ToomuchLes

Bloooooooooooooooooomington! I had the pleasure of talking to my POI from IU last week on the phone, and we ended up talking for alittle over an hour. She told me alot of fantastic things about the program! Im kinda hoping that our phone conversation will give me some bonus points when she (and the rest of the adcoms) look over my application. Also, this website : http://www.writersdiet.com/WT.php ... is really fun to play with . I copy/pasted my SOP into three distinct parts and kept getting 'fit&trim' results, so hopefully my SOP is as toned as Daniel Craig.

Kinda late in the season to ask for a LOR, in my opinion. I sent out requests late Sept/early Oct. What I would do is, wait until a week has passed since you sent the email. If she still hasnt replied by then, email her again asking if she had the opportunity to read your first email and attach a copy of the your first one below. In the meantime, I would find alternative LOR writers cause sometimes (esp. profs on sabbatical) they dont have the time to write one.

You should double check their website. If you still cant find any information, call them. UCLA (at least for me) clearly states 1-2 pages, while another school didn't have a proper length but they "advised" 2-3 pages.

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Ooooooo. I like that! Im going to revisit my SOP now, and add alittle more about my future plans (I wont go crazy). Nevertheless, it makes sense why adcoms would favor these SOPs.

Good question! I'd also like some info about LOR writers that are not professors, and how this effects your application

1) How do I know if my programs accept Interfolio? I've scanned some of their websites, and found very little information about it. 2) Also, how do you know if programs have supplement questions/form for LOR writers? 3) Is it acceptable to use interfolio for only ONE LOR? My other two said they dont use it. 4) Im sure theres more information on the website (currently signing up now), but how does Interfolio work with LORs?

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I think Im going to take a break from my applications then, until after Halloween. Then Nov 1st I'll revisit my applications. And no, none of my programs have rolling admission (thankfully)

I've completed all the necessary forms in my applications, finished my essays, mailed all my official transcripts, and had all my LOR writers emailed by each program. My due dates are December 1st, and 15th. Originally, I was going to submit everything by Nov. 15th, in case I forgot to do something I still had time to do it, but the last two weeks Ive been very diligent. Should I submit my application now or wait until Nov 15th?

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I dont think those extra words will be cut out; however, I would really really try to follow their instructions of 600 words or less. My shortest word count was 500 words. When I started writing my SOP weeks ago, I wrote a moderate length SOP that I was comfortable with - 1200 words. Afterward, I started to discard all my extra, embellishing words, threw out any non-academic activities, focused on only 1 research project, narrowed my research interest to 2 sentences that state what i want to study and why its important, and finally talked about working with two POI (2 sentences) and then included a general sentences afterward that hinted I am a perfect addition to the department because Prof C, D, and E are doing similar stuff; albeit different geography/time. With shorter SOPS you really need to get to the point if you want to be below the word count.

I agree with everyone. Dont go too in-depth, but mention your research in 2-3 sentences. If you have alot of research under your belt, then pick the one that either A) is pertinent to your area of research for grad school, or you can speak highly of.

I think using chunks would be fine; however you should definitely incorporate your MA experience. This is a must! Regarding plagiarism, I had a professor at my undergrad tell me that the computer does a quick sweep of your essays before they are printed out and given to the adcoms. I think if you reword a few sentences, add some of your MA jargon, and change up a few things, you should be fine. You could also ask your adviser in your department of his/her opinion.

In the last few weeks, I revised my SOP several times, concluding with my recent edition below. Let know me what you think! Also, I've been contemplating how to wrap it up nicely (instead of leaving a cliff hanger), so let me know if my conclusion is too pretentious or bold. Many thanks! EDIT: Im also willing to read over other people's SOP, as long as you read over mine. _________________________ While their contributions are rarely acknowledged with towering monuments, and grandiose statues, much of history is, in fact, made by those at the periphery of society: the working class, the disenfranchised, the unheralded, the overlooked. As a refugee, I personally understand how history is shaped to look favorably towards its people and nation, but in other cases as in mine, it is often ignored. If my country of origin deliberately forgets my story, who else will listen? As an immigrant raised in a predominately lower-class enclave populated by African-Americans, Eastern Europeans, Latinos, and other non-traditional groups, I came to understand from an early age what it means to live on the margins of mainstream society. In fact, even today, I feel the loneliness of our story purposely pushed aside to represent a fabricated, more seemly, history. Later, my introduction to slave narratives by my best friend's mother, a descendant of slaves herself, helped catalyze my own experience into a passion for historical study and awareness. Her great-grandmother was, supposedly, a victim of the burgeoning domestic slave trade when she was cleaved from her parents, and sold at a young age. This made me acutely aware of the many histories that go unwritten, and, perhaps, unremembered; inspiring my interests in Antebellum American history, which I intend to further explore in graduate school. In my first week at the University X, I introduced myself to Professor Y, an expert on social and political slave history. I often visited his office to engage in lively debate and discourse, discussing the topic of slavery, but focusing on how some historical themes are voiced differently, while others are silenced or lack proper representation. Our talks helped bring into focus my burgeoning historical and historiographical interests, something I would not have achieved in regular lectures. Professor Y supplied academic nourishment by exposing me to works by classic period historians like James McPherson, Ira Berlin, Kenneth Stamp, Wilma King and Winthrop Jordan. I discovered how history is defined by a particular generation of historians, and even though historical watersheds remain permanent, perspectives and attitudes change. This newfound knowledge later served me well as a treasurer with Phi Alpha Theta, for which I organized student discussions, guest lectures and raised new questions for interested students. My participation in seven research seminars also improved my historical research skills, introduced me to new perspectives concerning historical objectivity, modified my approach to source documents, and honed my writing, research and analytic skills. This training came to fruition in my comparative research on the social and political repercussions of splintered drug cartels in the last twenty five years in Mexico; a topic beyond my normal area of expertise. In this work, as you will note in my sample essay, I engaged with a wide range of sources, integrated different disciplines to strengthen my argument, and synthesized my findings into new theories. My research earned the praised of Professor Z, and helped solidify my interest in continuing the study of history at a higher level. It also demonstrated that I was capable of vocalizing a historical theme by shining new light on a single, ignored historical chapter that plays a bigger role in a much bigger picture. These undergraduate experiences have helped clarify the research topics I'd like to study at the University of Waffles, under the guidance of Professor Eggo. By investigating state, and later federally, imposed legislation, alongside the social trepidation in the border states, like Virginia, patterns that precipitated the domestic slave trade, I would examine the experiences, social roles, and relationships of enslaved children in their environment, away from their families. I would explore their experiences in the major slave markets, the treatment of orphaned slaves by other enslaved families, and the relationship enslaved children shared with their, supposedly, paternal white masters. In addition, I hope to shed new light on the responses of abolitionist groups towards the social and legislative aspects of adolescent slavery. By studying this particular aspect of the slave system, I firmly believe it is possible to gain a greater understanding of not only the Antebellum South, but also of American society as a whole, because many of these enslaved children would represent the first collective generation of freedmen after emancipation. It is their experiences and stories that reveal the consequences of enslaved family division for children, and how they matured differently than if raised by their biological parents. My curiosity about the subject introduced me to Professor Eggo's exploration of early American slave and gender history. Her work on the sexual exploitations of slave women, and more recently, her study on the manumission laws of mothers and their children would offer keen insight into the legal relationship enslaved families shared. Likewise, Professor A study on the personal experiences of the African diaspora, abolitionist responses, and the obstacles African peoples faced in legislative emancipation would shape my own research. Finally, historians like B, C, and D would provide additional guidance since their research asks similar questions, albeit about different historical settings than my own area of interest. In my examination of the available archives at Waffles, with the help of BaconNEggs, the librarian specialist in African American Studies, I've noticed the extensive resources present in the program that will assist my research goals. With access to data sources like the “African-American Mosaic,” and the “Oxford African American Studies Center,” I will have the means of approach to slave memoirs, scholarly essays, historical newspaper articles, and the few extant slave images left. In addition, ____(still researching)___. With scholars strong in nineteenth century U.S history, combined with the extensive resources of the overall program, Waffles is uniquely suited for my own academic and professional goals, allowing me to grow as a historian and contribute to scholarship on Antebellum American history. For my career, I will apply my aforementioned studies to members of a growing community of historians that vocalize the experiences of children in history. Likewise, I will provide new themes for students and historians as an educator drawing more attention to a particular history that, for the most part, has been overlooked. I am confident that, in addition to my scholarship, I will provide a rare layer of diversity to the program. My personal experiences with exile from my native country, my time in a refugee camp, immigration to a foreign country, and social rejection can also provide insight for other graduate students in the program, of which I'd gladly share and work alongside. I trust this exchange of resource, between my own and the program at Waffles, will benefit both parties, and in the end, we would both achieve a higher level of success together.

Excellent. Thank you, maelia8.

I talked to one of my POI over the phone recently. We discussed pertinent information about the program, her research and my own, but also, I mention my background and how I lived in a refugee camp, prior to my immigration to the states. She told me I should include this background info into my SOP; however I've already done so in my PS. And honestly, I always thought of the SOP to be sort of like a report that highlights the stats of a car, while the PS is like the background check. Maybe thats not a good comparison. SOP -> more academic; PS -> who you are outside of academia. My questions are: Would it be alright to mention this experience in both essays? Typically, in what order (or when) do adcoms read the essays, and would your PS be considered an important part in their decision making? I know many universities advertise their diversity. Likewise, I know that they mention in their applications to emphasize the type of diversity you're bring to the program. I just interested in the logistical evaluations, by adcoms, when they read these documents. EDIT: Yeah. On the application they even say, "The "Statement of Purpose" is expected to focus on your academic/research experiences and interests while the "Personal History Statement" should focus on your personal background."

Never mind. He replied. Thanks for the help though

No, no. I havent taken any classes with his wife. I just know her through the department. We're only in contact because she attended one of the programs that I am interested in, and shes also in charge of the graduate program at my undergrad, so it makes sense for me to ask her to help me with my SOP. Conversely, I've taken 2 classes with her husband, whom promised to write a LOR >.<

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Before I graduated from my undergrad, I discussed with a professor about the possibility of writing me a letter of recommendation in the fall. He agreed, and told him to email him when fall quarter starts. Fall quarter started Oct 1, and I emailed him asking if hes still willing to write me a letter on Oct 6th. No answer. Then Oct 16, I sent a second email asking if he read the first one, and included a copy of the original email on the bottom of the second one. Still no response. My applications are due December 1st and 15th, so theres still alot of time left; however I would like to give all my writers, at least, a month to write one for me. My other writers responded immediately the next day when I sent out my first batch of emails on Oct. 6th. I doubled checked to see if he was on-leave, and hes not. So, what do I do now? I have been in contact with his wife, whose also in the same department. Shes sending me information about some fellowship programs, and helping me perfect my SOP. Would it be rude to ask her to remind her husband to respond to my email? I totally think it would be, which is why I havent done it yet, but Im curious what you guys think. EDIT: Id prefer not to make another thread to answer another question of mine, so I'll post it here. Do I need to tell my LOR writers specifically what to say about me? I know all my LOR writers very well. Ive taken 2-3 classes with them, always visited them in their office (even if I didnt have a class with them), and even had lunch/dinner with them. I did, once, bring up this topic with one LOR writer, asking what hes going to say, and he said something like, "when I said Ill write a LOR for you, I will only have good things to say." After that, I never brought up this topic with any of my LOR writers.

I would be interested as well, as long as this is a project I can work on AFTER applications

Someone advised me (not a professor, or writer but rather an applicant) that I should discuss the methodologies that I will use to pursue my research. This is the first time I've heard of such a suggestion for SOPs. In fact, most of my institutions ask the applicant to address preparation, relevant experiences, research interests, academic plans, and why that institution is a good intellectual fit for you (also mention who you want to work with, and why). For a few of my applications, I have about ~200 words available, so should I discuss how I will attempt my research, or focus more on why that specific program is good for me?

I have a branching question. Do you send a generic SOP with gap in spots that address why you are an intellectual fit for a specific institution, and who you want to work with, or do you send your LOR writer all of your SOPs for each school?

As always, very informative answers. Many thanks everyone!

Lol thank you. It seemed like a straight-forward question, but then I started to think ...