Should I talk about previous failed application cycle in my SOP?

[Triangular]

About three years ago, right out of undergrad, I made what I now understand was the mistake of applying to a bunch of big name schools whose programs I hardly fit into let alone would qualify for. I had a strong desire to progress academically, but I simply had no idea what that meant or what grad school was all about. I am the first in my family to attend college and did not go to a research-focused undergrad school, so my advice on the matter was limited and well, things obviously did not pan out. In hindsight I'm happy for this experience because I am even more assured now of my desire to go into academia, and I have worked since then to make myself a better candidate. This admin cycle, I have found schools that are a much better fit and more realistic, and they are none of the same schools I originally applied to. Since they are not the same schools, do you think I should mention this experience on my SOP? On the one hand, I think it would show that I am determined in the face of obstacles and committed to this path, but on the other hand, well, I'm afraid it will just cast a generally negative light. 

[TakeruK]

I don't think there is any reason to mention it. Even if you were applying to the same schools, there's no need to mention it in your SOP. It's not the right place for it. Sometimes schools will ask in other parts of the application about previous attempts, and I'd be honest there. That's the better place to show that you won't be deterred by failures.

Focus your narrative on your successes and what you actually did, not what you tried to do but couldn't. When you write about what you did after undergrad, just dive right into whatever you ended up doing. That is, I would not write something like:

"I tried to get into grad school and was not successful, so I did X, Y, Z instead"

But instead, just write something like:

"After finishing my BA/BS/etc. in XYZ, I spent some time doing ABC"

then followed by what you wrote here about wanting to go back into academia.

[Triangular]

Thanks for the advice TakeruK. I see what you mean, and think that is what I plan to do. If they specifically give me the opportunity to talk about it, I will do so and be positive about it, but if not I will omit it.