I think I used every means to improve SOP but I'm still not confident.. Any help?

[mseph]

I am pretty sure majority of us, if not all, who are still working on applications for this season are still working and revising SOPs to polish it as much as possible. This is my case as well, I keep reading and reading my SOP (and writing samples) to polish it as best as I can. 

 

I asked four professors to read them--two gave me general feedback and the other two revised/edited very closely. My friends who are good at writing and editing also helped me. I am going to the writing center at my school every other day for SOP/CV/writing sample. The last time I went to the writing center, the tutor found only couple things and suggestions to my SOP, and said, "This seems a strong statement. Good job and good luck." And that's when I realized that any further trips to the writing center would not necessarily improve my current SOP. 

 

But I still feel not very sure about this.. It's annoying and I even thought of using online editing service, which I feel a bit uncomfortable (any chance of plagiarism?). When do you know it's really done? Can anyone give me insight on any other possible ways of getting feedback/editing on SOP?

Edited December 6, 2014 by visgiven

[fancypants09]

What makes you feel so unsure about your SOP? (BTW, still working on the writing sample, have not yet started on SOP though have an outline.) I know our writing can always use improvement, but perhaps in other's eyes you're good to go. 

[ashiepoo72]

I think 3 profs looked at mine closely, I sent my aunt about 10 drafts and my classmate (who is an excellent writer) did the final outside edit. Then I proceeded to tweak each SOP for individual programs. I printed out all the SOPs, sat there and line edited them, read em out loud to see if I caught any more mistakes, filled in my corrections in word, then printed them out again. At that point, if I found nothing more to correct I went ahead and PDFed them and let it go. You just can't go on and on forever, you will get to the point of diminishing returns. I had to reach the point where I literally removed words then put them back in before I said to hell with this. Writing is a never-ending process--it ends because we run out of time or the will to write anymore.

I suggest you take a long, in-depth look at yours, see if there are any other things that need correcting, and let it go.

[VulpesZerda]

It's hard to let go! Take a break for a couple days if possible then do what ashiepoo said.

[eragon]

I agree with VulpesZerda and Ashiepoo. Take a break and come back later to review it.

[modoter]

I don't think that online editing is a bad idea. If you have a solid outline and know what you're talking about, online editing might give u a unique perspective. I used Brian on  Gurufi and he did a great job in giving me an objective critique of my work. You don't have to use everything he suggest but he will definately give u a unique perspective that you might not get from your classmates.