Bring Up Factual Mistake on SOP During Interview?

[TXInstrument11]

I was reviewing a few articles of a POI in prep for an interview when I realized that I made a rather large factual error on my SOP and now I'm debating whether or not I should bring this up.

 

I made the mistake during editing when I cut down a paragraph about two genes to discuss only one. The POI has written quite a bit about these two genes and would know enough to easily notice this mistake. They haven't mentioned it to me, but I know they've seen my application - not sure about SOP though.

 

I'm worried that, if they don't notice it now, that they may later and think I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, so should I mention it? I can clumsily try to shove it in our conversation instead of bringing it up out of the blue, but I need to plan ahead of time either way. 

 

 

 

 

Insult to injury is that this same paragraph appeared in my SOP to another school I was rejected from....

 

*facepalms with the power of a Falcon Punch*

 

Edited February 9, 2015 by TXInstrument11

[MapsAndPlans]

If it was me, I would bring it up in a funny / self-deprecating way. 

[TXInstrument11]

If it was me, I would bring it up in a funny / self-deprecating way. 

I can do self-deprecating and I can probably do funny if my nerves don't rattle me too much, so that's a shot. Her emails are pretty damn terse and nondescript so I have no clue if she's easygoing, but this angle may be my best option.

 

There's is the off-chance that I may ramble and end up telling a few off-color jokes, but it's a risk I took with a previous interview to my advantage. Besides, if my sense of humor is actively irritating to her, we probably won't get a long too well anyway. 

[spunky]

 

There's is the off-chance that I may ramble and end up telling a few off-color jokes, but it's a risk I took with a previous interview to my advantage. Besides, if my sense of humor is actively irritating to her, we probably won't get a long too well anyway. 

 

as long as you end up with an awkward laugh at the end, everything will be fine. remember, the more awkward the better. natalie portman's a is a good one to start practicing:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlbsvC_1GsY

[PsychandPhilo]

I'm a first-year applicant, so take my word for what it is worth. I wouldn't bring it up in the interview. As far as I'm aware, once you make it to the interview stage (assuming it's one of the "final cut" stages, and not a preliminary talk), what matters is how you present yourself in the interview. Professionalism, research fit, fit with the overall program, etc. As long as you are able to discuss the POI's research intelligently, they will believe you know what you're talking about. I would try to fix the problem that way rather than actively calling attention to a mistake.

[Elizabeth Reed]

Personally, I'd make this a game-time decision. I think it would make sense for you to think about how you'd explain the mistake/why it appears on your statement, along with the manner in which you'd communicate a self-deprecatory (not overly so!) stance. But I wouldn't go in with a firm commitment to bring it up or not bring it up. I'd see how the conversation goes, whether there's an opportune moment to insert mention of the mistake without "forcing" it, what the vibe is like, etc. etc. etc. 

 

If you go in thinking you definitely must/mustn't bring it up, you may ignore in-the-moment instincts that tell you to do the opposite, and having good interpersonal/conversational instincts -- it seems to me, at least -- is arguably the most important factor for successful interviewing. It sounds like you have a strong social "sense" so I say trust it! Read your audience, go from there

[PsychandPhilo]

Personally, I'd make this a game-time decision. I think it would make sense for you to think about how you'd explain the mistake/why it appears on your statement, along with the manner in which you'd communicate a self-deprecatory (not overly so!) stance. But I wouldn't go in with a firm commitment to bring it up or not bring it up. I'd see how the conversation goes, whether there's an opportune moment to insert mention of the mistake without "forcing" it, what the vibe is like, etc. etc. etc. 

 

If you go in thinking you definitely must/mustn't bring it up, you may ignore in-the-moment instincts that tell you to do the opposite, and having good interpersonal/conversational instincts -- it seems to me, at least -- is arguably the most important factor for successful interviewing. It sounds like you have a strong social "sense" so I say trust it! Read your audience, go from there

 

Agreed. I should have mentioned in my post that I wouldn't avoid mentioning the mistake at all costs, as situational cues will help tell you if you should bring up the matter or not. I just wouldn't enter with the mindset to defintely bring it up.

[tha1ne]

I'm a first-year applicant, so take my word for what it is worth. I wouldn't bring it up in the interview. As far as I'm aware, once you make it to the interview stage (assuming it's one of the "final cut" stages, and not a preliminary talk), what matters is how you present yourself in the interview. Professionalism, research fit, fit with the overall program, etc. As long as you are able to discuss the POI's research intelligently, they will believe you know what you're talking about. I would try to fix the problem that way rather than actively calling attention to a mistake.

 

There are ways to bring it up in an interview that sound professional. Just say something like, "Not to cause any confusion, but there's one thing I'd like to mention about my SOP..."

[TXInstrument11]

All good points, guys! Thanks. 

 

I think I will probably just take the "wait and see" approach. I have a good explanation if she brings it up and I've been reviewing her research closely, so I should be able to make a good impression as far as subject area knowledge goes.