When you are applying for the college of your dream you are worried about making an outstanding motivation essay because it can either get you accepted or bring all your achievements down and disappoint the committee. That is why during the application period Google gets so many search queries like “edit my essay for me”, “how to write an outstanding motivation essay”, “what should a motivation essay look like” etc.
In addition to general recommendations that apply to almost any motivation essay, you need to consider the specifics of your future profession. We have tried to collect advice for you in several areas of Social sciences. This section, of course, does not provide complete guidelines, but it can be a source of inspiration.
Politics
The first thing to note is that politics as an academic discipline is not just a current political situation covered by the media. Ambitious plans to become prime minister or president look somewhat superficial here and are unlikely to set you apart from other candidates. Dig deeper into your field of study to see what it is about it that appeals to you. What topics of discussion in politics appeal to you? What books and insights align with your understanding of the profession? Of course, the admissions committee will be interested to know how you have been involved in the world of politics and what activities you have participated in, but it is the message content of your essay that comes first.
Philosophy
For applicants to philosophy-related programs, it is worthwhile to have some theoretical background. Talk about your reading experience. Perhaps you have attended philosophy lectures beyond the regular classes. Don’t be afraid to express your own opinions on issues of morality, free will, and consciousness. The best way to show your level of preparation to study philosophy is your ability to think rationally, deeply analyze issues, and provide an argument, which should be reflected throughout the content of your motivation essay.
Sociology
You need to demonstrate an awareness of social issues and, ideally, a desire to contribute to society’s perception of a diverse and rapidly changing world. Think about and articulate your personal interest in exploring human-society relations.
Geography
Geography is a broad discipline that includes many activities and research areas. You can mention your travel experiences, but it is worthwhile for admissions officers to specify your research interests: geographic information systems, particular regions, tropical savannahs or coastal areas, tourism, geopolitics, etc. If the course you are applying for already has a major in it, such as migration or marine ecology, refer to current scientific discussions on the subject or to your own practical experience (perhaps on one of your trips you made notes from which some conclusions follow…).
History
Describe what historical periods, themes, or trends appeal to you and why, and what books you’ve read or places you’ve visited that have influenced you and made you fall in love with history. Try to identify the reasons, and give specific examples. Perhaps you recall a strong documentary or a discussion with your grandfather about World War II. Provide evidence of how you or any other modern person interacts with history.
Economics
Consider what unique characteristics of the local, national, regional, or global economy you can identify. Show your knowledge of economic and mathematical principles and concepts, but never do a paraphrase. Your task is to provide something new, to talk about possible applications of your knowledge to the world today and in the classes. The typical economics applicant will point out that she or he subscribed to The Economist and The Financial Times or read Freakonomics, thinking it was original. Indeed, it isn’t. Better pick one or two events or questions and analyze their hidden meanings.
Psychology
Many applicants obsess exclusively over the practical part of psychology – helping people – while neglecting the importance of scientific knowledge, statistics, and experimentation, which often alienates admissions officers. You are not required to retell Sigmund Freud – talk about thematic books, magazines, websites, or even podcasts you find out of a love of psychology. If you have a personal story that led you to the program, you can share it, but you don’t have to write a full-page autobiography detailing your mental health. If you have no professional experience, examples from your own life can help. For example, you can do a psychology analysis of observations from your previous job or your participation in volunteer and other extracurricular activities.
Social work
A social worker in most cases is not limited to helping one group of people, so it is worth showing your involvement with the problems of different segments of society. In your essay, recall moments when you have supported someone, whether in nursing homes, youth clubs, Sunday children’s groups, clubs, or anti-bullying campaigns. You may have had the opportunity to talk to a social worker and have your thoughts on the subject. Remember, the essay should show that you see the value of tolerant behavior and are aware of the consequences of social inequality.
Teacher training and education
Tell about your experience of teaching or working in an educational environment. What do you think is the role of the teacher? What challenges are they dealing with? What motivational and engaging strategies do they use in the classroom? Describe the skills or qualities of the teacher that you find most important. Which ones overlap with yours? Be sure to explain why you chose the teaching profession, the specific age group of students, and the subject area. Avoid clichés like “I love children,” “I was born to teach,” “I’ve (dreamed of) being a teacher since I was a child,” etc.
Literature, Philology (Literary study)
Obviously, in literature, more than in any other field, admissions officers will be especially sensitive to the linguistic content of your writing. Also, your grammar skills will be more attentively checked, so do not hesitate to get some professional help from good services on reddit in order to succeed in that part. Abstract philosophical statements, paragraph-long sentences, pretentious syntactic structures, and overly complex vocabulary are categorically a no. Indicate the works what writers you like, and what areas of literature you are particularly interested in. Take with caution the most popular or well-known literature from the school curriculum, but at the same time do not overdo with the choice of an unusual poem or eccentric writer solely to wow the committee. What matters here is not what’s on your bookshelf, but whether you can demonstrate creativity, thoughtfulness, and critical thinking. In doing so, you can also appeal to broader cultural interests – theatrical productions, journalistic texts, etc. Of course, all of this must have a connection to your chosen course – a Cinderella story you read at age 6 is unlikely to interest the committee.
Linguistics, modern languages
When writing your essay, take into account the specifics of the course you are applying for. If the focus is on practical linguistics, tell about the ways you have learned languages that have been most effective for you. For majors involving intercultural communication, note what opportunities for cultural immersion you have used. It is not a single experience that matters, but the process of developing your interest, the degree of involvement. Have you been abroad – what thoughts did you have about the culture, history, and politics of the country? You studied for a semester on exchange – what were the difficulties and how did you cope with the language barrier?
Media studies and journalism
Decide in advance whether you want to do media studies, create media content or a combination of these activities. Show an understanding of the role of the media in today’s world and the social and cultural impact they have. You can even highlight a film, TV series, game, or Web site, indicating what features of their production, distribution, and analysis you would like to master in the program. In the case of practical journalism, it should be clear from your essay that you know about the work of a journalist, a reporter. Be sure to follow the major stories that are unfolding in the media at the moment, so that you can confirm your awareness if necessary. You can reflect on the difference in coverage and its objectivity. Although the admissions committee insists on work experience, don’t worry if you don’t have it. A personal blog or school newspaper can sometimes teach you more, or at least differently, than a newsroom. You can cite your publications in your motivation letter, and send them along with your application packet.
We hope that these tips will give you a more clear understanding of what you should write about in your motivation essay when applying for a major in the Social sciences field.
