SOP Length.

[ToomuchLes]

Nearly all the institutions that Im applying to have no word/character limit on the SOP, or Personal Statement. Currently, my SOP is four full pages long; however Im pretty sure I can cut it down to three. Nonetheless, whats the average length for a SOP? Is there a golden rule on the length? Is it better to be short or long? Any available information would be nice.

 

Many thanks. 

[fuzzylogician]

I'd say the average length of my SOPs was between 700-900 words, about two pages. I've also written in the past that one of my favorite versions of the statement was created after I was forced to write a 500-word SOP--that forced me to really think about my ideas and communicate them very efficiently. After that, I added back some details I had to leave out of the short statement and ended up with something I was very happy with that was about 650 words long. I had BA and MA experience, RA experience (collaborations with 4 professors in two countries), TA experience, a thesis, and other projects to discuss, and I was able to do it in that short space, plus a significant chunk spent on current/future research interests and fit. Some details simply have to be left in your CV or up to your recommenders to discuss. I don't know your situation, but 4 full pages sounds like too much. I'd find a way to cut back.