Study/Research Objectives

The MOST important thing

you will ever write
This section is very IMPORTANT. As part of the
evaluation of your application, you are required
to attach a one page (please do not exceed the
one page limit) of a clear and detailed
description of your study objectives. Give your
reasons for wanting to pursue them in the U.S.
Describe the kind of program you expect to
undertake and explain how the proposed field of
study fits in with your educational background,
your future objectives, and your future
involvement in community development.
Study Objective:
What is it?

1. Clear description of study objectives (be
specific about major field and specialized
interests within this field) AND explain why you
want to pursue these objectives:







2. Describe the kind of program you expect to
undertake, and explain how this study plan (or
program) fits in with previous training and your
future objectives:
What are universities looking for?
A Picture of Your Overall Personality

Academic Background and Work Experience

Continuity

Commitment and Motivation

Communication Skills


There are many ways to organize
your Study Objective
However, following an outline that addresses the
information in order is the clearest and most
coherent to the reader.

Remember those who are screening
applications read many, many, applications!

If they have irrelevant information and do
provide detailed information and rationale,
readers/screeners will probably set them aside.

Make an outline of what is being
asked for:
Look at the statement and underline the key
points that the application is asking you to
address in your study objective.

Do not write about information that is irrelevant
to what you are being asked to respond to.

*SEE EXAMPLE OF AN OUTLINE or make your
own is better. But address only what is asked
for.
Study Objective Outline
PARAGRAPH 1: Description of an MA or PhD
program you expect to undertake

PARAGRAPH 2: Explain how the description of
the plan above fits in with your previous training
and your future objectives.

PARAGRAPH 3: Why you need to undertake
these studies in the United States as opposed to
Indonesia?

PARAGRAPH 4: How would getting this
scholarship help you when you return with
community development or benefiting
Indonesian society?


PARAGRAPH 1: Description of an MA or PhD program
You expect to undertake
Know what scholarly work or program you would like to
accomplish in the United States. Decide what kind of Masters
or PhD program you need to take.

Include SPECIFIC courses or focus that you want to pursue
or a research focus.

It is important in this section that you are not to request that
you be placed at a particular University.

If you mention professors at a graduate school, mention
something of substance that reveals you know and appreciate
that person's work.

Describe what you like most and what you would like to do as
your research work if you are admitted.



Brief Paragraph on Research Proposal
The first sentence should read something like "I wish to
study in the United States so that I might (complete
whatever your project is)."
It is not enough to say that a master's degree or Ph.D
will require that you write a thesis, and this paragraph
should tell clearly what such a thesis would be about.
Spell out your project briefly, about in what way your
thesis will benefit your field, and the way in which you
intend to undertake it.
Express why you think you are the person to complete
this task, and tell briefly why your project will benefit both
the larger field of your study and the country when it is
completed.

PARAGRAPH 2: Explain how the description of the plan
above in PARAGRAPH 1 fits in with your previous training
and your future objectives
What experience in your background will assure that you
are ready to take coursework of this type.

If you have some problematic academic background,
address that as well.

What future objectives of yours will be facilitated by
learning in these areas?

Articulate what is particularly valuable about the
perspective that you will bring to the prospective field of
study and the specific department.





PARAGRAPH 3: Why do you need to undertake these
studies in the United States as opposed to Indonesia?
Describe in detail about why you need to undertake your
studies in the States, and cannot be just as easily
completed at home

It is better to make claim through contrast, telling what
resources and opportunities you feel might be available
to you in the States

Talk not only about infrastructure issues (research
libraries), but what impact being in a foreign culture
might have, and how it will positively impact your future

Do not make a general statement and tell how wonderful
the university the U.S

PARAGRAPH 4: How would getting this scholarship
help you when you return with community
development or benefiting Indonesian society?
What are your future plans after receiving this degree?
Be specific with your career goals.

Explain how your degree and knowledge in the field will
benefit the community or society at large.

Mention any social/community activities that you might
be involved in upon your return

Do not show self-interest and self-achievement in career
Dos
Give yourself plenty of time to write and
edit.
Read the question carefully.
Write the length of essay they ask for.
As much research on the university as you
can.
Accentuate your positive qualities.
Mention your positive achievements as
they apply to your graduate admission.
Dos
Mention your work experience, or volunteer work
that you may have done or extra-curricular
activities if they relate to your field.
Be definite in your application.
Make sure your essay is well-organized and
everything is linked with continuity and focus.
Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization carefully. Ask as many others as
possible to proofread your work for writing
stylegrammar, spelling, etc.
Do multiple drafts and edits

Donts
Flatter the university.
Be phony or dishonest about yourself.
Use empty, vague, overly-used words like
meaningful, beautiful, challenging, rewarding,
etc.
Use overly common phrases and nonspecific
information.
Repeat information from the application
unless you use it to illustrate a point.
Try to be funnyhumor can backfire.


Donts

Use statements like Ive always wanted to be a .
. . or other overly common phrases.
Make excuses, but you can talk about the
mistakes you've made as a learning experience.
Use slang, technical jargon, or long quotations.
Write in an arrogant manner; do make it clear
that you are confident about your ability, but still
eager to learn what the program has to offer.
Wait till the last minute before the deadline for
writing the study objective.

Strong Study Objective
Weak Study Objective
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST
MOMENT TO WRITE THIS!
Even though this is only one page, it will take a
long time and SEVERAL EDITS to do this right.

Have someone who is a native speaker and or
familiar with academic writing give you feedback.

Do not have them write it for you!
Useful Links
U.S. UNIVERSITIES DIRECTORY

College Navigator ( http://www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/ )

EducationUSA ( http://www.educationusa.state.gov/ ) If You Want to
Study in the United States. (
http://www.educationusa.state.gov/home/publications )

Hobsons U.S. Education Guides ( http://www.useduguides.com/ )

International Education Service ( http://www.ies-ed.com )

Peterson's Guide for International Students (
http://www.petersons.com/college_home.asp?path=ug.home&CMS
MemberType=ints )

Study Abroad.com ( http://www.studyabroad.com/ )






Useful Links
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

All About the Graduate Admissions Essay. (
http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/All_About_the_Graduat
e_Admissions_Essay.htm )

The Princeton Review Writing the Statement of Purpose (
http://www.princetonreview.com/opinionAdvice.aspx?type=grad )

How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose (
http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm )

Writing A Winning Statement of Purpose (
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/gcallaghan/graduate/winningstatement.ht
m )

UC Berkeley Statement of Purpose (
http://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm )


Good Luck!
If you plan ahead and take the time to
carefully express what the application asks
for, your chances for a Fulbright interview
are much better.