Were you guys told to put citations in your SOP?

[hibiscus]

That is to say references at the end of the statement?

[JustPoesieAlong]

I had multiple professors look over my SOP and none suggested I include citations. Hopefully that's okay with adcoms!

[fuzzylogician]

Not necessary, as far as anyone I know is concerned. The SOP is about you and your interests. To the extent that you need to cite anyone (which frankly isn't clear to me), it should be fine to give just enough information for the citation to be found (e.g. Smith 2010, J of Unicorns). On the other hand, if you do include references, I doubt anyone is going to fault you for that. 

[hibiscus]

Cheers!!

[a_sort_of_fractious_angel]

13 hours ago, hibiscus said:

That is to say references at the end of the statement?

Just to add to what's already been said - I included footnotes in later drafts but none of my letter writers said anything when looking over my early drafts (sans footnotes) and I know a few friends who showed me their SOPs (now at great schools) where they did not cite. I think you can take it or leave it.