Statement of Purpose

[maker225]

Is there any place where I can find sample SOP's written specifically for Econ PhD programs? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

I second that request. I've been having one heck of a time deciding the apporpriate framing of my SOP.

[nasshi]

From what I understand, the SOP is intended to be flexible to allow for different backgrounds. There is no specific rubric. In fact, following one would probably be ill-advised.

That being said, I'd be up for exchanging SOPs for critique. Perhaps a listserv? Anyone in?

[user_name]

The only advice I heed on writing the SOP is from the econphd.net guide. I guess you guys have read this too, but I'll post it here anyway:

Much is made of the Statement of Purpose, but apparently it has a smaller impact in economics than in other subjects. Little that’s definite is known, but in my opinion, overly enthusiastic homages to economics or the department should be avoided as they sound artificial and waste space. Don’t forget that the professors who will read it are very intelligent people and won't appreciate your presuming otherwise. Nor do they care much about your sincere love for economics, your presidency of the toastmaster’s club, or the good things you’ve done in your community, as long as you can read and construct proofs. They also know you’re applying to other top schools and would gleefully go to any of them if you had the chance. The best approach is a conservative one, stating your credentials and objectives in a clear and focused way, outlining a specific research idea (without sounding rigidly attached to it – a delicate balance needs to be struck here), and mentioning how the school’s particular strengths fit into your plans. Look up the faculty’s research interests and histories to determine this.

[asquare]

There have been a number of posts with useful advice about this before. Here's (Statement of Purpose) what I had to say on an earlier thread; I'll copy the message here, but in case the links don't show up, you can find them in the original post.

Originally Posted by asquare

Berkeley has a sample SOP posted on the admissions website. It's for a history student, but it should get you started. (There are useful comments about what was particularly useful in the SOP.) Since Berkeley chose to use this SOP as an example for prospective students, you can be confident that it's a style adcoms like.

This website also has many sample SOPs written by international applicants. There's at least one for an econ applicant to Princeton, though I don't think it's a particularly well written SOP.

[Jhai]

There's a livejournal community called "rate my sop" or something along those lines. You post it behind an LJ cut and members of the community critique it. There aren't many (or any) econ people there, but students of the other social sciences ought to be able to help you.