Reapplying - How did you change your SOP?

[lifetimestudent]

When you reapplied, how did you change you SOP to reflect what you did in your "year off" (at least for me, it definitely isn't a vacation) but still remain within the page limit?

[cheesethunder]

why do you have to address it?

[socialcomm]

I've been out of school for many years, so even though I applied last year and didn't get in anywhere, I just continued to work so I didn't need to address another year 'off' from school. I changed my SOP to be more research focused though.

[peffy1962]

I am in the process of giving mine a complete overhaul. It was such an epic fail last year, and I think I've identified why.

I made it entirely too "personal." I pretty much completely neglected to articulate my present research interests (which were vague to begin with) and fit with the schools in favor of relaying a life narrative that while important -- and crucial to my interest in the field -- did little to paint me as a potential scholar. My attempts in this regard consisted of little more than relaying the information contained in my C.V. and awkwardly name-dropping professors I'd be interested in working with, but had done little to research. All personal statement no-no's, basically!

This year will be a different story. I've diligently researched the departments I'm applying to, including various faculty members, by reading journal articles, books, and the like so I am able to appropriately (and more intelligently!) reference them. I've made a flow chart of my interests in the field to help me articulate what exactly I am interested in pursuing, I have reduced my lengthy personal narrative to an interesting introductory hook, and most importantly, I have reconnected with one of my undergraduate professors to give me feedback in the process. I've also read tons of sample personal statements (online, in books, and those of friends) to help get me on the right track.

I hope that helps! I'm not planning on addressing my additional year off, as I've unfortunately done very little relevant to my field of interest. Good luck!

[psycholinguist]

Last year: 'I love linguistics and psychology. I'm interested in [ridiculous number of subdisciplines and topics]. I'm writing an honours-thesis this year. I'm interested in [program] because it has something in common with [a few interests].

This year: 'My aim is to get a Ph.D. in linguistics, specialising in [subdiscipline]. It took me a while to decide on this, but in the meantime I wrote an honours thesis related to it and absolutely loved the work. Analogous projects I have in mind are [ideas]. I really like the look of [program] since it would enable me to [pursue these ideas, etc.]. I am particularly interested in the work of [professor(s)].'

In other words, what the applicant thinks is admirable eclecticism may simply look like massive indecisiveness. And specificity is a good thing.