are those questions refer to 'Personal Statement' SOP or Writing Sample? Please correct me.

[newlyadmit13]

Hi there,

I am desperately in need of your help. During my online application, the school website asks me to upload, Resume, SOP as a pdf to their databse. But, there are also 2 separate parts to fill in, I am so confused about these 2 parts, are they SOP? If so, why do they ask to upload SOP in pdf. Are these Personal statement or writing sample?

 

Here are the questions:

 

1) Briefly describe your intended plan of study or the particular subdivision of the major field in which you wish to specialize. Discuss any scholarly research, writing, or similar research that you have done or are currently pursuing. Include other information that may be helpful in evaluating your application.

 

2) Briefly describe any additional factors that you would like to have the admissions committee consider in evaluating your application (e.g. personal background, work experience, leadership role.)

 

 

Please advise. Thank you so much.

[fuzzylogician]

So, let me see if I understand. You need to upload a SOP as a pdf document, and there is a separate prompt for that essay. Then -- in addition -- you also need to provide short answers to the two questions you listed above. Did I get it right?

 

If so, then I take the first question to ask for a short SOP-like answer concentrating specifically on your research interests and your background in it (i.e., they want an answer to the question: "what do you want to study at X University, and how does your background prepare you to study this question(s)?"). The second question is more like a personal statement question in nature, where you can talk about any other factors you want them to know but would not put in your SOP. This is where I would propose to discuss a bad semester/grades caused by personal difficulties (e.g. death of a loved one, illness, etc.), work experience (e.g. if it affected your grades, or if it's relevant to your research in some way), etc. This is also the place to mention volunteer work, leadership positions, etc. -- positive things about you that would not normally make it into the SOP, but are good for the adcom to know. 

[newlyadmit13]

Hi fuzzylogician,

 

I am grateful to you, thank you so much for your clear explanation and taking the time to reply my question.

Thank you!