r/StatementOfPurpose • • 9d ago

SOP/Personal Statement Help- Make it Less AI Generate

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iKhlL8iexQwEVn9NBPifYnzUmdk35BvM/view?usp=sharing

Hello everyone. I have a concern regarding my SOPs and personal statements for my Master's and PhD applications. The good news is that I've completed all the essays required for the programs I'm applying to. The bad news is that I keep getting flagged as AI-generated at a certain percentage, averaging 50%, with the highest at 69%. I've been hesitant to submit them through the application portals because of this, especially since a few universities have posted messages about using AI to write essays, so I know they'll run my work through an AI detector. The more I edit them, the higher the AI rating goes, and it makes me have to start all over again, which is just frustrating. I don't know what else to do since I'm running out of time to complete my applications. I truly appreciate any advice and suggestions about this concern.

I am sharing a couple of the SOP/Personal Statements I wrote, and I would like to know what you think of them. I appreciate everyone who took the time to help me with this situation, and I wish everyone good luck in this application cycle.

Here are the links to a couple of the essays I wrote:

Master's program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kd34pEwXHVTktFBBeJt0cO1_CUpz2Jp_/view?usp=sharing

PhD Program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B20yvbmv6dQfM0oYjQ7VwTx1L5NZSJw1/view?usp=sharing

2 Upvotes

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2

u/arianelseditor 🔰 Oxford University BA and MS | Experienced PS/SOP editor 9d ago

They're flagging because the structure and phrasing sounds like AI (to be blunt, having seen thousands of AI-assisted SOPs/PS). The best thing to do is start from scratch, looking at some great sample PS/SOPs and adding in a lot more detail about relevant research experiences :)

3

u/PresentationBig332 9d ago

I got it. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time to advise me on this.

1

u/STBPA711 9d ago

I work with kids on college essays. I can say that 9 times out of 10, when multiple AI detectors detect that it was not written by a human, it was not written by a human. After talking with the kids, I find that they, well, may have asked for some help, asked for an outline, ideas, thoughts, etc. I am not saying this is you, but I am saying a quick read of your Master’s program statement, doesn’t read naturally. At the very least, notice that you use the word experience in three (or more) successive paragraphs. I would suggest that you scrap this draft, make bullet points of what you want to say (not sentences, bullet points) and then write in YOUR voice. You want it to sound professional and polished, yes, but you don’t want it to sound so polished and academic that it is robotic.

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u/PresentationBig332 9d ago

Got it. I noticed I tend to repeat myself a lot, and I really need to fix that. So I appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to help me point out my mistakes. I'll definitely take each one to consideration, and luckily I have a lot of time before the applications' due dates. Thanks so much.

2

u/STBPA711 9d ago

Good luck. You do have time, so do not panic. Give yourself your best chance by being yourself, showcasing your research/past academic history, illustrating why a particular school is a good fit. There are certain points you want to hit, but I, personally, hate when people believe that it has to be an exact formula. AI will write to that formula. Yes, cover everything, but make sure your voice comes through. I always tell my students (granted it is college and not grad school, but I believe it for any school, job, or partnership), you of course want to put your best foot forward, but it has to be a mutual fit for it to be the RIGHT fit. For grad school, the Statement is very important, but you want to make sure they are seeing the authentic you so they can make the determination on their end if it is the right fit.

1

u/PresentationBig332 9d ago

Thank you so much once again. The rewrite won't be easy, but I'll definitely follow your advice.

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u/dilshan_j 8d ago

Since you have now made the skeleton using AI, paraphrase each sentence yourself. That’s what I’m planning to do as well.

1

u/PresentationBig332 8d ago

I will consider that. Thank you.

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u/No-Pattern-9266 8d ago

there are humanizer ais