Penning down an effective statement of purpose must be tactfully carried out. Good SOP must be able to address some questions. With this, it can keep the selection committee spellbound.
By way of, the statement of purpose may also be called an Application Essay, Objectives for Graduate Study, Personal Background.
A Statement of Purpose is the single most important part of your application that will tell the admissions committee who you are, what has influenced your career path so far, your professional interests and where you plan to go from here.
Students must not spend so much time writing about their autobiography. SOP can be short but must be unique. Emphasis should be concentrated more on self-motivation, competence, potentials of the student.
A typical Statement of Purpose start by stating what you’re applying for. Example, “I am applying for the Master of Science program in ………; You state the course you wish to study at the University. Name the university and state why you want to study the course. 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.”
The things statement of purpose should contain:
Ideally, every university expects a student to answer to some basic questions that the admissions committee has.
(1) 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?
SOP Writing
(2) Why did you choose to study in this particular country?
(3) What do you like about it?
(4) How much and what kind of experience you have in your field?
(5) 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?
(6) What you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
(7) Would you choose to end up with a job or take up research?
(8) What are your expectations from both the graduate program, and the university?
(9) How can you contribute to our university and our program?
(10) Apart from work and education, what are your hobbies, interests, and habits?
(11) What is that one unique aspect/characteristic about you that we should know?
(12) Why does it matter to us or to the fellow students of your class?
How long should the statement of purpose be?
Your statement of purpose should be about 1 to 1 1/2 pages (500-1000 words). Use normal margins and font 11 or 12, refrain from using small fonts since they are hard to read.
Important notes: A shorter statement of purpose that is clearly written is better than a longer one.
How to Start?
1. Follow Directions
Demonstrate flair and originality.
2. Be Clear and Concise
A statement of purpose is not the place to show off your academic writing skills. You must write in an active voice not passive. Remember, You’re writing a letter to a stranger. You’re trying to communicate a message, efficiently and effectively.
3. Demonstrate Interest in the School
Do a proper research about the institute you’re applying for.
4. Choose Your Angle Carefully
Your goal in writing a statement of purpose is to present your path through life as a story, one that the admissions committee hasn’t heard before
5. Proofread
Once you’ve finished writing, revisit your work. Check out every wrong spellings. Remember you won’t be there when your letter would be read. Admissions officers are unlikely to throw out your statement of purpose if you misspell a word or misplace a comma, but they certainly won’t be impressed.
6. Call Someone to Review It
If you feel okay with the statement of purpose you’ve written, it’s time to get a second opinion. It’s best to ask someone to help you review it. An objective set of eyes can often alert you to details you might miss on your own.
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