Sep 03, 2008 21:07
(sorry in advance this is long)
I am in the midst of the application process, currently working on my SoP. I'm interested in applying for a PhD in linguistics - more specifically in formal semantics - currently considering eight top-tier programs. I've gotten into somewhat of a problem deciding what to include in my SoP; I am not sure if I am emphasizing the correct points. I find that I spending too much space writing about my past and current projects, but I am not sure if/what I can cut out.
Here's what I am expanding about in my SoP right now:
- During my BA I wrote a paper, which I am submitting to a conference in about a month.
- During the past year I've worked on two research projects: in one I was a plain research assistant doing some corpus searches; in the other I am actually developing the ideas and doing the writing - though the topic was originally chosen by my supervisor. I might get an article out of this project, but that will take some more time and work.
- I also got another paper accepted at an international conference (just presented it last week!) and it will be published very soon.
- In addition to all of this, my thesis is about yet another topic than everything I've mentioned above. It's still in its initial stages, but I obviously have to mention it.
(- for some universities I am considering also writing about a third project, where I worked as an assistant during my BA.)
*sigh*
I've already written two drafts of my SoP, but I feel that I get lost in the details of my past and current work, and don't have enough space left for describing what I want to do in the future. Obviously, my past training is relevant and I want to showcase all of my qualifications, but is there a way of doing this without wasting all my space? Is it acceptable to add some of this information to my CV and referring readers there (especially, the project descriptions)? Is it OK to ask my recommendors to include detailed descriptions of my papers in their LoRs and not addressing them myself?
My SoP is currently structured as follows:
P1: introduction, how I got into linguistics. (having doubts about this paragraph)
P2: BA+first paper
P3: new interests I developed during my MA
P4: conference talk and published paper
P5: my thesis topic
P6-7: the projects I work on
P8-9: future research prospects + courses I am going to TA this coming year
P10: what I want to do after I graduate
P11: fit to departments
I am worried that my structure is too focused on giving a narrative and might not be effective. Also, it's way too long. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have about how to revise the structure of my SoP. I need to have a decent version before the end of September, which my recommendors can use when they write their LoRs, so help would be greatly valued. I'll try to post a new draft within a few days - I don't feel like the one I have right now is ready to be read by anyone.
Thank you to anyone who read this far!
sop,
statement of purpose