SOP help: How specific should your interests be at the master's level?

[colormelovely]

Hey all,

I'm looking for your thoughts on research interests for MAs. I'm a undergraduate student at the moment (preparing apps for fall 2015), and I feel that my interests are still very broad, which makes writing my SOP tricky. I'm probably overthinking this because a committee can't expect incoming MA students to know exactly what they want to do--Is it correct to assume this?

[marXian]

It depends on the MA, but especially for large div schools and seminaries, committees are not looking for an incredibly specific SOP. For smaller departments or probably something like Yale Div's MARc, something more focused is necessary, but still not at the level of focus or sophistication at which a PhD SOP would need to be. Committees realize that most undergrads applying to their first MA program are probably not going to have incredibly focused research interests yet (nor should they, in my opinion).

 

Of course you don't want to be so broad that it sounds like you either don't care what you study or you have absolutely no clue what you're interested in. If you're interested in going on to a PhD, you should be able to at least identify an area of interest (e.g. theology, texts, etc.) and maybe something more specific (a figure or a time period) but anything more specific beyond that is probably icing on the cake. No one is going to hold you to these interests once you're in.

[colormelovely]

It depends on the MA, but especially for large div schools and seminaries, committees are not looking for an incredibly specific SOP. For smaller departments or probably something like Yale Div's MARc, something more focused is necessary, but still not at the level of focus or sophistication at which a PhD SOP would need to be. Committees realize that most undergrads applying to their first MA program are probably not going to have incredibly focused research interests yet (nor should they, in my opinion).

 

Of course you don't want to be so broad that it sounds like you either don't care what you study or you have absolutely no clue what you're interested in. If you're interested in going on to a PhD, you should be able to at least identify an area of interest (e.g. theology, texts, etc.) and maybe something more specific (a figure or a time period) but anything more specific beyond that is probably icing on the cake. No one is going to hold you to these interests once you're in.

Thanks for the helpful reply!

[sacklunch]

It should be fairly broad/general, unless (as marx said) you are applying to a smaller program. There is nothing wrong with being open about your developing interests. That's what the M* is designed for, I think!

[colormelovely]

It should be fairly broad/general, unless (as marx said) you are applying to a smaller program. There is nothing wrong with being open about your developing interests. That's what the M* is designed for, I think!

Thanks for the reply, sacklunch. I tried to PM you, but it wouldn't let me.