Ok, I’m applying to grad school (GREs next Monday, yikes!). For admission, I have to write: “A typewritten statement that indicates your reasons for seeking this degree”.
Ok, I know my reasons, and I’m cool with that. My problems are more style. I tend to be a “chatty” writer, and I start rambling. I know I can avoid that, but realistically, how long should I aim to have this thing be? How deep should I get into my reasons? Are there any set rules for this, really?
Any advice you can give on this would be great. Thanks!
It might help if we knew what kind of degree you’re looking for. You needn’t be specific if you don’t want to be - just say science, engineering, arts, humanities, etc.
When I wrote my statement of intent, it was probably about 1.5 to 2 double-spaced pages. I was really specific on my reasons: “I want to study at this university because it has great manuscript collections on antebellum Southern history, which is my main focus.” I used my undergrad senior thesis as my writing sample in my application, so I spent a paragraph or two discussing the topic and how I went about researching it and how I wanted to continue in the same vein for grad school. Of course, I got my BA and MA at the same place, so that made it a little easier to outline why I wanted to go to grad school there: I could name specific professors I wanted to work with and specific resources at the library I wanted to use. Also, just talk about what you think you want to do; your interests once you’re there may end up going in a completely different direction (as mine did).
The advice I got from several people (and I’m sure you already know this) was that this is NOT a college application essay. Clever and gimmicky may get admission officers’ attention in the college application process, but grad school admission wants to see concrete reasons and plans of action for your future studies.
Ah, grad school applications. I had to go through the weary round again this fall (since I’m in a one-year MA program) and I did get accepted somewhere, so I might actually be qualified to give advice… (Although I won’t get to stay here in Chicago, which was my first choice. My adviser thinks I should have been accepted, but that doesn’t help, particularly.)
Anyway, as far as length goes, most schools specify on the application how much they want – usually somewhere between 500 and 1,000 words, so you have to be concise. (Not one of my strengths, either.) Last time this topic came up at SDMB, someone told me that a good angle to take is to start by talking about something you’ve already done, particularly if you’re not clear on your interests – you can be more specific that way, and specificity is good.
Other than that, what D Marie said is all good advice.
I’d like to second D. Marie-- when I applied to PhD programs with a bit of experience under my belt I asked my advisors what they looked for. They pretty much told me that they didn’t want to see any of that cute witty shit that people are told to stick in their business and law school apps (if you are going for a humanities degree-- all those websites about cloying persuasive letters-- ignore them!)-- none of that “Ever since I was a little child I always loved art. . .” or " I think I have always been drawn to psychology" crap. They told me to tell the committee exactly what kind of work I wanted to do, what kind of work I wanted to end up doing, etc. “But how will my application stand out if I am so straightforward?,” I implored of them. “If you cut out all that crap your application WILL stand out.” It was good advice. Mine was about 2 pages. Started with explaining my prior experience and moved up into plans of potential research areas, and ended with hopes of TAing (cash) to prepare for intended career of teaching.
Also: Make sure to do enough reading beforehand to not express faux-enthusiastic hopes of studying with secondary professor X that would-be primary advisor Y can’t stand. . . almost had some problems there. Got to school and my advisor went through a list of seminars and basically crossed out with a marker a bunch of course that people I assumed would be closely related to my area were teaching.
Thanks, y’all. This will help me focus it a bit better. Since there are no guidelines, I’ll stop when I’ve said what I want to say, set it aside, read it a day later, make changes, and then let a friend read it before I send it.
Terminus Est, it’s a master’s of library and info. science.
Well, info science is rather far afield from my particular discipline, so can’t offer any specifics. I’ll repeat what others have said and advise brevity - about two pages sounds about right. You should be able to demonstrate that you know the current state of the art, know where the field is going, and describe what you can contribute. (A tall order in two pages, huh?)
This is just a little odd, since I was just talking to a couple of my TAs yesterday, and I mentionned that I eventually want to go to grad school. They told me not to worry, and that both of them had waited until the last possible minute to even think about applying - basically there is such a demand for grad students in my field of interest that there’s no risk of not getting accepted, according to these two TAs (one finishing PhD and the other starting it). But then, my field is Organic Chemistry. Not really an overabundance of students in my courses
All the advice so far sounds really good. Wish the SDMB had been around when I was applying to grad schools…
I’d like to “third” D Marie’s advice to find out the specifics of why Grad U. is a perfect match for Your Subject. I would also, however, emphasise why Your Subject is a perfect match for you; that is, to explain your specific skills and how they make you qualified to complete the graduate program. I think this is a little more important for a Ph.D application–most schools will want to be reasonably certain that you will be able to finish the disseration, and, also, that the dissertation will represent a true advance in the field.
Just don’t do what I did…I only applied to one university for a doctoral program. Sure, it was where I wanted to go, but, if I hadn’t been accepted…
(Although I won’t get to stay here in Chicago, which was my first choice. My adviser thinks I should have been accepted, but that doesn’t help, particularly.)