SOP outline

[brahmin]

I have started writing my SOP for mechanical engineering and wanted to confirm my outline, or the general idea of my paragraphs, with you guys.

1) Why chose to pursue what i want to pursue? A brief statement of the areas of my major that I want to pursue.

2) Experience of 1st main research experience

3) Experience of 2nd main research experience

4) What makes this uni the best for me?

5) My motivation and goal in pursuing research in general.

I have a few concerns:

1) The order...does it prioritize the important stuffs?

2) Do I need to include detail about my vision in my area of interest? Or is it bad to do this because the net I cast becomes smaller? If I should, where do I put it? Do I integrate that with the paragraphs that talks about my experiences? But I feel like I need to have a new paragraph for that because I feel like the two main areas of my experiences can be related and I have done extra course work which will directly contribute to what I want to do, which may make the SOP longer. What is a general limit to a SOP for engineering?

3) Lastly, what specifically should I focus on when talking about why this particular uni? When listing the labs and profs I am interested to work with, should I mention their past work, or their current projects or general interests?

Thanks for your suggestions....they mean a lot

[dithius_9]

I don't really have any comment on the general structure other than it does seem logical and appropriate. Also, I have no idea what is "normal" for engineering, but I think that there are some basic principles that transcend any specific field.

My main advice would be a] be specific and b] get to the point. You don't need to recite the entire life history of the faculty of the department, but a few well-researched tidbits about your knowledge of their current/past research will go a long way towards demonstrating your sincerity as a candidate. (Don't over-do it though, as it should sound genuine). Also, it's great to talk about your general passion for the field, but again keep it succinct and try to tie it to specific experiences in your past (or present).

Finally, I would perhaps just add one more though: try and say something original. Maybe hint at your "dream" research project. Even if it is a wee bit far-fetched, it will show that you possess a mind capable of pushing the limits of your field through original thought (otherwise known as science).

Feel free to disregard everything I've said!! Good luck!!

Edited July 26, 2010 by dithius_9

[hahahut]

Hi! I am working on my SOP draft too. Mine has a similar outline. But I have your second to last and last paragraph the other way around. My thinking is it is logical to exam why I want to move on to the next step based on what I have experienced before (i.e. stuff in your 2nd, 3rd paragraphs) and what I want to achieve at the end. Then when talking about why I see a particular fit with this school, I could focus on the details how it could help me achieving my goals. I am thinking to add an extra conclusion paragraph. But only if the space allow s and I could come up something that takes the whole plan to the next level without adding any new information.

I would have the vision part in my opening paragraph. It would paint an applicant with passion and long term goal. Although it has to be realistic enough to be achievable. A lot schools ask to describe interests in the first paragraph. I suppose that is how they would know who would be the best person to read this application. So I would have a concise but firm description on my research interests following the vision part. However, more rational reasons could be summarized in the motivation/goal paragraph to show the plan is well considered and the applicant is capable and ready for the challenges.

I would definitely talk about people's work rather than just mentioning their names. Ultimately we choose them because their works have inspired us one way or another, not just famous names. I guess most likely they would end up reading the document. By quickly mentioning particular works they have done, they would know that we have done our researches.

Hope these make sense. Welcome any feedback!

Edited July 27, 2010 by hahahut

[newms]

A couple suggestions from someone who's working on a SOP too FWIW:

1) I'd have the 'fit' paragraph as the last paragraph and have your motivation for research much earlier in the SOP.

2) Don't let your concern for casting too small a net prevent you from laying out a vision of what you would like to research. I think this is an important part of the SOP - to show to the admissions committee that you are capable of putting together a coherent, workable research goal. I don't think that they are going to expect you to stick precisely to that goal over the next few years, since your research might lead you into a direction you hadn't anticipated.

3) I think you should mention the profs' work and specifically how your research vision and/or background would fit well with their work. I don't think the adcom is going to be impressed with only dropping names from their website.

[Jae B.]

Makes sense.

I actually put my "fit" paragraph first, feeling it'd get the adcoms attention. It seemed like a natural way to launch into my motivations (directly connects to why I want their school) and goals from the start, how (why) I developed these interests, and finally -- probably the majority of my paper -- how I've prepared with all these things in mind, as well as the general realities of my chosen field.

Just another way.