<p>I graduated with a bachelors in EE and Physics and I am applying for a MSc in computer science. I found a program at UPenn called MCIT designed for people with no prior experience in computer science. I have a 3.66 overall GPA and am confident will get good GRE scores. My problem is with the SOP. I am confused with writing a career change SOP to show them why I am suddenly interested in computer science. </p>
<p>So, I found contact info of some people who are current students/alumni of the MCIT program and I was going to email them and ask if they can send me a copy of their SOP for me to get an idea. Is this a good plan and is it ok to do this?</p>
<p>P.S I do NOT intend to plagiarize from their SOP, just to get an idea.</p>
<p>If a random person asked me for my SOP I would not send it to them. I wouldn’t even do this for (non-close) friends. </p>
<p>So what you’re saying is you want to apply to this program, but you have no idea why you want to apply to it?
Who else can possibly answer that question for you but yourself?</p>
<p>This is a terrible idea and may even immediately put you on the reject list if you pick the wrong person.</p>
<p>You show them why you are suddenly interested in computer science… by telling them why you are suddenly interested in computer science. That’s a question only you can answer.</p>
<p>If you want to look at example SOPs, then find a book on writing statement of purposes (there will likely be some at the library, or you could purchase one). There are many books that have multiple example SOPs, some of which will likely be examples of particular topics (like a student writing about a career change). Asking strangers for a copy of a statement of purpose is strange and inappropriate. If you would like to get advice from current students, then I would just ask them for advice on your situation. However, I think it would be much more appropriate if you got that advice from someone you already know, like a professor in the field.</p>
<p>Yeah, OP, I wouldn’t do this. If a random student emailed me to ask for my statement of purpose, I would not offer it to them. The only time I allow people to use my SoPs is if I know them personally and trust that they won’t plagiarize my work.</p>
<p>In any case, I agree with the rest - only you know why you want to study computer science. So sit down and start drafting. Don’t worry about getting it perfect just yet, or having it make sense - you can always edit it later. Just sit down and write, write write about whatever things interest you about computer science, and let your passion do the talking for you.</p>