Engineering degree personal statement example

Reading time: 3 minutes
Price: Free download
Published: 30th October 2021
Word count: 697 words
File format: Text

When crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco I was in awe of its sheer scale and how the cable-suspension design had utilised the tensile properties of steel. It left me wondering what amazing engineers and architects helped an individuals dream become a reality. My engineering passion is not driven by a dream to be part of the team behind the next great landmark, but by the small-scale tasks fundamental to civilisation, which makes engineering such a global career.

The ever changing world of the twenty-first century brings with it fascinating and intriguing engineering advances. Elon Musk, one of the pioneering engineers of this century sums up the reason my interest for the subject is ever-growing: “I’m interested in things that change the world or that affect the future and wondrous, new technology where you see it, and you’re like, ‘Wow, how did that even happen? How is that possible?’”. The ending ‘how is it possible?’ strikes a spark within me. As a curious person I frequently find myself asking ‘why?’. To me, this simple one word question is simultaneously the beginning of a problem and the foundation to solving it – engineering exists because of human and physical problems which need to be overcome. Tree House in Singapore is an innovative example of a solution. The world’s largest vertical garden reduces the residential estate’s carbon footprint as the foliage filters pollutants and carbon dioxide out the air. It also includes heat-reducing laminated green tinted windows, which reduce the energy consumption used by the estate in the tropical Singaporean climate.

Although engineers can play a vital role in improving the quality of the world we live in, the collaboration between architects and engineers is becoming evermore vital. From ideas, architects conjure up drawings and concepts, engineers piece the puzzle parts together, bringing physics and maths into the equation. Work experience at Andy Foster Architects gave me an insight into the design process and the complexity behind the journey from ideas to drawing. Meanwhile work experience at Sutcliffe’s, a civil engineering firm, enlightened me as to how to changing designs into reality involves incredible attention to detail and every component has to be analysed, even if it may seem trivial. Global challenges such as water scarcity, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions as well as global warming are becoming evermore prevalent in today’s world. With last summer being the combined hottest summer on record for Britain and hurricanes of ever increasing quantity and severity in the North Atlantic since the 1980’s it is clear the world is changing at a tremendous pace.

Sustainability as well as green and zero energy design needs to become a focus at the heart of engineering to overcome such challenges. Recently Tesla changed their mission statement to “to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy”, indicating how engineers like Musk are aware of how they are a key factor in driving change. My curiosity and passion about making Earth a greener place through engineering, was the drive behind my Extended Project titled ‘To what extent should biomimicry be applied to the man-made world as a method to tackle global challenges?’. Completing a MOOC on Modern Building Design, where I was introduced to new innovative building techniques, in addition to reading ‘The Gecko’s Foot’ which explores the concept of biomimicry, were two of the main factors inspiring my EPQ. From how the Eastgate Centre in Harare uses natural conditioning, inspired by the design of termite mounds, to maintain a comfortable indoor climate in the arid African heat, to the beetles of the Namib Desert which can procure water from fog, inspiring the design of a bottle allowing remote communities living in arid foggy lands access to clean drinkable water.

In 2018 I was awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit. This hugely proud moment was the end result of a process including guide leadership, coaching karates and an independently organised volunteering trip to the Galápagos Islands. My ability to manage a large number of commitments coupled with my academic ability means that I am well placed to fully engage in the study of engineering at university.

Why this example works — strengths and ways to improve

This archived statement shows genuine interest in sustainable design and has promising material in the EPQ, MOOC, reading and two placements. Much of the draft describes famous projects and quotes others rather than showing your own engineering thinking. Reflection on what you did, learned and questioned would make the motivation more convincing and personal.

Subject motivation

by the small-scale tasks fundamental to civilisation

This is an interesting turn away from landmark-chasing, but you never return to it. Later paragraphs focus on large showcase projects and Elon Musk. Naming one small-scale engineering problem that drew you in would make this claim coherent and distinctive.

Academic preparation

my Extended Project titled ‘To what extent should biomimicry be applied

The EPQ, MOOC and The Gecko's Foot are relevant preparation. However, you report their topics rather than your method, sources, conclusions or difficulties. The statement never mentions maths or physics study directly, even though you say engineers bring them into the equation.

Evidence and reflection

the foliage filters pollutants and carbon dioxide out the air

The Tree House, Eastgate Centre and Namib beetle examples are accurate-sounding descriptions, but they read as summaries. Explaining how a principle works, what limits it, or what your EPQ concluded would turn these examples into reflection rather than a list.

Relevant experience

every component has to be analysed, even if it may seem trivial

The Sutcliffe's placement is useful, and this insight links nicely to your small-scale theme. Describe one specific component, task or conversation you observed. The architects placement is described only as an insight into complexity, which stays generic.

Credibility and voice

My ability to manage a large number of commitments coupled with my academic ability

This closing claim asserts qualities without demonstration. The Musk quotation and the climate statistics take space from your own voice. The award activities could show leadership or organisation if you reflected briefly on one of them. Typos such as 'coaching karates' and 'an individuals dream' weaken polish.

Structure and format

Global challenges such as water scarcity, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions

The climate material sits awkwardly inside the work-experience paragraph, which blurs the structure. The biomimicry paragraph ends in a sentence fragment beginning 'From how the Eastgate Centre'. The final paragraph shifts abruptly to extracurriculars without connecting them to engineering.

What you’ve done well

Your opening idea that engineering's value lies in small-scale, fundamental tasks is a thoughtful alternative to landmark-focused motivation.
You show a sustained interest in biomimicry and sustainability across your EPQ, MOOC and reading, which gives the draft a clear intellectual thread.

How this draft could improve

Replace some of the description of famous projects with your EPQ argument and findings, including where you think biomimicry falls short.
Give one concrete task or observation from the Sutcliffe's placement and explain what it taught you about engineering detail.
Cut or shorten the Musk quotation and statistics, fix grammatical errors, and link your leadership activities to qualities useful in engineering.

Write your general engineering personal statement · £4.99 →