tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post3257233560446304023..comments2024-03-25T11:49:21.281-07:00Comments on The Splintered Mind: Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part V: Statement of PurposeEric Schwitzgebelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-76924567869126514742018-12-08T23:30:16.221-08:002018-12-08T23:30:16.221-08:00Thank you so much for your blog! You suggest spend...Thank you so much for your blog! You suggest spending a good chunk of the purpose statement on specific research interests--what would you recommend to a student whose research interests are still flexible and vague? At this point I think the subfield I'm most likely to want to specialize in is ethics, but of course that is a huge category, and I'm not sure even of that. I also haven't had much coursework in ethics yet, so I don't know what specific questions I might want to study, and I wouldn't be able to speak particularly knowledgeably about them yet even if I did. The field I've done the most work in (through a research assistantship as well as in coursework) is philosophy of religion, so I could speak more knowledgeably about specific questions in philosophy of religion than in ethics, but it is actually not one of my longterm top research interests.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-48833821656275547022016-09-09T07:58:23.323-07:002016-09-09T07:58:23.323-07:00I'm not as knowledgeable about M.A. admissions...I'm not as knowledgeable about M.A. admissions, but I think that probably a similar SOP would be good. Good luck!Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-7696251914023805002016-09-08T19:58:49.589-07:002016-09-08T19:58:49.589-07:00Hi Eric!
I really appreciate all your time and de...Hi Eric!<br /><br />I really appreciate all your time and dedication you put into your blog as well as responding to everybody. A seemingly silly question: would you approach a SOP for MA programs differently than PhD programs? Or do you think that everything recommended for a SOP for PhD programs carries over for MA programs? The reason I ask this is that I intend on applying to several MA programs before (ideally) continuing on to the PhD level. My primary reason for doing this is that I come from a small liberal arts institution, despite having a strong GPA. Even though I majored in philosophy as an undergrad, I'm not sure how to go about articulating why I'm applying only for a MA without just saying that I want to be more prepared and qualified for competitive doctoral programs (and my unapologetic love for studying philosophy!). I should also add that I'm in the process of finishing a Master in Bioethics at UPenn this year. The MA programs I'm interested in are Tufts, Brandeis, and the BPhil at Oxford. Thank you for your insights! And forgive me if I sound too presumptuous or arrogant, that's obviously not my intent. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04276665765433226937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-74227375804982577942016-02-02T14:39:43.298-08:002016-02-02T14:39:43.298-08:00Anna: As long as there is at least one faculty mem...Anna: As long as there is at least one faculty member in each area, I think you'll be perceived as a reasonable-to-excellent fit.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-56718044371977735722016-02-02T14:38:42.501-08:002016-02-02T14:38:42.501-08:00Mar 29: Sorry I missed that! It's a hard call...Mar 29: Sorry I missed that! It's a hard call, and I think people might reasonable differ on whether conscious efforts at affirmative action compensate for potential implicit bias once race is revealed. One possibility is to encourage a letter-writer to mention it. You can also of course mention it yourself, but be sure to have someone check it over for tone.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-32681186332968793202016-02-02T13:20:45.030-08:002016-02-02T13:20:45.030-08:00Eric,
Thank you so much for doing this blog!
I h...Eric,<br /><br />Thank you so much for doing this blog!<br /><br />I have a question about SoPs, though i've already submitted my applications! It just occurred to me to be nervous about a school I previously considered myself a top candidate for, because of my SoP. In particular, I applied to this school with a statement that says i'm interested in three main areas of philosophy and how they interact with each other, and this school is extremely strong in one of the three areas (which is the one I wrote my writing sample on and have taken the most classes in), and then only has a few folks who explicitly work on the other two areas. I think this school is a great fit for me, especially as class-wise it's part of a consortium so i would be able to take classes in the other two areas, and i really want to work with this school's faculty in each area i mentioned.<br /><br />My question is: do you think it's unreasonable that they would choose a candidate like me over somebody who says all of their research interests are represented in spades at this school?<br /><br />Thank you for any help,<br />AnnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-66764159136726954752014-03-29T23:27:37.781-07:002014-03-29T23:27:37.781-07:00Dear Professor Schwitzgebel,
First off, love the...Dear Professor Schwitzgebel, <br /><br />First off, love the blog. In particular, the information and advice about applying to grad school is extremely useful. Thanks! <br /><br />I'm wondering whether and how I ought to mention in my SOP that I might qualify as part of an underrepresented group in philosophy. (I'm mixed-race.) I don't want it to come off as petitioning or as asking for special treatment in some way. Do you think I should include the info in my SOP, and if so, how do you think I should go about doing it? <br /><br />By the way, I applied this year, and I'm currently short listed at a Top-15 PGR-ranked department. From what the DGS has told me, things may very well come down to the wire on April 15; sounds like my chances of getting an offer are 50/50-ish. I'm preparing for re-applying in the Fall, tho'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-1872655780592699822013-11-19T11:59:26.025-08:002013-11-19T11:59:26.025-08:00Well, one wants to be careful and err on the side ...Well, one wants to be careful and err on the side of caution. Definitely run it by your advisors, and if any one of them thinks it comes off wrong, cut it.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-60142063672313824972013-11-14T09:40:44.516-08:002013-11-14T09:40:44.516-08:00This post is extremely helpful. One question--the ...This post is extremely helpful. One question--the example statement B opens with something like a joke. Is it wise to use a joking, lighthearted tone in the statement of purpose, or could it come off unprofessionally?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-36962726767610758052013-11-05T08:26:00.768-08:002013-11-05T08:26:00.768-08:00A vague mention of "health problems" see...A vague mention of "health problems" seems like the right approach to me. I'm not sure how seriously that will be taken, but if the term is really uncharacteristic, flexibly-minded committee members might take it seriously. I disincline to recommend mentioning the suicide attempt even if you were personally comfortable doing so, since some committee members might have a negative reaction to that.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-36160013424733075982013-11-05T07:21:03.607-08:002013-11-05T07:21:03.607-08:00I'm not sure if you still are notified of thes...I'm not sure if you still are notified of these comments, but...<br /><br />One semester I managed to make some fairly not-too-great grades. While there is an explanation (I was dealing with the stress of hospitalisation after attempting suicide), it is *very* personal and might even disincline the readers from admitting me more than the grades! What would be a good solution? Will talk about "health problems" be too vague to take seriously?<br /><br />Thanks so much for this series of posts!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-71583445772258379512013-05-15T14:45:37.878-07:002013-05-15T14:45:37.878-07:00This is an "old boys club" for sure. Wh...This is an "old boys club" for sure. What everyone does is pander to PhD egos. What is wrong with wanting to teach and mentor young minds? I'll tell you, tenure is based on publishing and research. I don't want to publish and do research, I want to teach. All these statements do is promote those able to BS the best. I guess I'll need to lie to get in, then once I have a PhD work to change this corrupt system from within...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-63606882506943062712013-05-10T08:04:13.313-07:002013-05-10T08:04:13.313-07:00That was really quick! Thanks for the thoughts.That was really quick! Thanks for the thoughts.Lastanonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-11104778180995532682013-05-10T07:54:05.706-07:002013-05-10T07:54:05.706-07:00Anon May 10: My impressions:
1. I wouldn't d...Anon May 10: My impressions:<br /><br />1. I wouldn't discuss it much if at all. Confession, angst, or apology doesn't tend to come off well. Be cool, professional, and upbeat.<br /><br />2. Don't say anything at all about this. The time to explore this is *after* you have been admitted, when you are choosing between programs. The people to ask about this would be advanced students (5th year and beyond).<br /><br />3. Not really a problem.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-14308280903402730152013-05-10T06:55:35.569-07:002013-05-10T06:55:35.569-07:00Let me be another person to thank you for maintain...Let me be another person to thank you for maintaining these pages.<br /><br />At the moment I'm studying for a second MA, but it looks like I might not complete enough coursework to get the degree. I'd still like to do a doctorate, though, now I've learned some lessons about how I study best. Firstly, how do you think I should discuss the lost year in personal statements and how should I list it (if I list it at all) on my CV? <br /><br />Secondly, I've learned that I need someone else setting me quite a tight schedule to get stuff done - what is the best way to let the department I'm applying to know that I'd prefer to be supervised more closely than a lot of PhD candidates? (I'm obviously not going to ask for potential supervisors to do more work supervising me, just to do it a bit differently from usual if possible.)<br /><br /> Thirdly, since my first MA didn't have a thesis component and I might not get the chance to submit the thesis for this one, is that going to spook the departments I'm applying to, and if so, what can I do about it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-52249979983066276892013-01-24T16:41:52.200-08:002013-01-24T16:41:52.200-08:00Sarah: A "good fit" is an advantage but ...Sarah: A "good fit" is an advantage but not a necessity. Many admittees have somewhat vague interests that don't align perfectly with the department. What doesn't work is when you have very specific interests that don't fit with what the department can offer.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-75949344270599711262013-01-24T14:08:26.062-08:002013-01-24T14:08:26.062-08:00Hello, thank you for the helpful post. I am applyi...Hello, thank you for the helpful post. I am applying to MA programs in Philosophy. <br /><br />Besides the website descriptions of the programs and course offerings, though, I don't have an extremely in-depth familiarity with the programs or faculty. The reason why is that I'm not too picky as to what school I go to, as long as I know it is a quality institution with a reasonably diverse course offering and faculty. My interests are diverse, I'm not sure what I want my thesis to be on, I merely love philosophy in general. My undergraduate institute focused on Continental philosophy, which I enjoy, but I also see the benefit in going to a more Analytically-focused school to become more well-rounded. Do you think it will reflect negatively on me if I don't have very specific philosophic interests that closely line up with the program I am applying to?<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Sarah<br />Sarah B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-86609301735275313502013-01-04T13:31:17.176-08:002013-01-04T13:31:17.176-08:00Anon Jan 4: You have enough of a background in phi...Anon Jan 4: You have enough of a background in philosophy to justify applying. No need to discuss your lack of background in metaphysics etc. It might make sense to say a bit about the evolution of your interests over time, highlighting what brought you into philosophy.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-3456072932593263952013-01-04T13:26:48.996-08:002013-01-04T13:26:48.996-08:00First of all, Professor, thank you for your consis...First of all, Professor, thank you for your consistent hard work in helping students out. I'm sure you are aware of this, but your website is incredibly helpful!<br /><br />I was wondering if you might be able to provide a few brief comments about my situation. I am applying to PhD programs in philosophy, but I have no proper background in the subject. I received a BA in mathematics from a university with an internationally prestigious math department and did well (summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, honors). I then started a PhD program in math, but didn't like it, so I withdrew after the first year. (I didn't have any academic problems, it was more a matter of me deciding that if I didn't like it, I should get out sooner rather than later, in addition to not wanting to waste the department's money to fund me when I knew my heart wasn't into it).<br /><br />I then completed a master's in political theory from a prestigious university in the UK. I did well in this degree (they award degrees according to the following classification scheme: Pass, Merit, Distinction. I received a Distinction; Merit is the average) and believe I should have good letters of recommendations from philosophers or political philosophers (the latter being in the political science department at my university). My master's degree was heavily oriented to ethics and other important philosophical topics, such as philosophy of history (where we read Kant, Hegel and Marx), foundationalism in political theory (where we read works by GA Cohen, Rawls, and Habermas), and philosophy of science (where we read Karl Popper, among other people). The first time I saw anything about citizenship or democratic theory, etc.. was in the last two weeks of the course!<br /><br />Do I need to address my transition from math to political theory to now wanting to do a PhD in philosophy? Or since my political theory degree was heavily oriented to topics that one might study as a proper philosophy student, should I simply describe my interests in philosophy, maybe say a few words about my background, and hope that my writing sample and letters carry the day? How do I address my lack of a background in metaphysics, for example (or other substantive areas that PhD programs might hope applicants have a background in)? And should I say something about why I am now committed to carrying through with a PhD program? I am afraid that my having withdrawn from one PhD program will raise serious doubts in the eyes of admissions committees.<br /><br />Thank you!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-48395941196435265872012-12-15T16:07:34.755-08:002012-12-15T16:07:34.755-08:00Kendall, I'm inclined to think that you should...Kendall, I'm inclined to think that you shouldn't try too hard to explain. It's not uncommon for students to struggle early on and then find philosophy and excel near the end, maybe not even with a philosophy major. It doesn't really need explaining; it's evident from your transcript. Generally, all else being equal, committees will prefer a student with a stronger overall record. But all else is not always equal!Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-25614348798659310332012-12-15T15:07:36.900-08:002012-12-15T15:07:36.900-08:00Even though this post is 4 years old, it's sti...Even though this post is 4 years old, it's still extremely helpful. The history of my academic career has been a bit crazy. I'm fairly intelligent, but I did not garner good study skills in high school because school came so easy to me. That carried on into college which brought down my GPA for the first year or so. Furthermore, I was undecided on my major for the first year, was planning on transferring after my second year but decided not to, then I studied abroad the 2nd semester of sophomore year and was unable to finish the semester. It wasn't until my junior year I became interested in philosophy and by then I was unable to complete a major and am ending up with a political science major and philosophy minor. How can I state this without detailing my entire background, yet giving sufficient evidence to my lower GPA and unique background?Kendallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-87669975659456682722012-12-09T11:34:55.744-08:002012-12-09T11:34:55.744-08:00Anon Dec 8: I think that's fine, especially si...Anon Dec 8: I think that's fine, especially since you already have some grad school. As long as you're keenly aware of the issue of avoiding arrogance, you'll probably phrase things in a way that comes across okay.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-56325817022860894152012-12-09T11:17:34.133-08:002012-12-09T11:17:34.133-08:00Anon Dec 9: Right! See my update post on statemen...Anon Dec 9: Right! See my update post on statements of purpose, from earlier this year.Eric Schwitzgebelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11541402189204286449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-52624673937599780442012-12-09T10:04:23.632-08:002012-12-09T10:04:23.632-08:00Eric,
I have noticed that UC Riverside requires a...Eric,<br /><br />I have noticed that UC Riverside requires a SOP as well a statement about "personal history". I'm really unsure of what to write in the latter. Also, I wonder how closely these are read. I don't want to write in anything that could somehow hurt my application. Thanks for any input!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26951738.post-29268347958559149552012-12-08T00:05:29.928-08:002012-12-08T00:05:29.928-08:00Hi Eric,
Thanks for the very informative and usef...Hi Eric,<br /><br />Thanks for the very informative and useful blog! I have one question concerning the SOP.<br /><br />In my SOP, I mention several papers that I've written, and I mention the arguments of these papers in outline. In some of these papers I've argued positions perhaps contrary to some of the professors at some of the schools I'm applying to. <br /><br />My worry is that the SOP may come off conceited and arrogant, even though, I've never explicitly said anyone or any position was wrong in my SOP. I always restricted my descriptions to simply, "I argued this and that," etc. <br /><br />I felt it was important to outline the arguments of the papers I've written, especially as being in grad. school for two years now, they may want to see my grasp of the literature. <br /><br />So do you think it would be fine doing so, but restricting the language and never explicitly saying someone or some position is wrong? <br /><br />Thanks for the advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com