?
Dec 16th 2011 10:59 Samantha
It makes sense as it is, but maybe you should consider removing the sentence entirely because it doesn't really relate to your main point. Also, "there are no universal values" is a debatable assertion, and you want to avoid annoying the person reading your statement in case they disagree.

If you decide to keep the sentence, keep the original one. " ... I have learned that the values are not universal." makes less sense.
Dec 15th 2011 15:09 Ryan the Wired

  • I am going to apply for M.
  • I am writing to apply for M.

1 people think this correction is good.  

  • I’ve studied architecture for five and a half years in Japan.
  • I’ve studied architecture for five and a half years in Japan and have traveled and lived in more than 10 countries learning about their various customs and cultures.

1 people think this correction is good.  

  • I traveled and lived in more than 10 countries which have different customs and cultures.
  • I traveled and lived in more than 10 countries which have different customs and cultures.

 

  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values.
  • Because of my exposure to a number of different experiences in a variety of countries, I have come to realize that there are no universal values.

1 people think this correction is good.  

  • Also, architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, the customs, and the identity of the people.
  • I also find that architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, customs, and identity of a people.

1 people think this correction is good.  

  • That is to say, different cultures make different spaces or shapes.
  • That is to say, different cultures make different spaces that require different shapes.

 

  • I would like to be an architect who is not regulated by my own culture.
  • I strive to be an architect who is not limited by their own culture.

 

  • In fact, many people who have various different notions and identities gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.
  • In fact, a historical precedent shows that a large number of people coming from various cultural backgrounds and identities have gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is a school that would enable me to participate in this dynamic exchange.

 

  • My strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence for continuous and hard work.
  • A quality that best defines my craft is my diligent nature and dedication to my work.

 

  • Sometimes, I devote hundreds of hours to make one model or drawing which was not very easy to concentrate on for a long time, but which I finally completed with satisfaction.
  • Sometimes, I will devote hundreds of hours to crafting a model or drawing until I finish it with complete satisfaction.

 

  • The main theme in architecture that I discuss in my graduation thesis and master’s thesis is flexibility of space.
  • The main theme that I discuss in architecture, as I have explored in my senior thesis and master’s thesis, is flexibility of space.

 

  • In general, architecture is solid and unmovable, but our bodies are movable and for every time span of several years our lives need significant change.
  • In general, architecture is solid and unmovable, whereas our bodies are constantly moving and undergo significant changes as we progress through life.

 

  • I think the idea of “flexibility” can apply to movable furniture, system of structure, communities and program of planning.
  • I think the idea of "flexibility" and it's versatile, adaptive nature can be applied to communities, systems of structure, the programming associated with planning, as well as movable furniture systems.

 

  • I’ve received three awards for my work including a national contest, and their concepts are mainly couched in “flexibility”.
  • I’ve received three awards for my work, including recognition in a national contest, where I've highlighted the possibilities of flexibility within architecture.

 

  • I've trained in three architectural companies for my internship.
  • During my training, I've worked with three different architectural practices as an intern.

 

  • In particular, my experience with C+A (Coelacanth and Associates), a famous Japanese architectural firm known for their innovative designs of schools, gave me the confidence to work as an architect.
  • My experience with C+A (Coelacanth and Associates), a famous Japanese architectural firm known for their innovative school designs, gave me the confidence to work as an architect.

 

  • I joined as an assistant in their competition to design an elementary school.
  • I joined them as an assistant during a competition to design an elementary school.

 

  • I not only helped them make models and CG, but I also participated in their discussions.
  • I not only helped them make models and digital renderings, but I also participated in their critiques and discussion.

 

  • In the end, we won the competition.
  • C+A ended up winning the competition.

 

  • After that, they told me that our success was thanks to me and that they wanted me to work with them.
  • After that, they told me that our success was thanks to me and that they wanted me to work with them.

 

  • Although I have only a year and a half left to gain my Master’s degree at the Osaka Institute of Technology, I am planning to quit the course and enter the ○○○.
  • Although I have only a year and a half left in my Master’s degree course at the Osaka Institute of Technology, I am planning to shift my course and enter the ○○○.

 

  • This is because I realize that my weak point is that my design tend to diverge from formal structures and become just impractical and theoretical.
  • I have made this decision because I want to focus on real-world application, where my designs in the past have been limited to the theoretical.

 

  • It is difficult to achieve pragmatic design in my university or any other university in Japan.
  • It is difficult to achieve pragmatic design in my university or any other university in Japan.

 

  • The works of the students in the ○○○ always fascinate me.
  • I find the output of the students and pragmatic nature of the courses at the ○○○ inspiring.

 

  • I would like to try to design structures using real materials and to have discussions based on our practice sessions.
  • I would like to try to design structures using real materials and to have discussions based on our practice sessions.

 

  • In the future, I would like to design houses and elementary schools.
  • In the future, I would like to design houses and elementary schools.

 

  • My experiences in designing an elementary school as part of a class assignment, graduate thesis, and internship at C+A piqued my interest in the challenge offered by architectural design schools.
  • My experience designing an elementary school while working with C+A, my graduate thesis, and my various internships have all prepared me for the challenge offered by ○○○.

 

  • A "house" and an "elementary school" are different both in scale and nature.
  • In the future, I aspire to build upon my experience at ○○○ and apply my ideas of flexibility to the design of houses and schools.

 

  • I believe that a house has to be designed to be affordable, comfortable for human habitation, and to meet the special needs of each owner.
  • I believe that a house has to be designed to be affordable, comfortable for human habitation, and to meet the special needs of each owner.

 

  • I consider and design small spaces from a child’s point of view, and an elementary school is the aggregate of all those small spaces.
  • I consider and design small spaces from a child’s point of view, and an elementary school is the aggregate of all those small spaces.

 

  • To me, the essence found in both houses and elementary schools cannot be differentiated between the two, but designs to realize this essence are rarely achieved in most existing schools, especially in Japan.
  • To me, the essence found in both houses and elementary schools cannot be differentiated between the two, but designs to realize this essence are rarely achieved in most existing schools, especially in Japan.

 

  • This is the problem that I would like most to solve.
  • This is the problem that I would like most to solve.

 
I really like your ideas and think you would make an excellent student.

I studied graphic design and am looking into Masters program, myself. I also really enjoy looking at architecture.

I have corrected not only your spelling and grammar, but also the entire tone of the essay. If you take my corrections as a whole, I think it makes a very strong statement.

I took out many sentences at the end because you repeated some of your ideas or included new ideas that seemed unnecessary to your overall statement. I also changed your conclusion to show them your desire to study at ○○○.

If you have any questions about my corrections, please ask.
Dec 16th 2011 02:04 Ryan the Wired
Or you could take some of those sentences at the end and integrate them earlier into your essay.
Dec 15th 2011 21:35 markbellis

  • I am going to apply for M.
  • I am applying for the Master of Architecture program 2 course at the ○○○. Why is there a 2 here?

 

  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values.
  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values, and that architecture is integrated closely into the cultures, the customs, and the identity of the people.

 

  • I would like to be an architect who is not regulated by my own culture.
  • I would like to be an architect who is not limited by my own culture.

 

  • In fact, many people who have various different notions and identities gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.
  • In fact, many people of various different notions (do you mean 'nations' or 'notions'?) and identities gathered together in the US and the ○○○ is the school where I can meet them.

 

  • My strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence for continuous and hard work.
  • The strongest quality that defines my craft is my persistence in continuous and hard work.

 

  • I think the idea of “flexibility” can apply to movable furniture, system of structure, communities and program of planning.
  • I think the idea of “flexibility” can apply to movable furniture, systems of structure, communities and programs of planning. note that "it's" in the above correction is wrong - when used for "これ の” it should be "its"

 

  • I’ve received three awards for my work including a national contest, and their concepts are mainly couched in “flexibility”.
  • I’ve received three awards for my work, including a national contest, and their concepts rely strongly on “flexibility”.

 

  • I've trained in three architectural companies for my internship.
  • I've interned at three different architectural companies.

 

  • I not only helped them make models and CG, but I also participated in their discussions.
  • I not only helped them make models and CGI, but I also participated in their discussions.

 

  • Although I have only a year and a half left to gain my Master’s degree at the Osaka Institute of Technology, I am planning to quit the course and enter the ○○○.
  • Although I have only a year and a half left to complete my Master’s degree at the Osaka Institute of Technology, I am planning to quit the course and enter the ○○○.

 

  • This is because I realize that my weak point is that my design tend to diverge from formal structures and become just impractical and theoretical.
  • This is because I realize that my weak point is that my designs tend to diverge from formal structures and become just impractical and theoretical.

 

  • It is difficult to achieve pragmatic design in my university or any other university in Japan.
  • It is difficult to develop pragmatic designs in my university or any other university in Japan.

 

  • My experiences in designing an elementary school as part of a class assignment, graduate thesis, and internship at C+A piqued my interest in the challenge offered by architectural design schools.
  • My experiences in designing an elementary school as part of a class assignment, graduate thesis, and internship at C+A piqued my interest in the challenge offered by the architectural design of schools.

 

  • I consider and design small spaces from a child’s point of view, and an elementary school is the aggregate of all those small spaces.
  • I consider and design small spaces for early education from a child’s point of view, and an elementary school is the aggregate of all those small spaces.

 

  • To me, the essence found in both houses and elementary schools cannot be differentiated between the two, but designs to realize this essence are rarely achieved in most existing schools, especially in Japan.
  • To me, the essence found in both houses and elementary schools cannot be differentiated between the two, but designs to realize this essence are rarely produced in most existing schools, especially in Japan. いみ?

 
Good!
Dec 15th 2011 23:10 Hugh

  • Because of exposure to many different experiences in different countries, I learned that there are no universal values.
  • maybe ...I have become skeptical about the existence of universal values. >I think "there are no universal values" is too strong in this context, because not everyone would agree with this statement, and you should be more diplomatic, in case a person with such a disagreement happens to be the one reading your application.

 

  • I would like to be an architect who is not regulated by my own culture.
  • I would like to be an architect who is not ruled by her own culture. >(1.) the verb "regulate" seems kind of weak here. "Regulate" is what bureaucrats (官僚)do; "rule" is what kings do. "Limited" is also good, but it is somewhat different from your original idea.(2.) If you use "would like to be", you cannot say "my own culture", because in that case, the architect is not you, but a hypothetical person.

 
Dec 16th 2011 01:03 Hugh
I would like to be an architect who is not ruled by her own culture. >(1.) the verb "regulate" seems kind of weak here. "Regulate" is what bureaucrats (官僚)do; "rule" is what kings do. "Limited" is also good, but it is somewhat different from your original idea.(2.) If you use "would like to be", you cannot say "my own culture", because in that case, the architect is not you, but a hypothetical person.
on second thought, "limited" may be closer to your original thought after all. I would use it.

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