Good SOP Samples

[hips]

I'm an 09 applicant and I am now trying to write the SOP.
It will be very helpful if those who have written an SOP previously can share (s)he's SOP to new applicants. Because I have difficulties in deciding which part of my academic experience deserves the most attention and in figuring out how to present them properly. I am also curious about how to describe one's future research prospect.
(Though I am worried that not many people want to reveal too much about these kind of private information..forgive me for asking this.)

By the way, some schools require a writing sample, but I don't have any senior thesis or things alike, how should I deal with this situation?

Thanks!

[jeeves0923]

As for your last concern, read some literature on a subject you like and do a literature review. Of course, make it good. That could make a decent writing sample, and also help you with your SOP.

In your SOP, keep it simple. What are you interested in research wise? You don't have to tell them what your dissertation will be on, just what you are interested in. Let them know that you know what you are getting yourself into with a PhD in economics. Many schools don't pay too much attention to it. Don't give them a reason to reject you in it.

[asianeconomist]

Originally Posted by hips

By the way, some schools require a writing sample, but I don't have any senior thesis or things alike, how should I deal with this situation?

I've previously seen applicants writing down mathematical proofs (of economic models I guess, or could be purely related to real analysis) and appending them as writing samples to impress adcoms.

[hips]

Thanks for your useful suggestions!

I talked to my professor today and she said it's unknown whether a pure math writing sample would produce a negative effect on admission.

Also, she mentioned that nowadays econ application is extremely competitive relative to other fields. One of her students didn't get into any good econ program but was admitted to Harvard stat PhD program! Maybe I should diversify my application pool in terms of fields. Also, she suggested that I apply for the top 20~30 schools first then seek the chance to transfer to a better program. (Do you think it's a good way?)

The discussion with her gives me an impression that publishing an article in JPE is the prerequisite for a top 10 or 5 program.
(She kept saying a story about a Tokyo University undergrad student who's admitted to Harvard because of his JPE article.)

[LouisBD]

I can imagine that publishing in a journal helps a lot, but surely this can not be a prerequisite for some programs? I find it very amazing that someone publishes in jpe (this stands for journal of political economy?) as an undergraduate. Many fresh phd's (even from top programs) have not accomplished such a thing (according to their cv's).

A tought a phd program is meant to train you and to help you to convert to knowledge production instead of knowledge consumption.

...fff
depressing

[jeeves0923]

Publishing, or even research experience is not a prerequisite for top 10 admits.

Just look at israelecon's admits. Most people who get into top programs have not published in JPE, or even published at all for that matter. They do have really good LORs, however.

[Golden Rule]

These are two fairly common questions on this board.

Originally Posted by hips

Also, she suggested that I apply for the top 20~30 schools first then seek the chance to transfer to a better program. (Do you think it's a good way?)

I'd give you a short answer of no. It's like a $20 bill on the street argument. Why wouldn't more people do this if such a backdoor were feasible for everyone?

Here are some past threads on the subject, search for "transfer" and you'll find more opinions.
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...op5-top10.html (Transfer from top10 to top5 or top10?)
http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-econo...ansfering.html (Transfering)

The discussion with her gives me an impression that publishing an article in JPE is the prerequisite for a top 10 or 5 program.
(She kept saying a story about a Tokyo University undergrad student who's admitted to Harvard because of his JPE article.)

There are many ways to distinguish oneself in the application process. Don't get sufficient conditions confused with necessary conditions. A JPE article might be a sufficient condition for admission (along with a solid application otherwise), but it is definitely not a necessary condition.