Statement of purpose notes: 2

•  Paragraph 1
• Anthropology is the science which tells us that people are the same the whole world over - except when they are different. --- Nancy Banks Smith
• What are your short-term and long-term goals? 
• What do you hope to accomplish academically?
• "conflict and violence, human rights, power struggles, migration, environmental change, cultural identity, political and economic life, food, and understanding the ways that cultural meaning, history, and power have shaped the human experience"
• What sort of research or professional work do you want to do in the future with your graduate degree or Ph.D.?

• Do you have any weaknesses or missing elements you need to explain?
• Any inconsistencies or big changes in your academic or professional direction?
• Paragraph 2
• Academic/Professional Interests and Motivations
• What most interests you about this area of study?
• Why are you interested in this area and topic?
• When did you first start to show an interest? How did you exhibit this interest?
• Paragraph 3
• Academic Background
• What majors, classes, or other academic experiences have you had in this field?
• If you do not have many academic experiences to draw on, be more specific about what you learned from these courses/professors
• Paragraph 4
• Why are you interested in this university and graduate program?
• What does this university/program offer you that other schools don’t?
• Which courses and professors most interest you?
• What makes you a “good fit” for this institution?
• What will you bring to this program?
• What makes you stand out as a graduate school candidate?
• What other information about you should the school know that will attract them to you?
• Do you have any unique abilities or circumstances?
• Be sure to name the school, program, and some resources it offers.
• Paragraph 5
• Closing/ Commitment Statement
• Include a brief “statement of intent” at the end of the letter to remind the admissions officers that you are intent on entering their program
• This is where the mission statement comes into play: "we seek to understand human diversity, distinctiveness, and universality through time and across the world."