SOP almost finished - please look over

[joops]

After guiltily bogarting of the SOP forums, I have written what I believe to be an acceptable statement. However, I would love it if some of you could look it over and tell me if it contains any kisses of death/blatant omissions. Also, does using "to be" in the subjunctive make me sound like a pretentious pirate?

I've posted the whole thing for 1) expediency's sake and 2) to help future applicants who are struggling as much as I am. Thank you in advance.

If invited to join the (University of Awesome,) I plan to focus on the sociology of religion, as this topic was always the one in which I was most deeply fascinated. In particular, I intend to study how religious attitudes influence the gay rights movement in the United States. To do so, I will examine how the individuals who compose both conservative and liberal organizations come to hold their beliefs, and the steps that these individuals take to ensure that their beliefs are reflected in legislature. Further, I wish to examine how the actions of religious conservatives affect patterns of secularism within the US. According to the General Social Survey, the rate of secularism in the US is rising, while the rate of atheism and agnosticism remains stagnant. I want to understand whether or not this rise is in response to the continued social conservatism of many religious organizations.

The extensive research experience I have, which encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods, well prepares me to explore these topics during my graduate career. I was first exposed to research methodology during my second semester at (My UG) in my Linguistics Field Methods (ANTH 305) course. In this course, I learned how to conduct interviews and record data for the purpose of linguistic analysis. I designed a study that would measure the incidence of post-vocalic /r/ deletion in the Boston area when correlated with age, gender, and socioeconomic standing. In my Sociological Research (SOCL 212) course with (Professor Professorson), I completed a quantitative study with two other classmates that examined students’ attitudes toward their future career and familial goals. Specifically, we sought to determine how gender affects a student’s willingness to sacrifice long-term career plans in order to raise a family.

The first independent research project I conducted was under the direction of (Dr. Really-good-at-getting-LORs-in-on-time) in Sociology of Well-Being (SOCL 376). For this project, I interviewed other students in order to ascertain how their religious beliefs, or lack thereof, affected how happy they considered themselves. I found that those who define their purpose in life as “helping others” do so because they believe that they are fulfilling a mission from the God in whom they worship, and that these individuals enjoy an increase in well-being from their sense of purpose.

My second independent research project, completed in Statistics for Social Research (SOCL 211) under (Dr. Also-good), was a statistical analysis in which I examined how liberalism, frequency of prayer, and frequency of church attendance correlated with acceptance of homosexual relationships. (should I write my findings here?)

My research experience extends beyond academic settings. During the summer of 2009, I was a research assistant for a firm called (Awesome Research and Consulting) (ARC). (ARC)’s main focus is on the (Awesome) project, which is funded by the (governmental org) and aims to measure (some pretty cool stuff). My role in the (Awesome) project was to recruit research participants and to ensure that they met the study’s criterion. I also wrote a literature review for a different but similar project that aimed to test how individuals from different cultures react to stress.

I am confident that what I have learned from my research experience has prepared me for graduate level work. The qualitative research I did in Linguistics Field Methods, Sociology of Well-Being, and at (ARC) has taught me how to work one-on-one with human subjects and to obtain information from them in a thorough and ethical manner. Through this research, I became familiarized with the inner-workings of institutional review boards. Further, I have learned from (Professor Professorson’s and (Dr. Also-good’s) courses how to conduct large-scale studies and how to interpret the data that these studies produce.

(UoA) is an ideal institution at which to utilize the skills I have acquired through my research experience. First and foremost, I am enticed by the department’s strength in both the sociology of religion and in social movements. There are numerous professors with whom I would be interested in working. Among them are Dr. (A)’s and Dr. (B)s’ expertize will guide me in understanding not only how social movements are catalyzed, but also how they proliferate and influence the societies into which they are born. Dr. ©’s and Dr. (D)’s research into cultural institutions evinces their ability to help me understand social patterns in the United States. Dr. (E)'s knowledge will assist me in answering the questions that I have posed regarding the role of religiosity in society.

While I am drawn to UofA for its sociology faculty, the department’s mission and the University’s resources also make it a desirable place at which to earn my doctorate. In particular, the Awesome Institute provide an indispensable tool for completing graduate work. (too vague/boilerplate?) As I wish to become a professor following the completion of my doctoral studies, the department of sociology’s emphasis on preparing students for teaching is obviously desirable.

I am a person with an inquisitive mind and a desire to share the field that I love with anyone who is willing to listen. When I observe a social phenomenon, whether it be an interaction between two people or a trend that spans the entire globe, I do more than just passively internalize it; I list possible factors that contributed to my observation’s occurrence and hypothesize what consequences may follow from it. As an undergraduate, I was able to satisfy my propensity for questioning the social world, and I am now ready to translate this propensity into a career.

Edited December 31, 2010 by Alissa

[Happy to be here]

I think you misspelled 'expertize'. I think it's 'expertise.' Rest looks good to me.

[socdoc]

Great job! Your closing statement "As an undergraduate...propensity into a career" provides a memorable conclusion. You already sound like an expert. Good luck.

~Soc Doc

[Roll Right]

Good work. I believe that SOP's really are dynamic. While the forums suggest a specific formula, you want it to have your voice and your style. You've done well explaining your interests and career goals. I'm sure you'll catch someone's attention with it.

[joops]

Great job! Your closing statement "As an undergraduate...propensity into a career" provides a memorable conclusion. You already sound like an expert. Good luck.

~Soc Doc

Wow, thank you so much! I submitted these awhile ago, so it's nice to know I did the right thing. Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment.

[joops]

I think you misspelled 'expertize'. I think it's 'expertise.' Rest looks good to me.

Just realized I totally forgot to thank you for your comment. Normally I would not be so rude, but my mind was very occupied with, you know, graduate school applications

Good luck! It really reflects well on your character that you helped me out despite our being in the exact same field. I wish you the best!

[joops]

Good work. I believe that SOP's really are dynamic. While the forums suggest a specific formula, you want it to have your voice and your style. You've done well explaining your interests and career goals. I'm sure you'll catch someone's attention with it.

Thanks, Roll Right. I really appreciate your compliment. I wish you the best of luck!