MIT SOP? 500 words limit

[lkh5650]

Hi I am really puzzled on what to write for MIT SOP

the MIT SOP says to follow this instruction

"Please give your reasons for wishing to do graduate work in the field you have chosen. Prepare your statement of objectives and goals in whatever form clearly presents your views. Include as far as you can, your particular interests, be they experimental, theoretical, or issue-oriented, and show how your background and MIT's programs support these interests. The statement could be much like a proposal for graduate studies, in the more specific context of your professional objectives. You should set forth the issues and problems you wish to address. Explain your longer-term professional goals. The Admissions Committee will welcome any factors you wish to bring to its attention concerning your academic and work experience to date. (500 word limit)"

Should I even talk about my past or experience? Should I just talk about specifically what kind of research i would like to do in depth and mention couple of professors whose work are in line of my interest? My other sop is around sub 1000 words and I am not sure if i should trim mine to 500 words or write a new one from scratch..

[deundertaker]

I applied to the MIT bio program, But I dont have this 500 word limit

[wasistdas]

from my experience, trimming your 1000 word essay down to 500 is not only possible, but will probably make you wish you submitted your 500 word essay instead of the 1000 word one.

For example, one of the programs I am applying to asked for 1200 words and another for 500. After trimming the 1200 word essay down, i realized I was saying exactly the same thing as the longer essay, just more clearly and concisely. Too bad I had submitted the 1200 word essay before this little exercise

[elem3nt]

Should I just talk about specifically what kind of research i would like to do in depth and mention couple of professors whose work are in line of my interest?

No no no - you are getting this completely wrong! Although your research interests are the most interesting thing in the world to you, the adcom is looking for evidence through your past experiences that you are prepared for grad school and couldn't care less about your research interests (as long as they broadly fit the research at the school).

Ditto on what others have said about shortening the personal statement.

Edited December 14, 2011 by davidmigl

[lkh5650]

Hmm THanks for replies guys

"The statement could be much like a proposal for graduate studies, in the more specific context of your professional objectives." I am not sure about this sentence. My professional objectives? as in career objectives? oit says proposal for graduate studies, doesn't that mean proposal of my graduate studies thesis? why i want to do this research what not?

I feel like 500 words not enough...maybe i should talk about my professional goal (career goal) and how i developed that goal from my previous experience and what i would like to do at MIT