Is this a good sign?

[ProfMoriarty]

One of my POIs asked to see my statement before I submit my application. She emailed me the morning after I'd sent her my SOP giving me a few tips and advice on where to improve, and how to make it stand out for the adcom.

 

Should I take this as a good sign? I mean, I don't think a person who isn't interested in working with me would go through the trouble of reading and advising me on my SOP, right?

 

Also, with her advice I expanded from roughly 1,000 words to about 1,300! Although only one of the programs I'm applying to states a limit (set at 2 pages, mine is currently at 2 and 4 lines), I feel I need to cut back...

Edited November 22, 2013 by paolaplease

[fuzzylogician]

Yes, it's a good sign. 

 

I'd make an effort to keep the statement on two pages, because three starts to seem a bit excessive. For 4 lines I'd see about removing something completely from the text as opposed to re-phrasing and other space-saving tactics, but it depends on how tight the writing is at the moment. 

[ProfMoriarty]

Thanks

Shaving off is so much easier said than done. Sometimes it seems like EVERYTHING I've written on there is of the utmost importance!

[Loric]

If anything, look for idea/statements you may have repeated.

[fuzzylogician]

That's why I think it may be easier to choose something to just not mention at all, as opposed to try to cut out a little here and a little there but keep all of the same content. Not that that's easy, but I think it tends to lead to a better essay than lots of edits. 

[Loric]

That's why I think it may be easier to choose something to just not mention at all, as opposed to try to cut out a little here and a little there but keep all of the same content. Not that that's easy, but I think it tends to lead to a better essay than lots of edits. 

 

Very true, in giving my work a final once-over I realized my attempts to stay within the word count had resulted in some strange juxtapositions.

 

I found a statement that was just sort of floating in space in the middle of a paragraph. It was an idea I wanted to express.. and given more words would have made sense. But I didn't have more words. It got cut and the other areas were made stronger with those extra words it sacrificed.

[ProfMoriarty]

I'm also concerned because she advised me to talk about fellowships I'm applying for, but I've never seen that advice anywhere :|

Also, I don't know how to make it work with the rest of my statement... a random paragraph explaining "I will apply for X, Y, and Z"?

Edited November 22, 2013 by paolaplease

[Loric]

I'm also concerned because she advised me to talk about fellowships I'm applying for, but I've never seen that advice anywhere :|

Also, I don't know how to make it work with the rest of my statement... a random paragraph explaining "I will apply for X, Y, and Z"?

 

These future projects I've discussed i hope to fund via the X Y Z  fellowships I've applied for.

 

Something like that.