SoP - How specific can I get?

[MadtownJacket]

I'm starting to write my statement of purpose, and I'm not exactly sure how specific I can get regarding names of people that I've interacted with.  For example, if I've held a meeting with a CIO of a hospital, do I just leave it at that? Or should I actually say the name of the person and/or hospital?

[fuzzylogician]

Do the names matter? You could say the names if they do -- my guess is the hospital name might help the readers situate your story, the person's name maybe less so. Are we talking about just one meeting or someone who you have had a relationship with and who will write you a letter? That makes a difference too. 

[MadtownJacket]

Do the names matter? You could say the names if they do -- my guess is the hospital name might help the readers situate your story, the person's name maybe less so. Are we talking about just one meeting or someone who you have had a relationship with and who will write you a letter? That makes a difference too. 

 

Just one meeting with the CIO, but multiple meetings with people from the hospital, so I should probably just stick with naming the hospital itself and not the CIO.  I just wasn't sure if the adcom folks would read my statement of purpose and think that I would be lying if I didn't list the specific names.

[fuzzylogician]

Just one meeting with the CIO, but multiple meetings with people from the hospital, so I should probably just stick with naming the hospital itself and not the CIO.  I just wasn't sure if the adcom folks would read my statement of purpose and think that I would be lying if I didn't list the specific names.

 

If they're going to suspect you're lying, why would having a name stop them? They can be suspicious because you didn't submit a letter of recommendation from this person, or they could even suspect that you forged a letter. I'd stick to mentioning what's relevant; they can contact the hospital and the person if they want to know more details, but I doubt anyone will go that far.