SOP Length

[0000000000AAA]

So I've basically written one SOP that will go, with minor changes to all the schools. Writing more, I've been told by profs was a waste. I just noticed that NYU wants 1000 words--mine is about 600. Are people taking the length requirements all that seriously for the SOP? It seems like most programs just say 1-3 pages. It just seems like NYU is ornery.

[Grunty DaGnome]

It seems like NYU is ruining everyone's night.

Their website says, "A Statement of Purpose of approximately 1,000 words," so 600? Eh? Maybe that's approximately 1,000. Maybe you have one more paragraph in you that will come out before Thursday?

[Timshel]

Well, 1,000 words is 3 pages, so that sounds about right. A couple specifically state 500, which seems awfully short to me as I am currently over 1,000 and trying to cut back. Whatever you do, though, be sure to stay in the parameters of what they are each specifically asking for.

[0000000000AAA]

I can't imagine they'd disqualify people because "hmm this seems a paragraph shorter than the other ones."

[Grunty DaGnome]

Personally, I've very cavalier about this stuff, because I think the departments all know we are sending in approx. 10 applications and standardizing is a reality. Other people often post that "following directions" is crucial. I'm not convinced that it is, but to be on the safe side, probably add a paragraph.

[0000000000AAA]

It's frustrating because I've been advised to keep the "lightest touch possible." And a lot of people have had success with that approach. I don't want to add more! What will be gained in specificity will be lost in succinctness.

[Grunty DaGnome]

I feel ya. Probably open the window, stick your head out, scream at the top of your lungs, then decide what you're going to do.

[lyonessrampant]

I would recommend staying close to the listed requirement. You really don't have anything to add about the kind of work you want to do? What is your proposed dissertation project or research area? There is ALWAYS something more to say about that, even if it is just intelligently phrased research questions. I think 600 is too short for a 1000 word limit. Most of the schools I applied to wanted 1000 words, so check what the other programs you're applying to ask you to do. If most are in the 1000 word neighborhood, I'd add.

[0000000000AAA]

Yes there's always more to add, but as a piece of advice, I'd say avoid mentioning a dissertation. I got back copies of my statements with entire paragraphs crossed out and notes like "this sounds like a dissertation proposal--not a statement." Apparently committees are suspect of people who already have a dissertation topic--which I think makes sense. The whole structure of two years of coursework and then a comps/oral exam assumes that we still need to learn.

[lyonessrampant]

Depends on the program. In my experience (I've gotten acceptances from 6 schools), a lot of programs like to see what you know and that you're ready for the rigorous work of a Ph.D. program. A lot of programs want to increase their completion rates, and that comes from focused people who have a pretty good idea about what they want to do. Obviously, there are different perspectives on this issue, but from my experience, demonstrating a knowledge of your proposed subfield and a more specific research area (that may be the same area your dissertation will emerge from) proves skill and preparation.

[speculum]

I am also having trouble with SoP brevity. My template is about 500 words with about 100 extra for fit. One school says a max of 1,000 words, another says a limit of 5 pages (doubles spaced I assume), another says not fewer than 200 words, and, my favorite, "brief". For schools with a max/limit of 1,000 words or 5 pages, is 600 too brief? Obviously if it states 1,000-2,000, than 1,000 is the minimum but for the others with no stated minimum?? I really like my succinct SoP, and I am afraid if I try to double it in size I will lose the flow.

[lolopixie]

I'm having the hardest time with my 500 word SOP. I don't feel that it is enough room to talk about everything I want to talk about. However, they are very specific in what is wanted in the 500 word statement; whereas, the others don't indicate length or exactly what they want. It is a matter of taking my ideas and making them very concise.

[indalomena]

This SOP business is so confusing to me I am a British applicant, and all my UK applications require a full thesis proposal. Is it a bad idea to propose a thesis topic in the US applications? This business of intellectual strengths/reasons for pursuing graduate study seems very vague and general. And indeed, to do that within 500 words is a huge challenge. *sigh* cultural differences ... so confusing.

hope it's going well for everyone, nonetheless

[Timshel]

I looked at several SOPs from people who got into good schools, schools that I am also applying to, and modeled my SOP after theirs. Instead of being like, I did this, i did this, which they can clearly see on your transcripts and CV, I talked about my focus, fit, and what I hope to do in the future. Some of the schools give you guidelines, but those are just to help you, and if they aren't coming straight from the English department, then they are just general for all departments, which differ. Also, if you already have a Masters, they are more interested in you focus because they expect it to be more narrowed and sophisticated. At least that's what I've been told and that's what I've seen on successful SOPs.

[ecritdansleau]

This SOP business is so confusing to me I am a British applicant, and all my UK applications require a full thesis proposal. Is it a bad idea to propose a thesis topic in the US applications? This business of intellectual strengths/reasons for pursuing graduate study seems very vague and general. And indeed, to do that within 500 words is a huge challenge. *sigh* cultural differences ... so confusing.

hope it's going well for everyone, nonetheless

I've gotten advice to do exactly what you're saying, to actually make it like a project proposal--which seems to contradict the advice wellspring received to make it like a "statement" and not a dissertation proposal. At the same time, one has to balance that by not coming off as rigid and inflexible. But they know that you'll still be doing coursework for awhile, and I think it's more important to show your ability to outline a larger project, even if it's ultimately hypothetical. Based on the advice I've received, I have the general sense that far more applicants are not specific enough rather than them being too specific. Then again, what is the consensus on "specific"? I was told to name names, pose questions, mention texts, outline a potential larger project.

All this being said, though, I can't help but think that the writing sample is more important than the sop, even if the sop is important--a faculty member can be won over by a writing sample in a way they just wouldn't be won over by a statement. At the same time, problems with the statement could detract from the larger cohesiveness of the application as a whole.

Edited December 7, 2011 by ecritdansleau

[0000000000AAA]

I think we're sort of splitting hairs: what would the point be of proposing a thesis in the American system? We are 3-4 years away from even writing a proposal. No program thinks that after 2ish years of coursework, and oral/comps, you're going to be in the same place, with the same interests that you were at as an applicant. If you are that's crazy. I've seen PhD students in my program migrate from medieval to modern, or Romantic to post-modern, or American modern to 18th century brit. I think the point of the statement is to illustrate that we can articulate interests, that we can recognize productive questions.

[Timshel]

I think we're sort of splitting hairs: what would the point be of proposing a thesis in the American system? We are 3-4 years away from even writing a proposal. No program thinks that after 2ish years of coursework, and oral/comps, you're going to be in the same place, with the same interests that you were at as an applicant. If you are that's crazy. I've seen PhD students in my program migrate from medieval to modern, or Romantic to post-modern, or American modern to 18th century brit. I think the point of the statement is to illustrate that we can articulate interests, that we can recognize productive questions.

I have talked to several ad comm people, and it has also been stated on many of the schools' websites, that they in no way expect you to stay committed to your proposed idea. Instead, proposing a focus or area you plan to work in, and writing it in-depth, demonstrates your ability to conceptualize a long-term project that is nuanced and realistic. They don't expect you to stick to it. It just shows them where you are with ideas, knowledge, and ability. Or so I've been told.....

[Loimographia]

When I first showed my SOP to a previous professor, he told me, about my research ideas, that "i needed to be more specific... but less specific, less rigid." It made no sense, but I think it was still right: adcoms want the best of both worlds, someone who's refined their ideas enough to know how to approach research, but not actually have a concrete, resolute plan. I've tried to sort of balance the risk of sounding too specific by essentially proposing multiple ideas of specific things I'm interested in, so that I sound like I know the direction I want to go, and that I have specific ideas of research, but that I'm not incredibly attached to any single dissertation. Here's hoping that's the right approach...

[Timshel]

When I first showed my SOP to a previous professor, he told me, about my research ideas, that "i needed to be more specific... but less specific, less rigid." It made no sense, but I think it was still right: adcoms want the best of both worlds, someone who's refined their ideas enough to know how to approach research, but not actually have a concrete, resolute plan. I've tried to sort of balance the risk of sounding too specific by essentially proposing multiple ideas of specific things I'm interested in, so that I sound like I know the direction I want to go, and that I have specific ideas of research, but that I'm not incredibly attached to any single dissertation. Here's hoping that's the right approach...

That's what I did. I stated what I was interested in, slightly specific, but left it so that I could go in multiple directions with it. That's what I was told to do.

[rainy_day]

In my mind, it is much more important that your SOP be as air tight as possible. So I'd rather send in a statement that is a bit short but concise, than add a potentially weak filler paragraph. If you have something substantive to say, go ahead and add a paragraph, but if not, just hit submit. Or perhaps use a bit more time talking about the awesomeness of NYU itself.

Good luck!