SOP: originality or fit with school?

[Coffee Candy]

I'm still working on my SOP and it's driving me crazy.

I'm just wondering, should I show my original thought in the SOP?

One of the professors who had a look at my SOP told me that there's nothing new or interesting in my SOP, just so-so, and I should show some kind of original thought in my SOP.

But my guess is that however original or outstading my future reserach plan is, I should convince the admission committee that I have a good fit with school. What if no one in the adcom is interested in my reserach topic?

What's your opinion?

[laosheep]

I think the better way is to show the fitness in the SOP or CV, show some original thoughts in the writing sample, or in sop.

But as far as I know, if it's not a really good idea and even some professors appreciate it, hardly could we have something original really impressive.

And my experience is that sometimes what we thought original is just a joke to the professors.

Edited November 24, 2011 by laosheep