Poorly phrased scholarship essay question... your thoughts?

[moderatedbliss]

From a university-wide scholarship: "What are the reasons behind your choice of postgraduate taught program?" 

Do you all think this is referring to the discipline itself, or the specific program at the school, or some combination of the two? I get 250 words, so I have to be rather Spartan.

Any input helps! 

[unbrokenthread]

Eugh!

 

I would interpret this as 'what made you go into your particular specialty,' but it's anybody's guess. Is this a scholarship for people staying within the university? For people who are applying elsewhere for graduate study starting fall '14? If they assume you're going elsewhere for your PhD, you can include some comments about your fit with the school of your choice, maybe, but I personally think the emphasis is on discipline. 

 

Good luck.

[moderatedbliss]

Eugh!

 

I would interpret this as 'what made you go into your particular specialty,' but it's anybody's guess. Is this a scholarship for people staying within the university? For people who are applying elsewhere for graduate study starting fall '14? If they assume you're going elsewhere for your PhD, you can include some comments about your fit with the school of your choice, maybe, but I personally think the emphasis is on discipline. 

 

Good luck.

This is for graduate study at a new institution (new for me) 

Ahhh why don't people reread their questions? In any case, I really appreciate your input. Vexed 

[traveler_5563]

Hey there,

 

I have you contacted the department or office in the university that conducts the scholarship? This happened to me on one of my apps, and once I got ahold of someone in the scholarship office, they were able to tell me more clearly what the confusing question meant. I was nice about it: something like, "This is probably my misunderstanding, but can you clarify for me what you mean by_____? I'm trying to write a concise application essay and want to make sure I'm not answering the question incorrectly." 

 

I hope this helps! Good luck and let us know what you find out. 

[WhyPhD]

I don't know about other places, but in England, for Masters' degree, they have 'research program' and 'taught program.' For the former, in addition to some courses, you also have to write a 12000 word thesis but for the latter you just take courses and there is no thesis involved.  

 

This is what I remember from 2008 when I was considering to apply to Goldsmith in London. 

[RomulusAugustulus]

Do you all think this is referring to the discipline itself, or the specific program at the school, or some combination of the two?

 

My guess would be combination of the two. Probably focus on why you choose the field, but add something about how the particular program/school will help you achieve your goals in that field. Good luck!