SOP for history MA

[hopefulJD]

I'm applying to MA programs in history and I've realized the SOP is a lot more challenging than I thought. The schools I'm applying to want the SOP anywhere between 1500-2000 words, which is at least 5 pages double spaced. After reading posts on here and looking online for advice on how to write an effective SOP, my outline so far looks something like this:

I. Personal background/origin of my interest in the field

II. Relevant coursework/life experience relating to the field of study/Showing why grad school is the next logical step

III. Research interests and faculty I'd like to work with

IV. Career goals

V. Why that institution is a match for me.

While everyone on here has a ton more research experience than I do, I feel like my strengths lie more in my life experiences and personal background. Tying these in to my field of study would definitely make for a more compelling SOP. I'm just not sure if focusing on this is appropriate and how I should present my relative deficiency in research experience without coming off as completely incompetent.

With regards to research interests, I also don't know how to mention this without it coming off as too broad/too specific (for example: dissent during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent or sports in the Hamidian era.) I definitely don't know what the topic of my master's thesis would be right now. I have general interests but I'm keeping my options open in case I discover something else I really enjoy. How can I go about writing on my research interests without seeming too confused and unknowledgeable?

Does the fact that these are MA programs make a difference? They surely can't expect to know exactly what I want to do, can they? After all, I'm going for the master's first so I can refine my interests and gain research experience.

[tendaysleft]

I determined how much of my own personal life I should mention in my SOP based on the SOP prompt for each school and the feel of each program--some schools just seemed like they wanted something more formal, and others seemed more lax.

Regarding the question of research interests, I had a really similar problem when writing my own SOP. I wasn't sure how specific or how general to be. The best way I found around that was to frame my interests as questions. PM me if you want some examples!

I asked a referee about this and she pointed out that MA programs don't expect you to be locked into a particular research interest. They want you to describe specific interests that you might have in order to show them that you have the potential to be a creative and inquisitive scholar. Don't be too concerned about limiting yourself in the program with what you said in your SOP, but do try to outline potential specific research interests in order to demonstrate that you can pose interesting questions.