Grad School Personal Statement (hit me with your feedback!)

Ok, I admit it; my academic experience up until this point anything but typical. But then again, I’m anything but typical as well. An American, studying in Canada, and applying to graduate studies programs in Milan obviously requires some explanation.

I remember applying to university programs when I was 17; one morning I triumphantly announced to my parents that, besides wanting desperately to live in a city, I would also be pursuing higher education opportunities outside the United States. I wanted to study in Europe. Their response was simple and concise,

NO.

Looking back I was probably overly ambitious to think that I could deal with both a change of lifestyle, as I would be moving out of my parents house for the first time, but also a complete change of country, language and culture. I’ve always been ambitious.

I’ve always wanted to do more. I’ve always wanted to blaze my own path. Luckily, after studying for four years at one of Canada’s finest universities, McGill, I believe I am prepared to again tackle my dream of studying in Europe.

I’m ready for Milan and here’s why…

My academic program at McGill has been rigorous and fulfilling, and my major specializations have provided me with a unique skill set that I believe is requisite for any urban planner to create dynamic and successful but also liveable spaces. The courses I have pursued in Urban Systems Geography have provided me with firm research skills based fundamentally on the analysis of human geographic systems through census data, statistical outputs and the synthesis of information sets in Geographic Information Systems. While having a strong scientific based rooted in quantitative analysis, I also had the opportunity within the Urban Systems Geography program to take both Architecture and Urban Planning courses. These courses, such as History of Housing and Site Usage, have fundamentally focused on visual aesthetic and the creation of comfortable and human spaces. I am proud of my work both in terms of quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as the creative skills and understandings of visual aesthetic that I have acquired during the pursuit of my Urban Systems Geography program. I strongly feel as though I am ready for the next step by pursuing a career in urban planning.

My interest in learning foreign languages has not wavered since primary school and I view my ability to openly communicate and understand different cultures through linguistic expression as one of my greatest personal strengths. Studying and majoring also in Italian Language and Literature at McGill University allowed me to grow in terms of linguistic expression in Italian, which has in turn improved my written expression in English. Through critical and creative thinking in the analysis of both ancient and modern Italian texts, I have come to appreciate and understand the complex realities of Italian life and astutely read the cultural environment and expression. Most recently I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study at the Università di Bologna on a student exchange organized through McGill. Nothing short of life changing, studying in Bologna presented me with a unique opportunity to live and learn from my surroundings daily.

Living and working in Italian, feeling and experiencing a new city, meeting and learning from amazing people; this was in all actuality an experience I shouldn’t have had, as my exchange was through the Università di Bologna in Forlì instead of actually in Bologna. Arriving in Italy I realized that, from time to time, bending the rules is a necessary fact of life. I took a risk that I ultimately grew from. Change was only natural and resiliency in the face of trials, indispensable; I have already learned from Italy once and am looking to see what more time there will bring me.

Empirical analysis. In depth research. Attention to aesthetic. Creative but critical thinking. Adapting to and understanding new environments; these are the skills and thought processes required of an urban planner.

Consequently, this is also how I think and strive to understand the world around me.

Now, I’m ready for the next step.