The Statement of Purpose Essay is a tool used by the INTS program for multiple reasons:

• It gives Advisors a guide with which we can assist in building your degree plan
• It gives the INTS Advisors a way to measure appropriate writing ability.
• The essay is used for INTS admission purposes. THIS RUBRIC is used as the tool by which we measure the essay. Be sure to look the rubric over. A "passing" score is 21 out of a total of 30. Students scoring below 21 will be required to take additional writing coursework before admission to INTS will be considered.

Guidelines for writing the INTS Statement of Purpose Essay:

1.  The first paragraph should:

(a) identify the title of your academic/career goal (i.e.,what you want on your business card after graduation), and (b) explanation of how you came to be focused on your goal.

2. The second paragraph should explain the reason(s) you are applying to the interdisciplinary studies program and why you find it necessary to form your own customized degree plan rather than applying to a traditional major offered at UTA.

3. The third paragraph should identify the following:

(a) The three to four critical skills that you need to develop through your coursework to achieve your  goal. For example, critical skills appropriate to a “Web Design Studies ” program would possibly include “Computer Graphics,” “Programming Languages,” and “Client Relations.” (NOTE: Virtues such as 'coping skills', 'openmindedness', and 'time management' are not considered critical skills, as there is not a way to build a course of study to develop them.)

(b) Explain your reason for wanting a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

(c) Your choice of wanting either 14 hours of a modern language or 12 hours of “culture courses” in the Bachelor of Arts degree.   If you elect to pursue a modern language, briefly explain how this will enhance your ability to achieve your goal. If you elect to do cultural courses, then briefly explain how the theme and courses you are choosing relates to and strengthens your plan of study.
For the Bachelor of Science, state in which science(s) you plan to do your 12 hours of upper leel "science for science majors" and how this relates to your future goals.

Format of Essay

• The entire essay should be on a single page with standard margins, single spaced.
• The title of your essay should state your program focus and be centered in 16 point font.
• The body of the essay should be in 12 point font (or 11 point font, if necessary).
• The essay should have a signature and date line 1” from the bottom. 
• Please sign and date your essay and retain a copy for your files.