Lol, that was a good one.

I see your point. I was thinking about submitting a 2-3 thousand essay on one of this prominent professor´s field of research, but it´d not contain data analysis, modeling, etc, only literature survey.

Would you say this is the riskiest thing to do?, given that with surveys it´s more complicated to attain some "originality level" necessary to appropriately impress the adms committee.

It happens that nowhere on the school´s website it is mentioned that applicants may submit writing samples, but someone from there just told me that "some applicants send thesis, conference papers, etc".

I think it makes sense that if an applicant sends a research sample in one of the fields of a key professor, her/his chances will improve even if this is post-deadline (after all, they don´t mention it at all in their application guidelines).

What about submitting a writing sample, such as a monography on one of the research interests mentioned in the statement?

Would submitting an improved, but after-the-deadline, personal statement be seen negatively by the adms committee? On one hand it´d be a better crafted, with more relevant content, and more attractive to read piece of writing; on the other hand, it´d be, well, after the school´s deadline. In your experience, would it really help?

Hello; I worked as an engineer, but as I said previously, my interest in the PhD was initiated in the classroom.

I guess it won´t diminish my chances of admission that I don´t show some link between previous work experience and research interests.

I was thinking I could develop the essay writing about my previous research experience -in tangential subjects- and mentioning the relevant skills I´ve developed. I could continue talking about the most interesting topics of my last postgraduate degree and how I´ve been inspired to further my knowledge about them with a PhD.

Does it make sense to you?

A key part of a personal statement is showing what you´ve learnt from your previous experiences and which questions/research have they inspired in you.

In my case, going for the PhD totally comes from my great enthusiasm towards the subject of the graduate program I took last year (which was a no dissertation one, so no research on this matter). My previous work exp is also tangential. In this case, how could one show evidence of "previous experiences" that have inspired going for a PhD?

Thanks guys. UFO, how´d you define a "research personality"? (independent worker, studious, good at quant, etc?)

I´ve just spoken with the Chair of Finance of a school I´m applying to, and he underline the importance of showing that I "understand what it means to do a PhD" (grueling wrk for 4 years, will work mostly independently, etc). I´ve researched for my master´s thesis and for a work project. How could I convey the fact that I "understand what it means to do a PhD"?

Yes, you are right. It also happens that those things to achieve on a personal level appear in most sample essays I´ve seen on the web, and I´m afraid my essay wouldn´t look so "unique". The question would now be, how to make those objectives unique and stand out of the crowd?

I have to write on (1) my reasons for pursuing doctoral studies, (2) personal objectives, and (3) career plans. The last one is straightforward. The first one: have done some research and liked it very much, have a solid quantitative background (necessary for a PhD in Finance) and feel I can do well in an academic career.

The second topic (personal objectives) sounds rather repetitive to me (a hybrid of topics (1) and (3)) so I basically do not know what else to write in this regard. Please help.

XJR, I intend to do a PhD in Finance in the US. For that applicant pool there's plenty of competition from people who've already researched at post-msc level, so I guess I have to extra portray my motivation and love of the field.

A couple of years ago I started a company with 3 other people. After about 6 months and some internal conflicts I decided to leave. Even though in terms of financial gain the results were null, in terms of experience the outcome was quite positive. Is it worthwhile mentioning in the statement of purpose?

In your statement of purpose, how would you convey the fact that you are very motivated to do a PhD even though your previous research experience is minimal (in my case, only the Msc thesis)?

Thank you guys. Adem, do you also work as RA/TA (which is how I'd fund my PhD), or your 9-5 schedule is mostly study/research?

I'd love to do a PhD in Finance, like the subject very much. The thing is, I happen to have terrible heartburn symptoms whenever I stay awake past 1 am... seems to be a rare situation since docs don't find a reason for that, and of course I don't want it to turn into something more serious.

How is a typical PhD schedule? is it grueling nearly-24x7, or it's more like 60-80 hs per week (pretty manageable, with little overnight work)? Also, at the PhD level, are top unis/programs still more demanding than 2nd-tiers or both are equally demanding in terms of hs/week required? Thank you.