Question for those who applied through CSU Mentor...

[calicopirate]

This is a silly question, but I can't figure it out by myself. On the CSU Mentor form, it asks you to write a personal statement as to why you want to pursue a graduate degree. However, it says that if I submitted a statement of purpose directly to the program, that I don't have to write one.

 

So, do I have to write another personal statement for CSU Mentor or do I just tell them that I have completed one for my department? 

[ANDS!]

Probably not a penalty for doing both (i.e. submitting the same letter twice).

[Gauche]

There might be some programs that prefer that you send your SOP directly to the department with a writing sample, CV, etc. rather than type it out on CSU Mentor. The program I applied to didn't specify such a thing, so I just filled it out on the online form.

 

Like ANDS! said though, it wouldn't hurt to submit it twice, but it should get there either way.

[Ms.D]

No. If your program specifically asks you to send the SOP directly to their department then you don't need to send it twice through CSUMentor. I just typed in the box "Sent statement of purpose directly to department". 

[mooooh]

Probably not a penalty for doing both (i.e. submitting the same letter twice).

This is the case with me a couple of years ago.  There was no penalty levied against me.  My department asked for one sent directly to them so for CSU Mentor, I just submitted the same one.  Best bet is to call up your department and ask.

[Amerz]

No. If your program specifically asks you to send the SOP directly to their department then you don't need to send it twice through CSUMentor. I just typed in the box "Sent statement of purpose directly to department". 

This is true - I called one of the CSUs I was applying to and asked, and another one said it outright in their application materials. I just typed "sent directly to department" in the box.

[spacezeppelin]

I noticed that CSU mentor has a standard 500 word limit for the SOPs. The schools i'm applying to say "one to two pages" or nothing about a word limit on their websites. Have you guys been sticking to 500 words, even if the schools don't ask for it themselves? I think I maybe should just call to confirm...

 

ps: Sorry to hijack your thread, but I thought it was pretty related.

[weymiller]

When I applied, I was over the limit.  I just emailed it in.  They said they would add it to my file, but did not say anything about going over the 500 words.  If yours is too hard to shrink it down, I would just send it to the dapartment.  If you call, you may just want to call the department and not a professor.  Sometimes they are not as familiar with the requirements as you are.