What should and shouldn't be in a personal statement?

[Court128]

Hello,

I have to write a personal statement and I'm just wondering how I should start the statement and what should or shouldn't be included.

Thanks for your help!!!

[Sigaba]

@Court128

 

Please point Google at the following:

 

"personal essay grad cafe" 

"sop grad cafe"

[PereiraPear]

I've actually got a question about that too. Should I list professors with whom I want to work with? I've gotten mixed replies from people because I'm in the Humanities (Spanish, specifically) and they say that it's not important in my field because my adviser doesn't determine my funding. I'm not sure whether to include this.

[xolo]

Hi PPear, I would recommend that you briefly name 2-3 professors max, and why. Especially if you have talked to them already. Anything to personalize and pinpoint your interests is good, IMHO.

[history_geek]

PPear, it comes down to whether or not you have the room. You need to do all the wonderful explaining of your life, goals, why you want to go, etc. If you can work in the professors some way without hindering the other areas of the SOP, then go for it.

[serenade]

I've actually got a question about that too. Should I list professors with whom I want to work with? I've gotten mixed replies from people because I'm in the Humanities (Spanish, specifically) and they say that it's not important in my field because my adviser doesn't determine my funding. I'm not sure whether to include this.

Even if your adviser doesn't determine your funding, it can be useful to list who you want to work with so adcomms can determine if a particular adviser already has too many students, will be going on sabbatical soon, etc.