Naming other universities in SOP?

[tem11]

Right now, I am very much leaning toward doing a relevant one-year Master's abroad and then returning to the U.S. to begin a MSW degree. I really want to go into social work and social policy and the University of Oxford has what appears to be an amazing course (MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention).

I've already been accepted to Columbia University's MSW program for 2010, however if I get into Oxford I think I will either defer entry (if I can get permission) or reapply next year.

Anyhow, I'm working on my SOP for Oxford and I'm meant to talk about my future career plans and how this course fits in with my goals. Should I say that I plan to do the course in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at Oxford and then go on to get my MSW at Columbia? Or is it taboo to mention another university like that, even if I plan on attending both of them?

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[JerryLandis]

I don't think there's anything wrong with that, since you would not be choosing one or the other. The only thing to consider is that sometimes UK departments seem to want their masters students to reapply there for a PhD. I've heard from masters students that their department really pushes them to apply. But I wouldn't think that having plans for next year would affect your admission to a one-year program. If anything, mentioning that you would put off your Columbia plans, or would decline the acceptance and reapply later, shows how committed you are to entering the Oxford program.

[Ziz]

I don't know whether I would mention another school in my SOP (other than my previously attendeds). My advice would be to say something along the lines of "my plans after teh MSc are to complete a MSW". I don't know if Oxford has an MSW, but if they do, it keeps it open and they might assume you want to go to theirs.

I can second JerryLandis who said Oxford likes their MSc/MPhil students to carry on to a research degree there. I had the same experience and it was one of the reasons I turned them down 3 years ago. Of course now I'm kicking myself because I'm begging to get into their DPhil, but that's another story...

[tem11]

Thanks so much for the responses! And sorry for my delayed one- I've been out of town.

Anyhow, I think I'll mention that I plan getting a degree in social work but not mention Columbia as its not extremely relevant. Oxford doesn't offer a social work degree so that wouldn't be an issue, but they certainly push students to go onto the MPhil/DPhil and who knows- I may decide to continue at Ox if I'm accepted.

Good luck with your DPhil application, Ziz!

[electricfan]

Just don't do what I did accidentally - I sent a SOP to one school saying how much I like the research at a different school. Was rejected very quickly.