Best way to specify research interest for CS in SOP

[tll]

I've done a lot of work with wireless energy research, and currently working in industry on the next wearable device generation. Really cool stuff. I have a lot to say about wearable computing, and there is a great chance I could get into my school of choice (University of Washington - Seattle), plus all my letters of recommendations come from that field.

However, one of the reasons that I want to go back to graduate school is because I have always wanted to build scientific visualization software to be able to engage a broader public with research (graphics has been a great tool for story-telling, just look at the popularity of Cosmos by Neil deGrasse Tyson). They also have a program of that at UW. Unfortunately, this has been a hobby, and not at all aligned with my professional experience. 

In my SOP, should I go with my true interest in visualization, or go with the highest chance of success? Since I don't have to declare a focus just yet while doing my master, I don't think it would hurt much either way, but it is quite difficult to justify my reason for leaving industry to come back to academia.

 

Just wonder if any of you guys out there running into a similar situation. And good luck to yall applying for next school year!

[justanotherlostgrrl]

I've done a lot of work with wireless energy research, and currently working in industry on the next wearable device generation. Really cool stuff. I have a lot to say about wearable computing, and there is a great chance I could get into my school of choice (University of Washington - Seattle), plus all my letters of recommendations come from that field.

However, one of the reasons that I want to go back to graduate school is because I have always wanted to build scientific visualization software to be able to engage a broader public with research (graphics has been a great tool for story-telling, just look at the popularity of Cosmos by Neil deGrasse Tyson). They also have a program of that at UW. Unfortunately, this has been a hobby, and not at all aligned with my professional experience. 

In my SOP, should I go with my true interest in visualization, or go with the highest chance of success? Since I don't have to declare a focus just yet while doing my master, I don't think it would hurt much either way, but it is quite difficult to justify my reason for leaving industry to come back to academia.

 

Just wonder if any of you guys out there running into a similar situation. And good luck to yall applying for next school year!

 

I'm just a fellow applicant and not in CS (although a UX designer, if that helps!), so take my thoughts here with a grain of salt.  Also I envy anyone working in wearbles - would love to get into more product oriented work!

 

I'm not sure you have to justify why you're leaving industry other than to say you're interested in exploring it in more depth, and academia is the place to do it, which I think is quite valid.  Perhaps working on short term projects (like less than 3 months) is not enough to explore a topic when you're in industry (like consulting, my background, where all the projects seemed short) - whereas in grad school, with a thesis you can really explore something in greater depth for a greater length.  That's a bit of what I'm doing - part of it is to learn about my topic, and part of it is improve my employment prospects in the future.

 

If you've always wanted to build the visualization software, say you want to do that - it need not be aligned directly with your professional experience, although I don't think it could hurt to talk about your professional experiences to date, and maybe your journey of how you got to focus on visualization rather than the wireless energy and wearables.  It would be interesting to see how those three topics intersect.  As you say, they're NOT going to hold you down to what you say in your statement of purpose, so maybe write 2 separate SOPs - one on the wearables, one on the visualization, and see what that feels like in writing them.  That might help you choose.   I would say if your application is strong because you have the experience and recommendations for wearables, go with that and get into school first - you can always decide on the visualization for your thesis after you get in.

 

Good luck!  Happy to review anything.  I am just starting out on the journey myself

[tll]

I agree with a lot of what you mentioned. Thanks! This confirms much of my thought. Will try your advice on writing 2 SOP for each interest (after all, I'm already writing 6 for each program I'm applying )

Love to hear that you want to do work in wearables. I'm working for Jawbone and they have some really really cool design from Yves Behar (he's like a rock star in industrial design). Honestly, the commercial wearables space is in desperate need for good design. I suppose Apple Watch is ok, but I feel that it could have been lighter or more blend in than standing out so strong the way it is.

Anyhow, what are you going to grad school for in design? Just curious. Also, I would be happy to review anything from yours too. I'll have mine polished over the weekend and probably will do another post here on gradcafe to get feedback.

Thanks!
 

[justanotherlostgrrl]

I agree with a lot of what you mentioned. Thanks! This confirms much of my thought. Will try your advice on writing 2 SOP for each interest (after all, I'm already writing 6 for each program I'm applying )

Love to hear that you want to do work in wearables. I'm working for Jawbone and they have some really really cool design from Yves Behar (he's like a rock star in industrial design). Honestly, the commercial wearables space is in desperate need for good design. I suppose Apple Watch is ok, but I feel that it could have been lighter or more blend in than standing out so strong the way it is.

Anyhow, what are you going to grad school for in design? Just curious. Also, I would be happy to review anything from yours too. I'll have mine polished over the weekend and probably will do another post here on gradcafe to get feedback.

Thanks!

 

 

Practicing the SOP writing can't hurt - the process of writing itself can usually clarify what you want to study, and worst comes to worst, if there's content you like and don't have need for in your SOP you can just keep it as a draft for later.  It's hard to focus on saying ALL the things, and realizing you probably have to give them an appetizer and not the full course meal in such a sort length of time.

 

I'm fascinated by wearables and why they have or haven't taken off as well as how they'll evolve.  I've seen some neat things in fashion design as opposed to actual gadgets or watches - so more responsive clothing like on http://tech.360fashion.net/  How will wearable evolve to address health concerns and respond to the environment rather than using it as a passive dumb terminal for emails and twitter.  I can't really get into the Apple Watch - I use piles of Apple stuff, and in general love geeking out on tech, but really am disappointed with the company and instant obselescene.  I don't want to buy a new phone, and think many of their design decisions are disappointing.

 

Happy to review your SOP and appreciate you reviewing mine.   I'm applying to a Transdisciplinary Design MFA program, so design strategy, research, UX and service design are the focus.  Part of me is completely jazzed by all of it, part of me is completely terrified by all of it.  It's been a while since I've been in school, so we'll see

[tll]

Sounds like what you're doing with transdisciplinary design is really fun, be jazzed! Where are you applying to?

Here's a link to my SOP draft: http://1drv.ms/1mj2o3o
I'm happy to review yours if you want to PM me or reply here. Doing SOP trade has been extremely helpful for me.