I Want To Pursue A Master's Degree In International Relations

My purpose for applying to the PhD program at [University Name] is to develop my skills as both a researcher and instructor in the field of international relations, but I can’t say that I’ve always known I wanted to get a PhD in political science or even that I was certain of my decision once I began my graduate studies. In reality, the path that led me to pursue a PhD has been a long and somewhat unexpected one. I began my undergraduate career as a biochemistry major, but by the end of my first year, I discovered that I was more interested in studying human behavior and interactions and switched my major to psychology with a minor in political science. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in public …show more content…
After several years of living abroad, I had to return to the United States unexpectedly to receive medical treatment after being injured in a motorcycle accident in Vietnam. Due to the unanticipated nature of my return, I didn’t have any plans for what I would do once I recovered. Given my experiences living abroad and my interest in international relations and research, I decided to apply to a political science PhD program local to where I was recuperating. At the end of my first year, two events occurred which helped shape my future goals and research …show more content…
My previous educational and life experiences have made me certain that this is what I truly want to do, and I am committed to pursuing my educational and professional goals to the best of my ability. I consider myself lucky to be able to spend my time studying and researching topics that I am interested in, discussing these topics and ideas with others who have similar interests, and continuously learning and refining my theories. I am applying to [university name] because I believe that it offers me the best opportunity to develop my skills and abilities, collaborate with faculty who are experts in my area of interest, and be a part of an active and engaged student body, which will ultimately move me closer toward my goals of conducting and publishing quality research and having a successful career in