PHD Earth Sciences Petroleum Engineering Personal Purpose
- Robert Edinger
- Jan 3, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 11

I aspire to be accepted into ____ University's Earth Sciences Program for graduate studies, aiming to earn an MA degree through a thesis, or potentially a PhD by completing a dissertation. As a young woman from Africa, born and raised in Nigeria, I am eager to bring diversity to your program and share my passion for Earth Sciences. Now a permanent resident of the USA, I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at ____ in New Jersey in 2015, thanks to a Merck Engineering Scholarship, graduating with a 3.97 GPA. Even in my leisure time, I often envision a world with more efficient methods for removing impurities from hydrocarbons and innovative ways to refine crude oil. My life's goal is to contribute to creating a better world, especially for future generations, by advancing the design of efficient energy systems and sustainable technologies.
Houston is my top choice due to its remarkable cultural diversity and its status as a key international hub for the energy industry. The presence of NASA and the Planetary Institute also attracts earth and space scientists from whom I hope to learn. XXXX University is my preferred institution for graduate studies because it attracts leading earth scientists and supports extended research visits. I value your interdisciplinary curriculum, tailored to individual interests and strengths, which will allow me to focus my research on areas I know well and where I hope to make significant contributions, particularly addressing Nigeria's complex environmental challenges. My areas of interest include Petrology, Sedimentology, high and low temperature Geochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, and Seismology, and I appreciate the extensive research facilities available at XXXX.
Since May 2015, I have been part of an Effective Teacher Fellowship ACP at HISD, Houston, Texas, teaching Mathematics for grades 7-12. I am already well-established in Houston, having built valuable contacts and networks. Studying at ____ would fulfill my dream of earning a professional degree from one of the world's leading Earth Science programs.
My undergraduate degree in chemical engineering introduced me to the fundamentals of chemical plant design. Pursuing an advanced degree in Earth Sciences is the ideal path for professional growth, acquiring cutting-edge research skills, and mastering state-of-the-art technology to make the Earth a more sustainable place.
In high school, my favorite subjects were science and mathematics. The more I learned, the more I loved these fields. I have always been enthusiastic about learning, with an insatiable thirst for research. I believe innovation is driven by questioning assumptions, basing beliefs on solid evidence, and conducting groundbreaking research. I chose chemical engineering due to its foundational relevance to the technological needs of our global economy.
I began my undergraduate studies at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, taking courses such as heat transfer, fluid mechanics, mass transfer, transport phenomena, process dynamics, chemical reaction engineering, and energy economics management. These courses introduced me to theoretical concepts used in the chemical, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical industries. I later transferred and completed my degree at ____, gaining practical experience. My interest in bioengineering was sparked while supporting vaccine manufacturing operations at Merck & Co pharmaceuticals. During a co-op term at Infineum USA L.P., I analyzed sludge samples to develop motor oils with better deposit control and worked with data to optimize oil formulations for heavy-duty engines, involving both theoretical and experimental research to design better dispersant molecules for engine motor oils.
My industry exposure has fueled my motivation to develop sustainable solutions to real-world chemical engineering challenges. I am knowledgeable in process systems modeling and optimization, bioengineering, efficient supply chain and planning systems, emission control in heavy-duty engines, and optimizing polymer solution flow behavior.
I am confident that if selected for your competitive program, I would excel due to my tenacity in coursework, analysis, teamwork, interpersonal communication, and the skills that lead to success in industrial engineering. I am particularly inspired by the low diversity in geosciences across STEM fields, with few Black professors. As an African woman, I aim to be a positive role model, encouraging future students, especially Black students, both girls and boys, to study Earth Sciences inclusively. I aspire to be recognized as a tenure-track faculty member in Earth Sciences. Blacks represent less than 1% of those who have earned PhDs in Geosciences in the USA, highlighting the potential for improvement.
I wish to specialize in petrology and have experience with analytical techniques such as UV-VIS Spectroscopy, TAN evolution, real-time FTIR, GC-MS and NMR, Laser Diffraction Particle Size analysis, operation of Datacon and wire bond machines, wire ignition experiments, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. I am skilled in data analysis and mathematical modeling.
Thank you for considering my application to Earth Sciences at ____.
PHD Earth Sciences Petroleum Engineering Personal Purpose






This statement is a powerful and inspiring reflection of determination, academic excellence, and a clear vision for the future. It conveys a deep passion for Earth Sciences, rooted in both personal background and professional experience. The journey from Nigeria to the United States, combined with the achievement of a Merck Engineering Scholarship and graduating with a near-perfect GPA in Chemical Engineering, demonstrates resilience, discipline, and intellectual strength.
The applicant’s motivation to contribute to sustainable energy systems and environmental solutions is compelling, particularly the focus on refining crude oil more efficiently and addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges. The choice of Houston as a base for study is well justified, highlighting both its diversity and its central role in the energy industry, while…