At this point, you might be wondering how you find a graduate program that fits your interest? There are a couple of different paths, but the end goal is to review the graduate program’s webpages to learn more about the specifics of the program and the professor(s) of interest.

• Conduct an internet search using keywords based on your research interests. Do not let this be the only place you look as it will not immediately be inclusive of all possibilities. Another resource is Peterson’s, an online resource which includes a graduate school search tool.
• Review research articles you’re reading in class and/or labs that you’ve found to be interesting. Who are the authors? Where do they work? What are their interests?
• Talk with your professors. Do they know anyone who is doing the work you’re interested in? Or programs/institutions that have labs or facilities that would align with the work you want to do?

Demonstrating fit to program is one of the most forgotten parts of the SoP, but it can be one of the most important parts of your argument as to why a specific graduate program is the right place for you. Many writers have concerns about how to write SoPs if they are applying for multiple programs. You will need to revise your SoP for each school, but much of the statement will likely stay the same; what you need to focus on changing is the discussion of why a program is a good fit for you and how it will help you achieve your career objectives and engage in your research interests.

Brainstorming (Part 2): Given that most SoPs are in the range of 500-1000 words, it’s usually the case that you won’t be able to talk about all your experiences – that’s okay! Remember that you’ll include your CV and/or resume in your application. In the first brainstorming activity in this section, you were asked to make a comprehensive list of your experiences, what you’ve learned, and how they impacted you. Now, think about curating that list and creating explicit connections with your motivation.

This activity can also be downloaded: SoPBrainstormingQuestions [DOC]