Four quick questions

[creosote_bush]

1. What type of format is standard for writing samples? Do they want to see a title page, abstract, and an outline? Last name in the header in addition to application number (if provided) and page number even if it is technically "wrong" according to the citation method you are using? How did you format your writing sample

Comments

[cosmicwonder]

1.) Unless otherwise specified, the format for the writing sample should be the format that is most commonly used in the field to which you are applying. For instance, in English that would be MLA and History, Chicago. If you're not sure what is the standard format, look at the formatting in the top journal of the field or ask the program that you are applying to.

2.) As to whether tracks are decided during or after you are admitted depends on the program. For my PhD program, this wasn't decided but another program at the same university did require that grad students be assigned advisors as soon as they started. Because of this, I think it'd be best if you ask the program you're applying to how to handle this.

3.) I also get the sense that diversity statements aren't taken seriously unless you fulfill the diversity criteria by the federal government, but I do think you should take this document seriously. If someone on the adcom does happen to read it, you want to make sure that you are giving yourself the best impression.

4.) How you write your SOP for your alma mater depends on what exactly you want to do in the program. I highly suggest that you talk to your professor about your intentions to either keep working on the project or continue a new project. It certainly wouldn't look good if that professor read your SOP and saw that you had different plans than ze thought you had.

[creosote_bush]

Thanks!

You would think that my checking multiple minority boxes would make it easier to write a diversity statement, but it's unfortunately not the case for me. I always feel a little skeevy taking advantage of my minority status when I don't think it's had much at all to do with my decision to pursue graduate studies... Additionally, I really don't feel as if I've been disadvantaged at all, so I'm banging my head against the wall trying to come up with something.

For my SOP to my undergrad institution, how much of it should address the unspoken question "You attended undergrad here, why are you still applying here?" vs. the typical "Why are you applying?"

[cosmicwonder]

I agree that writing diversity statements are really hard unless you have the particular background that is normally associated with being diverse, e.g. race and low economic background. I also think it's wrong to expect you to write one - it really should be optional. But anyway, you have to write one. What is the prompt for the statement? Rather than focus on being disadvantaged, is there a way you could focus on how your background has given you unique insight in the field? I realize it might be a stretch, but that's probably a better way of handling this.

As for the SOP to your undergrad institution, I think that really depends on the school. In my program, there are a lot of students who were also undergrads at the same university - so I don't think there's as much a concern about incest. Have you spoken to some of the professors at your undergrad about you applying? What was their reaction? If they seemed fine with you applying, then I don't think you need to address this issue explicitly, just make sure that your SOP clearly shows why this program is a good fit for you. If they seemed concerned, then you might need to talk about it explicitly. Probably just say something that even though you were an undergrad there, you want to continue studying there because it's a great fit for you. Because your field is so small, I suspect this isn't going to be an issue, but I could be wrong.

[creosote_bush]

If I had the option to opt out of it, I totally would. D:

It's the Berkeley "Personal History" statement, which is really a diversity statement if you read down the list of what they'd want to see. Funnily enough, I actually check the "race" box; unfortunately, I'm an ORM at Berkeley, and I'm sure they don't want to hear another story about Asian-American identity crisis (which I don't have anyways). The truest thing I may be able to talk about is a little bit of culture clash, but even then, it's not substantial.

I'd mentioned above that I hadn't been planning on applying to my undergrad institution. In fact, three of the profs I consulted (out of four) in my department told me I should definitely apply here, so they should be pretty aware of my circumstances, I imagine. The fourth pretty much just said that he preferred to send students elsewhere and that it would be more difficult for me to get into my undergrad institution, but he didn't seem particularly hesitant towards my staying otherwise.

[cosmicwonder]

I sent you a message regarding the diversity issue.

In terms of the SOP to your undergrad, I wouldn't worry about explicitly addressing why you are applying despite being an undergrad there. It doesn't seem to be an issue. Just make sure that it's clear in your SOP that this program will support your studies in your research interests.