\documentclass[12pt]{article}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{center}{\Huge \bf Statement of Purpose}\end{center}\hline\vspace{0.6cm}\noindentI am a final year student of the four year Bachelor of Technology programat the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. I will be graduating in June 1996 with a degree inComputer Science and Engineering. I am applying for admission and financialaid to the Ph.D. program in Computer Science at Brown University. Detailedinformation about my academic record and my research and other experience isattached to this statement. \\\noindentI was introduced to computers at the age of 11 and working and playing withthem remained a hobby throughout school. It was in high school that I firstconsidered Computer Science as a career. To this end, I took the JointEntrance Examination (JEE) for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology. Though my performance in the JEE was not entirely to my satisfaction, I did very well in my first year as an undergraduate andsecured a change to the department of my choice. \\\noindentThe Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay hastaught me a lot besides Computer Science. A spirit of competitiveness has been the result of having some very intelligentpeople as classmates. Besides this, a close-knit batch and a numberof group course projects have ensured the development of a spirit of teamwork. \\\noindentComing back to Computer Science, my interest in the subject has grown with every year I have been here.I have, over the past few months, tried to analyze my reasons forconsidering a career in research in the field of Computer Science. I believethe choice of research is due to a thrill in ``thinking whatno-one has thought before", i.e., in working with ideas and in doingsomething creative. The liking for Computer Science comes from a deeperinterest in Mathematics and in abstractions of reality (which is probably why I chose Computer Science over a science like Physics -it is ``cleaner"), though the element of taste can neither be ignored nor analyzed. \\\noindentThe most important components of my preparation for a careerin research and teaching and a demonstration of my ability for thesame have been my undergraduate studies. I have performed wellat IIT Bombay and am at the top ofmy class and of my entire undergraduate batch at the end of six semesters.My research experience has consisted primarily of a studyin my junior year (B.Tech. Seminar) on {\em Probabilistic Applications of Symmetric Group Representation Theory} under the guidance of Dr. Sundar Vishwanathan and an ongoing project (B.Tech. Project) titled {\em Realistic Image Synthesis with the Radiosity Method} under Dr. Sharat Chandran. \\\noindentThe seminar in my junior year, along with courses such as{\em Data Structures and Algorithms}, {\em Theory of Computation} and {\em Design and Analysis of Algorithms} have given me a solid background inTheoretical Computer Science which is necessary for any research effort. Apart from this, I intend to take a course titled {\em Foundationsof Parallel Computation} next semester. \\\noindentI have realized, however, that I find a balance of theory and practice moresatisfying than something purely theoretical and this has propelled metowards Systems. I have developed a particular interest in Computer Graphicsand in Networks and Distributed Systems.My preparation for research in Systems includes, apart from the manycourses, a taste of research in Computer Graphics through the B.Tech. Project mentioned above.In the first stage, besides surveying the literature on the radiositymethod, we have outlined a new form factor algorithm which greatlyreduces the aliasing problem inherent in the hemicube method and a researchpaper is in the pipeline. \\\noindentI decided to apply to the Department of Computer Science at Brown Universityprimarily because it compares to the best in the world and has a strongfaculty in my fields of interest. My advisor has encouraged me to apply,and I would consider it my privilege to be able to pursue my doctoral studies at Brown and avail ofthe excellent facilities and research opportunities it has to offer. \\\noindentIn conclusion, I would like to reiterate that I possess the background, the ability and the motivation to make a significant contribution to ComputerScience and to Brown. This is testified by my excellent academic recordfrom school through my undergraduate years. I hope you will takea favorable decision regarding my admission to the Ph.D. program and look forward to joining the Department. \\\noindentChetan Rai.\end{document}