sop: draft 1.5, classical archaeology
Because I'm exactly the sort of person who starts early on this stuff, I've been working on an early draft of my statement of purpose. I've been fortunate enough to receive a few early remarks and make a few early changes, but 1 person being mostly impressed doesn't really make it a second draft, hence this being 1.5. Due to money considerations and the hassle of dealing with gathering 6 different sets of transcripts for every program I consider (let's just say that my academic career has been long, varied, and plagued with gaps until the last 5 years or so) I'm only going to be applying to 6 schools this time around. If nothing happens, I may bite the bullet and widen the net in the future, but for now I definitely feel like I'm taking a gamble. So, obviously, I'm a bit nervous about so much riding on 2 pages of writing.
So please, if there are areas of stupid/wasted writing, or areas that I've somehow left out, let me know. And if I have somehow done some bits fairly well, let me know that too. For lo, I suffer the paranoia of a deeply disturbed control-freak, and I fear it is impossible to accurately judge my own work. Any help and/or criticisms would be much appreciated!
My interest in (program x, with an emphasis in classical archaeology) at (X University) stems from (focus on archaeology with major selling point). I am currently completing an M.A. in Classics, with an emphasis in Classical Archaeology, at San Francisco State University. I received a B.A. in Latin and a B.A. Classics in Classical Civilization at Loyola University Chicago, where I received the Fr. James J. Mertz, S.J. Key for excellence in the study of Latin and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
My desire to pursue graduate studies in classics is centered on three goals: expanding my knowledge into the archaeological areas of the discipline, continuing to improve my relevant language skills, and developing the deeper scholarship and expertise necessary to fulfill long-term professional goals. The primary focus of my previous studies thus far has been the study of classical literature and the Latin language. At this juncture, I will continue to shift my focus to classical archaeology so that I may pursue fieldwork and excavations. Ultimately, I hope to secure a teaching position at the university level.
I am drawn to archaeology, in general, and classics, in particular, on a number of levels.
In archaeology I see the search for information and understanding of early human societies and achievements. In classics I see the common "building blocks" of western civilization from Greek and Roman myths, literature, language, and pre-Christian ideas and attitudes. Taking these in combination, I feel that things are at least as important as words, which focuses my interest on small finds and their place in daily life, the influence of engineering and artistic marvels on modern aesthetics, and the role of ancient city layouts on modern city planning.
During the course of my studies I have developed many academic skills necessary for the study of classics. I have successfully completed a modern language reading exam in German, an ancient language translation exam in Latin, six Greek language courses, and I am currently enrolled in my fifteenth Latin language course. I am also able to read Spanish and some Italian. I have written papers on ancient coinage and the development of money, Roman gardens in the urban domestic environment, and the difficulties of applying knowledge gained from Pompeii to the classical and wider archaeological world. I am currently developing my thesis on the role of gardens in the ancient Roman world.
I have also been pursuing avenues of professional development. In my first year at SFSU I attended and volunteered at a conference for the Pacific Ancient and Modern Languages Association, which was being held on campus, and was active in our student organization, the Classics Students Association. Last year I remained active in the CSA, published a paper in our student run classics journal, Pithos, and served as one of its editors. This year I am continuing my role as an editor of Pithos, serving as secretary of the CSA, and working as the Richard L. Trapp Graduate Teaching Fellow for the department's beginning Latin series, which currently includes teaching the class twice a week. I am also presenting a paper at CSA's Student Forum, planning to attend the AIA's annual conference, and submitting another paper for publication in Pithos.
(¶ on why program X is right for me)
methods/topics i want to study
professors of interest
research centers and/or labs
specializations
As I continue to explore the field of classical archaeology, I hope to survey ancient sites and raise public awareness about the importance of these finds in our modern environment. I would also strive to encourage the conservation and protection of all archaeological sites for future generations. Ultimately, I hope to share my enthusiasm for the classical world as a university professor. I hope to inspire future students to study ancient language and explore ancient stories, to view ancient objects and architecture as windows into our collective past, and to think of learning and knowledge as tools for shaping our understanding of the modern world. I believe that (X University) is an excellent venue for pursuing these goals.
Specific issues that are bothering/worrying me:
- 1st paragraph: do I need it?
- layout/setup: good/bad/indifferent?
- should I make more of a deal about my undergrad work?
- do I sound like I was dropped on my head as a child?
So please, if there are areas of stupid/wasted writing, or areas that I've somehow left out, let me know. And if I have somehow done some bits fairly well, let me know that too. For lo, I suffer the paranoia of a deeply disturbed control-freak, and I fear it is impossible to accurately judge my own work. Any help and/or criticisms would be much appreciated!
My interest in (program x, with an emphasis in classical archaeology) at (X University) stems from (focus on archaeology with major selling point). I am currently completing an M.A. in Classics, with an emphasis in Classical Archaeology, at San Francisco State University. I received a B.A. in Latin and a B.A. Classics in Classical Civilization at Loyola University Chicago, where I received the Fr. James J. Mertz, S.J. Key for excellence in the study of Latin and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
My desire to pursue graduate studies in classics is centered on three goals: expanding my knowledge into the archaeological areas of the discipline, continuing to improve my relevant language skills, and developing the deeper scholarship and expertise necessary to fulfill long-term professional goals. The primary focus of my previous studies thus far has been the study of classical literature and the Latin language. At this juncture, I will continue to shift my focus to classical archaeology so that I may pursue fieldwork and excavations. Ultimately, I hope to secure a teaching position at the university level.
I am drawn to archaeology, in general, and classics, in particular, on a number of levels.
In archaeology I see the search for information and understanding of early human societies and achievements. In classics I see the common "building blocks" of western civilization from Greek and Roman myths, literature, language, and pre-Christian ideas and attitudes. Taking these in combination, I feel that things are at least as important as words, which focuses my interest on small finds and their place in daily life, the influence of engineering and artistic marvels on modern aesthetics, and the role of ancient city layouts on modern city planning.
During the course of my studies I have developed many academic skills necessary for the study of classics. I have successfully completed a modern language reading exam in German, an ancient language translation exam in Latin, six Greek language courses, and I am currently enrolled in my fifteenth Latin language course. I am also able to read Spanish and some Italian. I have written papers on ancient coinage and the development of money, Roman gardens in the urban domestic environment, and the difficulties of applying knowledge gained from Pompeii to the classical and wider archaeological world. I am currently developing my thesis on the role of gardens in the ancient Roman world.
I have also been pursuing avenues of professional development. In my first year at SFSU I attended and volunteered at a conference for the Pacific Ancient and Modern Languages Association, which was being held on campus, and was active in our student organization, the Classics Students Association. Last year I remained active in the CSA, published a paper in our student run classics journal, Pithos, and served as one of its editors. This year I am continuing my role as an editor of Pithos, serving as secretary of the CSA, and working as the Richard L. Trapp Graduate Teaching Fellow for the department's beginning Latin series, which currently includes teaching the class twice a week. I am also presenting a paper at CSA's Student Forum, planning to attend the AIA's annual conference, and submitting another paper for publication in Pithos.
(¶ on why program X is right for me)
methods/topics i want to study
professors of interest
research centers and/or labs
specializations
As I continue to explore the field of classical archaeology, I hope to survey ancient sites and raise public awareness about the importance of these finds in our modern environment. I would also strive to encourage the conservation and protection of all archaeological sites for future generations. Ultimately, I hope to share my enthusiasm for the classical world as a university professor. I hope to inspire future students to study ancient language and explore ancient stories, to view ancient objects and architecture as windows into our collective past, and to think of learning and knowledge as tools for shaping our understanding of the modern world. I believe that (X University) is an excellent venue for pursuing these goals.
Specific issues that are bothering/worrying me:
- 1st paragraph: do I need it?
- layout/setup: good/bad/indifferent?
- should I make more of a deal about my undergrad work?
- do I sound like I was dropped on my head as a child?