Applying for a Master in Civil Engineering at Columbia University

Dear Sir/Madam, I was very excited to read about the full scholarship that Columbia University is giving to displaced students. I am grateful to have this opportunity to express my interest in applying for the master’s program in civil engineering. I am south Sudanese refugee living in Ethiopia. I was displaced from my country at age of 7 in 2000 due to civil war. I have always been thinking about my future, building profession, becoming successful person and help others to find their own path of life. Growing up as displacement in my own country and eventually as refugee both situation had a negative impact on my education to reach my dreams. In 2013 I joined Bule Hora University in Ethiopia under sponsorship of DAFI organization. I graduated with a CGPA 3.87 majoring in civil engineering. Through my study of civil engineering I have acquired a strong background in mathematics, mechanics of materials, structural design and construction management, which provided me a strong footing in civil engineering.

Why I choose Columbia University? In this essay I share examples of personal arguments and academic background which provide evidence for my pure desire to study there. The purpose I am applying for this master program is to expand my theoretical and practical skills in applying engineering designs to produce solutions that meet specified needs. In addition, my country rely on foreigner companies for all of the gain construction project because there is shortage in human resource such as qualified design engineers and managerial professionals. Specially my country face major problems related to extended urbanization, which are result of war, conflict and socio-economic factors. This growth is creating exceptional demands for space and services to be provided by the construction industry which provides facilities necessary for the economic development and well being of people. From this point of view, it is crucial for qualified South Sudanese engineers to satisfy their own country demands in the field of construction. Therefore, I am highly encouraged to be one of those engineers who will elevate my country to the next level.

Again I am really enthusiastic to attend a master in civil engineering at Columbia University in order to gain required knowledge and competence in the areas of managing engineering and construction processes, civil engineering and construction entrepreneurship, and managing the capital facilities and infrastructure that are critical to world wide productivity. I am much eager to adopt and know new technologies. Above all, studying at Columbia University will be a big move in this field because your university has good reputation of high quality education standards, an extremely distinguished faculty members, and research facilities. I am a hard working student who like to get involve in any extracurricular activities that the school offers and I believe this scholarship will give me a big chance to get in touch with American culture and educational system.

For my work experiences, I have worked with construction company for 8 months as junior construction site supervisor liaising closely with the project manager and clients. In this role I have gained skills that made me reinforce my future career goal and leadership skills by leading multidisciplinary teams and evaluating the performance of employees instituting disciplinary measures as needed. Aside from working as junior supervisor, I have one year working as maths teacher for senior high school students and part-time teacher for primary 8 students. For my interest I am glad to say that I am not a person who is only focused in construction work but I wish to provide a comprehensive education and training to young people to have capable, effective and efficient work force. This master program will enable me to fulfill all my desire to help others in the field of education in my country or elsewhere.

Generally, I believe my strong academic background in engineering combined with my work experience would be excellent fit with your requirements. Thank you so much for having availed this opportunity to me. I will be happy to provide any further information or documents if required. I look forward to your positive response.