Schools Help translating grad school application form gobbledegook

[JesseC]

I need to write a statement of objectives for a grad school application. Here are the instructions online:

Please give your reasons for wishing to do graduate work in the field you have chosen. Prepare your statement of objectives and goals in whatever form clearly presents your views. Include as far as you can, your particular interests, be they experimental, theoretical, or issue oriented, and show how your background and MIT’s programs support these interests. The statement could be much like a proposal for graduate studies in the more specific context of your professional objectives. You should set forth the issues and problems you wish to address. Explain your long-term professional goals. The Admissions Committee will welcome any factors you wish to bring to its attention concerning your academic and work experience to date.

So where to start:

... Prepare your statement of objectives and goals in whatever form clearly presents your views. ...

Does this mean: write a sensibly structured statement in coherent English?

... The statement could be much like a proposal for graduate studies in the more specific context of your professional objectives. ...

What is that even supposed to mean?

... You should set forth the issues and problems you wish to address. ...

I'm applying to a very broad program designed to introduce many topics before beginning the 'problem solving' (i.e. research) so I can only be very vague about what I want to address at the moment.

... The Admissions Committee will welcome any factors you wish to bring to its attention concerning your academic and work experience to date. ...

Does this mean: talk about undergraduate work and research experience?


I am surprised that these instructions are so vague. I was expecting something along the lines of: tell us about your undergrad, research experience, why you want to be here, what makes you a good candidate, what you want to do achieve in the long term.

 

[lewdtenant]

... The statement could be much like a proposal for graduate studies in the more specific context of your professional objectives. ...

What is that even supposed to mean?

Not going to lie.. I had to re-read this sentence a few times before it made some sense. I believe they are asking you to explain how your graduate studies are going to help you get to where you want to be professionally. What is it that you want to do with your career and how is the degree program going to prepare you for that career?

I basically agree with all other comments/assumptions of yours.