Philosophy 2010

Aug 16, 2009 21:41

This is for anyone applying to Philosophy graduate programs during the 2009-2010 academic year. Please share acceptances, rejections, wait-list notifications, and so on.

Best of luck to everyone applying!

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Specific faculty mentioned on SOP? anonymous September 24 2009, 17:08:55 UTC
Anyone want to discuss whether or not (and why) they listed specific faculty members on their SOP? I want to taylor my SOP to each school, but I'm hesitant to list who I'd be interested in working with (since I haven't read the works of many of the faculty at the departments I'll be applying to).

Besides, isn't it obvious from my own stated interests (assuming they don't change) who I'd be interested in working?

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Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP? philosophygrad September 24 2009, 22:57:44 UTC
Well, I think it could help it sound like you are interested in the dept, but if it's done in a cheesy way it could hurt. If you have specific interests that line up directly w/ interests of people on the faculty, then say that. If it's a stretch, I'd avoid doing it.

At the end of the day, the SOP really doesn't mean that much (from what I can tell) in terms of whether you'll be admitted. Basically, it seems that it can hurt you (e.g., if you come off sounding crazy, desperate, etc.), but it will not help you very much. Your writing sample, GRE, GPA and other things count way more toward whether or not you'll be admitted.

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Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP? tuna99 September 25 2009, 05:08:35 UTC
In addition to what philosophygrad said, you might also run the risk of angering a faculty member who reads your SOP if he/she also works in the area(s) you've specified, but interprets the situation to mean you think they're not good enough to work with you. The department knows who they've got working for them and they know your interests (if you clearly state them), so I say leave off specific names. Just my two cents.

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Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP? anonymous September 28 2009, 14:37:26 UTC
Applied last year, didn't list any, and it didn't seem to hurt me.

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Re: Specific faculty mentioned on SOP? anonymous October 1 2009, 07:54:12 UTC
I applied last year and didn't mention a single faculty member in any of my SoPs. I ended up with offers from four of the six schools I applied to. Personally, mentioning particular faculty members has always struck me as a little strange. In most cases, you have no clue what the person whose name you're dropping is actually like in real life. You could find out that your hero is a real jerk in person. I think the key is to look for departments that are strong in the area(s) you're interested in. If you look for overall departmental fit you will end up in the right place.

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