Dr. Brandon Som

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Brandon Som. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Brandon Som is an Associate Professor of Literature and Creative Writing. He is a Chicano Chinese American poet who received his Ph.D. in Literature with a focus on Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. He also holds an M.F.A. in Poetry from the University of Pittsburgh. Som is a published author, known for his poetry collection titled 'Tripas', which was awarded as a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry and was also recognized by the National Book Award. His debut collection, 'Tribute Horse', won the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. His academic writing and research interests encompass Literary Arts and Creative Writing, particularly focusing on 20th and 21st Century Poetry, Transpacific Border Studies, and Asian American Chicanx-Latinx literary and cultural studies. Som engages in teaching and mentoring students while contributing to the discourse within these dynamic fields.

Research Interests

Literary Arts Creative Writing 20th Century Poetry 21st Century Poetry Transpacific Border Studies Asian American Studies Chicanx-Latinx Literary Studies

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).