How many SOP drafts is normal?

[Milo_10011]

I am now up to draft 10 of my statement of purpose. I keep thinking this is what it must be like to go insane. I haven't -- YET -- started going around, touching all the corners three times to keep the world from ending, but this is getting ridiculous. I have never needed to write anything more than three or four times in my life, and even in those rare cases, each iteration was a refinement of the previous version. I keep going back and tearing down and starting over. I don't seem to be approaching the end, I just seem to be going in a circle. Anyone have any advice?

[Benzene]

Have you had anyone read it over for you yet? I wrote two drafts of mine, then had four friends read it over for me before handing it off to my advisor for the final proof. I am sure that if I had kept it to myself much longer, I would have done the same as you. (In fact, this sounds a lot like what I am doing with my thesis!!)

Also, keep an eye out on program websites for an outline of sorts. I had found one from a program that I ultimately did not apply to, but it was very helpful.

[Milo_10011]

Yes. I sent a version to a couple of friends. Each had different bits of advice. I can't find anything on the school site. I think I actually did finally get the right mindset though. I just finished the 11th draft, but I like this one. The others always had me reading it and saying, "No. No. That's not what I really mean."

[LadyinWaiting]

Yes. I sent a version to a couple of friends. Each had different bits of advice. I can't find anything on the school site. I think I actually did finally get the right mindset though. I just finished the 11th draft, but I like this one. The others always had me reading it and saying, "No. No. That's not what I really mean."

Wow! 11 drafts! I'm impressed. As someone who's also a compulsive rewriter, I agree with the above advice. I would also say not to seek advice from too many people, but just maybe 2-3 people whose judgment you really trust, including one in your field if possible. But most of all, there comes a point at which you just have to tell yourself that you've done your absolute best and call it finished. After a while, revisions don't help that much, especially if you're not changing the fundamental content of your statement.

Good luck!

[Milo_10011]

And for those keeping score ...

I dropped off my SOP today. Eighteenth draft. Simply couldn't take the stress any more. I think they should let me in solely on effort.

[emmm]

I had three MAJOR drafts and many minor revisions. Total writing time -- months! Worst part of applying. I hated doing the SOP.

[Milo_10011]

I had three MAJOR drafts and many minor revisions. Total writing time -- months! Worst part of applying. I hated doing the SOP.

I still remember just sort of laughing it off. "Oh, a statement of purpose. That should take about half an hour."