How in depth should the Statements be? Is there a word minimum, maximum, or suggested length?
We don’t want you to be burdened with a long complicated application, but we do want to know about you, your goals, studies, talents, motivation, and what you hope to gain from the program. You should clarify your research interests and list some labs in which you would like to work. The question about outside activities is entirely optional. There is no word limit for any of the statements. Just be as concise as you can without omitting any ideas that might help us in evaluating your application. From among those accepted into the program in previous years, the longest statement was 853 words, and the average was about 350 words per statement. Admission requires more than positive qualities and well written statements, it requires an available host laboratory for each participant; so your application is strengthened if you expand on your research interests and suggest some professors with whom you might want to work.
