statement of purpose/personal statement
So, I'm applying to English PhD programs, and I'm having a couple of issues with my SoP and personal statement.
SOP: One of the things that schools say you can use this for is to address any discrepancies you may have in your gpa, or whatever. I was ill for most of my sophomore year, and though I stayed at school and completed the year, it definitely did not do wonders for my gpa. Is this something I should mention, however briefly? I'm having a hard time making it fit into my essay without it seeming totally tacked on. Anyone else dealing with this issue?
Personal Statement: So, I know that talking about how you have always loved books/reading/etc. is a kiss of death. Would this apply, though, to specific genres? Would it be bad to talk about how my childhood addiction to fantasy was part of what led me to my current love of medieval literature? Also, even if it is okay to talk about specific genres, would fantasy not be something that I should talk about? Would grad committees look down on that?
Thanks so much!
SOP: One of the things that schools say you can use this for is to address any discrepancies you may have in your gpa, or whatever. I was ill for most of my sophomore year, and though I stayed at school and completed the year, it definitely did not do wonders for my gpa. Is this something I should mention, however briefly? I'm having a hard time making it fit into my essay without it seeming totally tacked on. Anyone else dealing with this issue?
Personal Statement: So, I know that talking about how you have always loved books/reading/etc. is a kiss of death. Would this apply, though, to specific genres? Would it be bad to talk about how my childhood addiction to fantasy was part of what led me to my current love of medieval literature? Also, even if it is okay to talk about specific genres, would fantasy not be something that I should talk about? Would grad committees look down on that?
Thanks so much!