Application asks for POI and research background-- do I include these in an SOP still?

[historygeek]

Hi all.

I'm filling out the NYU application, and it asks for the people you're interested in working with and research background. Should I mention these in my SOP as well?

[Elephas]

It depends on how much room you have in your SOP. I went more in depth w/ people I was interested in working with directly on the applications (3-4 sentences) and then cursory (1-2 sentences) allusion in the SOP. I think research background should be weaved into your SOP but you do not have to completely restate things on your resume but highlight how these backgrounds have led to your current trajectory (i.e. while researching _ i learned _ which led me to want to do __ ___ ___ ___). So I'd say focus more on the future and how your past has brought you to it.

[psstein]

Yes, many history programs do this. I realize it's annoying, but it's kind of one hoop to jump through. If they see you're applying to work with a professor who's just retired or something, then  they can throw it away without a second thought.

[PsyDuck90]

To piggy back, sometimes ad comms will also have the specific faculty of interest review your application. Some schools give specific faculty the 1st go around to see if they like certain students more.

Also, your SOP should include a section of why you want to go to that particular program, so the specific faculty should be woven into that idea.