School Specific Section/Paragraph of the SoP

[dasgut]

So what does everyone say in the school specific paragraph/section of their SoP?

How much do they write?

[clurp]

I've been struggling with this same thing. 

 

I've mostly written just a short paragraph mentioning a couple things: 

 

1) that there is research going on in the department that aligns with my research interests 

2) miscellaneous thing I've noticed about the department that appeals to me 

[dasgut]

I've been struggling with this same thing. 

 

I've mostly written just a short paragraph mentioning a couple things: 

 

1) that there is research going on in the department that aligns with my research interests 

2) miscellaneous thing I've noticed about the department that appeals to me 

 

On a very few schools I can and do write about 2). My problem is with 1). I know that I want to do math finance, but I don't know the current research enough to be specific without possibly sounding like a fool. Many departments do mathematical finance, but my ability to talk stops about alignment stops at about, "You guys do math finance and I want to do math finance."

[clurp]

Yes, I limited my comments to general areas and areas of application that appeal to me. I wasn't extremely specific. Have you read the thread by cyberwulf about the SOP? Maybe that will put you more at ease.

[dasgut]

Yes, I limited my comments to general areas and areas of application that appeal to me. I wasn't extremely specific. Have you read the thread by cyberwulf about the SOP? Maybe that will put you more at ease.

 

I did. The problem is I never calm down, ha ha.

[695005]

This has been really tough for me too. I am applying for a masters degree, not a PhD, so I am not sure why I should even be talking about research.

 

At the same time, what else is there to say? I am sure they have read about their 'comprehensive curriculum' and 'world class faculty' a million times already. Sigh!

[stats applicant]

If i have something VALID to write, I use it. In some of the schools I've actually read some of the professors papers and used them in my own research and I honestly find the ideas interesting. 

If i don't have something valid to write, I send out some polite cliches ("best professors" "known worldwide") or something like that and leave it like this. 

 

Anyway, everything is better then trying to write about something you have no idea about and sounding like a fool, so don't do that!