CS SoP

[stackoverflow]

Hey all,

I'm currently planning out my SoP for a PhD in Computer Science, and am a little worried about how I should be stating my research goals. Although I have a decent amount of research experience (3 independent research projects and 1 REU), I am not sure exactly what area I would like to study in. I find myself interested in IR and NLP, but I don't know if this is exactly where I want to be for the next 5+ years of school. Do I necessarily need to have a clear vision of the topic I would like to study in my PhD?

[newms]

Yes, it would be good to have a clear vision of the topic that you want to study for your PhD. I think it's important to show that you have the ability to conceptualize an interesting topic to study. Keep in mind, though, that they are not going to expect you to stick exactly to that topic during your PhD studies - they just want to see that you have a focused idea of what you're interested in and that you have an idea of what research you want to do. At the school I'm going to, I can choose whichever area I want to study during the first year, and then if I wanted to, and if I could find a PI to be my advisor, I could change areas again later on in the program. Of course, I have a fairly good idea of what I want to do, and don't plan on changing areas. If I didn't convey that fairly good idea in my SoP, I'm not sure they would have admitted me. I'm not sure if this is the same at other schools, but I get the impression that most places can be flexible if you change directions in your research. You should check on this when deciding which school to attend (or even to apply to). Of course, the less you change areas, the better for you, since every change will likely add time onto the number of years it's going to take to complete your Phd, so the sooner you can get what it is you want to research for your PhD nailed down, then the better for you. Also, keep in mind that the PhD is not the end of our scientific careers, but the beginning, so you don't have to research every idea you want to study during your Phd years. Pick one that you're interested in, get your degree and then you have a whole career ahead of you to explore all the ideas you want.

PS. I think you have some pretty good research credentials. Good luck!

Edited July 20, 2011 by newms

[Amogh]

Yes, it would be good to have a clear vision of the topic that you want to study for your PhD. I think it's important to show that you have the ability to conceptualize an interesting topic to study. Keep in mind, though, that they are not going to expect you to stick exactly to that topic during your PhD studies - they just want to see that you have a focused idea of what you're interested in and that you have an idea of what research you want to do. At the school I'm going to, I can choose whichever area I want to study during the first year, and then if I wanted to, and if I could find a PI to be my advisor, I could change areas again later on in the program. Of course, I have a fairly good idea of what I want to do, and don't plan on changing areas. If I didn't convey that fairly good idea in my SoP, I'm not sure they would have admitted me. I'm not sure if this is the same at other schools, but I get the impression that most places can be flexible if you change directions in your research. You should check on this when deciding which school to attend (or even to apply to). Of course, the less you change areas, the better for you, since every change will likely add time onto the number of years it's going to take to complete your Phd, so the sooner you can get what it is you want to research for your PhD nailed down, then the better for you. Also, keep in mind that the PhD is not the end of our scientific careers, but the beginning, so you don't have to research every idea you want to study during your Phd years. Pick one that you're interested in, get your degree and then you have a whole career ahead of you to explore all the ideas you want.

PS. I think you have some pretty good research credentials. Good luck!

I agree with Newms. You say that you have done 3 independant research projects and 1 REU that's really awesome.

[stackoverflow]

Great, thank you guys for your advice.