changing the SOP

[celph]

So I have submitted my first application. Accordingly, I wrote my first SOP. I'm thinking about adjusting it to fit other schools I'll apply to. As in, change names, change some facts, etc etc but keep the rest. Here's the thing. I've applied to 10 universities. Some of them are top-tier, others are pretty unknown. The unknown ones, I am not familiar with the professors' work there. Is it OK to admit that? Or would that be a no-no? I mean, I have my reasons for picking those schools, but frankly they're not good reasons. I mean, there's a school I chose just because I like the area and also they offer nice funding packages. So yeah. What you reckon? Hit me with some ideas.

[Eigen]

Take the time to look up the professors at those schools, find a few you might/would be interested in working with, and mention them. Shouldn't take that long, and you shouldn't apply somewhere without at least a few professors you'd want to work with anyway.

[celph]

I've done that. However, here's the thing. There's schools I've applied for where I know every little thing about their professors work, and I've read like most of their publications and followed their research closely over the past couple years. Then there's others where I just know there's professors who do this and professors who do that. Well, there's a big difference between the two.

[warpspeed]

From what people I've interviewed/met with who sit on adcoms have told me, they can tell why people are applying to their program through their SOP. If you don't put effort into your SOP, they should just accept you because they're lesser known? Sounds like a quick way to rejection to me...

[rising_star]

The unknown ones, I am not familiar with the professors' work there. Is it OK to admit that? Or would that be a no-no?

You can admit it here, but definitely not in your applications. You need to make it clear in your SOP that you know why that school is a good fit for you, so that you can show the admissions committee that. If you aren't familiar with the professors' work, how do you know the program is a good fit for you? Fit is often key to graduate admissions.

I always recommend tailoring your SOP to each program. I believe in weaving in the "fit" throughout, rather than just putting it in one paragraph at the end. When I applied, I rewrote probably a third of my SOP for each program. It definitely paid off for me. These rewrites were to include related institutes/departments on campus I could work with and professors in those departments that could be on a committee, which helped show that I had done the research on not only the person I wanted to work with but also on the department and university to know that the program would be a good fit for me and my interests.

I mean, I have my reasons for picking those schools, but frankly they're not good reasons. I mean, there's a school I chose just because I like the area and also they offer nice funding packages. So yeah. What you reckon?

If that's the only reason for picking a school, drop it from your list. You'll be doing yourself a favor by saving the money and time of an application. Grad school applications are about picking places based on who you will be working with and the resources available to you. Liking the area, while it can be a factor in your choice, should not be your sole reason for applying to a graduate program. That approach seems misguided, to say the least.

[Zimaleah501]

I would definitely find other reasons you like the place to discuss than just liking the area, though that to me is a pretty valid reason to give a place a go, particularly if you are unsure of whether or not you will get in the other places. But during that research, you might find that there is something about that department that really means that it is not a good fit for you! Doing the extra legwork can only help you. You will either grow to appreciate a place even more, or you will realize you are wasting time and money applying to that school. Good luck!!

[celph]

Thank you for your replies. I'm sure it seems misguided, but there are certain special circumstances under which I'm applying to certain universities. It's very complicated, and I can't and don't want to explain, but I can assure you it makes sense from my POV.

I think I've gotten my answers.

PS: I realize you're thinking that a-hole could possibly "steal" the place of somebody who actually KNOWS about and *genuinely* wants to go to *that* school. I would probably think the same. It's not really like that, though.

Edited December 25, 2010 by celph