Is this overkill? Forum

whattt · Post by **whattt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:37 am

Someone recommended that showing specific interest and careful research about a particular school in my PS would help me stand apart from the pack. For my top choice, I don't have the numbers to get in, but I would sell my left arm to go there.

Would it would be overkill (/come across as insincere) for me to reference a professor and/or specific program that makes me want to go so badly?

trialjunky · Post by **trialjunky** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:40 am

No, I would actually recommend doing that.

whattt · Post by **whattt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:44 am

No, I would actually recommend doing that.

It hasn't been overdone? I'm scared so many applicants do it that it'll come across as disingenuous...

trialjunky · Post by **trialjunky** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:19 am

A lot of applicants have very generic statements that they use for each school

Threepeat · Post by **Threepeat** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:36 am

Have you thought about writing a "Why X" essay in addition to a PS? This allows you to still write a PS that shows Adcomms who you are. I generally think this is more effective than incorporating the Why X into the PS.

whattt · Post by **whattt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:41 am

Have you thought about writing a "Why X" essay in addition to a PS? This allows you to still write a PS that shows Adcomms who you are. I generally think this is more effective than incorporating the Why X into the PS.

Only one of the schools I'm applying has that as an optional essay

Is it possible to write one regardless?

Threepeat · Post by **Threepeat** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:53 am

whattt wrote: Only one of the schools I'm applying has that as an optional essay

Is it possible to write one regardless?

Perhaps check with the school you wish to send it to and see if it is a problem. I don't think it is a problem for a lot of schools, regardless if the application gives the you the option to submit one.

whattt wrote:Also, I love your avatar

Thank you. Is it an avatar? Or a self-pic?

scott82 · Post by **scott82** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:59 am

whattt wrote: Would it would be overkill (/come across as insincere) for me to reference a professor and/or specific program that makes me want to go so badly?

No. As long as you have indeed put in "careful research" on the subject, ideally, a trip to campus.

whattt · Post by **whattt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:02 am

Thank you. Is it an avatar? Or a self-pic?

If its a self-pic, I'm going to whatever school you're going to

Warhawk · Post by **Warhawk** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 am

It's definitely a plus, though I wouldn't write an entire personal statement on that program. The best way to go about it is to tie your interest in that professor or program into an experience that you've had. Generally speaking you don't have a ton of space, so if you reference a program or professor at a particular school, you want to say just enough to demonstrate actual familiarity with that program or professor, without eating up the space you could be talking about yourself.

Basically what I'm saying is, go ahead and express an interest in a program, but then spend most of your personal statement grounding that interest in who you are.

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