Mention past mentors/professors worked with?

[exiled18]

In my SoP I have a paragraph where I discuss my past research work (of course). I've worked with some fairly well-known professors and researchers, and would like to mention this-- but is this appropriate? When I talked with potential advisors, they were impressed with the people I've worked with in the past and I think it could work to my benefit. Plus, it might help these advisors remember me and our previous discussions.

[biotechie]

In my SoP I have a paragraph where I discuss my past research work (of course). I've worked with some fairly well-known professors and researchers, and would like to mention this-- but is this appropriate? When I talked with potential advisors, they were impressed with the people I've worked with in the past and I think it could work to my benefit. Plus, it might help these advisors remember me and our previous discussions.

 

I mentioned the professors in my research statement and in one sentence in my SOP, however my research statement focused on the actual research and my SOP focused on my reasoning and drive to be a scientist. I don't really name drop, which is kinda what I think you're getting at, but it is important for them to know who you worked under. These professors are the reason I want to continue researching... they taught me science differently than anyone else ever has and are the reason I can survive in normal classes, so they deserved the credit.

Depending on who is looking at your application, they may search out the faculty to see their recent publications, which may give them an idea of things they can ask you about at interviews. I had a PI who interviewed me say something to the effect of, "Well, I looked up Dr ___________, and it seems that his lab focuses on transcriptional regulation of __________________. Were you involved in any of those projects and what contribution will you have to future publications."

[exiled18]

OK, thanks biotechie. Yes, I was indeed wondering if it is appropriate to name drop. But you're right-- advisors will likely know a lot more about me based on who I worked with, since everyone in my field knows eachother. My applications for geoscience only accept a SoP and not a research statement. I wish I could have a research statement, since I would love to discuss my work more than I am currently able to.

[Queen of Kale]

I mentioned the main advisor I worked under when describing each of my research projects.  This could be short & simple & in the beginning of the paragraph describing that research.  Something along the lines of: "The following summer, I began an internship through the XYZ Program where I worked under the advisement of Dr. Fancypants to study the correlation between breakups and watching Love Actually."

 

This let me connect the SOP to the authors of my LORs as well as my CV.  I would not try to call extra attention to famous advisors.  If the admissions people recognize a name when it is subtly imbedded in a SOP - great.  If not, than all the emphasis in the world wouldn't make them care but it would take the emphasis of your SOP off of you (where it belongs).  

 

Also, I wouldn't mention working with anyone that you didn't work with closely enough to feel comfortable asking them for a LOR.  Maybe you didn't ask them because you had 4 research advisors but only 3 letters.  That would be fine.  But make sure you'd be comfortable asking them for a letter as a thought experiment/litmus test.  If not, they may be famous but not close enough to your actual work to count, IMHO.