How to write your statement of purpose?

Think of an applicant pool for admission into a course. The numbers on your academic assessment reports, English language test scores, and GRE/GMAT scores could be common with other applicants. How do you stand out in the applicant pool for admission? The SOP in your application is one of the key components of differentiation. There are three key ingredients that go into the recipe of a delicious SOP namely: knowledge, experience, and ambition.

1. Knowledge: This would include what you have studied officially and what you learned through your work experience. Specifically, you may mention information on: 3-4 courses relevant to your program of application that you learned in your undergrad; and what did you like about the courses and why did you like them.

2. Experience: Experience, not necessarily means corporate or research work experience. It could also include the work you did for your projects, internships, social causes, etc. Essentially, it should tell how you put your acquired knowledge to use. What causes are you inspired for? You should be able to tell how do you think practically? How can you do that? You might use action verbs. Highlight quantified output that you drove using different tools. Be wary of the pitfall of becoming too technical. You have core research experience that you would like to detail out in your SOP? Try to explain it in simple language.

3. Ambition: The third aspect, ambition which is somewhat synonymous to purpose, is the most critical and often overlooked aspect. When you address this aspect, ask this to yourself, “what do you want to be true for yourself about your career three years (or 6 years in case of an undergrad) from now?” Once you have figured that out, juxtapose it with the answer to the question, “how would the program you are applying for would help you achieve what you are after?” For this question, you may include points on the coursework, faculty, ongoing projects at the university, etc. Once you mention all of these, your purpose would fall in place.

With the right heat, and measured cooking time the three ingredients would turn into a delicious SOP. In other words don't overlook the language and symmetry in your SOP. The language must facilitate emphatic expression and symmetry must ensure that every element in your profile gets the space that it deserves. Ideally, the three ingredients would tie together and package your appeal this way, “this is what I am and that is what I want to become. Getting into your university for the so and so program would help me do that.

Tips:

1. Don't mention your CGPA, or test scores in your SOP. Big no.

2. Unless specified otherwise, the length of your SOP must be between 700 and 1000 words. It should not have more than 7 paragraphs and their length should be same more or less.

3. You may include anecdotes, and short conversations. However, these elements may impel you towards navel-gazing. Steer clear of it.

4. Avoid overdoing: Don't write long-winded paragraphs with high amount of polysyllabic words.

5. Be genuine. Let your true self come out elegantly and your SOP would read unique.

For personal guidance, feel free to contact us. What's your story or rather statement?