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jeeves0923 · 07-09-2008, 04:42 PM

I am willing to bet lots of you are working on SOPs now. Is anyone reading who was really successful that would like to share SOP strategies? I've heard that it can't really help you- only hurt you. Is this true? Any words of wisdom?

asianeconomist · 07-10-2008, 03:46 AM

Be truthful. Be truthful. Be truthful. IMHO, adcoms have the experience of facing a lot of c*** in the form vain SOPs and would be very quick in realizing them.

rvalchev · 07-11-2008, 08:25 PM

I would love to hear more on the question as well. I wonder why it's being so quiet ....

Are most answers in the private message format or does it mean that this forum is traversed solely by restless prospective students and grad students are off to enjoying their summers?

representative_agent · 07-11-2008, 09:34 PM

Keep your SOP short (ideally 1 page). Adcoms get so many applications. The shorter the SOP the greater is the chance that they actually read it instead of just skimming through it. Limit your statement to a few important points. Connect them to a convincing and easily readable story without being too smooth.

Try not to use general phrases but be very specific about each point you make. It is not enough to say "I like game theory" (everybody likes game theory). What aspect of Game Theory? Why? Your experience in that field? Potential advisors?

Tell them you want to be a professor. It's cheap talk and might even be a lie. But first, your school wants to have good academic placements in 5 years. And second, Professors are humans and they like it if somebody tells them "I want to do what you do". If heard that at Top 10 schools a truthful statement of carreer plans can spoil an otherwise brilliant application.

Again, keep your SOP short!

jeeves0923 · 07-11-2008, 11:53 PM

@rvalchev- no PMs here!

@representative agent, yeah, that was my inclination. Right now I have a generic one for all schools that fits your bill almost exactly. If I want to add a special paragraph for each school, it will bleed into two pages a little bit.

@ EVERYONE - Do you think it is necessary to add a special bit for the particular university?

07-09-2008, 04:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
jeeves0923 Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 334	Secrets to a good SOP I am willing to bet lots of you are working on SOPs now. Is anyone reading who was really successful that would like to share SOP strategies? I've heard that it can't really help you- only hurt you. Is this true? Any words of wisdom?

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07-10-2008, 03:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Where the grass is greener Posts: 890	Be truthful. Be truthful. Be truthful. IMHO, adcoms have the experience of facing a lot of c*** in the form vain SOPs and would be very quick in realizing them.

07-11-2008, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
rvalchev Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	I would love to hear more on the question as well. I wonder why it's being so quiet .... Are most answers in the private message format or does it mean that this forum is traversed solely by restless prospective students and grad students are off to enjoying their summers?

07-11-2008, 09:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
representative_agent Eager! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 44	Keep your SOP short (ideally 1 page). Adcoms get so many applications. The shorter the SOP the greater is the chance that they actually read it instead of just skimming through it. Limit your statement to a few important points. Connect them to a convincing and easily readable story without being too smooth. Try not to use general phrases but be very specific about each point you make. It is not enough to say "I like game theory" (everybody likes game theory). What aspect of Game Theory? Why? Your experience in that field? Potential advisors? Tell them you want to be a professor. It's cheap talk and might even be a lie. But first, your school wants to have good academic placements in 5 years. And second, Professors are humans and they like it if somebody tells them "I want to do what you do". If heard that at Top 10 schools a truthful statement of carreer plans can spoil an otherwise brilliant application. Again, keep your SOP short!

07-11-2008, 11:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
jeeves0923 Within my grasp! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 334	@rvalchev- no PMs here! @representative agent, yeah, that was my inclination. Right now I have a generic one for all schools that fits your bill almost exactly. If I want to add a special paragraph for each school, it will bleed into two pages a little bit. @ EVERYONE - Do you think it is necessary to add a special bit for the particular university?

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