Statement of Purpose (SOP): All You Need to Know!
- Common Mistakes
- Writing Tips
A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a reflection of your personality that you portray in front of the admissions committee (AdCom) for securing admission to a foreign University. It provides you with a chance to impress the committee, by presenting your profile, through an essay that describes your personality traits not covered in your academic documents.
In this article, we will discuss:
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- SOP Formats, Templates, and Guidelines for SOP Writing
- Tips for writing impressive SOPs
- Common Mistakes to avoid in SOP
- Importance of SOP
- Word Limits in SOP
- SOP Samples for different courses: UG, MS (Engineering), MBS
- SOP Samples for different countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia
- Things to and not to include in SOP
What is SOP?
SOP is a long essay required by universities abroad (and nowadays some Indian universities) during the application process. SOP full form is Statement of Purpose, which intends to highlight a student’s purpose of applying to a particular course in a particular university. SOP seeks to understand a candidate’s life and motivation for his/ her chosen career path and goals. This essay consists of a gist of what you have done, what you are doing right now, and what you intend to do in the future.
Why is SOP important?
There are many factors that decide a candidate’s selection and one of them includes a well-written SOP. While the academic record and other exam scorecards/ academic transcripts and backlog certificates are essentially objective in nature, an SOP is the only truly subjective aspect of your application. Moreover, SOP allows you to present your future goals and aspirations in front of the admissions committee, which in turn helps them decide whether you are suitable for a particular programme or not.
Most universities across the globe have a standard format/ template that they accept. However, the content in SOP varies for different courses. Learn how to write the SOPs for different courses here:
Shiksha Guidelines for SOP Writing
While there are a number of formats and samples available online for an SOP that aspirants can use, it becomes confusing to choose the right format. Moreover, there is no such thing as a perfect SOP. Owing to the subjective nature of this document, the admissions committee can infer different things from the same SOP.
Each SOP should be unique and thus, Shiksha has its own guidelines for an SOP to help the students decipher the parts of a statement of purpose so that it can be drafted easily. To know all about the correct formatting and context of an SOP, you can read Shiksha Guidelines for SOP .
SOP Samples and Format for MBA, MS, UG, and PhD Courses
Every course has a different way of writing its SOP application. Check out the course-wise SOP Samples and Formats.
SOP for UG Courses vs SOP for PG Courses
A Statement of Purpose for an undergraduate application is different from that of a postgraduate application. An Admissions Committee understands that a student applying for an undergraduate course will have a different background from a student applying for a postgraduate course. The following table will provide a comparison of what needs to be included in an SOP for UG courses and an SOP for PG courses:
Should you put your name on your Statement of Purpose?
In a traditional SOP, you do not need to write your name or course details anywhere. SOP is a part of your application/ student profile, thus, it will have your name and course details by default. However, there might be some universities or schools that require you to mention your name in your SOP. These universities will provide you with specific instructions on how and where to write your personal details. Thus, you need to follow their instructions thoroughly.
SOP Formats for USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Others
There is no fixed format to be followed in an SOP for a country. However, a University may provide you with a set of guidelines based on which you may need to write your SOP. Here are some SOP samples based on different countries:
What do colleges look for in an SOP?
While drafting your SOP, you need to keep in mind that the admission committee will be reviewing thousands of applications for the same course. Thus, your SOP must be crisp and precise, and must clearly reflect the uniqueness of your profile. Here are a few things that the college review committees generally look for in a student’s SOP:
- Your writing capability is reflected in your SOP. Your SOP should be free from grammatical errors. The language should be lucid enough for them to comprehend; at the same time, a strong vocabulary does help in leaving a positive impact. Make sure not to use too many “heavy words” since their usage might feel forced.
- You must highlight those qualities that make you stand out from the rest of the applicants; these might include your academic achievements, your involvement with society, your extracurricular achievements, etc. The Adcom should be able to recognize you an as individual through your SOP. Your interests and goals will help them know you on a personal basis.
- If you receive an admission letter, your career will get a kick-start. It is obvious that you will reap some benefits from that course. At the same time, the University/ College/ department must also receive some benefits from your admissions (besides the tuition fee, of course!).
- It would help if you mentioned how you can contribute to the community, be it through sports, community services, societies, clubs, etc. To put it in simple words, you must be able to convince the admissions committee that you can become an ambassador for the University or department.
- Familiarity with the University facilities and curriculum will convey that you have done your research and that your application is not random. You need to be aware of the University's achievements, student programmes, faculty, internship opportunities, student facilities and societies, traditions, etc.
- Your motivation or inspiration to pursue a particular course should be clear, evident and justified. Adcom does not approve of bragging sentences in the SOP. Hence, you must keep it original, real, and free from any overbearing or arrogant statements.
How to make your SOP stand out from the crowd?
Now that we have assessed how important your SOP is, we come to the important part – how to write an SOP that stands out amongst thousands of applications. There are certain basic principles about SOP writing, which provide clarity on various aspects such as word limit, format, etc.
It is important for you to focus on the course that you wish to pursue. For example, if you are talking about studying Computer Science in a country, you must discuss all your encounters, experiences, and learnings in Computer Science. Make sure that you do not miss any important facts/achievements/experiences related to that course. Evidently, SOP for an MBA application will be different from an SOP for MSc in Computer Science. Similarly, SOP for a Bachelor’s degree will be different from that for a Master’s degree. Here is a look at how to write a winning SOP .
How long should a statement of purpose be?
Statement of Purpose should be 1-2 pages long and everything must be put together in about 800-1000 words; however, the length may vary as per university requirements. Some Universities put a cap on the word limit, which might be as less as 200 words. Most universities accept 800-1000 words SOP; however, in most cases, it does not go beyond 1200 words.
It is relatively easy to write a story of your life explaining the importance of each incident that has helped shape your personality. However, it becomes challenging to write an SOP within a specified word limit, and that too when your admission is at stake.
Some foreign universities do not require SOP; rather, they ask you to answer an Essay Prompt in a specified number of words. In order to understand the importance of word limit in an SOP, you may refer to this Importance of Word Limit in Essay .
What to include in an SOP?
The content of your SOP will solely depend on the University's requirements. The mantra is to stick to the statement/ question provided by the University. Universities can ask question-based essays or simply a general statement of purpose. Until and unless categorically asked, an SOP must include your goals and the career path you have taken up so far as well as your academic progress. Other elements that are important in an SOP include personal motivations that led you to choose the university/ course and how you intend to use it to achieve your goals.
While understanding how to write an SOP, we come across various questions. To sum up your entire life and career in 1,000 words can be a tiresome exercise.
What not to include in an SOP?
Remember, there is no exhaustive list of topics that you can include in an SOP. At the same time, it is equally important to understand what you must not include in your SOP. For instance, your family life, your school life, all the extracurricular achievement, etc. Visit the page in order to know what not to include in your SOP.
How to write SOP?
An SOP needs to be written carefully as it is important for your application. Some of the SOP writing tips are given below:
- Think: We can call this process introspection. When we talk of introspection, we definitely do not mean philosophical introspection (particularly in this context). You need to think of all the significant events that have influenced your personality and made you who you are today. As food for thought, you can start with academic achievements, work experience, volunteering experiences, reasons for pursuing a particular course, and your future goals. In this process, you might come across certain life-changing events as well (for instance: being publicly rebuked for your academic performance, an event that made you take your academics seriously). Make a note of everything and then prepare a structure. Retain the relevant points and eliminate the trivial ones.
- Research: Make sure to do sufficient research about the course, University, University achievements, any ongoing research, etc. You must have clarity about the reasons for pursuing your targeted course and choosing that particular University. Even if you plan to change your academic field, as opposed to your bachelor’s, there must be a logical reason behind it. Your reasons must have clarity and your SOP must reflect the research you have done about the course and University.
- Professional and personal background and interests,
- Relevance of the chosen course and University,
- A logical connection between the above and your future goals and aspirations,
- Intention to contribute to the University, community, and society at large.
- Review: Once you have drafted your SOP, the final step is to go through it carefully and make changes accordingly. Go back to the list that you created in the beginning and check whether you have covered all the points in your SOP or not. Remove the unnecessary details that are not relevant to your admission. It will take multiple readings and reviews in order to come up with a final draft. Before taking professional services, make sure to get your SOP reviewed by an unbiased family member, colleague, or friend.
Detailed strategy to write a powerful and convincing SOP
A powerful and convincing statement of purpose is focused throughout, and each point is connected to the subsequent point through logic and reason. Starting from your academic and professional background to your career aspirations, you need to connect all the dots logically. There needs to be a flow in the events and things must not pop up randomly.
The essay should always go in flow from past experiences, to present involvements, and to future plans. An important point to remember, while writing your SOP, is to divide it into paragraphs that cover all the pointers. Here is a look at how you may write the SOP:
1st Paragraph: Introduction of SOP
This paragraph is often confused with self-introduction. It should not introduce you but should discuss what you are about to discuss in your SOP. You can adopt the following approaches:
- Discuss your long-term goal and connect it with your idea of pursuing the course you are applying to,
- Present your understanding of the chosen field and write how you want to contribute to that field,
- Explain your background in 2-3 lines and connect it with your future goals,
- Write about an anecdote that helped you realise your professional interest in the chosen field.
Students often make the mistake of introducing themselves or their childhood in the first paragraph. In some cases, students tend to forget about the purpose behind writing an SOP. Check out the Common Mistakes to Avoid in an SOP .
2nd and 3rd Paragraphs: Academic Background and Professional Experience
These paragraphs must contain your academic background: what you have done so far (projects, experience, etc.), what you are currently pursuing, etc. You can mention your professional experience after your academic achievements. This helps in establishing your career progression .
4th Paragraph: Why This Course?
In this paragraph, you should discuss why you want to join a course and what modules would you like to study. It should also cover the possible skills and exposure that you might acquire that would help you in fulfilling your goals.
5th Paragraph: Career Goals
This is the most important paragraph, where you should discuss your short and long-term goals . Your immediate goal would be where you would want to work right after completing this course. You should be able to name some companies within India along with the designation you see yourself working at. This should explain the kind of job profile you would be working on.
Then comes your long-term goal, wherein you should mention where you see yourself from 10-12 or 15 years down the line. This may include your desire of working at the CEO/CFO/CTO level or maybe pursue entrepreneurship. It may also include your dream of expanding your existing family business overseas. You may also be interested in further studies such as a PhD. You may also express your desire of becoming a professor or researcher.
It is suggested that you discuss your aim, principles and values, and how you can influence the prospective students. You should be able to portray how you wish to make a difference in the industry or society, keeping in mind the current industrial scenarios and emerging trends.
6th Paragraph: Why This University?
Here, you should try to convince the University as to why it is suitable for your goals and why you fit well into its vision and mission. You can discuss the course curriculum, research work, faculty names, as well as university-specific activities. Moreover, do go through the vision and mission statement of the University.
7th Paragraph: Conclusion
This paragraph should conclude your desire and readiness towards joining the chosen course. Since this is the closing paragraph, you should sound focused and prepared for all the challenges that might come your way. It should also show that you have the potential to succeed, and with the help of the chosen course and University, you will definitely make a difference in the industry.
Additional tips on how to write a good Statement of Purpose
In order to write a good SOP, follow the tips given below:
- Mention your achievements, professional and academic, in the form of a story rather than statements.
- An SOP is a reflection of your personality; make sure it is clear and understandable.
- Mention strong reasons as to why you want to pursue a particular course.
- Be very clear about the timeline of your achievements.
- You can also mention your mistakes. But, also give instances of how you tried to rectify them.
- Proofread and edit the SOP time and again so that it can appear crisp and concise.
Mistakes to avoid while writing SOP
If you want to write an outstanding statement of purpose, given below are some of the common mistakes that you should avoid:
- Writing an SOP without any planning or roadmap.
- Writing a vague introduction and conclusion.
- Use of short forms, slang, and informal writing.
- Exceeding the word limit or writing too less.
- Making the SOP appear very flattering.
Can SOPs help with scholarships?
If you are eligible for any college-specific scholarships, then during the application process you will be required to write a separate essay/ SOP. You will be given an essay prompt/ question along with a word limit. You might be required to provide an SOP that states your credibility for this scholarship. Thus, a generic SOP is different from a scholarship SOP.
In a scholarship essay/ SOP, you will be required to highlight your unique selling points, major accomplishments, any quality /skill that makes you different from other candidates, and so on. You can read more about writing a scholarship essay here .
Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement
Barring a few points, a Personal Statement seems similar to a Statement of Purpose. While SOP includes a two-page essay about your motivation, goals, experience, extracurricular activities, etc., a Personal Statement is a crisp one-page essay about your motivation, inspiration, goals and achievements. A Personal Statement is more personal than an SOP; hence, a Personal Statement should mention your aspirations and motivations. An SOP is a much more detailed version of the Personal Statement. For a detailed view on this, visit Statement of Purpose (SOP) vs Personal Statement .
SOP vs Letter of Motivation or Motivational Letter
A Letter of Motivation is directly addressed to the admission committee/ department/ faculty explaining your objectives, motivation and goals related to the course. An SOP is not addressed to any specific person or department; rather, it is drafted in an essay format. To know more about a motivational letter, read: How to write an impressive Letter of Motivation?
Statement of Purpose (SOP) FAQs
Q. How do I write a perfect graduate SOP?
- Write original content and do not copy anyone’s SOP.
- Make sure that there is Logic, Coherence, and Cohesion in your SOP. All the events that you mention should be connected to each other in a seamless flow. There should not be any randomness in your SOP.
- Make sure to research the course, university, city, and country where you are applying.
Q. How do I polish my SOP?
Q. Do LORs and SOPs need to be attested?
Q. Should I explain the low grades in my statement of purpose?
Q. What are the 5 tips for writing a good statement of purpose?
Q. What makes a strong statement of purpose?
Q. How can you make a good ending in an SOP?
Q. What is the importance of SOP?
- It decides your selection: If a large number of applicants meet the eligibility criteria for the competitive scores (GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, etc.), then your well-written SOP will be able to put your application in the spotlight.
- It can fetch you a scholarship: For scholarships that do not require a separate essay, SOP can be the deciding factor.
- It goes beyond your resume: It provides you with a chance to overcome all the loopholes that your resume might have.
Q. What mistakes should I avoid in an SOP?
Q. Should I mention internship in my statement of purpose?
Q. Can I add my name in my SOP?
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Aprant has been involved in the field of education and research for more than 5 years. He has done his B.Tech after which he has done research in Chemical Reactor Design. He scored 700 on the GMAT. He also co-author... Read Full Bio
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Please kindly send me samples of SOP in oil and gas engineering and natural gas engineering
Reply to Aminu Muhammad
Study Abroad Expert
Hello. You can refer to the following links based on your query: SOP for MS in the UK: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/sop-for-ms-in-uk-applycontent12947 , SOP and Personal Statement Difference: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/statement-of-purpose-vs-personal-statement-applycontent12289 , Guideli... Hello. You can refer to the following links based on your query: SOP for MS in the UK: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/sop-for-ms-in-uk-applycontent12947 , SOP and Personal Statement Difference: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/statement-of-purpose-vs-personal-statement-applycontent12289 , Guidelines for an SOP: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/shiksha-guidelines-for-sop-applycontent11497 , SOP Template : https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/sop-sample-applycontent1727 To know about scholarships, you may visit this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/scholarships/uk-cp more
I'm applying to ptdf schorlaship in the UK and france
View More Replies (2)
6 months ago
Can you please guide me for Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Care Management at CBU, Canada.
Reply to dhruvi
a month ago
You can refer to this link to get an overview of SOP for Canada: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/how-to-write-sop-for-canada-applycontent12803
9 months ago
I have a question regarding rejection I have been applied at last year in Italy but my student visa is rejected But now i am applying in Finland for students visa How much chance to get visa
Reply to Surendra Yadav
Your chances of getting a student visa in Finland depend on multiple factors. Make sure that you overcome the loopholes that led to a rejection of your Italy student visa. You can refer to this guide for more information: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/student-guide-to-finland-for-international-... Your chances of getting a student visa in Finland depend on multiple factors. Make sure that you overcome the loopholes that led to a rejection of your Italy student visa. You can refer to this guide for more information: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/student-guide-to-finland-for-international-students-guidepage-103957 more
kindly provide me the sop for student visa for Graduate diploma in secondary teaching from New ZEaland
Reply to Jyotsna Bhalla
You can refer to these two links: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/sop-for-new-zealand-student-visa-guidelines-and-format-applycontent52861 and https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/shiksha-guidelines-for-sop-applycontent11497
10 months ago
can I please get a sample of sop on public administration. Thanks
Reply to Micheal
Hello. Currently, we do not have an SOP on Public Administration. However, in the case of an UG application, you can refer to this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/undergraduate-sop-format-applycontent1108839 In the case of a PG application, you can refer to this link: https://studyabroad.sh... Hello. Currently, we do not have an SOP on Public Administration. However, in the case of an UG application, you can refer to this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/undergraduate-sop-format-applycontent1108839 In the case of a PG application, you can refer to this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/things-you-must-include-in-your-sop-for-ms-applycontent1717 more
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Sample of statement of purpose (sample sop) - course & country wise sop format, how to write a winning statement of purpose, common mistakes to avoid in sop, sop for mba admission: how to write a statement of purpose (sop) for mba admission, statement of purpose (sop) for mba with sample, what not to include in your statement of purpose (sop).
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Writing a Statement of Purpose
Of all the different types of text you will have to write in the academic world, the statement of purpose is one of the most difficult, not least because it is about you. We spend our time trying to eliminate ourselves from other academic writing, from research proposals or from term papers. Now you have to write a paper about yourself. Like any other academic genre, a statement of purpose has a logical structure and development, and its purpose is to simultaneously show why you are the best candidate for a given course or grant, and why this course or grant is the most suitable one for you. This page will tell you how to do this. But don't leave it at that: when you have finished, come to the Writing Center and discuss your statement of purpose with us. The resulting revised draft will be even more effective.
Do Answer the Question!
Before you start writing your statement of purpose, look careful at any instructions you have been given. If, for example, you have been asked to specify why you want to study at this university, make sure you answer that question, and that your paragraph starts with a sentence that will signal that you are answering it (e.g."My reasons for studying..."). Do not omit to answer any of the questions you are asked, and consider carefully before providing information you were not asked for. If you have 500 words, they expect you to spend most of them answering their questions, not volunteering other information. Frequently, however, universities do not give any guidance as to what they want, perhaps wanting to test if you are intelligent enough to work it out for yourself. If so, the guidelines below are designed to help you.
Attracting the Reader's Attention
When you write a statement of purpose, you need to remember that you are just one of many, perhaps even hundreds of applicants for your chosen study place. The person who reads your statement will have read dozens of others. If yours does not stand out in some way that shows that you are original, different and interesting - which of course you are (but at the same time not eccentric or peculiar - which you may be, but don't emphasize the fact!), it will be consigned to the heap of also-rans, the people who may get a place if there are some left over at the end.
If a statement of purpose fails to catch the reader's attention, it may be due to one or more of the following problems:
- It starts with flattering comments about the university they are applying for - the person who reads your statement already knows how good their institution is: they don't need you to tell them.
- It provides an entire life history, starting from birth, - by the time you reach the important bit, your reader will have lost interest. Unless your high school days are especially interesting, concentrate on your university career.
- It starts off by explaining exactly how the writer heard about this particular course - unless this information shows something important about you, leave it out.
- It begins by providing personal details that can be found on the résumé, such as age or place of birth.
- It begins by trying to second-guess the reader's thoughts, for example: 'You are probably wondering why a specialist in... should be applying for a place at...' This strategy might possibly work, but it will probably be more effective if you go ahead and answer the question.
- Although they do grab attention, the sort of statements that are least successful are those that use over-theatrical and silly introductions that are inappropriate for an academic environment. If you start with 'I am a really special person', or 'Ever since I was a baby, gazing happily at the world...', you shouldn't be surprised if you get rejected.
- Some statements dive straight into the complex field of the specialist, immediately discussing obscure areas of theory. Remember that while you are expected to show familiarity with your subject, not all readers may be specialists in your chosen field. If they can't understand you, they may not realize how good you are.
Capturing the reader's attention - examples
Look at the following two efforts at starting a résumé and see which you think would be more likely to capture the reader's interest:
I am applying for the Central European University, based on the reputation this University has in the academic community world-wide. I have also spoken to several alumni of your university. I am very interested in admission to the graduate program in Economics. I know that research programs in Economics are very diverse and this is the main reason why I prefer this university.
Recent Moldovan government figures show an alarming 40% increase in mental illness amongst young people in the last ten years. These figures are just one more factor that persuades me that my choice of a career in neuroscience was the right one, and motivates me to study further at Ph.D. level in this field in order to help combat this serious problem.
Sample A has several weaknesses:
- it is too general - one could insert the name of any university
- it does not mention any of the specific features of the university nor does it justify the flattering claim of a 'world-wide reputation'
- it simply says that the university has a good reputation and a range of courses - neither very original nor interesting for the reader
- it does not start by answering the question 'Why economics?' but immediately starts with the more specific question of 'Why economics at CEU
Sample B, in contrast, shows several positive features:
- it grabs the reader's attention with an alarming piece of information
- it starts with a reference to the real world, thus moving from the general to the specific
- it shows that the writer is aware of the link between academe and the real world and has a desire to put theoretical learning into practice
- it very succinctly expresses the link between the applicant's past studies, proposed studies and subsequent career
How to start off
Ideally you need to start with an interesting fact or detail about you, your situation or your interests which makes you appear interesting and intelligent. You might also try a more general truth or saying, then show how this applies to your situation. You may want to quote someone famous who has said something relevant, but if so, keep it short, quote correctly, and make sure that the relevance to your position is absolutely clear. Don't quote for the sake of it.
Do give enough time to creating a good initial paragraph. It is the first thing your audience will read, and first impressions are quickly formed. If your first sentences are dull, irrelevant, eccentric or pompous, or worse still, full of grammatical or spelling mistakes, your reader will quickly form a negative impression which will be hard to dispel.
The Structure of a Statement of Purpose
The word 'purpose' normally means 'what you want to do', however, it has a secondary meaning, which is the quality of knowing 'that you want to do something'. Purpose in this sense means having a direction, and it is essential that your statement of purpose shows that you do have a direction and know both where you are going and how you can best get there. A good statement of purpose will usually have the following structure:
How your studies at undergraduate level and at graduate level, as well as any other work or study experience, has prepared you for the course of study that you wish to take.
Your Proposed Course Of Study
Should be shown to be a logical follow-on from your studies/work to date and to prepare you for your future career.
Your Future Career
Should be something for which your proposed course of study is valuable or essential, and should have some logical connection to what went before.
Of course, you own career may not be as simple as this. Perhaps you started studying biophysics, then later developed a passion for medieval poetry. This is not going to disqualify you, but you need to ask yourself 'why should a university choose me rather that someone who has always been interested in medieval poetry?' If you can answer this question, you have a chance of being considered. If, however, your reader gets the impression have suddenly for no good reason conceived an interest in a field you have never studied before, they may equally assume you will lose interest just as quickly. You best chance usually lies in showing that there is a meaningful progression to your career which is driven by your sense of purpose and academic or professional ambition.
The above model suggests that a statement of purpose should move from your past and present studies, to your proposed studies and finally to your future career. If you want to be innovative, you are not obliged to follow this pattern, but the elements and the connection should be there and should be clear to the reader. Before you start writing, draw yourself a clear structural plan, perhaps allowing a paragraph or so for each stage. Obviously, your past will be much clearer and more detailed than your future, but don't neglect the second and third boxes in the diagram above, or you may look like an eternal student, always hunting for something new to study.
How much detail to provide
1. keep to the word limit.
Universities often provide a word limit or a page limit to guide you. Keep to it. If they say they don't want to read three pages, they mean it. Bear in mind that academics have to do an awful lot of reading, not only of statements of purpose but also of essays and theses. If you can't keep to the word limit for a statement of purpose, they may be worrying that you will write a 450 page thesis when 150 pages was the limit. Writing too much is never a way to make yourself popular. If a limit is given, it is good to set yourself a personal maximum limit of 10-15% less than that. And don't feel you have to fill a word limit. If you have said all you want to in 700 words and the limit is 1000, great! Stop. Don't go looking for verbiage to pack in the spaces.
2. Set yourself section word limits
If you have 800 words, have in mind how many you want to spend on each section of your statement. If you use 750 words describing your studies to date, you will have nothing left for the other sections. By setting yourself rough word limits for each part, you ensure that the statement is balanced.
3. Be selective
With any piece of writing where there is a word limit, you will not have enough space to say everything about everything. This means you have to be selective. You have to gather all the necessary information, look at it and throw away the things which are less necessary. It may hurt not to be able to say that you got top grades in your school for physics (when you're applying to study sociology) but you have to be ruthless. Remember that the ability to evaluate and select what to include and what to leave out is valuable academic skill in its own right, and demonstrating that you have that skill can count powerfully in your favor.
4. Use appropriate language
Obviously you need to show you have a good command of the English language: avoid slang, use vocabulary appropriate to your field and show that you can write a sentence of more than 5 words. At the same time, don't start looking for long words to impress with. If an ordinary word will do, don't go thesaurus hunting for a bigger one, not least because you may use it wrongly.
5. Edit thoroughly
When you have written a first draft, go over it and check whether any of your phrases are wordy or clumsy. Try to re-express them clearly and succinctly. While it is good to use longer sentences sometimes, don't ramble. If your sentence has more than 30 words, read it over and see if it would be better to split it into two. Reading aloud may help you to feel if your ideas are clearly expressed.
Some sample statements of purpose
The following sample thesis statements, though well written and successful, are not perfect and may contain mistakes or weaknesses. They are also not about you. It is not included to show you a model that you can copy but to provide an example of how it has been done by others. You will need to write your own statement ion your own words.
My interest in International Relations and my decision to continue my education in this field is the outcome of my profound interest in Asian studies. Majoring in History of India, during my final year I became especially interested in the sphere of International Relations and Foreign Policy of India, writing my thesis on Indian Foreign Policy during Nehru's Government and Indian-Chinese relations. Two trips to India 1997 and 1998 allowed me to become better acquainted with this country, refine my knowledge of Hindi and collect unique data for my research. This unforgettable experience convinced me that I had made the right choice of study, leading me to apply for a PhD Degree so as to extend my research in this field.
I have so far completed two years of the PhD program at St. Petersburg State University. My dissertation aims at disclosing those problems which still hinder the process of normalization between the two Asian countries, India and China, reflecting on how Indian scholars perceive these issues. Thus my research covers both Regional Studies and field of International Relations as a global world system where these two countries play an important role.
My presentation of a paper on Indo-Chinese Relations in 1980s at the international conference "East Asia - St. Petersburg - Europe: inter-civilization contacts and perspectives on economic cooperation" held in St. Petersburg a year ago gave me the opportunity to meet many outstanding researchers, including my referee, Marcia Ristaino, who encouraged me to continue my studies focusing specifically on International Relations and Regional Studies. For that reason I applied and was accepted to the MA Program in International Relations and European Studies at Central European University in Budapest with a scholarship from Soros foundation. The courses I am taking here will provide me with a sound background in theoretical issues in International Relations.
The reason of why I am applying for another Master's Degree is that the CEU program, despite its theoretical strength, has very few courses directly related to my major interest, Regional Studies and conflict resolution and peacekeeping. For this reason I would like to deepen my practical understanding of International Relations and relate it to a more focused concentration on conflict analysis and resolution through the program of the Carleton University.
I am aware of the high reputation of your school and the excellent Master's program that you offer at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. I believe it will certainly help me with my research and career objectives either through work in diplomatic service or at an international organization where I will be able to apply my knowledge and skills obtained through studies at your University.
Courses such as Conflict Analysis, International Mediation and Conflict Resolution and International Organizations in International Affairs will be very helpful for my analyzing of the problems in the South Asian subcontinent and beyond it and will allow me to deeper understand the reasons for numerous interstate and intrastate conflicts that persist in the region. Moreover these courses will be of particular relevance to my career plans which are to find employment with UN or a similar institution in the field of conflict resolution and peacekeeping. The possibility to combine theoretical studies with practical skills in conflict analysis and resolution at the Carleton University will enable me to become a good specialist who will be able to contribute to the common cause of peace in the world. I am eager to become a professional orientalist, as I believe this field of study will always be important in the changing world where Asian countries such as India and China play significant roles in the international arena. MA at the Carleton University would be a precious experience both in terms of my academic and professional career. I hope you will give me the opportunity to realize my ambition.
(A CEU Student - reproduced here with kind permission)
Having majored in literary studies (world literature) as an undergraduate, I would now like to concentrate on English and American literature. I am especially interested in nineteenth-century literature, women's literature, Anglo-Saxon poetry, and folklore and folk literature. My personal literary projects have involved some combination of these subjects. For the oral section of my comprehensive exams, I specialized in nineteenth century novels by and about women. The relation ship between "high" and folk literature became the subject for my honors essay, which examined Toni Morrison's use of classical, biblical, African, and Afro-American folk tradition in her novel. I plan to work further on this essay, treating Morrison's other novels and perhaps preparing a paper suitable for publication.
In my studies toward a doctoral degree, I hope to examine more closely the relationship between high and folk literature. My junior year and private studies of Anglo-Saxon language and literature have caused me to consider the question of where the divisions between folklore, folk literature, and high literature lie. Should I attend your school, I would like to resume my studies of Anglo-Saxon poetry, with special attention to its folk elements.
Writing poetry also figures prominently in my academic and professional goals. I have just begun submitting to the smaller journals with some success and am gradually building a working manuscript for a collection. The dominant theme of this collection relies on poems that draw from classical, biblical, and folk traditions, as well as everyday experience, in order to celebrate the process of giving and taking life, whether literal or figurative. My poetry draws from and influences my academic studies. Much of what I read and study finds a place in my creative work as subject. At the same time, I study the art of literature by taking part in the creative process, experimenting with the tools used by other authors in the past.
In terms of a career, I see myself teaching literature, writing criticism, and going into editing or publishing poetry. Doctoral studies would be valuable to me in several ways. First, your teaching assistantship program would provide me with the practical teaching experience I am eager to acquire. Further, earning a Ph.D. in English and American literature would advance my other two career goals by adding to my skills, both critical and creative, in working with language. Ultimately, however, I see the Ph.D. as an end in itself, as well as a professional stepping-stone; I enjoy studying literature for its own sake and would like to continue my studies on the level demanded by the Ph.D. program.
(Stelzer pp. 40-41)
Some further sources to help you:
Writing the Personal Statement - Purdue University Online Writing Lab
Hunter College School Of Social Work Writing Center – The Personal Statement: Writing A Statement Of Purpose
How to Write a Personal Statement - Essay Edge.com
Text sources for this page were taken from:
How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School. by Richard Stelzer (Princeton, NJ: Peterson's Guides, 1989)
Written by PK Jadhav • February 17, 2022 • 1:14 am • Std.12 English • 2 Comments
Std.12 English | Statement of Purpose
This question belongs to writing skill which appears for four marks dedicated to creative writing skills.
Points to remember: 1. It allots a personalized application seeking admission to a certain university or a particular course. 2. The SOP should be around 500 to 550 words or 18 to 20 lines of your answer sheet lines. 3. In First Paragraph, mention your personal background, aims and goals. 4. In Second paragraph, mention the reason of choosing the university. 5. In third paragraph, mention your personal qualities, your hobbies. 6. In fourth paragraph, mention how the concerned institute will be helpful for your goal.
Examples for Practice:
Your have developed skills in English language. You think to improvise your skills. Now you a wish to seek a degree in mass communication at a specific university. Prepare a statement of Purpose.
Statement of Purpose Since my school age, I have passion to learn different languages specially English. English has been my favorite language. I can speak 5 to 6 languages but my most prominent language is English. I participated in many elocution as well as debate competition where I won many first prizes. English has developed my confidence. It has become my passion to communicate in English wherever I get an opportunity or wherever it is needed. I believe, English offers me an opportunity to learn many skills as all the worlds greatest knowledge concerned contents are in English. That’s why I have decided to opt mass communication for my career. From advertising to Journalism, we have many fields, where I can make a good career. The scope of mass communication in India is wide. Your reputed university will fulfil my dream to make career in mass communication. I believe this language enriches our personality. It is a universal language. I m sure your university will bloom my skills in mass communication respecting my interest in English language.
Statement of Purpose You want to join to a certain university to do MBA. You want to continue your family business after doing MBA. The concerned university offers an excellent course which would boost your intention. Make a statement of purpose which will help you to get admission to this university.
Answer: Statement of Purpose From an early age, I have been fascinated by business skills. In my school tenure, I had great interest in math and communication skills which are the basic subjects for any business venture. Along with studies, I used to arrange books stall to earn some money because I believe in earn and learn policy. I want to do career which respect my basic skills and of course I have great interest in business ventures. In 12 , I arranged a software exhibition for the students inviting brand companies to exhibit their new software which invited a great applause.
I visited many business related exhibitions arranged by companies and firms. After 10th grade, I joined commerce faculty to pursue my ambition because commerce branch is a gateway for business studies. I scored distinction in 12th commerce and pursued my B.Com education.
I passed graduation with first class. I am confident after MBA, I will bloom my family business. My family business belongs to real state which is nowadays a very reputed one. You offer a quality education to MBA graduates to enrich their talent and skill. I will dedicate myself to learn all the business skills. I have heard about your learned faculties who imbibe the innovative technologies of business and management skills.
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11 Tips for Writing a Powerful Statement of Purpose [Sample SOP Included]
By Jitta Raghavender Rao • GradSchool Admissions
The Statement of Purpose is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of graduate applications. Most students pass it off like it is just another essay about themselves, and naturally, write monotonous stuff that doesn’t stand out. That is why, the university admissions committee puts a hefty weight on statement of purposes and their structure – they want to see whether you take the interest in letting them know how much you want to study at their university.
Most Statements Of Purpose Start Off Like This:
“I am applying to the Master of Science program in Something Engineering at the University of Example because I believe my technical skills will blossom at your program as it is a place where I will be challenged and where I can develop my scientific and technical knowledge.”
Or Like This:
“I am honored to apply for the Master of Science program at the University of Example because for as long as I can remember, I have had a love affair with science. Since I was a kid in school, I have known I wanted to be a scientist/engineer.”
Now, almost 99% of the statements are structured similarly, and often times, students copy-paste, and edit statement of purposes from their seniors or friends, making it sound even more generic or irrelevant to their applications. If you want to stand out from the crowd; if you want the admissions committee to remember your essay at the end of the day, even after going through hundreds of applications; if you want to gain that extra advantage by being somewhat special and unique, you will have to draft a great statement of purpose. Great, but original .
How Can Your Statement Of Purpose Stand Out From The Crowd?
How do you write a great statement of purpose that sounds original, but at the same time gives the admissions committee what they are looking for? Simple. Basically, every university expects a student to answer to some basic questions that the admissions committee has. They may not ask you openly, but these are generally what they expect you to answer:
- What you want to study at graduate school?
- Why you want to study only this degree?
- Why do you want to study at this particular college? What do you like in us?
- Why did you choose to study in this particular country? What do you like about it?
- How much and what kind of experience you have in your field?
- Is your experience related to you choice of degree?
- If you are already experienced, what additional skills are you planning to gain from the degree?
- What you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
- Would you choose to end up with a job or take up research?
- What are your expectations from both the graduate program, and the university?
- Would you like to study or do research under any particular professor? If yes, why only them?
- How can you contribute to our university and our program? What specific skills do you bring to the table?
- Apart from work and education, what are your hobbies, interests, and habits? What are you like, as a person?
- What do you understand about our student community and culture? Why do you think you will fit in?
- What is that one unique aspect/characteristic about you that we should know? Why does it matter to us or to the fellow students of your class?
Now, these are the questions you will have to consider before starting off with your statement of purpose. Write down answers separately to each of the questions asked above, and try to build a story that the admissions committee would love to read. Remember, unlike an MBA program, you won’t be having any personal interviews for a graduate program, so the only way to impress the admissions officers is by telling your story through the statement of purpose . You will have to convey your story in the best possible way, such that the committee finds you interesting enough. And if you are interesting enough to them, you will end up with not only admission, but also a decent scholarship as well .
Strategies to Write a Powerful Statement of Purpose
It is important that you follow a specific strategy when it comes to drafting your statement of purpose. Though most students write whatever comes to their mind, or whatever they see on the internet, you are not most people. You would want your statement of purpose to sound brilliant, and original . And for that, you’ll need some strategies.
1. Write Stories. Not Statements
If given a choice, would you prefer reading a novel or a newspaper?
A novel, without a doubt. Do you know why?
Because while a newspaper gives you mere news and some eye-catching headlines, a novel tells you a story; a beautifully written piece of literature that you will be emotionally connected to . It brings those humanly feelings out of you, and involves you in its storyline. You imagine yourself in place of the narrator/character, and understand why he/she has done that, or taken such decisions. We remember stories much easier than statements.
Because stories connect to us, statements don’t.
For example, most people say this:
“I used to work in a multinational software company in the development team, and I had to do the same job every day: code stuff. There was nothing new for me to learn at work, and there was nothing very exciting about going to the office. One day I decided that I had to get out of there, so I applied to college to study higher courses and get a better job.”
Doesn’t that sound like most stories? Albeit, a very normal story? Instead, how about saying this:
“Late in the night one Monday, I had found myself in the middle of a deserted office, and fifteen thousand lines of code. Full of caffeine in my bloodstream, and an empty life beyond office, I realized that the computers started coding my brain, and controlling my life. No longer wanting to let the machines feed on me, I decided that college would be my salvation.”
Both the stories come to about four lines. But which narrative do you think will keep the admissions committee reading? Which story do you think will be remembered by them even after reading 5000 applications?
Think again. Do you want your statement of purpose to read like a novel or a newspaper? If the former is your answer, then you need to put in a lot of effort to tell your story. Think about ‘why’ you want to study what you want to study. Is there a strong reason behind it? Is the reason emotional, economical, or any other? Think hard, and you will find a connection. The reason might not seem obvious in plain sight, but when you think hard enough, you will understand that there is strong reason why you want to study a particular course/degree.
Now, when you have found this strong reason, tell it as a story. Write a short, but great narrative about what made you make this choice. About why you have chosen to study this course at this university. Impress the committee with your creative storyline, and you will reap the benefits big time.
2. Quantify Your Stories
Even though we asked you to write a story, you will have to remember that your story should not read like a thesis . It should rather serve as the best source of information about you. And when it comes to information, numbers play a key role. Your story should be not only qualitative, but also quantitative. And that means, your story must contain measurable quantities instead of just stories, so the reader can understand the depth of it.
For example, if you have worked for a local NGO teaching math to primary kids, you could say:
“During my engineering days, I helped a local NGO by joining as a math tutor, where I taught basic math concepts to school children.”
Now even though this sounds really good, it doesn’t give the reader the entire picture and they certainly do not know how much of an impact you made on those children.
So, you could change that bit to something like this:
“During my second year of engineering, I joined ‘Teach Math’, a local NGO, where I was a part of the Math tutoring team. For a period of 10 months , I taught basic math like algebra, geometry and arithmetic to more than thirty 5th and 6th grade students. And every single student I taught to, secured an A in math that year. I’ve never been prouder in my life.”
Do you see the difference? These numbers suddenly give a whole new perspective to the readers, and their respect for you is suddenly multiplied. That’s the power of numbers; they add authenticity, and authority to your stories . If you can quantify your stories properly, and show the results instead of just actions, the committee will not forget your name. You can use the same strategy for the rest of your story, no matter what it is about.
Whether it is a research project you did, or a college fest you organized, or a college sports team you led, whatever it is, add numbers to your stories, and make them sound more realistic, and more beautiful.
3. Be Specific
You have to make sure that whatever you say in your statement of purpose, you need to be very specific with it. Don’t just say something because you think it will impress the admissions committee. Whatever you say, you have to really dig into details . Be introspective. Don’t just say “I chose this degree because I love this field.” Explain clearly why you love this field, what made you decide that you want to work in this field for the rest of your life, what skills you are trying to amass, why it completes you as a person, etc.
Don’t beat around the bush like you normally would, when you talk to your friends. Don’t use ideal sentences like ‘I want to change the world’ or ‘I want to find my inner self’ or any of those cheesy lines. Just be straightforward and always to the point, but not so much as to come off as arrogant. Find your reasons and then find a nice, memorable way to say it .
Grad school admissions officers require the statement of purpose not just because they want to find about you and your dreams. More importantly, they want you to think for yourself , as to why you are taking such a life-changing step; why you think this is the best thing that can happen to you; and why you think you truly need it to succeed in life.
The ‘why’ is always profoundly important , and also an extremely difficult question to answer, which is why, if you can find answers to all the whys, then you are almost in.
4. Customize Your Essay
One of the biggest mistakes students make is to prepare a basic template for their statement of purpose, and if they are applying to more than one university, they simply change the relevant names and details. But the rest of the statement is an exact copy.
This is never a good idea, because though they might seem quite similar to each other, every university is vastly different from the others. Each of them has a diverse set of characteristics that define them, and their cultures, methodologies, visions, values, mottos, strengths, weaknesses , etc., vary greatly. These things are much more important than the departments, or university rankings, or number of Ph.D.’s or other materialistic qualities.
So, if you are applying to multiple universities, you need to factor in all these qualities of every university, and customize your statement accordingly. Mere changes in names and details won’t suffice. You need to tailor your essay such that the admissions officers think you will fit in well into their community. Remember, every student community is like a family , and if you give hints that you cannot fit into a family or their culture, you may not be welcomed easily.
Speaking of cultures, different countries obviously have different cultures, but even a large country like the US has different cultures in different parts of the country. So, before you begin writing, try and research the general culture within the region in which your target university is, and learn something about it. It may also help in aiding your decision process; if a culture doesn’t attract you much, then there’s no point in wasting an application .
5. Use a Formal But Conversational Tone
Nearly all statements or essays come under two categories: The super formal, and the super friendly . The first category is when you write a statement of purpose that is so formal, it looks like you are writing to your lieutenant in the military. The second one, of course, looks like a casual email to a friend. Now, when asked which one seems like a better choice, most students say the formal way is the way to go, and super friendliness is a big no. And still, a minor set of applicants think they can outsmart the admissions committee by sounding friendly, welcoming, and funny.
But, on further reflection, you would understand that neither of the approaches is ideal . And you are right, neither of them is right. Like we talked about it already, your statement of purpose should read like a novel: slightly formal language, but still a tinge of fun and uniqueness. That is what you need. A conversational tone is the best and the safest way to go. Write like you are talking to someone, but avoid using casual language.
Imagine you are talking to your dean, or the director of your college . What would your language be like? That’s how your statement of purpose should sound. Now, occasional humor is okay, but you shouldn’t try to sound too funny or too smart. No intentional jokes or funny lines should find their way into your statement. After all, it’s a statement of purpose, and the purpose is to pursue a graduate degree , not to impress people with your sense of humor. So, if what you write brings a smile on the readers face, then it’s perfectly alright. But it shouldn’t make them throw away your application because you didn’t seem serious enough to them.
6. Decide How You Want To Portray Yourself. And Learn How to Portray Indirectly.
You must see that the statement of purpose serves as a medium to convey your attitude, your personality and your character. Alright, those are some heavy words, and it can actually be difficult to them on paper. So, what you can do is, learn what your statement of purpose should portray you as , in terms of a few criteria, which tell the admissions committee that you are:
- Very passionate about the field of study you have chosen.
- An Intelligent student who can withstand the academic workload of a graduate program.
- Well-prepared academically and personally, and eager to study new courses.
- Able to take on the challenges of studying at an international graduate school.
- Able to build and maintain a good rapport with professors and fellow grad students.
- Able to finish the graduate degree within time, and graduate with a good percentage.
- A potential remarkable representative of that grad school in your future career.
- A successful alumni of the grad school who in the future can help in recruiting graduates.
- A responsible alumni who in the future will help raise funds for the grad school, to spend on research, infrastructure, facilities, student scholarships, etc.
These are basically the parameters that grad school admissions officers look at, when they decide who is joining their class.
Now, you might be wondering that the statement of purpose can only be as long as 1000 words, and that there’s quite a lot to cover in that little space. This is where your writing skills should come in. You simply can’t just go ahead and write “I am very passionate about the field of study I have chosen.” That is the last think you would want to write. What you should instead write is a sentence that indirectly means the same. You will have to choose your words wisely so as to indirectly communicate your “passion. You can use brief examples to show why you are so passionate about it.
For example, you can say something like:
“My grandfather was a car mechanic. I remember when I was nine, he took me to his garage for the first time and showed me how he could repair my damaged bicycle so I could ride it again. When he passed away a few years later, he left me the entire garage. It was a turning point in my life. Some of my best days were spent inside the garage, where after coming back from school, I tried fixing various appliances in the house. That was what led me to choose to be a Mechanical Engineer.”
The above paragraph speaks volumes about you as a person and your passion for Mechanical Engineering without you actually saying it. Any admissions officer in the world wouldn’t reject an applicant with such a deep reason , and such a wonderful story behind him/her. Now, remember, you don’t have to lie. Try and remember stories from your life that have shaped your decisions. And connect them beautifully to your goals and dreams.
Now similarly, your “intelligence” can be conveyed by how you write . The quality of the statement of purpose, the organization, expression, etc. of your statement tells how intelligent you are. Demonstrating knowledge of the field, and using related jargon shows that you are “well-prepared”. Showing what you have done already describes your ability “to take on the challenges of grad school”. Your grades and your previous performance prove your ability “to finish the graduate program in time”. Being a “future remarkable alumni” can be implied by your being a commendable representative of your previous institutions, like your high school, or undergraduate school. Similarly, you will have to try and represent all the qualities mentioned above in an indirect, but powerful way.
7. Don’t Create Stories. Be Yourself
Because we asked you to write stories, there would naturally be an inclination to “create” stories out of thin air. Do not do this at all. Write great stories only if you have great stories . Some people might come from normal backgrounds, who had normal lives, and probably didn’t achieve anything spectacular. It’s completely okay. If you don’t have anything great to write, don’t write it . Be normal, and write normal stories.
It is better to be normal than to pretend to be someone you are not. The admissions officers are expert psychologists, and they can spot a true applicant from a false applicant with just one reading. So, you will badly hurt your chances of getting into your dream school if you try to be someone else. Just be yourself, and write only about the things that have happened to you, and the things that you are passionate about.
For instance, saying “I love research” just because you think they will like it, isn’t going to help you a lot. Whatever you say just for the sake of it, won’t appeal much to the committee, as they would look for relevant evidences in your stories and in your past . So, don’t even think about fooling the committee with a false storyline. Try and be yourself throughout the essay.
8. Address Your Problems
The Statement of Purpose is a great opportunity for you to address some of your problems. If you have had any problematic academic background, or a gap year in your career, or if you had any work-related problems, you can address them on the statement of purpose in order to reassure the admissions committee. You must try and be as honest as possible , and talk about your problems in a matured manner.
Instead of trying to defend yourself, you can point out the actual reasons that led to the problems, but more importantly, you should highlight ‘how’ you overcame the situation, and ‘what’ you have learnt from the experience. For example, let’s say that you got all C’s or all D’s in one semester. This normally isn’t the kind of academic profile a good grad school would want from you, unless there is a strong reason behind it. So, take some time and dedicate a few lines to explain whatever happened .
If you had a health problem during your semester exams, or if you faced any emotional setback during that time, if you experience any personal loss, or if you had to take up additional family responsibilities other than studying, you can mention that in your statement. But, more importantly, you should not forget to demonstrate how your grades have been steadily improving since then, and that you now have a decent grade-point average in the discipline.
If you can spin this story well enough for the committee to empathize with you, then your story will enhance the admissions committee’s image of you as a matured student , with the abilities to “take on additional challenges” and “to finish on time”, even when things are against you.
9. Do Your Homework
This is one very important point you should exercise while you are writing a statement of purpose. You should be thorough with the details of all the universities you are applying to, and list down all the things you like about each university, before you write the essays.
Most students simply write generic sentences like “I am impressed by the importance your university gives to research” or “I would like to study here because you have 100 Ph.D.’s and 20 Nobel prize winners.” etc. No, that is not how you do it. The admissions committee knows how great their college is; you don’t have to remind them again and again . But, you should let them know what exactly you like about them, that you so badly want to be there. The specifics are really important .
For example, you could say something like this. (Excuse the random jargon, it is only to give you an idea.)
“I would fully utilize the resources that the Wallenberg Hall provides, as I am particularly interested in the field of molecular chemistry. The special 24/7 laboratories provided for student research on molecular processing is exactly the kind of opportunity I am looking for, as I could totally see myself working in the labs day and night.”
And something like:
“I especially want to study under Dr. Mark Adams, Ph.D., as I have been an avid follower and admirer of his work in the field of quantum chemistry, which is not only the field I would choose for my research study, but also is a topic that I am zealous about, personally. I would be more than honoured if I can earn a spot in his research group.”
Do you see how professional it sounds? Such things show how well prepared you are, and how eager you are to study at that university. Now, to write something like this, you obviously need to do lots of research both online and offline, and be very thorough about the college, its facilities, courses, and professors. Yes, it is very difficult, but you better believe it is completely worth all the hard work.
10. Proofread, Edit, and Re-edit. Ask Friends and Family To Grade Your Essay
Another mistake students make is, they try and keep their essays to themselves. Maybe they are shy, or maybe they think their friends and family aren’t necessarily experts on the subject. So they think there’s no point in asking friends and family to critique on their essays. Wrong. Your statement of purpose speaks about you as a student, as an individual. Yes, there is technical slang involved, and yes your family members may not be experts on that. But, they sure are experts on ‘you’ . Which is exactly why you should approach them.
They can not only give you additional points to add, but they can give you valuable stories about your childhood or schooling days, which you probably won’t remember. Plus, it’s very easy to say something about others, but at the same time, it’s painfully difficult to describe yourself to someone. Which is why someone very close to you, like friends and family, can describe you accurately. You will get new perspectives on your stories , which sometimes are better than your own versions, and including them in your statement of purpose will do you a lot of good. Also, remember to proofread your statement time and again, and keep on re-editing content until you, your family and friends think you have the best statement in the world.
Remember that your statement of purpose is a literary picture of ‘you’ as a person , and it is representing on your behalf. So, make it a top priority to avoid typos, misplaced commas and semicolons, overused quotes, being too wordy, using too many complex words and sentences, and being too straightforward. Be careful. Be a perfectionist when it comes to writing . It shows how much you care about going to a particular college. And, once you are done with everything, do not forget to ask your friends and family to grade your statement of purpose, and ask them to criticize it accurately, so you can avoid submitting a less than perfect copy of your statement.
11. Take Advice From Professors.
If you know a professor at your undergrad institution, don’t hesitate to approach him/her for advice regarding your statement of purpose. They are of course very experienced prospects, and they might have seen thousands of statement of purposes and students in their careers. So, it wouldn’t hurt to ask for their opinion. Plus, since unlike your family, they are technically sound, they can also provide you valuable insights on how to project your technical expertise and project works in the statement.
After all, a professor knows what another professor looks for in a prospective student , so it would only help if you approach your college professors. And, if they are really close to you, you can also ask them for a really good letter of recommendation . So whichever way you look at it, there are only benefits for you.
Checklist for a Powerful Statement of Purpose
Here’s a basic checklist designed to help you draft a flawless Statement of Purpose. Make sure you write in an organized manner, and cover your points in a proper order. We have given this checklist so that you can write your statement of purpose without confusing yourself and the readers. Following a meticulous order like this will make your statement of purpose a lot better to read and understand about you and your story. Feel free to add anything else to the list if you think it will boost your chances, but remember to not write too much because you would then be exceeding the word limit.
Organization:
- Introducing yourself in a unique manner.
- Demonstrating your passion for the field.
- Story about your background or experience in the field you’ve chosen.
- Description of your academic background in the field you’ve chosen.
- Specific classes or special courses you have taken, that are related to your field of interest.
- Some of the professors you have studied under, especially if they are well-known in that field.
- Co-curricular and Extracurricular activities in the field of you interest.
- Publications or other professional accomplishments in the field (perhaps conference presentations or public readings)
- Any community service or leadership experience while in college.
- Explanations about problems in background (if needed)
- Explanation of why you have chosen the specific grad school and other related questions as discussed in the beginning of this article.
- Mention what you like about the university you are applying for, and why: facilities, infrastructure, etc.
- Mention names of one or two professors in that school and what you know of and appreciate about their work, and why you want to study or work under their guidance.
- Specific features of the grad program and the university, which attract you personally. And why.
- Get advice from several of your professors, family, and close friends. Ask for stories about yourself.
- Proofread and edit; ask friends and family to proofread for you as well.
So, those are some strategies and tips for you to write a powerful statement of purpose, impress the committee, and thereby ace the admissions process. Make sure you do every one of these things, and you won’t be far away from the college of your dreams. Do you have any strategies that worked well for you? Do let us know in the comments section.
We almost forgot! We are giving away a sample Statement of Purpose for download, so you can get an actual glimpse of how the aforementioned tips and strategies have been incorporated in a real Statement Of Purpose. But remember, this should serve only as an inspiration to your own Statement of Purpose, but not a source to copy from. Close to 10000 students check this space regularly, and if every single one of them uses the same phrases in their own statement of purposes, very soon, everyone will be held for plagiarism. So, try and copy only the framework and the organization, but not the actual content. Happy Writing!
Download your free sample SOP now:
Download Sample Statement Of Purpose
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127 Comments to “11 Tips for Writing a Powerful Statement of Purpose [Sample SOP Included]”
I am confused about a question that why you want to pursue MS in CS ? I don’t have any research paper for technical work. But i have solid final year system project. and i want to go for higher education.
Need Help….
It’s a question many students face when applying for a Computer Science program. In your case, if your final year project is related to Computer Science, try and emphasise how doing that project made you realize your interest for Computers. If you have any relevant work experience (software) then it will be easy for you to convince them about your choice of study. If you are applying for a top program, this is really important.
Try and build stories around your interest for computers, and use all the techniques given above. If you are still unsure, then maybe you should take a break, work for a year or two in a relevant field, and apply again. But, if you really want to go ‘now’, you should emphasise your project really well. Be positive! Good luck! 🙂
Hi Sachin, Thanks for useful insight on difficult doubt. I have tried hard for my SOP. i need someone could just refer it so i could get more correction and may help me build a good SOP.
If possible give me your mail-id. so i could mail to you !!!
I sincerely appreciate the time and the effort you put to carefully explaining these steps, I am really grateful.
Thank you for all you do.
I have mailed my SOP on mentioned Email-Id. Could you please let me know any improvements in my SOP asap…..
Just sent you a mail with steps you should take to improve your SOP. Let me know if you need help! 🙂
Just had a look around your suggestion. I would surely work around it. But I am confused which content to be removed because I have had much extracurricular activities and projects too!
Still I will concise it and will make improvements soon.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Jitta/ Sachin,
I have revised my SOP. Made necessary changes as suggested by you, Jitta. Thanks for your help! 🙂
I sincerely appreciate the team that up this wonderful work together which I we take my time to follow accordingly but and I get a direct SOP format on my mail or something to prove read for me when done with it
Sachin yar , why you guys do not send the pdf man . I get a message that I will be delivered on the mail but I never receive it
Geat advice. Thank you so much!
Where is the sample sop? Can you please give me the download link?
The download link is available right at the end of the blog post. Hope you have found it already.
The essay is not available from the download link. I received one sample sop as a .vcf file which is not opening.
Paul, I just checked and the download link is working. Mind trying again?
Ok im trying again . but i told you that i got the mail after i clicked on the link. the mail has a .vcf file attached, which is not opening.
Could you check your email? We have sent you the direct download link. Happy Studying! 🙂
got it 🙂 Thanks so much 🙂
Awesome! Would love to hear how it helped you 🙂
Hey Sachin,
Thanks for the article! I really appreciate it!
I have already confirmed my email but can’t download the sample SOP.If you can send me the direct link as you did with “shaoni paul”, this will be nice .
Please re-enter your mail id and you will taken to the download page. Let me know if it doesn’t work 🙂
I hope you find the sample SOP helpful!
Just sending a .vcf file and downloading the same. Tried it twice.
Hey Keerthi,
I am sorry to hear that you had to go through this process twice. I just checked and it looks like your email isn’t confirmed yet. Please re-enter your email and make sure you confirm your subscription. You should receive an email with a link to the SOP after a few minutes. Let me know if you don’t receive this mail 🙂
Hello, what is an ideal length for SOP? Please reply quickly as I need to finalize my SOP within this week. This article helped me a lot. Thanks in Advance.
Shrawan, there is no definitive ideal length for a statement of purpose. It entirely depends on the course you are applying to. For instance, if you are applying for an engineering school and send a 5 page SOP, the admissions committee may conclude that you are unable to express yourself concisely. And if you are applying for a literature school and send a 1 page SOP, that would again be a disaster too.
The general norm is a two to three pages statement of purpose. If you are going beyond that, it just means you are writing things that are totally unnecessary and would only act as a hindrance to your admission.
It was great to me~ It’s so helpful~
This article was really helpful and readable. It was very surprising that your article actually answered what I was asking inwardly! I think you just have an insight into a person’s mind! Thank you very much 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Sarah, I’m happy to hear that the article helped you answer your questions.
Let me know if there is anything I can do 🙂
Hi Thanks for your useful post. I made my SOP based on your tips and I emailed it now. Could you please kindly review my SOP and give notes about it? I’m in a hurry, because I’m going to apply tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow for universities where their deadlines are 5 Jan. So I appreciate if you do me the favor urgently 🙂
Hey Ali, Please check your inbox and let me know if there is anything else I can do 🙂
The blog is excellently written and I am confident that it will certainly help me with my personal statement. Thanks.
Thank you very much for the article. It was very useful! Last year, I applied to a couple of grad schools and got rejected, which I believe was in part due to my weak SOP. This year, I’ve tried to improve it and would be grateful if you could please review it for me, and let me know of its flaws. Thanks. Keep the good work going.
Thanks for the write-up. I really need the sample SOP. Thank you.
I really needed some advise and you really provided with excellent explanation and SOP. And want to tell you thank you very much for all this. Now I know what was the biggest mistake in my prior SOP and why University did not admit me. Thank you very much again!!! ^_^
Excellent information with unique content and it is very useful to know about the information based on blogs.
Hi, Thanks for such a wonderful article being made. It helped me in stating the exact way of writing and proposing in the way the reader expects….. Thanks a lot…. 🙂
Thank u immensely for that great inside on SOP,I HV a better idea now on what to write.
There’s definitely a lot to know about this issue. I like all the points you made.
Thank you very much For such a creative blog,its much helpful. I really found answers of my all questions in this pretty written blog and it really awakened my mind to show that creativity which i had once before 3 years. Thanks once more dude.
it’s really helpful, thank you!
These tips are damn cool and intuitive hope so this will push me to touch zenith
This is the best blog i have seen so far that fully explains how to write a SOP. Most blogs show you a lot of wordy stuff which forces you to copy since you don’t understand the structure instead of writing something original for yourself. With this information, it really bring out the saying; “Teach a man how to fish rather than giving him fish…” Thanks for all the help.
Thank you for the tips and strategies am hopeful to write a good SOP and I have just started preparing my SOP and will continue to seek for your guide indue course.
This article is quite amazing and full of insight. I am going to take to the above instructions with due attention to details.
Thank you so much! Very helpful.
This blog is excellently written, wished I found you earlier.
High sachin, Thank you for your wonderful explanations on how to write a powerful SOP, To be sincere with you I really understand everything that you just explained and how you articulated it, I believed that it’s really going to help me a lots but the issues that I am having right now is that I don’t know if it’s actually possible for a computer science undergraduate that is currently in final year now at University to apply for any scholarship to pursue his MS in CS because I don’t have any research work though I’m still doing my project work
Thank You So Much For Helping The World.
Happy to help, Adikalie! Glad to know you found it useful. 🙂
Thank you so much for this guide.
Hello plz when can I get a reply yet?
Hi, Thank you for this wonderful information on writing SOP. It covers everything I was looking for
Very informative…Thanks.
Hy. Thank you, it is very helpful. now, I work on my own SOP for student exchange and this article solved my problem.
Simply wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this great source of information! I will prepare my statement accordingly!
Hi, I find this article really impressive and useful.I hope this will help me a lot writing my SOP.
GOOD JOB HERE.
Thanks for the detailed tips
Thanks for the detailed tips. Am so grateful for this.
This article is so informative! Thanks a lot for such useful tips! Some students underestimate the role of the statement of purpose and as a result, they get rejections. So, without an appealing, error-free, interesting and sweet SOP it is almost impossible to get a place at grad school or any other institution. Some students prefer writing this piece of paper on their own while others consider hiring professional SOP writers to help them out and make their lives a bit easier. Anyway, as the author said, a statement of purpose is a chance to impress the assessing committee and distinguish yourself from the crowd. Let’s do this 🙂
Fantastic SOP guide! I’m gonna apply to top universities this year so it’s going to be useful.
Hi! the instructions are amazing and gave me great insights on how to write my ideal SOP! Thank you so much!
Hello The post was wonderful and so much helpful
Thank you very much
What a nice guidance… Thank you… I like the way you explain
Sop writing is not a piece of cake but you have jotted down all the points in beautiful way. Keep It UP
Your article is very helpful!
Thank you, Ray
Hi, thank you for your helpful guidance.
Hi! Thank you so much for these useful tips. They really helped me with getting started.
Hi! Thanks for the tips they really helped.
This was extremely helpful!
Excellent post! very useful information. you are the best
Hi, Sachin!
Thank you very much for great advices and tips!
Hi.. the post is amazing….
Helpful tips!
Thanks so much! This is really helpful.
It was very helpful. Thank you so much!
As much as I am still left tensed and pumped to work towards my SOP, this helped me calm down and have a sit-down with my own brain and work my way around it more steadily! Thank you so much!!!
Hi,thank you for this, I’ve been thinking of how to compose my sop, but with this guide I believe I will be able to come up with something that’ll impress the grad school committee and gain my place in the university.
Thanks for the detailed information.
Helpful information
The guide is excellent. All students aspiring to write SOP must get it. THANKS SIR
I found this article very useful and I appreciate the effort you put into it to keep us abreast. Cheers.
Hello ! Just found out about your brilliant article.
Have a good day !
That was great, complete and truly helpful.
Thanks for this write up.
Thank you for the useful article. An ever-increasing number of students will utilize this to compose their personal statement. The admissions committee will utilize this to enable them to see exactly your identity and to judge your reasonableness for their school, so it should be composed consummately. This will be the most critical piece of your application necessities and should be composed superbly. The application process for whichever school you’re applying for will expect you to supply a personal statement as a major aspect of your application. Thank you.
Thank you for this wonderful steps in achieving a better SOP.
Thank you very much for this important information. Actually I have realized that most of the mistakes I have been making are here mentioned. This time I will not repeat the mistakes. Thank you very much.
Hi, Thanks, the tips are beautiful and really helpful
Hi, thank you for the amazing article. I will apply these tips and tricks as soon as possible.
Thanks for this brilliant article;
I have always wondered how should my SOP look like ? I always wanted to have my own unique version as I am applying now. Though I had a rough idea, after going through this blog,I must say that I am more clear about what the contents should be and how the SOP should sound. Thanks a lot for sharing the tips.
You are the best for sure! i am satisfied and i hope that i am going to make a very good SOP
wow This is great
Very useful post.
We all appreciate your kind helpfulness,continue your good work.thanks
This Piece was well put together. Thanks
This is a valuable article so I hope to get a free sample SOP as you have mentioned above. Thank you in advance
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for Help Writing Essay Homework
Thank you very much for this post. It is extremely helpful.
Thanks & regards, Debanjana Dey
Nowadays it’s very rare to come across an article like this. And it’s even rarer that I read a full article without getting bored. I read this one beginning to end. Brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it, Flyod! Feel free to message us if you have any questions! 🙂
It’s has been very helpful
It’s has been very helpful, educative and interesting
This has lighten my burden about SOP to a great extent. Thanks for these tips.
Thanks for these wonderful tips.
Really helpful post. This post has the all the information which I need. Thank you so much.
Hi! Thank you very much for such priceless tips.
Again, thanks a lot
Excellent article..its a good site to explore ..Thanks for the blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged..
Very good post. I think these tips are helpful and needed. Writers often struggle with purpose statements, yet they are so important. What I like about your post is that you delve into various ideas and explain them well. Thank you for helping writers!!
I am writing my SOP with the help of your brilliant tips. Thank you
Thank you so much for what you’ve given us!
Such a great help!
Wow, the concept of writing the statement of purpose for graduate programme admission vividly explained and well understood
Great job ! I’m thoroughly impressed with your tips here. Thanks!
This article is excellent and helpful.
Thanks for this great post. It exposed a lot of flaws in my SOP and made me to believe that what caused the rejection of my grad application is the SOP. The admission committee states in the comment section that I met the minimum requirements but my application is not competitive.
Sure, I will do a hard think and find answers to all the why questions.
Thank you for such nice tips. SOP are now becoming a requirement of every reputable college and university. I am also very worried as I want to apply for my masters in a reputable US university but I fear that my SOP writing skills are not very good. I hope these tips help and I get into a reputable university.
Hey! I found the article to be AMAZING and so helpful! Thank you!
It was great reading the writing skills of SOP, more in a story manner rather a statement. I will try to work on these lines. Thank you.
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Statement of Purpose (SOP) with Samples, & Format
- by Samarth Vijh
- February 27, 2023
- 1 share 0 0 1
For students planning to study abroad, writing an SOP is a crucial part of their admission application process. Thus, one should have a clear idea about the usage, function, format, and importance of the SOP (statement of purpose). In this blog, we will break down the SOP format and talk about the tips that can help in writing an impressive SOP. Also, we will look at the statement of purpose samples.
Planning to Study Abroad? Avail Free Admission Guidance
Table of Contents
What is an SOP?
The SOP (statement of purpose) is an essay cum application that needs to be written by students who want to take admission to courses at international universities. The main aim of the SOP is to introduce yourself, your academic background, career goals, and qualities that make you a meritorious candidate for the selected course. It is important to have a readable statement of purpose format.
The admission committee and supervisors go through the statement of purpose to check your thought process and how good you are at expressing yourself. It allows them to know more about you through you. It also tells the supervisors about your maturity level and your plans for the future.
The candidates need to express their strengths and achievements to impress the faculty members and admission officers. This is an important step to get admission at overseas universities.
The SOP comprises various elements – starting from academic qualifications to personal experiences. However, the format of SOP differs according to the course, objectives, institution, and country. Though, the basics remain the same for all.
Learn More about SOPs:
Difference Between SOP and Personal Statement | SOP Writing Tips
Course-Wise SOPs
Sops for ms.
- SOP Samples for MS
- SOP for MS in Electrical Engineering
- SOP for MS in Computer Science
- SOP for MS in Mechanical Engineering
- SOP for MS in MIS
- SOP for MS in Biotechnology
- SOP for MS in Civil Engineering
- SOP for MS in Information Technology
SOPs for MBA
- SOP for MBA
- SOP for an MBA with an Engineering Background
- SOP for MBA in International Business
- SOP for MBA in Marketing
- SOP for MBA Finance
Statement of Purpose (SOP) Format
Here are some points that you need to keep in your SOP review checklist:
1. The SOP should be written in precise paragraphs like an essay. You can use bullet points but you need to limit them to a bare minimum.
2. Usually, an SOP is two pages long, written in 12-point fonts, and double-spaced. Depending upon the size and type of font used, you can write 800-1000 words.
3. The complete SOP lies between 5-7 paragraphs of 150-250 words each.
4. You should keep your SOP simple and avoid using colorful text and images. If you are using pen and paper, use black ink.
Why is SOP so important?
The SOP has to be written by all students applying for graduate and undergraduate courses. It is, in a way, a direct connection with the selection committee of the university. Your application and resume majorly answer all the questions of panel members but it is the SOP that will let the panel know about you as a person and your plans.
A well-written SOP can downplay your weaknesses and convince the admission committee to accept your application. It is the best way to stand out among applicants who, like you, also want to study the same course. It also highlights your extracurricular achievements and enthusiasm for new opportunities and challenges. Most importantly, it can get your application selected or rejected.
Writing an SOP can be a daunting task but do not worry, as we are here to help you.
Interested in Studying Abroad?Evaluate your profile for free
How to Write an SOP?
A simple SOP format will help you string together various pieces of information in a steady flow. It is divided into different paragraphs for better understanding.
A simple SOP looks like this:
1st paragraph: Introduction
This section is often confused with self-introduction. However, you should only introduce your chosen academic field. You need to express your future expectations from this course. Once you have selected a course, you are expected to gain some knowledge about that particular field. You need to express your interest in the selected program.
Alternatively, you can discuss your long-term goals, connect your goals with the course of your choice and describe your understanding of the course. You also need to mention your interest in your post-study work or study opportunities. For instance, some candidates prefer to start working after the completion of the course while some prefer to pursue higher education and research.
2nd Paragraph: Academic background
You need to provide information about your school or college. In case, you do not have work experience, try to emphasize your published reports or achievements in any project or assignment.
3rd Paragraph: Professional experience
Students interested in study abroad generally have some kind of work experience. It may be a part-time job, training projects, internships, freelancing work, or a full-time job. Share your work experience along with your skills.
4th paragraph: Reasons to pursue the particular course
Specify the reasons why you want to pursue the particular course. Mention the syllabus of the course and explain the skills you want to improve. Explain how it will help you achieve your goals and benefit your plans.
5th paragraph: Career goals
This is the most important section where you should explain the job profile you will be working on. Try to explain your long-term career goals and plans. Do not mention anything which might make the supervisors feel that you want to study abroad so that you can settle in a foreign country.
You may speak about your desire to work in a top company or if you want to start your own business. You can also discuss your business ideas, aims, ethics, and what impact they will have on the industry.
6th paragraph: Why did you choose the particular university?
This is the paragraph where you need to tell the academic committee why you are an ideal candidate for the university. You should also mention faculty names, course curriculum, research work, as well as university-specific activities that will help you to enhance your profile.
Closing paragraph:
In the final paragraph, you need to seem focused and prepared for the challenges that can come in your way of studying abroad. You should also show the panel that you are confident enough to succeed in the field of your interest and will bring a tangible difference in the industry from a global point of view.
Personality traits:
You also need to highlight the personality traits and qualities that make you a unique applicant. Avoid using adjectives like interested, dedicated, etc. Explain why you chose the particular university. Your suitability for the program does not depend only on your achievements.
Is there any Need to Write my Name on SOP?
In a traditional SOP, you need not write your name or course details anywhere in the application. But here, the SOP is a part of your application that already has your name and all other relevant details like the course name, etc. However, some universities require names and course details to be mentioned in the SOP. These international universities provide clear instructions on how you should write your details in the SOP. Read and follow the instructions mentioned on the university’s website.
Tips to Write an SOP
Students struggle a lot in writing an SOP that sounds original and gives them an advantage over other applicants. The best way to do this is to write the answer to the questions in a way the admission committee wants. They may not ask directly but there are certain questions that you are expected to answer in a well-written manner. They are:
- What is the best international course you want to study for graduation?
- Why do you want to choose a particular university or college? Why did you choose us?
- Why do you want to get this degree?
- Why did you choose a particular country? What is it that attracted you?
- Do you have any experience related to the choice of degree?
- How much job experience (part-time/full-time) do you have?
- If you already have job experience in a particular course, then what are the additional skills that you want to learn from this course?
- What are your plans after completion of the course?
- Would you continue your studies or prefer to take up a job after the course?
- What are your expectations from the course and the university?
- Do you want to study or do research with a particular professor? If yes, why only that professor?
- What are the specific skills that make you a perfect candidate for the particular course?
- In addition to academics, what are your other interests, hobbies, and habits that make you an ideal candidate?
- What is your unique characteristic that should be known by us and other fellow students?
Try to build a story that the admissions committee will love reading. For the graduation program, candidates need not go for a personal interview, so, the only way to impress the panel is by telling your true story through the SOP. If your SOP is interesting enough then you will not only get admission to a particular university but can also get a decent scholarship.
For a winning SOP, it is important to make a perfect strategy before drafting. Though most people write whatever comes to their minds, you should not follow in their footsteps. You are going to write an original and eye-catching SOP. Here are some tips and tricks:
Frame Original Stories:
If you have a choice to read a novel or a newspaper. You are likely to choose the novel.
Because a newspaper updates you about current affairs but a novel will tell you a well-written story with which you will feel emotionally connected. The human feeling in your storyline will connect you to the committee and explain them as to why you took the decisions you took. It increases your chances of selection.
Stories Connect Humans but Statements do Not:
Your story should have relevant and true experiences of your life. It should not be seen as a thesis. Instead, it should act as a genuine source of information about yourself. Your stories should have an analysis of you and should contain measurable experiences. Suppose you have worked with an NGO teaching maths to primary kids. You can write, “During my college days, I worked with an NGO and taught maths to needy children. I also taught basic English concepts.” This statement not only sounds good but also makes an academic committee think about your valuable impact on children.
Be Specific:
Your SOP should contain specific information. Whatever you write needs to be backed up with proper details. Don’t just write things like, “I chose this degree/course because I love it.” Elaborate on the reasons why you love this field and what made you choose it.
Try to pick relevant answers that can help you in getting admission to the university of your choice.
Statement of Purpose Format Example/Sample
I’ve maintained a healthy academic track record – from school to college. With a 97 percent in the 12th standard, I have been among the top few names in my college. I have also won merit-based awards which have further encouraged my undergraduate studies.
My undergraduate course in computer science from XXXXXX(institution) helped me learn about various fields like artificial intelligence, programming, algorithms, and cyber-security. However, I haven’t limited my learning to classroom lessons. I have worked on multiple software projects along with a few of my friends. Our best achievement has been building an app and web interface for school management. It is being used by many schools in my home district.
This has allowed me to stay in touch with the latest technologies and learn from many communities on the internet.
I’ve participated in several competitions and hackathons in my state and have won many awards and cash prizes. Along with my team of friends, I have also organized many such competitions in my college and outside.
My graduation course has helped me lay down a strong fundamental base in computer science and now I want to gain more knowledge in the field. I believe the Master’s course in computer science at the IU University of Germany will help me achieve this goal. Such a course from a global university will not only help me get a quality education but also exposure to a wide range of research work from around the world.
I am applying to this university because it has a proven track record of creating some of the best professionals in the field of science and technology worldwide. In addition, your practical teaching methods and updated learning modules will provide me with a new learning experience.
I have a deep interest in sustainability, green energy, and health tech. I wish to contribute to these areas with my knowledge and skills.
I hope you will grant me the privilege of pursuing my Master’s degree from your prestigious university. I look forward to your response and wish to join a fruitful association with the IU University of Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to give a final polish to my sop.
Once you have written down your SOP, double-check the document for grammatical errors and careless mistakes. Your next step should be to find someone who can analyze your essay and can spot errors. Check your SOP through the eyes of the admission panel and look for what you are lacking. For more corrections, you can ask your friends and family members to read the SOP and react to it. Accordingly, make some changes and modify your format. In the end, you can look out for the spacing errors and save the final application.
How to write a perfect SOP that could win the heart of an academic committee?
You should follow the above-listed guidelines to write a good SOP. Check out some of our other blogs and samples that will help you write a good copy.
What is the difference between SOP and motivational letters?
The statement of purpose is almost the same as a motivation letter. Both are often referred to as the same thing but there is a thin line of difference. The letter of motivation is written specifically to help the admission department understand your objectives and career goals related to the course and your future plans. It is generally short and factual. On the other hand, the SOP can include personal details about your past learning experiences, anecdotes, and how they connect with your current plans. It can be more detailed and longer than the letter of motivation.
Other Course-Wise SOPs
- SOP for Internship
- SOP for Undergraduate
- SOP for PhD
- SOP for Data Science
- SOP for Business Analytics
- SOP for Engineering Management
- SOP for Project Management
- SOP for Construction Management
- SOP for Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- SOP for Business Management
- SOP for Hospitality Management
- SOP for MIS with Work Experience
- SOP for Civil Engineering
- SOP for Mechanical Engineering
Country-Wise SOPs
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How to Write a Statement of Purpose
Last Updated: September 28, 2022 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Stacy Blackman . Stacy Blackman is an Admissions Consultant and the Founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC), a company that specializes in consulting individuals who want to earn Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. SBC offers a video series, runs live and virtual workshops, and has a publishing arm, with 25+ e-guides covering different aspects of the MBA admissions process. Stacy has professional experience working in private equity at Prudential Capital Group, launching Stryke Club, and evaluating businesses as a Resident Entrepreneur at idealab!. She earned a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,372,901 times.
If you're applying to grad school, you'll probably have to write a statement of purpose. Usually two or three pages in length, your statement of purpose can make or break your application. If you focus on conveying your interests and experiences using specific, vivid details, however, you can create a statement of purpose that stands out and excites admissions committees.
Creating an Outline
- Brainstorm particular factors that led to your decision to pursue graduate study. Make these as interesting as possible, but truthful and believable.
- For instance, maybe your interest in studying Italian grew out of that time you got stranded at the airport in Rome for 24 hours. Or maybe you decided to study entomology because you can remember your grandparents telling stories about how devastating the boll weevil infestations were.
- Your undergraduate thesis, senior project, or other major research work.
- Time interning in a lab, with a cultural foundation, etc.
- Any publications you have produced or contributed to.
- Major presentations, talks, posters, or exhibits you have been involved in.
- Do your research. Study the webpages of the department you are interested in applying to as well as its faculty members. Their research interests don’t have to be exactly the same as yours, but they should be related.
Drafting Your Statement
- You can pose interests as a question. This makes your writing engaging, and shows your ability to formulate research questions.
- For instance, you might write something like “the question I keep turning to in my research is: How did gender-based concerns shape the epistolary novel and related genres in eighteenth-century France?”
- For instance, write something more than “I gained significant experience as an intern in a chemical engineering lab that I will apply to my graduate study.”
- Instead, try something like “While interning at the UC Berkeley Chemical Engineering Lab, I discovered a new method for crystallizing citric acid. In my article published in the New England Journal of Chemistry, I explained how this can potentially transform the industrial production of this compound. I intend to pursue research on these applications during my graduate study.”
- Don’t be afraid to use the technical lingo of your field. Remember you are writing to your peers who want to know you are knowledgeable.
- This means don't settle for something like “As an undergraduate, I excelled academically.”
- Instead, show specific evidence of your accomplishments: “A $2000 grant from the Louisiana Historical Society to fund my research on material culture in Antebellum African American daily life. The senior thesis I wrote reporting my findings earned the LSU Library Undergraduate Research Award.”
- If you don’t yet have anyone specific in mind, that’s ok. Instead, you can mention the department’s or university’s strengths and how you would benefit from them: “As a practicing translator, I would enthusiastically contribute to UD’s Center for Intercultural Communications.”
- Be honest in talking about your interests, and don’t feel as though you can only discuss working with big names.
- Keep in mind that sometimes the most famous professors in a department might not work with many graduate students.
- For instance, you might say “After completing my undergraduate degree, I spent two years as an assistant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an experience that will inform my graduate studies in public administration.”
- If you have an academic issue to address, try something like “After selecting my senior research topic, my sense of focus was heightened. My GPA increased significantly, and I received a High Pass on my senior thesis.”
- If the application specifically asks you to write a statement that is less than 500 words or more than 1000, however, follow the directions.
Reviewing Your Statement
- Mark any problem spots as you read your statement of purpose outloud, then revise them.
- If they have any suggestions to improve your statement, revise it and ask them to read it again.
- Don’t rely on your word processor’s spelling and grammar check tools, since they might not catch everything.
- If you have multiple applications, make sure that you’ve matched the right statement of purpose with the right application. You don’t want to send in a statement of purpose that mentions the wrong school!
Sample Statement
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- ↑ https://www.esu.edu/writing-studio/guides/hook.cfm
- ↑ http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/statement-purpose/
- ↑ https://caw.ceu.edu/writing-a-statement-of-purpose
- ↑ https://caw.ceu.edu/writing-statement-purpose
- ↑ https://grad.ucla.edu/asis/agep/advsopstem.pdf
- ↑ https://education.uw.edu/sites/default/files/admissions/docs/Tips%20on%20Writing%20a%20Successful.pdf
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
About This Article
To write a statement of purpose, start by explaining what led you to pursue graduate study in your chosen field. Then, highlight your specific interests and undergraduate achievements, using specific examples, like awards you received. Next, be specific about why you want to attend the program, and provide names of professors or laboratories you want to work in and why you'd be an asset to them. Finally, if you’ve taken time off since college, describe what you’ve learned during this time and how it will inform your graduate studies. In general, try to keep your statement between 500 and 1,000 words. To learn how to outline and edit your statement, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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How to Write a Successful Statement of Purpose with this Format
EssayEdge > Blog > How to Write a Successful Statement of Purpose with this Format
The hardest part of any piece of writing is just getting started after choosing the writing direction. Having a format can help quickly give structure to not only what you should write but what the finished piece should look like to impress readers. The following statement of purpose (or statement of interest) format offers some general direction so you can start getting ideas and get to writing to get an amazing outcome.
Before taking up the process of writing, you may wonder how long should a statement of purpose be, the difference between statement of purpose grad school and Ph.D. statement of purpose, or how to end statement of purpose to leave an unforgettable impression.
Our statement of purpose editing is to help you find out the answers for all the bothering issues.
Think about it, do you really want to waste your time trying to figure out everything you need to know about your statement of purpose? Of course not. That’s why we wrote this quick explanation guide to tell you everything you need to know to go from staring at a blank screen to writing a statement of purpose first successful draft.
Table of Contents:
What is a statement of purpose?
A statement of purpose (SOP or also called statement of intent), in the context of applying for graduate schools or universities, is an essay that’s one of the most important aspects of your application because it tells the admission committee who you are, why you’re applying, why you’re a good candidate, and what you want to do in the future, your professional goals, what will you do when becoming alumni or Ph.D., apart from your GPA, test scores and other numbers. Therefore, don’t neglect the importance of this essay. It’s sometimes called an SOP letter, application essay, personal background, objectives for graduate study, cover letter, or something similar to one of these. The thing is that this diversity of titles implies SOP anyway. Keep in mind that even top-rated universities, like MIT , Stanford , or Berkley take essays as a deciding factor.
See also: personal statement vs statement of purpose to know the difference between the essays and not to fail the admissions to your dream university.
What are the general conditions required for statement of interest?
The statement of purpose (statement of interest) reflects not only who you are as a candidate but your writing abilities and qualifications as well. In college and graduate school, you’re going to be doing a ton of writing. Seriously a ton. It is a common deal for universities. It was not unusual for me to write papers 10-20 pages or longer. Take it as a commitment. With that in mind, it is really important to show that you are a truly competent writer. Some quick statement of purpose tips are:
- Your statement of purpose shouldn’t have any typos, spelling or grammatical errors
- Use strong, clear, and concise writing
- Avoid cliches and repetitive language
- Stay away from overly informal language
- Keep a positive and confident tone
Also, there is a common question of how to format a statement of purpose and fit into the common requirements. There is a diversity of variants. However, the general format is similar to any other piece of academic writing. You should use:
- 12 point Times New Roman font
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- 1.5 line spacing
This format will make your writing easier to read and provide you with some additional explanation. It is also the expected format. Sadly, you probably won’t get bonus points for standing out with your general visual formatting. It is going to benefit you much more to focus on wowing your reader with your actual content. It will help you get a great outcome.
Do’s of Personal Statement Formatting
- Format the essay.
- Avoid informal language.
- Check grammar and spelling.
- Space the text.
- Use readable font.
Don’ts of Personal Statement Formatting
- Submit half-backed paper.
- Pretend as you write a message to your buddy.
- Use overcomplicated language and sentence constructions.
- Apply colorful and vivid background.
- Use a beautiful or awkward font.
Do I need to put my name in the statement of purpose heading?
In general, no, you don’t need to put your name on your SOP. The reason is that your statement is a part of your larger application which already has your name throughout it. However, it is important to look at the specific requirements for the program you’re applying to. If the requirements for your program say that you should include your name, then you should follow those directions. You may also like diversity statement .
How long should a statement of purpose be?
Many students are doubtful regarding statement of purpose length and its importance . A statement of purpose should really be one page and only one page. You could write up to one and a half pages if needed, but nothing longer than this. The reason is that you need to be economical with your writing and not overwhelm your readers. Admissions officers departments read dozens of applications a day, so you are going to need to be able to concisely and clearly state what you want to say. Writing longer than 1 – 1.5 pages will make you seem like you lack focus and clarity in your purpose for school. Get rid of all unnecessary data, like descriptions of your grades, anyway, they can be found in your GPA paper.
Besides, you should check the official site of the educational institution you want to apply to. As a rule, admissions offices or departments promulgate the conditions of how long should a statement of purpose be.
Check out personal statement length for more detailed information.
Statement of purpose tips that will help you create your best essay ever
It can be hard to know what to include in each section of your writing and what strategies to take into consideration. The following statement of purpose format is a simple five-paragraph essay that will help you address all the points admissions officers expect you to cover. Also, this section is supposed to help you decide on the way how to write a statement of purpose on the whole.
Part 1: Who are you, and what do you want to do? – 1st paragraph
In the first paragraph, you should introduce yourself by briefly giving your background and stating your current career goal or objective in the thesis. Your introduction should be relevant to the specific program and its coursework you’re applying to. Talking about your love of cooking when you’re applying to medical school won’t really help you by itself or play the role of your accomplishments. Any information you include in your introduction needs to be relatable back to specific aspects of the program. Moreover, think closely about the topic of relationships for your essay as it can provide a twofold impression in some cases.
For example, consider this statement from the description of the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) program , it will help you decide on how to start a statement of purpose, “HST students learn to carry their engineering and scientific expertise from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside and to bring clinical insights from the bedside to the bench.” If you were applying to this program, you’d probably want to include some background you have with scientific research and what was its relevance for you or bedside interactions with patients to let the faculty staff and particular department know more about you. Your career goal or objective should also clearly show that this is the kind of work you want to do.
Research the program and its coursework you are applying to thoroughly, and make sure that what you write about directly relates to the specific details included in the program description and include those points into your statement of purpose outline. It will help you stick to the requirements connected exactly to your field of interest.
See also: how to start a personal essay and college essay introduction writing tips and tricks to make it magnificent.
Part 2: Why do you want to do it? – 2nd paragraph
The second paragraph should explain how you came to be interested in your specific area of study, either it is faculty of literature or economics. Now that you’ve made it clear that you have a background and goal related to the program, explain your interest in it, why the commitment of successful admissions is that crucial for you. Your statement of purpose tells admissions officers why you’re applying, and fast! Think over the fact what is a statement of purpose for you, your relationships with this particular field of interest, and your future career before you start making up the reasons for the second paragraph.
Need help? Check out EssayEdge editing services:
Don’t give really general reasons like, “I like helping people.” General reasons don’t help admissions officers understand you as an individual as they haven’t been in a close relationship with you. This is because so many people give these reasons. You probably do like helping people, and that’s great; now look deeper and try to include it in the list of your accomplishments. Why do you like helping people? How did you come to like helping people? Why do you want to learn in this specific program to help people? What is its relevance for your life? Why graduate school is the crucial place for your future? The more completely you understand your reasons, the better you’ll be able to convince admissions officers you’re the right choice. Concentrating on the reasons why you are the most appropriate person is the most essential part of writing, either you are to submit college statement of purpose, grad school personal statement , or personal statement . In the way of submitting letter of intent graduate school has a chance to see what is a statement of purpose for you and how you took the opportunity to prove yourself to receive further qualifications.
Part 3: Why are you the right candidate for the program? – 3rd and 4th paragraphs
After this, in the third paragraph, briefly describe any experience you may already have in your area of study. In this way, you can provide the admissions committee with more crucial data about your personality. Think of any jobs , internships, projects, and so on that, you have done. It all matters if you want to give the faculty staff and department of your studying field a comprehensive overview of your background. It can be difficult for some people to think of any applicable experience they may have. If this is you, try talking to some friends or family that know you well and with whom you have a great relationship. They may be able to help you think of some relevant experience.
Look back to the background and career goals and motivations from the first paragraph. This should be your point of reference when talking about your experience. Using the school’s program description as a guide on how to write a statement of interest, talk about any related experience you have. The more direct the experience, the better. If you don’t have direct experience, choose the most closely related experience if possible. Be sure to reference how your experience relates to the program. This will show that you have a clear understanding of what the program is and how you fit into it. The admissions committee seeks the candidate whose professional goals and personality can match the student community.
Next up is the fourth paragraph, where you can describe any other experiences you’ve had that helped you decide on your specific area of study or have helped you prepare for graduate studies in general. Tell about the book that made you interested in literature or the volunteer work that made you love economics. Do this briefly, though. Your statement of purpose is not the place to give long narratives. To find some inspiration and become aware of how to present the data briefly, look through statement of purpose examples .
If there is any other insight information you really think the admissions officer should know about you, include it here. It is important to emphasize that the admissions officer really should know this insight information. Ask yourself if you can clearly articulate the specific value these experiences add to your story. Would you mention those as your recommendation? This is another chance to stand out and be unique, but it still needs to be tightly focused on explaining why you are the best person for the program.
Part 4: What do you want to do in the future? – Closing paragraph
And here the concluding part of statement of purpose tips from the professional team of EssayEdge . In the final closing paragraph, you should very briefly describe your long-term career goals and motivations. Be very clear and specific when you write this. Also, notice how this is a bit different than the current goal from the first paragraph. In the first paragraph, you talk about what you want to do right now, in other words, the next goal you want to achieve. Do you want to stop education at the stage of alumni or do you want to become a Ph.D. in your field? The closing paragraph discusses where you want to be years from now. For example, your next step may be to become a manager in your field, but your long-term goal may be to be a director or CEO or whatever the applicable title for your field is. Discuss these professional goals in your essay to tell the admissions committee about the seriousness of your intentions.
Up until this point, you’ve talked about the past and present and went through statement of purpose formatting. These are important for showing how you fit the program right now. From the admissions and universities’ perspective, they want to select students that have a long-term vision related to the program. The reason is that it shows you clearly see yourself as using what you’ll learn to truly grow and contribute to your field of study. Why would an admissions officer want to admit a student that doesn’t have a clear vision of how they want to grow their field? It doesn’t make sense for them to choose a student that does not have a clear long-term goal over a student that does.
Our recommendation is to look through this article, it can be useful for you: how to end a personal statement as it also has importance for the reader.
Statement of purpose examples and a great editor are what you need to polish your essay
Now that you have a basic idea of the statement of purpose format, the next thing to do is to get started. If you’re ready, you can get started writing immediately. If you’re not quite sure what this format looks like in action, you should read some statement of purpose examples.
While you read a sample essay, try to notice how the writer either followed or diverged from the above format. Evaluate whether or not you think the writer was clear in their statement of purpose and what you might do differently when you write your own. Make sure to take notes while you read and use them as a reference. Take into consideration that it will certainly help you further!
Remember, you want to be able to show admissions officers that you are clearly focused on your purpose for going to graduate school. This process will help you truly take control over how you convey yourself in your writing.
Writing and editing are complicated. Really complicated, in fact, if you don’t have several thoughtful strategies. This statement of purpose format is meant to give you a great head-start on how to write statement of interest, but there is a lot more than just the format. There is a fine art to selecting the right verb for a sentence. You also need to cut through the clutter and deliver your message with just the right blend of punchiness and evocativeness. Good writing is clear thinking and varied vocabulary made visible. When you have 1-page to convince a stranger that your future should be what you think it should be, you’ll want some really good writing.
Your willingness and awareness can help you create the best possible essay ever, even if you decide not to refer to statement of intent examples . However, when you’re writing something as important as a statement of purpose, having your essay well-edited can make the difference between a letter of acceptance and a letter of rejection. You also don’t get to reapply right away. If you get rejected from the school you want, you may have to wait months or even up to a year before you can reapply. If you’d like to be more confident that your statement of purpose has the best chance of getting you an acceptance letter, consider hiring a professional editor who has enough proficiency in your field of interest. Therefore, refer to law school personal statement editing in case you apply for a place in the law school, or the editor who is acknowledged in the medical field if you want to enter the medical school. In the scheme of how much school costs, a professional essay editor is pretty inexpensive. Most textbooks you’ll buy are more expensive.
The team of our proficient editors has prepared a successful essay statement of purpose example to inspire you and provide you with a case example that won admission and enter the top-rated universities like Harvard or Berkley . Check out our samples page to be aware of different types of essays. We have:
- graduate school personal statement examples ;
- graduate school statement of purpose example ;
- college statement of purpose examples ;
- and many other useful examples.
Checklist for your best statement of purpose
- The main idea is presented clearly.
- There are no grammatical errors
- There are no typos in the text
- The lexis usage is appropriate
- 1 paragraph – 1 idea
- The text is engaging
- There is clarity of the narrative
- You have looked through statement of purpose sample
- The vocabulary isn’t too familiar
- The editor has checked everything
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How to write a statement of purpose (SOP) | Sample SOPs inside!
What if my statement of purpose is not good enough what if my writing style isn’t up to the mark what if my sop is too common get answers and tips for all these questions and more in this blog about how to write a statement of purpose (sop)., table of contents, what is a statement of purpose, statement of purpose (sop) format, #1. make sure it’s structured, #2. break out your writing skills, #3. research, don’t copy, 1) boasting and bragging, 2) beating around the bush, 3) contradiction, 4) weak introduction, 5) writing an sop at the eleventh hour, how to write a statement of purpose | bonus tips, 1) get immediate and detailed content suggestions and tips to write the perfect sop, 2) correct all your grammatical, punctuation, and language-related errors with the help of the instant tips given by the tool, summarizing the blog.
A statement of purpose or SOP is an admission or application essay written by an applicant applying to a college, university, or a graduate school abroad . As a matter of fact, a well-written statement of purpose plays an essential role in getting you admission to your dream university. Keep reading to know how to write a statement of purpose, its format, and more.
- Write your statement of purpose (SOP) in a paragraph format with not more than 1000 words or one to one and a half pages.
- Make sure you mention your full name and the program you want to apply for at the top of each page.
- To make sure that your SOP is the easiest to read, use a Times New Roman font (12 points) with 1-inch margins on all sides.
- The SOP format and the number of words vary according to each university.
- Try and maintain a conversational yet, friendly tone while writing your SOP.
- The SOP format and the number of words vary according to each university.
How to write a statement of purpose | Writing tips!
Your statement of purpose is what sets you apart from all the other candidates that apply for the same spot as you do. So making sure that you write a powerful and convincing statement of purpose is of utmost importance. Here are a few tips to help you along:
While there is no specific order of writing an SOP, it’s ideal to have a structure to your text to make sure your SOP is easy to read. Start with a basic introduction, your details, program and career details, etc., and then talk about your experiences.
Along with your IELTS or TOEFL, your SOP is also a direct reflection of your English language skills. So be careful not to make any grammatical mistakes, use proper vocabulary, and have someone proofread the SOP for you.
One of the worst things you could do while writing your SOP is to copy a template or sample SOP from the internet and use it as it is. Your content is what makes the SOP unique and convinces the university to let you in. So do your research about the SOP writing format, but always make sure that you put your own original words inside the Statement of Purpose (SOP).
How to write a statement of purpose | The don’ts
To help you overcome the pressure of writing your SOP and avoid making any mistakes, we have a few tips on the top 5 mistakes to dodge while writing your SOP:
You need to know the delicate balance between informing and boasting. Your essay should be a reflection of the confidence you have. You need to keep in mind that boasting about achievements shows a great deal of insecurity. Bragging about your achievements also gives an impression of self-importance and conceit. This is not the kind of impression you want a selection committee to have of you.
The one thing that all selection committee members despise is candidates not coming to the point. Many candidates needlessly focus on elaborating on the fine details that they forget to put a persuasive reason that keeps the reader hooked. Create an outline containing the experiences and achievements you want to talk about and then structure the essay accordingly. Carry on fine-tuning the essay until you feel that the SOP does not beat around the bush and is perfect for presentation.
This is the one thing that happens when students try to present and carve an image of themselves rather than showcasing their true selves. For example, your SOP might state that you love sports; however, the resume does not mention your sporting activities. Such tactics will send confusing and contradicting signals to the committee.
A strong introduction sets the tone of your essay. An introduction that does not gain the attention of the reader renders the SOP useless. To ensure that you have a gripping introduction, connect your personal background with the academic goals you want to achieve. Avoid providing irrelevant background information and making unclear statements about your future goals.
It is easy to differentiate a hurriedly written SOP from one that is well thought-out and engaging. Therefore, the art of how to write a statement of purpose is a gradual process; good SOPs are a result of days of introspection and hard work. Therefore, it is advised that you take the SOP seriously and write with a clear state of mind. If you want your SOP to stand out from the other SOPs, it is imperative that you don’t make mistakes like the ones mentioned above.
After you’ve finished collating all the paras and added them to your SOP, it’s time to work on your second draft –
- The first thing you should do is take out all the unnecessary sentences. If a statement doesn’t serve your goal, edit it out.
- Share your SOP with friends, colleagues, teachers, and mentors to know what changes you should make.
- Take in all their suggestions and rewrite your SOP.
- I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m saying it again – double-check for any grammatical errors. Even your friends might have missed some, so it’s best to use an online tool.
What if a tool could help you write your statement of purpose?
Knowing all the things you are supposed to write in your SOP and actually including all aspects in your SOP, is an entirely different matter. It can be very confusing. To help you write a well-rounded and impressive SOP, iSchoolConnect has an AI-based SOP-writing tool. It will guide you and help you cover all aspects such as:
- Sentence StructureGrammar Check
- Plagiarism Detection
- Readability Scoring, and more!
Anyway, I hope you found this information on how to write a statement of purpose for grad school helpful. And in case you get stuck while writing your SOP, you can always drop a comment or get in touch with us . We would be very happy to help. Until then, happy writing!
Liked this blog? Then read Idioms | All you need to know about 5 top idioms comprehensively!
Question 1: Is a statement of purpose necessary?
Answer: As a matter of fact, yes! It is one of the most important documents you need to have while applying for colleges or universities abroad.
Question 2: Can I get assistance in writing my SOP?
Answer: Absolutely! Various online tools help students write their SOPs. You can check out our online SOP writing tool here!
Question 3: What are the top three things to remember while writing my SOP?
Answer: The top three things to remember while writing your SOP are – 1) Don’t brag. 2) Don’t beat around the bush. 3) Don’t copy someone else’s SOP, even if it is on Google!
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If I want to get your help for writing a sop and motivation letter what all things should I do?
Hi there! You could either fill out this contact form OR share your Name, Email ID, and Phone Number with the chatbot on our website. After that, one of our experts will get in touch!
i need your help in writing SOP
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I am really confused about how to start my sop. I want my sop be very powerful please help!!!!! Thank You!!
Hey, You can read these 7 insider tips on how to write a powerful SOP . To help you out further, one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon. Hope this was helpful, all the best!
Hello, I want help to review my essays and edit them if required.
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Writing the Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose should convince readers– the faculty on the selection committee– that you have solid achievements behind you that show promise for your success in graduate study. Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with four different parts.
Make sure to check on the appropriate departmental website to find out if your statement should include additional or specific information.
Part 1: Introduce yourself, your interests and motivations
Tell them what you’re interested in, and perhaps, what sparked your desire for graduate study. This should be short and to the point; don’t spend a great deal of time on autobiography.
Part 2: Summarize your undergraduate and previous graduate career
a) Research you conducted. Indicate with whom, the title of the project, what your responsibilities were, and the outcome. Write technically, or in the style of your discipline. Professors are the people who read these statements.
b) Important paper or thesis project you completed, as well as anything scholarly beyond your curricular requirements.
c) Work experience, especially if you had any kind of responsibility for testing, designing, researching or interning in an area similar to what you wish to study in graduate school.
Part 3: Discuss the relevance of your recent and current activities
If you graduated and worked prior to returning to grad school, indicate what you’ve been doing: company or non-profit, your work/design team, responsibilities, what you learned. You can also indicate here how this helped you focus your graduate studies.
Part 4: Elaborate on your academic interests
Here you indicate what you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to convince the faculty that you understand the scope of research in their discipline, and are engaged with current research themes.
a) Indicate the area of your interests. Ideally, pose a question, define a problem, or indicate a theme that you would like to address, and questions that arise from contemporary research. This should be an ample paragraph!
b) Look on the web for information about departments you’re interested in, including professors and their research. Are there professors whose research interests parallel yours? If so, indicate this. Check the specific program; many may require you to name a professor or professors with whom you might work.
c) End your statement in a positive manner, indicating your excitement and readiness for the challenges ahead of you.
Essential Tips
1. What the admissions committee will read between the lines: self-motivation, competence, potential as a graduate student.
2. Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active, not a passive voice.
3. Demonstrate everything by example; don’t say directly that you’re a persistent person, show it.
4. If there is something important that happened to you that affected your grades, such as poverty, illness, or excessive work, state it. Write it affirmatively, showing your perseverance despite obstacles. You can elaborate more in your personal statement.
5. Make sure everything is linked with continuity and focus.
6. Unless the specific program says otherwise, be concise; an ideal essay should say everything it needs to with brevity. Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words (1-2 single space pages in 12 point font) is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization.
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Narrative statements, also called personal statements, vary in content but should be consistent, have a main focus, include engaging and creative content, avoid generalizations, convey knowledge of a certain academic subject area or job ski...
The general purpose statement is the goal the speaker wishes to accomplish with his speech. The most common general purposes are to inform, to persuade, to entertain or to pay tribute.
When writing a policy statement, explain the reason for the policy and its connections to what the organization values. A policy statement comes before the policy’s main text and is just one part of a full policy write-up.
Statement of Purpose (SOP) - Writing Skills | HSC Class 12th English | How to write SOP ?
Statement of Purpose should be 1-2 pages long and everything must be put together in about 800-1000 words; however, the length may vary as per university
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Focus only on experiences you garnered as an undergraduate--no one wants to hear about your high school chemistry class! Plan to include a section discussing
The main difference between these two admission essays is in the purpose of writing and format. Thus, the personal statement focuses more on
How to write a statement of purpose | Bonus tips · The first thing you should do is take out all the unnecessary sentences. · Share your SOP with
Here you indicate what you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to convince the faculty that you understand the scope of research in their
Where do you