Your “Statement of Purpose” (also known as “letter of intent”) should be a polished, professional document that highlights accomplishments, achievements, and interests, and it should set out a tentative plan of study and show why you would be a valuable asset to their program. Think about these general questions:
• Why is your MA thesis work (and coursework) valuable and interesting?
How have your MA studies led to your applying for a PhD?
• What topics do you plan to research in the PhD program?
Why are these avenues interesting & worthy of study?
• Do you have a tentative dissertation project?
If you do mention a specific project, it’s important to make sure someone can work with you on it.
[I once saw an extremely qualified candidate rejected from the UCONN medieval studies program because he said he wanted to work on medieval Hebrew manuscripts. Since there were no professors qualified to direct that project, his application was rejected. If he had done his research on the school before he sent his application, he would have known there were no professors there who worked in that field. When I applied for my PhD program in medieval studies, I included a paragraph on my intended dissertation topic, “The Representation of Islam in Medieval English Literature.” I mentioned some texts I planned to work with, why it was an important topic, and how I had prepared myself to work on the topic. The committee afterwards mentioned that by including the project description, they were reassured that I would be focused and would finish the program on time (always a big concern since PhD students tend to hang around too long). I later changed my topic completely.]
• What resources would you make use of at the school?
Do they have fantastic library archives you can’t wait to get your hands on? Is there an active women’s studies program that will supplement your studies?
• Is there anything interesting or unusual (academically) about you?
Are you bilingual? Have you worked interesting jobs or performed significant community service related to your professional career? (For example, tutoring English at a prison).
• Are you interested in teaching?
Remember that you also want to be considered for a TA‐ship, so it may be appropriate to discuss your teaching experience. Some schools may ask for a separate letter stating your teaching philosophy.
Try to set the tone right
Aim for confident, interesting (and interested in your subject), engaging, professional, smart, but not cocky or arrogant. You want to convince the admissions committee that, if they invest time and money in you, you will be an asset to the program and will ultimately
be able to land a good teaching job.
Be sure to seek comments & suggestions on your letter before you send it out! Show it to your recommenders and take their suggestions seriously.
Do NOT begin your “Statement of Purpose” with the following (all actual
examples I’ve seen!):
· I’m Stephanie and I’m 27 years old.
(Your name is on the application, and this is a rather meaningless opening. Also avoid references to age).
· Since my recent divorce, I’ve been really depressed so I’ve decided to apply to graduate school. (Too much information! They do not want to hear about your personal problems).
· I’ve wanted to be a medievalist ever since I was first given Legos as a child. (This was written with a quill pen on fake parchment! Cutsie will not convince them of your readiness for a PhD program).
· I want to get my PhD for the fun of it. (Programs put a lot of time and energy into training a candidate to be a professional. Why waste their time if you’re not going to be a professional).
One last suggestion: In general, it’s a good idea to leave out faith references in your application. I remember the admissions committee at UCONN was baffled by several personal statements signed “God bless” and “May God guide you in your decision process.” Assume that the admissions committee will be comprised of professors of a variety of religions, and a number will have no religion. 99% of the committee members will believe that faith references do not belong in an academic application. If, however, religious experiences have formed a significant part of your intellectual and professional development, by all means include relevant information. For example, if you’ve been on mission abroad, you can say something like, “I’ve spent several years in x country, where I became fluent in x language, which I intend to continue studying …”).
Suggestions for the Writing Sample
· Check out the programs to see how long the sample should be. Often they won’t give a specific page number. If that’s the case, a 15–25 page paper would be appropriate. Don’t send your entire thesis (unless they ask for it!)
· Make sure your paper is perfect. It will be read for quality/complexity of thought, development of ideas, prose style, etc. Show it to your recommenders before you send it and ask for revisions suggestions.
· Pay attention to details. Get the citation format right. Include a title and page numbers.
· Choose an appropriate writing sample. Don’t send a paper on medieval poetry or creative writing if your application claims that you want to work on twentieth‐century American prose.
· If you have a publication in a good journal, by all means send an offprint as your writing sample.
[Typical PhD Timeline (This can vary from program to program) 1st and 2nd year: coursework 3rd year: comprehensive exams (oral or written exams on your areas of specialization) & writing of dissertation prospectus. After this is completed you will be called “ABD.” 4th year onwards: “Dissertating.” (One year is extremely fast.)]
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