I have just about completed my application for the computer information systems PhD program at Nova Southeastern. All of the transcripts are in, my recommendations are complete, and I've completed the basic application. All that remains before sending the application out is the completion of the admissions essay. I have a few ideas about how to proceed with the essay, but I wanted to throw it out to the board to see how others might approach it. Those that have sat on a PhD application review board in the past will have far more insight than I in regards to what should be stressed in the essay. I figure that there are four main points I should make: 1. I'm interested in formal training in conducting scientifically and academically robust research. 2. I honestly enjoy the R&D work that I perform now. 3. I have a strong undergraduate and graduate GPA. 4. I'm interested in potential academic instruction positions in the future. Note that the following items were NOT addressed in that list: 1. My masters degree (an MBA) is not in the PhD field of study (CIS). The BS degree (CS), however, is in the PhD field of study. 2. A proposed thesis topic. Is omitting the thesis topic a mistake? I was under the impression that the initial classwork of the PhD was largely for the purpose of introducing students to good research topics. Am I stressing the correct points? I only have two typed pages to make my case, so I can't cover everything. Are there any NSU-specific things I should keep in mind? Particularly for the CIS program? Thanks in advance for any help I receive. I haven't seen this particular topics addressed on the board before, so I hope this will help out a few other PhD potentials as well.
My publisher, Ten Speed Press, has a very popular series of books by Don Asher on admissions essays. I can't vouch for them, but a lot of people clearly find them useful. Don Asher has no connection with any other Ashers. www.tenspeed.com.
