SOP? Personal Statement? Or a combination?

[beyondaboundary]

I have begun my application process and came upon this instruction:

 

"Please describe your previous academic work in your proposed field of study and include a personal statement regarding your goals for graduate study and a professional career. Please also describe any relevant research experience and what you have learned from it, and other educational and life experiences that you feel are important and relevant. If you have specific interests in your proposed field of study or are interested in working with any particular faculty members, please tell us about them. "

 

It may be a stupid question but the topic sentence asks the question...what are they asking for?

 

[Loric]

Is there any indication of how long they want it to be? Mine had a similarly worded vague and broad description for the Statement of Purpose that threw me for a bit of a loop. I went to an event the school was hosting and asked about it from the director of admissions and learned they want 500-750 words ("2 pages") and a history of experience, what I think the degree with provide me with, and where I want to be in 10 years and how the degree will help me get there.

 

I hadn't even really considered writing a "10 years from now.." type statement.

 

So, can you ask anyone and get some clarification?