Sample Econ PhD SOP?

[WorkingOvertime]

A lot of the statement of purpose's I have seen online seem to read like reports and academic work as opposed to a well written essay. Are we supposed to impress with out writing style, or give a very straightforward (basic and bland) presentation of ourselves.?

[walt526]

Originally Posted by WorkingOvertime

A lot of the statement of purpose's I have seen online seem to read like reports and academic work as opposed to a well written essay. Are we supposed to impress with out writing style, or give a very straightforward (basic and bland) presentation of ourselves.?

It really depends on the relative quality of one's writing ability. A well-written essay that concisely presents all of one's qualifications is ideal. But not everyone can blend style and substance--that's basically the definition of a talented writer. It's better to have a bland, straightforward essay that covers all the bases than one that sacrifices substance for style.

One other word of caution: use humor/irony/wit very sparingly, if at all. Even done well (and most people don't read as nearly funny as they think they are), it's just not appropriate for a statement of purpose.

In short, the adcoms refer to SOPs as a means of putting an applicant's profile in context (i.e., explain any flaws) and to gauge the applicant's expectations of and motivations for pursuing graduate school.

[WorkingOvertime]

The reason I ask is because I started my essay with how I became interested in econ, and I explain my qualifications in terms of what I gained from my time in undergrad. In fact, my opening paragraph says little about my qualifications, and instead explains how my interest in econ has grown since I self studied in high school. Many of the statement of purpose's I read are basically academic resumes in sentences and seem very impersonal. Are the adcoms trying to get a sense of who you are and why you are qualified/interested or is your personality unnecessary?

[walt526]

Most adcoms aren't interested in how you got interested in econ. Stick to reasons why you are likely to complete and be an asset to the program.

[Gecko]

"One day I saw a market transaction and I realized the beauty of free-market economics.."

[WorkingOvertime]

Originally Posted by walt526

Most adcoms aren't interested in how you got interested in econ. Stick to reasons why you are likely to complete and be an asset to the program.

Thanks Walt. I think I am trying too hard to prove myself as a good writer and not enough to prove I am good candidate for admission.

[walt526]

"My first word was 'optimization' and I named my three children 'Diminishing,' 'Marginal,' and 'Utility.'"

[asquare]

Like most people, I've been hesitant to post sample materials to protect my privacy. I do understand that seeing samples can be helpful, though. I've removed some identifying information from the first three paragraphs of my statement of purpose, and I'm posting it as one example. I'm not saying it's the right approach for all applicants or all schools. It worked out ok for me:

Graduate study in economics will prepare me for a career where I can use my analytical skills to provide insight into economic questions that are relevant to shaping current policy. Academic methods are invaluable in doing research that advances our understanding of key questions. I am also aware of the policy ramifications that academic work can and should have, and would like to be involved in the formation and evaluation of good policy. I hope to follow in the footsteps of economists like Robert Reich, Larry Katz, and Alan Kruger, all of whom have used their talents to inform public policy as well as to make unique scholarly advances.
My previous work experience and education influence my commitment to scholarly research rather than more applied pursuits. [removed stuff about internships]. In the field of human capital, public policy can be a source of questions, data, and opportunities for experiments, as well as constituting the final test of efficacy. It is academia, however, that can provide the sorts of answers and explanations that necessarily precede progress.
Undergraduate internships let me experience the day to day realities of economic and workforce development schemes, but they frustrated me because they failed to translate theory into practice and proved to be cluttered laboratories for evaluating outcomes. [removed details about internships and undergrad RA.] Graduate study in economics will enable me to investigate the questions and issues I have previously encountered with sufficient sophistication to both satisfy my curiosity with theoretically sound conclusions and contribute to the body of economic knowledge.

This was the introduction. I went on to give more details about specific skills, and described (broadly) a topic I thought might be interesting. I also talked about my quantitative preparation and gave some examples of why I thought that despite not having as much math as some applicants, I could survive first year and go on to do good research.

[tm_guru]

Asquare, you got in even though you spelled Alan Kreuger's name incorrectly! There's hope for us all! :-)

[One on One]

Another sample....

I am applying to graduate economics because one day I would like to surpass Antichron as most respected economist on TM. I am just lowly poster on that website, but once I get my PhD, I will be worshipped on there because nobody actually stays on the board once they get into grad school. Other posters will bow down to me and I will pretend I went to talk to the adcom to get even more prestige. Later in my career, I will actually try to get on an adcom and heckle the posters of TM. I think my detailed career path makes me an excellent candidate to complete a PhD in Economics. My motivation is pure and unrelenting. Please visit the link below to see my profile. As you will see, several very highly regarded posters believe I should get into either Harvard, Princeton, or Yale so please consider rolling a die and if a 1 or 2 lands, accept me as this equates to my expectations of an admit to your university.