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econgreg09 · 2009 October 22nd, 03:59 PM

How much should one talk in the statement of purpose about the specifics of each program one is applying to? Since I'm mainly looking outside of the top 15, most of the profs at the places I'm looking aren't exactly world famous. It might be unconvincing to say "I'm dying to work with Professor [insert prof from top 40 institution], because I love his work on X." Maybe this reflects my ignorance, but if an economist is not at a top 6 school, the odds that I've read anything by him before now are incredibly tiny.

How else can one customize the statement of purpose to fit the particular department?

Gecko · 2009 October 22nd, 04:11 PM

I just change one paragraph for each statement of purpose to customize to the profs working in my field of interest~

kimbanator · 2009 October 22nd, 06:15 PM

Some people seem to mention professors by name, others don't. For me, it will vary by school. I don't think it really matters as long as you don't express interest in a field that isn't offered by the school.

Zomb1 · 2009 October 22nd, 07:03 PM

Hm... I would say just be honest. If you're familiar with work of one of the professors and are interested in the field, just say so. If not, don't. Btw there are a number of famous economists, even Nobel prize winners, teaching outside of top 6 (why 6?). I am just now reading something by Douglass North, who is at WUSTL.

One more thing, if you do mention somebody by name, make sure he/she are still advising

econgreg09 · 2009 October 22nd, 08:39 PM

Thanks guys.

I guess top 7 makes more sense (Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley.)

tm_guru · 2009 October 22nd, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by econgreg09

Thanks guys.

I guess top 7 makes more sense (Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley.)

Is that a joke? I can't tell...

If not, then the OP has completely missed the point made above

tm_guru · 2009 October 22nd, 08:43 PM

I think CMU says on their website that they have 6 nobel laureates amongst their faculty.

Not sure if they mean they have had, or there are currently 6 there, working.

italos · 2009 October 23rd, 03:42 AM

The why xyz university part of the statement of purpose must be only a single strong paragraph.Be aware to write that paragraph before the conclusion paragraph((this is the the after xyz uni program carrier plans)

mlkovach · 2009 October 23rd, 07:17 AM

Finn Kydland is at UCSB, which isn't even top 50 overall according to econphd.net...and chances are if you've read experimental/behavioral you've come across Gary Charness...Edward Prescott is at Arizona State

(highest rankings by econphd.net is 19th in general eq. theory/co-op. games/math & comp econ. and 11th in environmenal/resource)

So just because a school isn't "top 7" it does not follow that the professors have done nothing of significance.

Gecko · 2009 October 23rd, 11:24 AM

erm... they only grabbed prescott after he won the Nobel~

2009 October 22nd, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
econgreg09 I JUST got here. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 19	SOP help How much should one talk in the statement of purpose about the specifics of each program one is applying to? Since I'm mainly looking outside of the top 15, most of the profs at the places I'm looking aren't exactly world famous. It might be unconvincing to say "I'm dying to work with Professor [insert prof from top 40 institution], because I love his work on X." Maybe this reflects my ignorance, but if an economist is not at a top 6 school, the odds that I've read anything by him before now are incredibly tiny. How else can one customize the statement of purpose to fit the particular department?

2009 October 22nd, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zomb1 Eager! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 72	Hm... I would say just be honest. If you're familiar with work of one of the professors and are interested in the field, just say so. If not, don't. Btw there are a number of famous economists, even Nobel prize winners, teaching outside of top 6 (why 6?). I am just now reading something by Douglass North, who is at WUSTL. One more thing, if you do mention somebody by name, make sure he/she are still advising _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ "And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it, And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it..."

2009 October 23rd, 03:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
italos TestMagic Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 994	The why xyz university part of the statement of purpose must be only a single strong paragraph.Be aware to write that paragraph before the conclusion paragraph((this is the the after xyz uni program carrier plans) _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Regards, Italos _____________ If you need any help with your admissions essay or self writing your letters of recommendation I would be happy to assist you LOR IS EVERYTHING The Secrets of the Temple:How Admissions are conducted? How to write a good statement of purpose (SOP) Facebook TestMagic Econ PhD Forum group Friendship me on facebook

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2009 October 22nd, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gecko This user's posts are moderated. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,081	I just change one paragraph for each statement of purpose to customize to the profs working in my field of interest~

2009 October 22nd, 06:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
kimbanator Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 115	Some people seem to mention professors by name, others don't. For me, it will vary by school. I don't think it really matters as long as you don't express interest in a field that isn't offered by the school.

2009 October 22nd, 08:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
econgreg09 I JUST got here. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 19	Thanks guys. I guess top 7 makes more sense (Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Yale, Berkeley.)

2009 October 22nd, 08:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
tm_guru TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 637	I think CMU says on their website that they have 6 nobel laureates amongst their faculty. Not sure if they mean they have had, or there are currently 6 there, working.

2009 October 23rd, 07:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
mlkovach Eager! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 64	Finn Kydland is at UCSB, which isn't even top 50 overall according to econphd.net...and chances are if you've read experimental/behavioral you've come across Gary Charness...Edward Prescott is at Arizona State (highest rankings by econphd.net is 19th in general eq. theory/co-op. games/math & comp econ. and 11th in environmenal/resource) So just because a school isn't "top 7" it does not follow that the professors have done nothing of significance.

2009 October 23rd, 11:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Gecko This user's posts are moderated. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,081	erm... they only grabbed prescott after he won the Nobel~

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