Personal Statement
Program Applied: Ph.D. in Economics

In the process of transforming its economic system into that of market economy and integrating into the international economic framework, China seems unable to match its economics, a branch of learning western in original and by no means full-fledged since its transplantation into the Chinese context, with the complicated nature of its economy. On the surface, China’s GDP is increasing with an encouraging momentum. But behind the apparent economic boom are many underlying economic problems that have aroused the grave concern of the nation’s economists—the macroeconomic manipulation by the central government under the name of “socialist market economy”, the difficult reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), worsening unemployment, and possibility for sustainable development. Some of those problems are specifically Chinese problems while some are universal problems. It is obvious that the only way out of this dilemma is to conduct profound studies in and borrow from western economics.

Since Adam Smith established the foundation for modern economics with his Wealth of Nations, this queen of social sciences has made the most spectacular achievements over the past 200 years of exuberant development in the United States, where can be found the most accomplished economists, their most rigorous thinking, their most profound theories, and the most liberal academic environment. For a long time, the United States does not represent a country to me. It legitimately symbolizes a holy land of academic research. The University of # # # is undoubtedly the temple on this holy land, which enjoys a very prestigious status in the academia of economics. Its senior professors have producing research findings that capture the attention of the entire academic community, not to mention its serious academic atmosphere, the rich teaching experience of the faculty as a whole and ample opportunities for academic exchanges. My admission into such a university will equip me with all the necessary qualifications to develop myself into a specialist in economics who can make important contributions to the “diagnosis” and “treatment” of Chinese economic problems.

My undergraduate education at the Economics Department of Jilin University has endowed me with a solid academic foundation. Its specialty of National Economics & Management is part of the nation’s key curriculum in economics, ranking 3rd in the entire country. There I had the opportunity to attend some of the most exciting and rewarding economics courses delivered by the country’s leading scholars, courses ranging from Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Comparative Studies in Economic Systems, Economic Predictions and Decision-Making Strategies to econometrics. When I first began to study economics, I found it somehow tedious and difficult, but my teachers all demonstrated great erudition and scholarly wisdom that ushered me step by step into this realm of abstruse knowledge. I grew increasingly interested in economics.

In July this year, I graduated cum laude from Jilin University and got my Bachelor’s degree. At the graduation ceremony, Prof. Yang X X, who is also the chairman of the Economics Department, praised me as “one of a few outstanding students in the Economics Department so far”. When many of my teachers heard about my present application for an overseas education, they are all too willing to offer themselves as my recommenders. During my undergraduate program, I received on a number of occasions awards for single-item merit and first- and second-class scholarships. I was given the honor of Outstanding Student of the University for two times and I was a member of Jilin University’s Elite Program. I was one of the first few students in my department to have received the Microsoft Certified Professional Systems Engineering (MCSE).

Of course, I have also experienced frustrations. Due to initial disorientations, I did very bad in my coursework for the first two semesters and the low scores really dealt a heavy blow on me. I was on the point of admitting my utter failure when my self-motivation aroused me out of my profound depression. After drawing useful lessons from my previous failures and making some painstaking adjustments, I started working toward the academic objectives that set for myself. As a sophomore, I showed obvious improvement in my scholastic performance and I secured top ranking in my class for the last two consecutive years. To some degree, I feel indebted to this failure because without the self-stimulation triggered by the experience, I might not have made conscious efforts to improve my academic performance and I would have remained as mediocre and lackluster as ever. Nor would I develop the very idea of seeking advanced studies abroad.

Due to my improved performance, I was chosen as one of the delegates of our university to attend the World Economics Conference held in Shengyang in 2000. The participants of this conference included distinguished scholars both at home and abroad and officials from China State Council. The conference focused on global economic situations and on issues in China’s economic development. As the sole undergraduate at the conference, I found my vision broadened and my horizon expanded. As a matter of fact, I have always been active in extracurricular events. For instance, as one of a limited number of student representatives, I participated in a workshop hosted by the renowned Hong Kong economist Zhang Wuchang. I was a member of the university’s Economics Association and my active contributions to the Association resulted in my being elected minister of its Planning Department and Academic Exchange Department. I was responsible for organizing a series of seminars in which students discussed live issues of Chinese economy and conducted field trips. Through those activities, I developed my economics knowledge and backgrounds beyond mere textbooks.

Immersing myself in classics of economics and the latest academic journals and magazines was another way of enriching and consolidating my professional knowledge in economics. Among many classics by major Chinese economists are Economic Explanations by Zhang Wuchang, New Nationalist Economic Perspectives by He Xin and Macroeconomics by Li Yining, and western classics are Economics by Paul A. Samuelson, Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money by John Maynard Keynes. The most important thing that I derived from reading those classics is not only knowledge, but also methodology of analysis, ways of doing scholarly research, and even their nobleness of mind.

Out of my deep concern for China’s serious economic situations, I chose The Reemployment of the Laid-off Workers in China as the title for my BA thesis. I employed analytical methods in western economics to probe into the root cause of unemployment in China. On the theoretical level, I conducted some meaningful investigations into the underlying reasons for unemployment and proposed several tentative solutions to the problem by doing a case study of the unemployment situation in Shengyang City, a prosperous heavy industrial base under the conventional centralized planned economy but now overburdened by unemployment during its economic reshuffling. My thesis was rated “Class A” for its applied value, its abundance of bibliography and statistics, its rigorous analysis and originality. Only 20 out of a total of 300 students received “Class A” rating that year and my thesis was in the university’s Excellent Thesis Collection.

I am soberly aware that my undergraduate education is far from sufficient for me to embark on advanced studies in economics. I have unavoidable flaws in my practical ability, my mode of thinking, and my ken of knowledge. Only through continuous studies and research will it be possible for me to compensate for those flaws. Therefore, I choose to seek a Ph.D. degree program in economics. For the first two years in my program, I will endeavor to build up a solid theoretical foundation in economics and in the final year I will focus on a specific project whose research will be particularly meaningful to the growth of China’s economics. By doing in-depth research, I expect to develop myself into an accomplished economist in future China.

I yearn for a colorful life full of challenges. I am ready to undergo all the necessary hardships that I will be subjected to. I believe that a life without challenges and hardships is not a true life. In this process of developing myself into a successful economist, I am bound to encounter unexpected difficulties. But I will cope with those difficulties with endurance and persistence. I am self-motivated and my independent spirit will encourage me to face all setbacks with bravery. A complete life of self-fulfillment is what I seek.