Should you include this information in the SOP if they don't ask for it?

[sam1042]

I'm applying to a program that has very vague instructions about what should be include in the SOP. This is what it says: A Personal Statement is required as part of the application. Here, please state your anticipated objectives as a student in this specific program, including a clearly articulated statement of the area you wish to examine in

Comments

[saralinds]

It's not vague. It's clear. They want to see the "academic" side of you. They want to know what kind of ideas and questions you have that you'd like to consider for a MA thesis topic. They want to know where you're getting them from (as in how are you prepared to undertake grad coursework and thesis?).

If they don't ask for a resume or honors or anything of that sort, it tells you that they DON'T CARE. They are MORE interested in YOUR ideas than some academic achievements you've made based on your GPA.

That's your plan.

[x_biteme]

If that is what they want, I would focus on your purpose to be in that specific program and your research statement.

Most of my programs did not ask about how my interests fit with the faculty, but I included that in because it benefited my research goal to work with some of the profs. Quite a few of my schools didn't ask for my resume. I still got in without listing my honors/awards. Having a clear research goal is really most important.

[roseofjuly]

I think 2 and 3 are related to what they've already asked - they want to know the area in which you examine in your master's thesis and you can note (briefly) how the school's resources can help you accomplish those goals and why you think you fit there. However, you can be relatively brief with this section because you will be a master's student, and in general fit with the department is less important for master's programs than doctoral programs (although still important

[sociolograd]

If someone has won, e.g., an award from their department, then I think they can absolutely work it into their SOP in a way that sounds acceptably modest. "I was honored to be awarded the XXX award, which is..." It should not be one of the first things in the SOP, but should be mentioned in passing.

[sociolograd]

I would be very wary of drawing too many conclusions from a department's stated description of the SOP they want. My own department has a TERRIBLE description up on its website (come to think of it, I should suggest that we change it). It was probably written a decade ago by a staff person who has nothing to do with admissions. Applicants are better off ignoring it.

If you're applying to a program that primarily trains people to seek jobs at research universities, then the main thing they want to see evidence of is your ability to conduct interesting research, which includes evidence that you have done so in the past, your intellectual curiosity, etc. I would include whatever information you think shows that best, in whatever format does it best (within the confines of being a professional essay, of course).

[sociolograd]

By the way, you can most certainly send along a resume even if it's not requested. If this is the only good place to list significant honors and awards, then I think you should DEFINITELY do so. You can also look for indirect ways of referencing them in your SOP.