Index 
Purpose
Purdue Application Draft Essay: The following was drafted in answer to some sort of question as, “Why do you want to come here?” on the application form of the School of Science or perhaps the Department of Geology at Purdue for the fall term, 1972. It includes clarifying notes by someone, probably Susie, who must have typed it. So perhaps this is the final draft. Throughout my life a major portion of my time has been spent in formal educational institutions. Most of my concepts and factual information originated in the learning I experience while at these schools. For the past year I have been away from a formal learning situation, and this experience in itself has been the basis of new learning. In brief, I have found that my present state of knowledge, conceptual and factual, is sufficient to enable me to successfully compete in the economic world of “making a living”, But this sufficiency alone is not satisfactory. I still feel that my knowledge is insufficient to “make a life”. During undergraduate studies I was introduced to ideas and information that are frightening as well as fascinating. This introduction tantalizes me to reach for more knowledge. My experiences up to the present time have convinced me that the easiest access to knowledge I seek is through formal education, and that the university is the most reliable and unbiased dispenser of that knowledge. Thus I find myself looking again toward formal education as a means for continuing my self-development. My professional plans are even more uncertain than my plans for a specific graduate program. The contents of a Christmas gift are unknown to the receiver until the package is opened. My feelings about graduate school are similar to those of a child on Christmas morning. I know in general what is offered, but my exact plans can not be formulated until I further explore by participation the programs available. I know that I want to end up somewhere in the Environmental Geology field. I feel that a broad gap exists between decision makers and fact gatherers. My plans are to become qualified to act as a translator between the two. |