Addressing Time Off From School

[goldeoos]

My question regards how to treat the gap in your academic record from undergraduate to applying for PhD programs. When I was contemplating applying for PhDs during my final year at university, EVERY professor I asked told me to take time before pursuing an advanced degree. I have done that and have no regrets - only that I have been unable to find jobs in fields related to my "academic" interests. I'm wondering if my activities during my time off should be mentioned in personal statement, or just ignored entirely and be included at bottom of CV etc.

 

Background on me: 

Graduated undergrad in 2009

Master's in History 2010

Applying for PhD in media/film studies for Fall 2014 entry.

 

Thoughts?

[danieleWrites]

The problem in your gap is that it shows a scholarship gap of 4 years. Hopefully, you've been doing something relevant to the field or scholarship, such as doing your own research, or that you can find some aspect of the work you have been doing that you can discuss. Some applications will ask you to explain gaps, some won't. Personally, I would not address it directly in the SOP; I would address it indirectly by discussing the research I'm interested in pursuing and mentioning specifics about current research and theory in the field surrounding your interest. If you can discuss it knowledgeably, it's clear you've keeping up with the scholarship and that will help you address the gap years directly if they ask questions, particularly on the application.

 

But, I am not the one evaluating your application. You are not the only person who will, is, or has applied to a program with gaps. Others know more than me, that's beyond true.

 

Probably the first thing you should do is articulate, in writing, what you've been doing in the gap years that shows you are prepared for current research in film studies. Don't lie and say you've been doing independent research unless you have. The truth always comes out in the most inconvenient way. If you can name drop someone who can (and will) back you up, do that. That doesn't mean you'll include it in any of your application materials, but it will give you some confidence when answering questions, particularly if they want to talk to you directly.

 

The second thing, probably develop something new in terms of a writing sample rather than use something you wrote four years ago as is. Maybe take one of your old papers and rework it a bit, to make it relevant to the departments you're applying to and relevant to current discourse, to an extent. Your CV will, of course, include information on what you've been doing for four years, but this is one of those places where you want to show them you're a good candidate, not tell them. So, show you them what you can do and be prepared to tell them what you were doing, if they ask.

 

This is my completely uneducated opinion.