Switching majors in SOP for grad school

[climberwb]

I was a physics major as an undergraduate but I would like to do computational science in graduate school. Unfortunately I do not have a huge amount of experience in this area. I took one Java course as an undergraduate and I have taught myself the basics of many languages including, PHP, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Python, etc. Currently I do freelance web design. This is not exactly related to computational science however.

 

Does any one have suggestions on how I can write a some what effective SOP despite lack of direct experience?

[Loric]

You need to know enough about the topic to talk intelligently about it. Think of it in "non-laymen's terms."

 

You don't want to be killing them with abbreviations and other mumbo jumbo, but you want to talk about the aspects of the science that interest you and how you're poised to succeed in learning about it. It is still "School" - you're not expected to show up knowing everything. What would be the point? Via this sort of dialogue you'll indicate a proficiency in the subject matter that is above that of someone with a passing interest, but below that of a current master.

 

I'm on the line with if you should mention you're willing to take lower-level courses and be admitted conditionally to make up for the lack of undergraduate study or if that's something for the adcom to decide on their own. One part of me says it shows a wilingness to learn and a realistic expectation and goal setting mindset. On the other hand, there's probably people who dont need to make up for deficiencies.

[Loric]

And quick reminder..

 

"What you want to do.."

 

"Why you want to do it.." (without your life story)

 

"How you're prepared/poised to do the learning"