SOP: Mentioning Sociopolitical Circumstances?

[deconstructing]

I'm wondering is it's ok to mention certain sociopolitical circumstances in your SOP. My research interests are Eastern Europe and the Balkans, namely, former Yugoslavia. The thing is, that's where I'm from, and I witnessed some of these things firsthand as a child.

Now, is it ok to mention this in my SOP? The last thing I want is to advertise the misery, so to speak, but where I'm from plays a significant role in who I am as both a person and a researcher. It does explain why I'm interested in things I'm interested in (construction of identity, EE and the Balkans in postcolonial perspective, political anthropology and postsocialism/transition, etc.) I do feel mentioning the way it has influenced me is vital for my SOP.

Then again... too personal? Cheesy/Cliched?

Any thoughts on this?

Edited August 29, 2012 by deconstructing

[rising_star]

I think it would be okay to mention this, provided you don't turn it into a sob story. Just use it to explain how you got interested in the topic, and perhaps to say something about the perspective that your experiences will lend to your research.

[deconstructing]

Thanks for your reply.

I didn't mean to whine. I simply believe my background is important for my research. (If nothing else, because of the language(s) I speak). My only problem is that so many SOP tips say it's a bad idea to include childhood anecdotes. This ISN'T what I want to write about, but I don't want to ruin my chances by mentioning anything that even vaguely looks like one.

[rising_star]

You can be successful by breaking the "rules".* In your case, the adcom is likely to wonder how you acquired your language skills, particularly if your transcript doesn't indicate courses in that language. That's when mentioning where you grew up will be an asset. Just don't make it the central focus of your SOP and you should be fine.

*True story: I told a school they were my #1 choice in my SOP. They admitted me with the top funding they had and nominated me for an award at the school-wide level. Embarrassingly, I also pointed out that I wanted to go there in part because I like their football team. Note that they admitted me anyway.

[deconstructing]

Ha! That's actually a cute story.

I do think mentioning where I'm from is important, because this is my geographical, historical and political area of interest. I'm actually one of those people who prefer impersonal approach: I have M.A. in X, my past research i s Y, I'm interested in Z, etc. But some of the people who've read my SOP draft say it's too impersonal. So I'm looking for a way to make it more interesting.

PS -I understand the football team thing was a (harmless) gaffe, but I thought telling them they're your #1 choice was also a no-no.

[rising_star]

PS -I understand the football team thing was a (harmless) gaffe, but I thought telling them they're your #1 choice was also a no-no.

Everyone says it's a big no-no. My point is that I did it, without having read any of the things that tell you *not* to do it, and it had no ill effects. In fact, when I visited, a couple of profs pointed out to me that I'd done a good job explaining why they were my number 1 choice and that it convinced them I'd done my research on the department. Granted, I never tell anyone to do some of the things that I did but, I want to put out that breaking the so-called rules does not automatically get your application placed in the (virtual) circular file.

[deconstructing]

You're right. This whole process is very stressful and competitive, so people tend to stick to some (mostly) imaginary "rules". While I think it's vital to hear other people's experiences, I believe there's no universal formula. Trying to stick to imaginary rules is very limiting and it can hurt your chances more than any gaffe you might fear of committing.

[minke]

It seems extremely relevant. I'd try to find a non-cheesy way to include it, maybe not share a gory anecdote but more something along the lines of what you shared with us. Your childhood (?) in the balkans deeply motivates you to study these issues, and furthermore provides you with the language skills necessary to do so. Then spend more time talking about your academic preparation and everything else an SOP is for.

[Femme Pedagogy]

Many schools also require a "Personal History" statement in addition to an SOP. If this is the case for any of your schools, mention it here. If not, I would briefly and articulately demonstrate the connection between your experience and your goals/research interests in your SOP.