RE: Letter of Intent
I am writing to express my interest in joining the Master of Arts in Geography program at Miami University. I did my undergraduate course in geography and scored First Class honors. I wish to further my studies in the same field. I have an interest in studying environmental conservation, especially concerning pollution from human settlement. I have some training and great interest in GIS and remote sensing. I would like to focus on understanding GIS and remote sensing techniques and tools used in studying land use and human settlement changes and impact on the environment. Your department and Miami University, in general, is attractive to me because it has prominent scholars and has many resources in my area of interest. My career goal is to pursue a Ph.D. and become a prominent researcher/scholar in geography.
I am an ardent environmentalist, and seeing a clean environment has always been my ambition. Pollution of soil, water, and the air is a global concern. Growing up, I observed the destructive effects of sand harvesting, charcoal burning, and extensive soil erosion. I also noted tensions arising from access to limited resources and use in the community. I believe that something has to be done. However, environmental issues are complex, and one needs a detailed understanding of the cause-and-effect to determine the best solutions. Training for masters and Ph.D. will equip me with the proper skills to help develop solutions to the environmental pollution problems, especially in Kenya and Africa in general.
I kindly request your consideration for graduate assistantship funding. Throughout my education, I faced many financial challenges. I wouldn’t have joined the high school were it not for the generosity of man in my village who sponsored me. I performed very well and was admitted to the university. I received donations from well-wishers to enable me to complete my studies. I also received bursaries and loans from the government through the Higher Education Loans Board to enable me to complete my undergraduate degree. Besides, I worked to generate some money, including teaching during university breaks, doing manual jobs for pay, and doing work-study in the university. These experiences have made me resilient and challenged to do my very best in my studies. If granted admission and funding, I promise to work diligently with faculty and other students.
Thank you for your consideration.