SoP Help, how would phrase this?

[Virago]

So I'm finalizing my SoP, or should I say, still writing the last paragraph, because I love cutting it close to the deadline. I am having trouble phrasing what I want to say. First of all, is it weird to talk about the professors who guided you in undergrad and mention who their advisers in grad school were? The thing is that my professor's adviser is a well known scholar, (Joanna Woods-Marsden) and of particular interest to me and what I want to focus on, so I'm like trying to legitimize my SoP a little bit here. I don't know if that goes against some sort of SoP ettiquette. I feel like I'm name-dropping.

Edited December 15, 2012 by Virago

[JosephineB]

I wouldn't mention who your advisor's advisor is unless you have some sort of working relationship with her. Otherwise, it seems like you are grasping for something to say. My advisor's advisor was the #1/giant/superstar of all time in our field who pioneered the topic I want to study, but I would never think of name-dropping him.

[Virago]

Haha ok thanks for your suggestions.

Edited December 16, 2012 by Virago