In this blog post, we’ll explore how to persuasively convey your dream of becoming a chemical researcher and your research interests in a statement of purpose for the Department of Applied Chemistry, as well as how to effectively highlight your research experience and academic goals.
Motivation for Applying (Reason for Choosing the Major)
Because I love science, I participated in a science research club. At that time, the chemistry teacher who supervised our club recommended several popular science books to us. Among them, the book I found most fascinating was the “In Defense of Chemistry” series by John Emsley. It explained familiar yet misunderstood chemical substances, and the stories about disasters caused by chemicals left the deepest impression on me.
In particular, there have been many recent media reports on chemical products that affect the human body, such as artificial sweeteners and pesticides. The issues surrounding these chemical products are directly linked to our health. However, since it is difficult to live without the chemical products that are deeply embedded in our daily lives, I came to believe that chemical research will become an even more important field than any other.
My goal is to become an outstanding researcher in the field of chemistry. I believe contributing to society through academic research is a very rewarding endeavor. As a first step toward this goal, I plan to major in applied chemistry in college. I hope to take my first steps as a researcher at your university.
Academic Plan and Goals
The field of applied chemistry is very broad. Among its many areas, I am currently interested in alternative substances like xylitol, which can replace sugar. Just as was the case with dioxins and phenols in the past, substances that were once widely accepted often turn out to have unknown side effects or toxicity. Since these issues are directly linked to health concerns, I believe they require even more meticulous and sophisticated research.
Since my interest lies in the effects of chemical products on humans and living organisms, I plan to minor in biology or biotechnology—fields within the basic sciences—in addition to my major. I believe that only with a solid foundation in basic biology will I be able to pursue my desired research without hindrance. Since graduate school is essential to becoming a researcher—and I may even need to study abroad—I am attending a language school to improve my English proficiency.
Furthermore, I will strive not to neglect cultivating a humanistic education as an intellectual, even before becoming an engineer. Currently, as academic fields become more specialized while boundaries between them blur, I believe that possessing a broader perspective is crucial not only for general intellectual cultivation but also for success as a researcher.
Plans After Graduation
I believe that entering graduate school is essential to becoming a researcher. Therefore, upon graduation, my first priority will be to enter graduate school. I will strive to further develop my academic skills in graduate school, and if necessary, I will study abroad. Since the impact of chemical products on the human body is not merely a domestic concern but a global one, I am eager to study in developed countries that have already faced these issues before us. Once I become a researcher through dedicated study, I wish to devote myself to research with a sense of mission—not only for my country but for all of humanity. Therefore, it is my earnest hope to produce research results that contribute to humanity.
Self-Introduction (View of Life, Values)
My parents have been active in a small community service organization for over ten years. Seeing my parents like this served as a silent lesson for me. Influenced by my parents, who always told me to become someone who is useful to others, I spent a lot of time thinking about living an altruistic life from a young age. I often wondered how I could help others. The work that moved me most deeply was Goethe’s *Faust*. *Faust*, a work that vividly portrays a man’s intense passion for knowledge and enlightenment, contained a warning about the dangers of blindness. Yet, despite those dangers, Faust’s determination and challenges in pursuit of the grand ideal of human progress seemed to me to embody the archetype of a meaningful life.
Since then, my life motto has been “Make a better world.” This motto has become a firm conviction for me as someone with dreams of becoming a researcher. I want my research to contribute to helping humanity live a better life. I will live each day with passion to achieve such a meaningful life.
