I think your need to trust your instinct that this kind of 'name dropping' is pretentious and avoid it completely.

By contrast, if you have carefully read someone's papers and truly believe you might want work on a closely related topic, then you might mention that as a one possibility. In reality, however, you can hope to be bombarded by exciting new ideas during your first year of graduate study and you may change your goals for a thesis topic three times before spring break. They know that.

Personal mentions can backfire as often as they may have some positive effect. (a) Suppose you make a strong case in your application that you really want to work with Prof X. But Prof X is about to go on sabbatical or to change universities. So the admissions committee figures you're not such a marvelous fit to the department after all. (b) Prof X may have strong views about wanting to pick his/her thesis students personally and carefully, and may be put off by a presumptions expectation by someone completely unknown.

However, I think you are right to realize that it is helpful to show that you have background, interests, focus and organizational ability that will make you an asset to the department. If they are offering financial support, they may want you to assist in teaching some classes, perhaps teach some on your own eventually, or participate as a research assistant on one of a variety of research grants, and so on. Obviously, it should be clear in your mind why you want to be admitted. Giving some inkling (without being pretentious) of why they may want to admit you is a good idea.

I think your need to trust your instinct that this kind of 'name dropping' is pretentious and avoid it.

By contrast, if you have carefully read someone's papers and truly believe you might want work on a closely related topic, then you might mention that as a one possibility.

Personal mentions can backfire as often as they may have some positive effect. For example, suppose you make a strong case in your application that you really want to work with Prof X. But Prof X is about to go on sabbatical or to change universities. So the hiring committee figures you're not such a marvelous fit to the department after all.

However, I think you are right to realize that it is helpful to show that you have background, interests, focus and organizational ability that will make you an asset to the department. Obviously, it should be clear in your mind why you want to be accepted. Giving some inkling (without being pretentious) of why they should accept you is a good idea.

I think your need to trust your instinct that this kind of 'name dropping' is pretentious and avoid it completely.

By contrast, if you have carefully read someone's papers and truly believe you might want work on a closely related topic, then you might mention that as a one possibility. In reality, however, you can hope to be bombarded by exciting new ideas during your first year of graduate study and you may change your goals for a thesis topic accordingly. They know that.

Personal mentions can backfire as often as they may have some positive effect. (a) Suppose you make a strong case in your application that you really want to work with Prof X. But Prof X is about to go on sabbatical or to change universities. So the admissions committee figures you're not such a marvelous fit to the department after all. (b) Prof X may have strong views about wanting to pick his/her thesis students personally and carefully, and may be put off by a presumptions expectation by someone completely unknown.

However, I think you are right to realize that it is helpful to show that you have background, interests, focus and organizational ability that will make you an asset to the department. If they are offering financial support, they may want you to assist in teaching some classes, perhaps teach some on your own eventually, or participate as a research assistant on one of a variety of research grants, and so on. Obviously, it should be clear in your mind why you want to be admitted. Giving some inkling (without being pretentious) is a good idea.

I think your need to trust your instinct that this kind of 'name dropping' is pretentious and avoid it completely.

By contrast, if you have carefully read someone's papers and truly believe you might want work on a closely related topic, then you might mention that as a one possibility. In reality, however, you can hope to be bombarded by exciting new ideas during your first year of graduate study and you may change your goals for a thesis topic three times before spring break. They know that.

Personal mentions can backfire as often as they may have some positive effect. (a) Suppose you make a strong case in your application that you really want to work with Prof X. But Prof X is about to go on sabbatical or to change universities. So the admissions committee figures you're not such a marvelous fit to the department after all. (b) Prof X may have strong views about wanting to pick his/her thesis students personally and carefully, and may be put off by a presumptions expectation by someone completely unknown.

However, I think you are right to realize that it is helpful to show that you have background, interests, focus and organizational ability that will make you an asset to the department. If they are offering financial support, they may want you to assist in teaching some classes, perhaps teach some on your own eventually, or participate as a research assistant on one of a variety of research grants, and so on. Obviously, it should be clear in your mind why you want to be admitted. Giving some inkling (without being pretentious) of why they may want to admit you is a good idea.