angel_kaye13
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Posts posted by angel_kaye13
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Value judgement
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I've requested recommendations for 3 different programs, after a 5 year break from undergrad. That may be a short time to you, but for me, it felt awkward, reminding my professors, unsure if my request would be met with surprise or bother. But my professors met it with graciousness, so if you had any kind of good relationship, I would mention that/how impacting they were on your decision to do whatever it is right now. Other than that, the only thing I really recall is that they needed a quick refresher of some of my materials - vitae, writing sample, statement of purpose. This fills in the gap between your time at their institution and now, letting them know fodder for what makes you sellable.
The forms may be elaborate, but most professors know what they have fill out for these types of applications. So I wouldn't worry too much about that. If it's too much, they'll let you know.And I'm a person of form and etiquette. So I always do something nice for them afterwards, though most professors will say it's nothing/to think nothing of it/it's their job/etc. It's just a nice touch, though it does nothing for your actual recommendation.
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If you're nervous your professor won't be as familiar with your work, one of my PhD colleagues gave me the best little advice - and so obvious, I don't know why I didn't think of it - - I know: prepare a little package of your documents/potential application - Writing Sample, rough Statement of Purpose, transcripts, vitae, etc. To that end, I would concur with fuzzy logician that now would be a little premature, for anything but feeling the waters to see if there would be interest. But preparing something like this would certainly be all your professors would want or need, if you have been a diligent, active student in your program, regardless if you haven't worked with your prof. recently.
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On 12/9/2016 at 7:54 PM, RydraWong said:
Anyone applying to the same school they did their undergrad at? I would definitely prefer to go to a different place for grad school, but my undergrad program is a good fit for what I want to do and I know the professors here are generally extremely welcoming and kind so I felt like it was worth it to apply.
Just wondering if anyone was in the same boat of having to draft a SOP and list POIs who are professors they've already worked with/who are writing their letters. I'm starting to edit my SOP for my undergrad school and it feels a bit awkward haha.
I haven't done that for my undergrad, but that is the case for my graduate program. I don't think you need to feel awkward at all: if they're the best fit, that's great! Some schools (i.e. Stanford) caution that many undergrads don't get accepted in, due to wanting their students to have fresh ideas and have fresh ideas coming in (or so I seem to recall from their website a few years back, whether truth or not), so that would be the only reason why this might be a concern, in my own opinion. But many of my colleagues are applying for their PhDs at my graduate institution, and if my undergrad had a strong program in Medieval, I'd be there in a heartbeat! No shame at all! I suppose there's the awkwardness of mentioning them in your SOP, but it's mostly just a brief "this is why I'd do well, working with either one of these professors," and so not much to fear being strange. Just present yourself, be confident in your work and where you'd like to go! That's great you have such a strong institution to call home!
- engphiledu and RydraWong
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Interrupting Moo-Cow, stating the obvious: bear in mind that most SOPs are only, like, 500-1,000 words. (The ones my apps asked for, anyway.) Most trended towards little more than 500 max. That doesn't leave a lot of room for POI talk, which I feel, applying for PhDs, needs more attention --> at this stage, you know your work, you know where you want to go, and you can speak more concretely about prospective people to work with. (First-time applicants, applying for MA and PhD are just as capable, I just realize, in retrospect, how ill-prepared I was, my first cycle, compared to my applications this cycle - complete difference in material fodder!)
ALL this ramble to say: don't freak out, if you read a lot, because that's great, don't freak out if you don't (though it's wise to check out their profiles, at the very least). Those who read, you'll know more who fits your needs, and you can talk intelligently about that. Most committees can tell the difference between an MA candidate and a PhD applicant, based on how you prepare your materials, that's all. This isn't really something to quibble over.My feeling, though, and main point is, you ONLY have 500-ish words. Make sure the ratio you spend reading is equal to the amount of space you'll actually have to dedicate to the POIs. As others have already stated, the SOP is about YOU, and that's what they want to hear most of, how YOU will fit and aim to work. Not just singing the accolades of people who are already renown.
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