<p>I am applying for a history master's degree at a pretty prestigious university. The statement of purpose is limited to 500 words. For a master's degree, should I stay light on my actual research interests and mentioning professors? In 500 words, it seems difficult to devote more than a solid paragraph to a dissertation proposal without sacrificing career goals, relevant background, etc.</p>
<p>In other words, how much detail do you think I should really go into on my research interest when I'm limited to such a short statement?</p>
<p>They're more interested in why you're going for your MA- they want to see if you have a goal. Your transcripts and CV will show relevant background. Mention any relevant background that isn't mentioned in those papers. You can propose questions or ideas that you're interested in and you can connect them to the faculty members that you want to work with. You're not expected to know your "dissertation" topic... that's for PhD and that's 2-3 years of research and writing.... I don't believe that they expect you to come up with a MA "thesis" until at least after your first semester in the MA program. You'll have enough room. Just be very concise.</p>
<p>The university where I'm at a Ph.D program also had a limit of 500 words -- I was bugging out -- and they wanted a proposed dissertation topic too (maybe you're applying to my university? I think the grad school application is pretty much the same). I definitely mentioned my research interests and some professors, though, I just did it all in one paragraph. I was "light" in the sense that I didn't go into excruciating detail, just noted the general area of research and specific populations in which I was interested, and mentioned one resource (a center) and three professors whose work I was intrigued by.</p>
<p>I also spent half a paragraph on the dissertation proposal; I think the other half was something related to my research interests. Honestly, they don't want to see a well-planned dissertation already in the works, they just want to see that you're thinking about it.</p>
<p>I can send you my 500-word one-page statement for an example if you PM me (I'm at Columbia now).</p>