So... I Think I Might Be Screwed

[KRC]

I've been fairly calm, actually surprisingly calm about waiting it out since all my apps were submitted. The humanities usually give decisions between Mid-Feb and April so I still have a bit of time, but the more I reflect on my application package now that its out of my hands, the more I realize I think I screwed myself.

My SOP was essentially a dissertation proposal. I've been told and I really believe that it is a fantastic and innovative proposal, but it's almost ONLY a proposal and nothing else. I had quite a turn-around in my undergraduate career yet I didn't mention a word of it, very brief mention of fit, almost no mention of why I wanted to pursue graduate study... At the time of writing it, I suppose I was thinking two things: first, that the questions were almost platitudes and that no ad com member actually wanted to read another set of hackneyed responses, and second that the answers to those questions would be fairly obvious in reading the SOP itself (I want to study with you because you have a renowned psychoanalytic institute, something with which have deep experience as evidenced by my CV and the quality of my proposed project, etc. etc.)

Again it's submitted, and there's no use in freaking out, but regardless I think I'm screwed.

Your thoughts?

[emmm]

Again it's submitted, and there's no use in freaking out, but regardless I think I'm screwed.

Your thoughts?

I think you have a chance. Especially if what you wrote is good and if your letters are good.

[fuzzylogician]

One way to demonstrate fit is to define your interests so precisely that it's clear how they interface with those of different faculty members in the department without needing to "state the obvious." A very professional SOP is probably a refreshing change from most essays which are more story-oriented, and reflecting professionalism in an academic essay is never bad. If you chose your schools correctly and you wrote a compelling proposal, you will catch some professors' eye at every school and they will want to work with them even if you didn't specifically say that their work will support yours -- because it'll be clear that it does. The other things you say you didn't mention are not critical if you don't have anything special to say about them - e.g. your undergrad career. That would be reflected in your transcripts and some of your LOR writers will have mentioned it in their letters too. So, unless the SOP prompts specifically asked for information that you didn't provide in your essay, I'd say you're fine.

Edited January 14, 2011 by fuzzylogician

[MoJingly]

First of all,

I've been fairly calm, actually surprisingly calm about waiting it out since all my apps were submitted.

How?! That's admirable.

I agree with what has been said here. If they gave you a prompt saying, "write about your undergrad career, your experiences, etc," then it might be worrisome. But I think it is commendable that you wrote about something of substance rather than just "me me me me me." They can always have a chance to learn about you in an interview. Have a beer and try to get back your tranquility.

Edited January 14, 2011 by MoJingly

[KRC]

Thanks, all; great responses.

This issue was really the only one that made me think twice about my application package, and your responses definitely helped. I suspect I'm older and have more work experience than a lot of applicants, so hopefully the AC's take the direct tone of the SOP as a sign of maturity, professionalism and focus. I really have a hard time believing that academic in the humanities (of all people) want to hear any more than a sentence or two about how literature changed my life...

Edited January 18, 2011 by KRC

[NewNewb]

My SOP was essentially a dissertation proposal. I've been told and I really believe that it is a fantastic and innovative proposal, but it's almost ONLY a proposal and nothing else. I had quite a turn-around in my undergraduate career yet I didn't mention a word of it, very brief mention of fit, almost no mention of why I wanted to pursue graduate study... At the time of writing it, I suppose I was thinking two things: first, that the questions were almost platitudes and that no ad com member actually wanted to read another set of hackneyed responses, and second that the answers to those questions would be fairly obvious in reading the SOP itself (I want to study with you because you have a renowned psychoanalytic institute, something with which have deep experience as evidenced by my CV and the quality of my proposed project, etc. etc.)

Your thoughts?

I have been questioning myself about the exact same thing. My SOP definitely reads like a research statement: research experience #1 (a.k.a rewording the abstract of my paper), research experience #2, research experience #3, ... rinse and repeat, then probably one paragraph on why XYZ department. I spent probably one or two sentences on why I want to pursue graduate studies along the line of "because I want to do research in XYZ".

I feel that it is much easier for me, and more informative for the admission committee, to write this way than telling anecdotes on why/when/how I fell in love with my field. Nonetheless, the waiting game is leading me to question everything I have done so far this cycle.

Edited January 23, 2011 by NewNewb

[Poppet]

Ugh!! I am in a similar position - I think I really screwed up one of my SOP's. I was supposed to write a "Statement of Intent" about my proposed research (so, not the same as a personal statement) - but my proposed research happens to be heavily inspired by specific work experience. So I wrote about the work experience and how it inspired me to notice that the same problem existed in another field and that I wanted to address that problem in my graduate research, and that the university in question would allow me to do so because of its course offerings, etc. I didn't write anything about my grades or other research experience, mentioned nothing about why I took 8 years off of school to work instead, and didn't write a proper research proposal, etc.

Also, it was supposed to be 500 words and mine was 624.

My reference letters and work experience are so good that I was expecting a virtually free ride at this university, and now because of my SOP I'm worried I won't get in at all. I want to bang my head against the table.