UC Berkeley SOP

[happyberserk]

Hey guys So, I'm polishing my SOP, and can't freaking figure out what the length requirements are--the general application page says 1-1 1/2 pages, which is really not a lot--does anybody know if there's more room in the comp lit dept somewhere in the bowels of the UCB website?

I'm going for the more creative, personal approach--that is, I don't start with "I want to do this because that" but instead tried to show how I think about literature and how that fits in with what I've done and want to do--is that ok? I applied last year and got rejected, so I'm going for a different approach. It's scary, but it feels better than the cookie-cutter stuff--at least I'm saying what I want.

[thenerdypengwin]

I'm scared of the length requirement too. I just finished my first draft and it's just over 1.5 pages.

I think your thinking is right on the money. Don't tell them why they should accept you... show them. Your thinking makes you unique, so I think this is a great way to approach it.

[ay761]

Hi

I'm also worried about the length requirement (though I'm not applying for literature). Specifically, I find it odd that it says " Unless there are special instructions about the length or format of the essay, it should be 500-600 words (1 to 1 ½ pages) single-space, typed, 12pt. font size."

When I use the formatting they suggest (Time New Roman font), 1.5 pages = about 800 words... which seems like a lot more reasonable space in which to describe my research interests (although currently it is 990...). That may be a little skewed somehow because I have 2 citations, but those still take up space.

Also, it worries me that they specifically instruct applicants to 'summarize what you did as an undergraduate' for the middle part of your essay. Those things are already outlined in my CV very thoroughly and as I have been out of school for over 5 years doing research specifically related to what I want to do in grad school, I didn't really discuss it at all in my SOP. I hope that's ok ... ? I guess I'll find out!

Out of curiosity, how long are your personal history statements? As of now, that is also about 900 words for me...because my personal history is very related to what I want to study.

[Sury]

I am also worried about that, I tried to write in at least 650 words and used the formatting they asked for. So I ended up with 1 and 1/2 page however, I would like to add some more things since I feel that my SOP is too direct

[Crucial BBQ]

For the most part, the admissions committees in graduate school are composed of academics, professors, and the like. These are people who are busy with their own research, own teaching (sometimes, usually), and own interests unlike undergrad where admissions are handled by people whose primary purpose is to do....admissions.

Even though it is a part of their job, these are people who do not want to spend all day reading SOPs, but rather spend that time discussing the strengths and weaknesses of applicants. it is because of that that SOPs are often asked to be on the shorter side. Then again, there are students out there who feel that writing 500 words is torture. I got lucky, I suppose, in that the schools I am applying to have no required, or suggested, length except for one, which was capped at 500 words "or less". I too felt that was not enough, so I supplemented my SOP for that program with an addendum.

While it is okay to go over the word count by a handful of words, one of the biggest mistakes applicants make in their SOPs is not following directions. I would tread lightly with any deviation from their instructions. A page can be reduced to a paragraph then further reduced to a sentence; all while saying the same thing.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Crucial BBQ

[ay761]

Sury, is 650 words really 1.5 pages for you? 650 words for me is 1.25 pages... now I am wondering if I am formatting something wrong.

Anyway, I have mine down from 990 to 850 words now, which is just very slightly over 1.5 pages. If I can get it down another 50 words -- which for me at least will be 1.5 pages -- I think I am going to submit it as is.

Crucial BBQ thanks for the advice! I suppose I COULD say it in one sentence but for me it's just a matter of confidence... how much detail about your ideas can you cut before you can start to imagine the outside reader losing faith about what you are proposing?

[Sury]

For the most part, the admissions committees in graduate school are composed of academics, professors, and the like. These are people who are busy with their own research, own teaching (sometimes, usually), and own interests unlike undergrad where admissions are handled by people whose primary purpose is to do....admissions.

Even though it is a part of their job, these are people who do not want to spend all day reading SOPs, but rather spend that time discussing the strengths and weaknesses of applicants. it is because of that that SOPs are often asked to be on the shorter side. Then again, there are students out there who feel that writing 500 words is torture. I got lucky, I suppose, in that the schools I am applying to have no required, or suggested, length except for one, which was capped at 500 words "or less". I too felt that was not enough, so I supplemented my SOP for that program with an addendum.

While it is okay to go over the word count by a handful of words, one of the biggest mistakes applicants make in their SOPs is not following directions. I would tread lightly with any deviation from their instructions. A page can be reduced to a paragraph then further reduced to a sentence; all while saying the same thing.

I agree with you and I think I am going to stick with the university guidelines.

[ay761]

But what ARE the guidelines.... 500-600 words OR 1-1.5 pages in the suggested format? I don't think it can be both.

haha, maybe I should just email the admissions office... !

[Sury]

I have around 600 words and it's 1 and 1/2 page (12 pt, single spaced)

[ay761]

Ah, I guess not times new roman font then? I thought that was the normal font to use, but maybe not! Well mine is now down to 715.... 650 excluding citations, and it is a little over a page. Maybe I can do it after all!

[Sury]

Yap I am using Times New Roman.

(But haven't included my header yer so maybe it might be a bit more than 1&1/2 page)

[C'estLaVie]

I was wondering the same thing, although for my program, the department website simply states that the maximum is 2,000 words. 2,000 is obviously a HUGE departure from the general guidelines for 500-600. Hmm...

[ay761]

Sury I still think that's strange -- maybe I'm just not using enough big words!

I find it interesting that the end of this process, as much as I whined about having to create an essay "around" 600 words (it is still slightly over and likely will remain so), this is the SOP I feel most confident about, and I feel least confident about SOPs for schools that require 1500 words. When I look at those essays now I just feel that a lot of it could be removed!

[buttercup17]

so i am an idiot, and despite checking the guidelines over and over again, i forgot to single space my essays. i kept them double spaced for easier reading. is this a total rejection?! i'm worried they'll think i never bothered to read guidelines or anything. i put so much effort into my essays and i'm worried this is going to cost me my acceptance.

[ay761]

I really wouldn't worry about it. Maybe some professors even prefer double-spaced essays and they'll be happy about the refreshing change

I don't know, in the end my essay was a bit over the limit (by between 50-100 words), so I guess I didn't exactly adhere to the guidelines either. But I also put all my effort into it and I think it's quite possibly the best thing I've ever written... so I'm not worried!

If you are really worried though, maybe email a new copy to the admin asst. in your department and say that you would be very grateful if they would kindly replace the essay you submitted with the new one?

[t1racyjacks]

eh, I have slightly over 1.5 pages -- but it clocks in at 1250 words!? O well, have already submitted. whatever

[kaputzing]

I guarantee you that the admissions committee isn't going to run a word count on your SOPs. What will happen is they'll print them out and eyeball it; if it looks like it's within the proper length (1-1.75 pages), then you've got nothing to worry about.

If you want to make it easier on the committee to read your writing without going against the "DON'T DOUBLE-SPACE" rule, then you should just add an extra space between paragraphs. I actually think this is a good idea, if only so that things don't look too cramped; they have a ton of these to read, so make it as easy as possible for them.

[runaway]

Note that the advice everyone is responding to is listed under the 'help' section-- it's advice, not hard-and-fast rules. And it diverges from the general wisdom I've gleaned from this board and elsewhere, which is that a ~1000 word statement, double spaced, is typical and acceptable.

Yesterday, I started to freak out about cutting down my statement, but finally decided that I might trim my ~1000 word statement slightly, but if it clocks in at 850 words in the end, I'm not worrying about it.

Edited December 8, 2012 by runaway

[Swagato]

My final SOP for Berkeley (Film and Media) was 934 words. That's 2.75 pages, double-spaced, Garamond. I do not believe, based on feedback I've received from current Berkeley students as well as faculty members, that it is unreasonable. The advice everyone's talking about here is *general* *advice* -- and thus necessarily on the conservative side.

Look at it this way. Would you want to read what you're asking them to read? Simple.