Your program at XXU is my first choice for graduate school because I want very much to attain the MSc Degree in Law and Accounting from the best university in the world, which I would like to use as a stepping-stone toward the field of mergers and acquisitions within investment banking. I am confident that my qualifications and experience to date provide firm foundations for successful participation in this program.
I am originally from Peshawar, Pakistan. Due to the nature of my parents’ jobs, I have had the opportunity of living on several continents and in many countries, including Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Holland, the United Kingdom, Oman, Canada, and the United States. Following high school, I initially enrolled in an engineering degree course. This was at my parents’ urging, and I soon realized that this was a mistake and that I wished to take a course related to my interest in the subject of finance.
After leaving the engineering program, I went to Peshawar in Pakistan and was initially somewhat rudderless but eventually enrolled in a degree program in B.Com (Accounting) at the University of XXXX. This decision has had some unexpected, far-reaching, and beneficial effects on my life since. Seeing the financial struggles of so many of my fellow students and the poverty in the surrounding country was a spur to take full advantage of the opportunities available to me that I had perhaps taken for granted until then. I decided at that point in my life to work hard and, indeed, to excel in everything I did. During this period, I became far more disciplined in both the academic and personal aspects of my life.
I was awarded a 1st Class degree by the university and was among the top 5% of students. While at the University of XXXX, I worked for ten months as a volunteer with a youth development agency called the Organization for Youth Development. The work was undertaken in United Nations refugee camps near to Peshawar. I came face to face with the harsh realities of life for many in the third world; grinding poverty, inequality, political corruption, and the lack of opportunity. Having witnessed these things, I made a personal commitment to assist in any way I could in identifying and implementing solutions to the situations that I had seen.
After completing my B, Comm (Accounting) degree, I transferred to XXXX University in Detroit, Michigan, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. I have remained on the Dean’s list at XXU for a semester, after which I was offered a summer internship at XXXX Detroit as a summer Accounting Intern.
During my time at XXXX University, I became aware that deprivation was suffered by some in the first world, too, and I joined a 50-member team of volunteers involved in mentoring underprivileged high school students who were susceptible to joining street gangs. I taught practical skills such as Microsoft Office and introduced them to career choices and planning. My own hesitant start in my academic life helped me to relate to them and to have hopefully provided an example of the possibilities that are open to them.
In the fall of 2009, in my senior year at XXXX University, I was offered a full-time job as a Junior Accountant in the Financial Audit section based on my B. Comm and academic performance at XXXX University and professional competence at XXXX. I worked there until December 2010. I am currently in Pakistan and have left work at XXXX to start the initial planning of a Poverty Alleviation Program, which is a central dream of mine. I am also registered for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level I exam in June and have started preparing for it.
After eight months, I opted to switch to the Corporate Finance department and worked there from January 2010 to December 2010. In the Corporate Finance department, I was involved in the daily activities of the Capital Budgeting process for small to mid-size clients and worked under the direct supervision of the senior management.
Since January of 2011, I have taken time off to study for the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level I exam and to work on a poverty alleviation program that I am designing. If accepted, I would like to take the optional subjects of the Law of Mergers and Acquisitions and Restructurings in the European Union and the United States, Corporate Financial Reporting, and The Law of Corporate Finance, along with the compulsory course.
I am also taking the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level I exam in June 2011 and plan to take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level II exam in June 2012 concurrently with my Masters's degree.
I am a follower of the Austrian school of Economics and read widely on the topics of economics and mergers and acquisitions. The skills I will gain from the program will help me realize my personal project, which is to start a non-profit/ non-governmental organization that transforms small villages into working and self-sufficient micro-communities. I want to take the optional subjects of “Islam in International Relations: From Al-Andalus to Afghanistan” and “NGOs and Development.” Having access to such a renowned faculty would help me to identify and assist in the implementation of solutions to the problems I have extensive first-hand experience in developing countries. This would not only benefit me greatly but would also allow me to give back to the impoverished people across the world.
I thank you for considering my application to your distinguished program.
