Northwestern Cluster Statement

[Guest lefilsdhomme]

I'd like to start a dialogue with some other applicants who are writing these one page statements. I'm not entirely sure what to write since I've already submitted a thorough statement of purpose and diversity statement.

Thoughts? How does one make this a unique part of one's application? Draft swap perhaps?

Thanks for the feedback.

[On&On&On&On]

I was just about to start my outline until I came across your post :-)

I'm basically writing how being involved with the cluster will enhance my research capabilities. IDk

[Guest lefilsdhomme]

Which cluster are you applying to? I'm doing much of the same and essentially following the three questions prompted by the application:

Why do you want to be in [insert name] Cluster?

What will you bring to the intellectual community of said Cluster?

How will your participation be useful for your research?

I think this program is such a great idea. On top of the great program it was one of the driving factors for me to apply at Nwrn.

[ohgoodness]

A professor at NW told me that they were changing the clusters - anyone else heard this? I have 0 concrete or detailed information but am interested in knowing more.

[On&On&On&On]

I'm doing the Latin American and Caribbean Cluster, but there are a few others I am interested in as well.

[beyondaboundary]

I wrote a statement for the Critical Theory Cluster. I basically answered the questions as lefils did and when asked what I would bring to the cluster I played up my diversity - West Indian educated in the UK. Don't know how much good it will do...

[sr0304]

ohhh this cluster! i wrote a cluster statement for critical theory, proposing that i have seen theory as a service and explaining how i continue that service in my research. i made it compatible with my diversity statement, though i didn't mention my diversity statement. i found a connection though with horkheimer's work on pain.

[Another Crazy Poet]

I hated writing the cluster statement at the end of the app. I basically wrote the same that it would enhance my research, professionalism, connection to departments, blah blah blah. Just tried to play it up as something that would be life changing for my degree.