Is 1300 words too long for an SOP?

Graduate School
1

<p>I've asked this before, I tried reviewing my SOP and I just can't seem to cut it down! </p>

<p>Well, this is how the flow goes:</p>

<p>Introduction Hook/Why am I applying... 327 words
Research work...motivation 146 words
Pre-Undergraduate years 89 words
Talking about my work in a startup company 151 words
Internship/Introduction to the university 107 words
Academic Life/Extra-curricular accolades 169 words
Research Goals/Talking about what I know about the university and their research work/What I plan to do there 190 words
Final Thoughts/ Some parental Background 180 words</p>

<p>I'm applying for a masters in computer science. Problem is... My SOP is just too long! 8171 characters, 1360 odd words! Now, the college says 2 pages which with the help of fonts I've reduced it to. Where do you think I might be overstating myself..... I've got a lot in my profile n I need to find some way to convey it without shooting myself! Well, my intro is kind of long and states pretty much my main reason for joining in.... So I can't remove it. Is there a chance they might read the whole thing?</p>

2

<p>I’d cut these:</p>

<p>**Pre-Undergraduate years **89 words <---- usually not relevant
Internship/Introduction to the university 107 words <—not sure what this is
**Academic Life/Extra-curricular accolades **169 words <—ought to be on CV/resume
**Final Thoughts/ Some parental Background **180 words <—save for interviews or integrate w/ introduction</p>

<p>That puts you at 815 words. But it’s not about word count anyway, though try to get it under 2 pages. If you cut down those then you could potentially even expand on other areas which you mentioned, which look kind of scant to me.</p>

3

<p>Academic Life/Extra-curricular accolades 169 words <—ought to be on CV/resume</p>

<p>I’m actually a national quizzing champion, magazine writer and have been a part of many social service endeavours… So i was writing about that… Is taht superflous?</p>

<p>Internship/Introduction to the university 107 words <—not sure what this is
Basically, it was while working at my internship that i got the ideas for my research work. N it was then that I first read aboout the university and a particular article by someone there that got me hooked onto my major.</p>

<p>Final Thoughts/ Some parental Background 180 words
Thats kind of my magnum opus… I’m just hoping they reach till there!</p>

4

<p>OK…is it fine if I write more about the stuff I already know about the university (which I do) like their projects or the work of individual professors? Coz that is taking a massive chunk of all my SOP’s… Actually, my grades are nowhere near the top of my class… But well, I’m trying to provide any excuse or anything for them really because I’m fine with them… n my college is kinda filled with toppers. Should I address that instead of talk about what i know and look forward to doing at the college??</p>

5

<p>Beyond the tips I already gave you, it’s almost impossible for me to say w/o reading the statement itself.</p>

6

<p>hmmm… well…can u actually read it? I mean…im going out on a limb! But well…!</p>

7

<p>Sure I’ll take a look at it. I’m almost finished with mine so I’ve got some time. Shoot me a PM.</p>

<p>Since I have absolutely no idea who you are this ought to be an interesting exercise. BTW I am not in the same field as you so the good part is, I’ll be honest/won’t be uber competitive against you - the bad part is I may not know what I’m talking about. Lol.</p>

8

<p>The average length of my SOPs for all 11 schools I applied to was around 1400-1500, or about two pages single-spaced.</p>

<p>If you’re being concise and coherent, absolute length plays less of a role.</p>

9

<p>Well, im actually applying for a Master’s degree. You think I should still talk about research work n stuff? Coz thats what I really wanna do… But im too uhhh…raw for a PhD…</p>

10

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<p>This I don’t understand. Most PhD programs accept students w/o Masters. If you know you want research/PhD, why not just go for it?</p>

11

<p>frankly…ok! My folks cant afford paying for 3-4 years of college n I myself don’t consider myself capable for it… I want to do the Masters and make a base for myself… So that when i do the PhD… I know what to do!</p>

<p>OK on a side note…I’m not thinking of putting my final year project of engineering in my SOP…!! Its in my resume but not my SOP…! Is that ok?</p>

12

<p>I would probably omit some of the smaller things to put in your final project.</p>

13

<p>PhD programs are usually fully funded, so you are just adding debt by going for a master’s first. You will have some time to crack down on a focus area in your first year, or even the months leading up to it if you do some research and read up on things.</p>

14

<p>Opportunity costs aside, you incur more debt going to a Masters than any credible PhD.</p>

<p>Include research – it only helps, even in Masters admissions.</p>

15

<p>As I said…I can’t do a PhD now. If the colleges agree to possibly fun me after my Masters then I’ll go for it. But I don’t think my credentials are good enough to hit it now…</p>

<p>Well, my greatest fear right now is that they won’t read my SOP thru and thru!</p>

16

<p>I applied to six places by yesterday. As in, hit the submit button at six places.</p>

<p>My SOP’s first half was the same for all schools, but I customized the second half which was all “why I’m applying.”</p>

<p>For no school was my SOP more than 650 words.</p>

<p>1300 is a tad too long, it could get boring.</p>