Freedom Degree

Templates

In this section we collect useful templates and examples: CVs, letters of recommendation, letters to academic supervisors and more.

Motivation letter and CV templates. Basic Tips

Your CV and motivation letters are the most important part of the admission process to universities. It's likely that the only exam you'll need to take is a language proficiency exam. Representatives of the university will form an opinion about you based on your cover letters, which you need to provide alongside your study and work experience. It's important to take these documents seriously, as they reveal your personality and professional skills and give you an opportunity to talk about your talents, abilities, experience, and plans for the future. In this section, we'll briefly explain what a CV and personal statement are.

Your CV is essentially your academic résumé. It's where you specify your educational experience, years and fields of study, acquired skills, and other activities such as volunteering and internships, as well as relevant work experience. For Master's and PhD students, it's especially important to talk about their academic achievements such as publications, conferences, research projects and awards (if any). The CV format is similar to a résumé for an employer, but since we're talking about your academic future, it's worth talking mostly about academic success and experience, not employment experience.

Internships and volunteer activities can show that you're an active person who manages to do a lot and has broad interests. Don't miss the chance to talk about projects and reputable. well-known organizations with which you volunteered.

CVs are usually short - 1-2 pages. You may think that your biography and personal accomplishments are so impressive that you want to write about everything right away. But try to refrain from this and use the available space effectively. Include only the information about yourself that you think is the most important and relevant for application to specific places.

A Personal Statement is quite similar to a Motivation Letter. Here you need to explain why you chose this program, what skills and experience you have that will help you successfully master it, and how it relates to your previous education. The Admissions Committee wants to make sure that you are a good fit for the program.

For each program you apply to, you must write a unique statement that is based on the university and program's features. The Personal Statement might also be called a Motivation Letter or a Statement of Academic Purpose. A typical Motivational Letter consists of one page of text, which equates to 600-800 words. A Statement of Academic Purpose might be slightly longer, ranging from 500-1000 words.

Don't be afraid to talk about yourself openly and honestly. Think about what is relevant to the particular program and write in a way that is easy to read.

Processing applications and reading letters is a routine task, but adding some vivid details of your story can make you stand out. In your motivation letter, you can use quotes to narrate your story, recall significant moments from your life, and talk about the challenges you've overcome. Some applicants like the format of motivation letters because they allow them to be creative. But remember that you're not writing letters for self-satisfaction. You're writing for specific programs, for those who will read them in university, and for shaping your future. You're presenting yourself to strangers, so it's important to show the version of yourself that is suitable for a particular program.

It can be helpful to read examples of letters from other researchers and students to understand the format of such letters. Keep in mind that these letters should always be written in a formal and individual manner, specifically addressing a particular university and program.

PhD in History (personal experience). Duke University

We share with you the experience of a PhD student from Russia who successfully gained admission to Duke University in the USA to do a PhD in history. He describes the specific of the American PhD admission process and the required documents as follows:

One of the documents required is a writing sample, which should be a complete piece of research, a chapter from a thesis or an article of approximately 10,000 words or 30 pages. This document is crucial as it helps you communicate with your potential supervisor. Your supervisor will need to be interested in the text, and it should demonstrate your qualifications, knowledge of the articles and research on the topic, ability to work with information sources and formulate a thesis. This is important because the scientific adviser will have to convince the commission in your favor. Sending your writing sample to all the universities is probably the most labor-intensive part of the application.
The research proposal will be thoroughly assessed by the entire faculty or committee comprising experts in France and Africa, the Middle Ages and Reagan era, History of Religion and History of Science. This document must provide a broader context for your research and clearly outline the issues that are important to the entire commission. You must demonstrate who you plan to work with in the faculty and committee (2-3 other than your research adviser) and how your interests align with theirs. It is not sufficient for the commission alone to support your research; you must also have the backing of others in the faculty. Please mind, you are more likely to send almost identical proposals to different places, with the only difference being the part about working with the committee. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you send the correct proposals to the right places, as it is easy to make mistakes and send proposals meant for, say, Rutgers to Cornell or vice versa, resulting in embarrassing outcomes.
Letters of recommendation play quite an important role. You can be sure that they will be read. You must find at least three people you worked closely with in recent years. Ideally, one of them should be a research adviser. Contact them in advance and explain the procedure (special portals will be available for document submission almost everywhere, you will need to register a couple of months before the deadline and specify the email addresses of your referees, afterwards they will receive an email with a link to upload your references, but you won't be able to read them). You should be in touch with your referees all the time and provide them with something to read about your project – drafts or samples, for example.

Personal Statement. Harvard University. PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences

I am currently in my final year at NYU where I have been studying toward a double degree in Psychology and Neural Science and have thus far maintained a 3.85 GPA. Alongside classes covering topics in psychology, computer science, data analysis and neuroscience, I have also gained extensive and varied research experience. Together they have cultivated my interests in cognitive and computational neuroscience. The PhD program in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at Harvard will allow me to expand these interests and ultimately prepare me for a scientific career involving research.

During my sophomore and junior years I worked as a research assistant in the Hartley Lab at NYU. Here, I was involved in a study of the valuation of agency (ability to choose) across development with a central question concerning whether children and adults are differently sensitive to the degree to which agency has utility. The research I was working on was mainly concerned with learning how different cognitive abilities differ on the “behavior level”, and I wondered how it can be extended to the “Neural Networks level” and analyzed, helping to interpret and predict behavior.

I was able to gain valuable skills in recruiting and communicating with participants. This experience convinced me that I would like to continue conducting human research, while also fostering a deeper interest in the study of cognition. In 2019 I volunteered to help Doctor McKellar in a series of workshops organized for teenagers interested in science. While discussing the Thaumatrope and the speed at which humans process visual information, I began considering the computational processes that our brain goes through every second in order to arrive at a definite image or decision. I realized I want to focus on the Computational processes that our brain goes through in my future research.

I started working in Professor Rehder’s lab, where I investigate the effect of causal knowledge on reasoning and learning. My research involves testing a computational model, known as a mutation sampler, that accounts for failures in human causal reasoning, with assumptions including humans’ limited sampling pool and the idea that people reason symmetrically, ignoring the direction of causality. Our overarching aim was to provide insight into the human decision-making process in estimating and interpreting causal relations. Practically, over the course of this project I was able to develop more independent skills as I was given full freedom to recruit and run participants, checking the instructions and the computer application code, and fix any issues which arose while running the experiment. I was using Bayesian statistics and the Markov Chain Monte–Carlo method for analysis, as well as implementing my own code in Python for the experiment. Overall, this experience provided me with a rigorous training in scientific methodology and made me want to focus my future research on the physiological processes in the brain that underlie those computations and influence cognition.

As I was interested in learning and decision-making processes, I chose to investigate the Einstellung effect in groups on creativity for my honors thesis. Professor Wallisch became my mentor on this project, and he guided me while also allowing me to create my own experimental design. The experiment’s main focus is on two goals: the replication of research already done on the Einstellung effect, but in a group setting, and showing how each individual’s habituation can impact group creativity. It is not yet understood what high-level brain functions are responsible for the presence of the Einstellung effect, and I am planning to touch on them next semester. The findings have the potential to change what we know about scaling creativity in groups and adjust learning strategies, preventing the formation of the Einstellung effect.

Lately I have developed a particular interest in virtual reality (VR) technology and decided that I want to work with modern VR sets with eye-tracking which can allow the creation of experiments in 3D reality, thus facilitating the study of cognition by manipulating the environment. I believe that this technology has the potential to be hugely beneficial and so I am learning Unity to be able to design experiments in VR.

Based on my educational and research experience and reconciling my general scientific interests, I see myself focusing on research in cognitive and computational neuroscience, with a particular interest in neural networks underlining high-level brain functions in relation to behavior. With the high standard of research conducted by faculty in these areas and the world-class technology accessible to researchers, such as High Pressure Freezer, EM and fMRI scanners, I believe that the Program in Neuroscience at Harvard would be an ideal fit for me. I am excited for the challenging courses offered at Harvard, such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Asking Cells Who They Are: Computational Transcriptomics Using RNA-Seq, as well as the Matlab bootcamp, all of which would help me to acquire valuable knowledge and skills to apply to my own research. I would also value the opportunity to gain specialised training through the CiCN program. The first-year rotations will allow me to participate in exciting research projects conducted by members of the faculty. I am particularly interested in Professor Sam Gershman’s approach to studying decision-making and learning using Bayesian inference as well as Professor Gabriel Kreiman’s work on biologically-inspired Artificial Intelligence, such as IVSN. Professor Christopher Harvey’s computational analysis of neural circuits, memory and navigation is of notable interest to me because of his use of virtual reality experiments.

Aside from the high standard of research, it is evident that the PiN fosters a supportive and collaborative environment through initiatives such as the Nocturnal Journal Club and Computational Methods Club. I am excited to engage in this active community. I am confident that my experience and determination will make me a great addition to the Harvard graduate community and allow me to take full advantage of the opportunities that the program at Harvard has to offer, providing me a thorough and stimulating preparation for my future scientific career.

Statement of academic purpose. London School of Economics and Political Science, MSc

Personal Motivation and Goals

Since my teenage years, I have been deeply troubled by the injustices and inhumane practices occurring in my country. I developed a deep-seated desire to understand and address these wrongs. Influenced by courageous leaders like Alexei Navalny, I became involved in opposition protests starting in 2015. This early engagement not only solidified my resolve to effect change but also shaped my academic and career goals, driving me to seek a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underpin these systemic issues.

The tragic events of the Russian war against Ukraine in February 2022 were a pivotal moment in my life, leaving me with no doubts about what I should devote myself to. Since then I was fully committed to eventually engage in politics in Russia in order to do everything that depends on me to prevent such disasters from happening in the future. While current circumstances hinder direct involvement within Russia, I continue my engagement through various non-commercial projects and political organisations, which I discuss further below.

Academically, the most logical and effective path forward for me is to deepen my expertise in political science. This will equip me with the necessary knowledge and help me build a network of experts, both of which are essential to achieve my goals and contribute to the establishment of a more just and humane political system in Russia.

Academic Background and Interests

During my undergraduate studies at University College London, I immersed myself in a broad spectrum of political science modules, with a special emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe and the Post-Soviet region. Throughout this process my main academic interests have taken shape.

I drew significant inspiration from Alena Ledeneva and her work on informality and the Russian Sistema. More specifically, I am interested in informal politics, patronalism and formal institutions in informal contexts, influenced by Henry Hale’s Patronal Politics and Magyars and Madlovics’ Anatomy of Post-Communist regimes. The dissertation I am currently finalising examines the independent effects of divided executive, presidentialist and parliamentarist constitutions on political openness in post-communist regimes, serving as a direct extension of these interests. Additionally, I am engaged with the topic of political technology and manipulation, particularly troll factories, stemming from my studies under Andrew Wilson.

My academic journey at University College London has not only deepened my knowledge in political science but has also equipped me with research skills essential for a postgraduate study. I have been trained in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The Understanding and Analysing Data module I took has helped me develop and implement data analysis skills using Stata for quantitative analysis. I also learned to work with R-Studio for my work on democratisation. I also took modules where I was trained in comparative political analysis, as well as qualitative research methods, where I particularly focused on netnography. I was also introduced to complexity thinking, which shattered a lot of the more linear and straightforward constructs in my thinking and introduced me to new perspectives and methods.

Relevant Professional Experience

As previously mentioned, my engagement extends beyond academic studies into practical involvement with non-commercial projects and political organisations. A large part of this has been my work with Freedom Degree, a charitable and educational initiative supporting students persecuted for political reasons in Russia. In my two years there, I have actively participated in the formation and development of the project from its early stages and spearheaded the expansion of the project’s support network among independent media and non-profit organisations. This role has also allowed me to significantly broaden my network, fostering strong relationships with diverse groups of activists, civil society workers, and numerous Russian politicians in exile. These connections have provided me with invaluable insights into Russian politics and offer promising opportunities for my future research and for my future endeavours in politics.

LSE’s MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour)

The MSc in Political Science, with its specialisation in Political Behaviour at LSE, offers an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of the dynamics that underpin public opinion and political engagement. The program’s extensive exploration of voting behaviour, public opinion, and the impact of social identities directly correlates with the key issues of my current project. By engaging with this at LSE, I aim to refine my approach and develop more effective strategies to combat propaganda and disinformation.

Other than direct practical application of knowledge I intend to gain at LSE’s I also want to more broadly grow academically. I have deeply investigated many facets of political science during my time at UCL but I haven’t engaged as much with the topic of political behaviour. This will not only fill a gap in my academic background but will also provide me with a better understanding of political psychology, improving my ability to analyse and impact political behaviour in academic and practical settings.

A number of non-compulsory modules available in this program also intrigue me significantly. I am particularly eager to take Game Theory for Political Science to build upon earlier studies of game theory and explore it specifically within the context of political science. I am also interested in The Second Europe module to continue my exploration of democratisation and to learn about strategies adopted by political elites and social classes in the face of modernisation, imperial decline and nationalism.

MSc Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics)

Should I not be admitted to my first choice of Political Behaviour, I would be equally enthusiastic about pursuing the Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics stream. This path would align seamlessly with my main academic interests, including formal institutions in informal contexts and democratisation, and allow me to further pursue them. Moreover, both programs share several elective modules, including The Second Europe. One module I am particularly interested in here is Local Power in an Era of Globalization, Democratization, and Decentralization. This course's in-depth focus on subnational authoritarianism resonates strongly with my interest in patronal politics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my academic and professional pursuits have consistently focused on understanding and influencing political behaviour and structures. Enrolling in the MSc in Political Science at LSE would provide the ideal academic setting to refine and expand this focus. I am enthusiastic about advancing my theoretical knowledge and research skills, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to the field of political science and to politics in practice.

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