Statement of Purpose

[ydg23]

I am applying to several schools. Some of them ask for specific information on how you would fit in their program. Some of them want a very general statement about interests and academic history. Do you think the SOP needs to mention each school directly? Is it OK not to mention the school's name and have a generic SOP? Thanks for you help.

[Pleiades]

From all the info I've read on this site and others, you should really take the time to tailor your statement of purpose for each school to which you're applying. One of my professors is on our grad program's admissions committee, and he told me he can always tell when the students put very little effort in to find out about the school and mention the reason they want to attend the institution, and the professors who the student would be interested in working with. I'm no expert, but your statement of purpose is trying to convince the schools that you will be great for THEM, so you should mention the school.

[ydg23]

Thanks for the help.

[Strangefox]

I am applying to several schools. Some of them ask for specific information on how you would fit in their program. Some of them want a very general statement about interests and academic history. Do you think the SOP needs to mention each school directly? Is it OK not to mention the school's name and have a generic SOP? Thanks for you help.

Pleiades is absolutely right. Even if schools don't ask you to talk about the fit, you are always supposed to do that. Don't worry, writing "fit" paragraphs is not very difficult. Look carefully through each school's website. There are some things that distinguish this program from others, things that are important for you and that the school is pround of. Mention great research opportunities, libraries, courses that you would particularly like to attend. If it is fine to talk about faculty you would like to work with in your case (which is field dependant) absolutely write about that as well.

[ydg23]

Strangefox,

Thanks for the help. Your advice is very, very helpful.