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Statement of purpose (SOP) done right! [with Samples]

Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Statement forms a crucial element of the graduate school application process. For the uninitiated, a Statement of Purpose is an essay that introduces YOU to the Admissions Review Committee (AdCom). It contains your accomplishments, career plans, and reasoning of why you think a particular graduate program is the ‘right fit’ for you. 

Nearly every respectable graduate program in the world, be it a Master of Science, Engineering Management, MiM or MBA requires applicants to submit a Statement of Purpose while applying.

The AdComs put a lot of value on a candidate’s SOP, evaluating their ‘intent for applying to that program’ and whether it resonates with the University’s mission and objectives.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

Clearly then, you will have to construct your statement of purpose which tells your “story” rather than list out your “achievements”

So, how do the applicants go about writing the SOP? Which experiences are viewed favorably by the AdCom, and what should be avoided. In this blogpost, I touch upon the effective strategies that if adopted, can transform your SOP into your story.

STEP – I: Decoding the types

Let’s start by clearing out a few things about the Statement of Purpose. They go by different names — Personal statement, letter of intent, letter of motivation, mission statement, elevator pitch, video sop…. The list is too long! Each of them serves a different purpose and should be written within the frameworks of the university guidelines.

Perhaps the first step you should do before you start writing your SOP is to prepare an outline and use it as a roadmap.

To be honest, this is not a very popular step with most of the students. They imagine that this “extra” step will add time and complicate their application process when in fact, creating an outline can not only help streamline one’s essay writing but can also go a long way in boosting the resulting essays’ effectiveness.

By organizing your thoughts in the form of short phrases and key terms, you will observe that your story unfolds more easily. Moreover, it also ensures that there are no gaps of information in what you are trying to convey. This translates to a more persuasive final SOP and, in most cases, fewer rounds of editing and revision.

Sample Outline A

• Passion for chess – coaching and playing
• Volunteer activities with Greenpeace 
• Love of Shah Rukh Khan films
• Managing literature conference at IIT, Mumbai
• Love of biking – Sunday bike rides with “team”
• Semester exchange in France 
• Travel to 21 countries – Iceland, Russia and Peru highlights
• Close relationship with grandma
• Budding love of cooking
• Love of Mumbai

Once a sample outline has been prepared, it is now easier to construct a structure for the statement of purpose.  

STEP – II: Break it down

Building upon the outline, each SOP needs to be structured so that it logically fits in the narrative.

Many clients that we have encountered confuse ‘structure’ with ‘chronology’. When asked to write a draft of the essay, they present their achievements in chronological order, thinking that this will give the essay a proper structure.

However, your experiences and how they have translated and shaped you into what you are today, may or may not be chronological. Thus, you have to start your essay with the most significant one and connect the dots from there.

The Admissions Review Committee is looking out for very specific things in your application. Unless you break it down, it will be an arduous task to explain them your story. And no one wants a confused AdCom guy in their life.

What is the Admission Committee looking for?

The simple answer would be – what makes you, YOU.

But if only things were so simple. What they are really looking for is how you fit into the overall scheme of things at the University.

Broadly, there are 5 factors they are trying to evaluate you on:

– Why have you applied for that particular program?

– What kind of skills do you have to succeed in that program?

– How do you want to leverage your university connections to network and contribute to the school community?

– How are your professional goals aligned with the program outcomes?

– Why are you the ‘best fit’ for the university?

Your statement of purpose or letter of motivation should talk in brief about all these points.

Even for the most practiced of writers, crafting a successful application essay can be an uphill task. So, trust us on this – Most of the SOPs that we read make us go….

Ideating and then organizing thoughts into outlines for essays will facilitate this process, as we illustrated in Part 1 of this guide, and now we will offer a few basic steps that will help you create and refine your drafts.

STEP- III: Tell your story

As we discussed it earlier, your statement of purpose is not merely an instrument to present facts from your life to the AdCom. Infact, it’s a platform to tell your story. Of who you are, and how has your experiences shaped you. You should therefore focus on narrative writing (which primarily describes) rather than expository writing (which primarily explains). In a narrative, the central facts about a situation are not just bluntly introduced, but are presented in a way that lets them speak for themselves and paint a rounded picture of an experience.

Consider the following examples:

My upbringing in a family full of entrepreneurs made me acquainted to data analytics early in life. When I supported my father’s organization, where they manually used to analyze data and predict delivery date & raw material ordering, I helped them develop an automated system with the use of pivot tables and slicers, that can be used together to visualize data and create easy to use dashboards.

Coming from a business background and having an undergrad degree in Information Technology, it was only natural for me to have a formidable combination of – entrepreneurial streak and technical expertise. My formative years were spent engaging in insightful dining table discussions with my father, pertaining to our business-related products and services. As a result, I was presented with several opportunities to understand the legal, commercial and technical aspects of our business. However, the opportunities that I loved most were the technically challenging ones that had the potential to impact our business positively. One such opportunity that I got was to review and remodel our existing data management system, which had severe limitations in terms of performance and scalability.

Which one of the above example do you think creates a more compelling image of the person you are reading about?

While example A is vague in terms of details, example B has a lot of specifics. It creates a holistic picture of the candidate and evokes imagery for the reader, which is more compelling. Thus, leaving out important details is detrimental to the health of the essay.

STEP – IV: Connect the dots

A good story is as good as its parts. Details, which are crucial to the development of the story, if left out does not reveal the entire picture and leaves the readers confused.

As you write your essay drafts, check each sentence to make sure that it includes a key part of the story you are telling. If you can remove a sentence and your essay still makes sense, that line is unnecessary and should remain deleted. However, if your narrative suddenly becomes unclear, that is your proof that the sentence in question is not superfluous and that you are on your way to creating a profoundly connected narrative.

Having a keen interest in operations research motivated me to work on my bachelor’s thesis: Efficient utilization of weight and volume capacity of a fleet of goods containers. The objective here is to build an algorithmic model for transportation of goods, cargoes, and shipments by utilizing the maximum load and volume capacity of the containers. The study is being carried out with a view to enabling the freight companies in reducing cost and enhancing operational efficiency. I have identified the constraints posed such as categorization of goods according to their suitability, shortest route according to the consignments, delivery of goods within the prescribed time, maximizing the profit and providing customer satisfaction, and successfully developed a mathematical model for the intercity transport, using shortest route and minimum cost per volume using traveling salesman and transportation concepts. Moreover, I am also trying to implement algorithm theory and computational complexity theory to solve the combinatorial problem considering the constraints faced.

Notice how the dots are getting connected.

1st sentence – Having a keen …. – Provides a justification to work on the bachelor’s thesis in Operations Research based on the interest of the applicant.

2nd sentence – The objective here is to build an algorithmic model…. – Clears the aim of the the project and gives idea to the AdCom about the scope of the project.

3rd sentence – The study is being carried out …. – End goal of the project is described.

4th sentence – I have identified the constraints… – talks about problem/constraint identification that the student is trying to resolve

… and successfully developed a mathematical model… -highlights the solution to the given constraints.

Leaving out any sentence written in this paragraph would be eliminating a key detail, and thus will confuse the reader about the project. In short, the story will be difficult to follow.

STEP – V: Create a ‘hook’ in the Introduction paragraph

Sometimes the most difficult part of writing a strong essay is determining the best way to start it. Even when you have a strong outline in hand, crafting those first few words or phrases can be challenging. To help you over this hurdle, we offer a few strategies for beginning your essays.

Maintaining a mystery

This is one of the best ways to grab the attention of the AdCom.

There are only a few rare moments in life, interspersed within our chaotic daily routines, during which we find our true calling. And those moments generally come like a blitzkrieg, inspiring us to make choices which define who we eventually become. I encountered one such moment, as a part of my internship with Bless Foundation, an NGO which strives to alleviate the sufferings of the underprivileged.

(Selected at University of South California, MS in Computer Science).

Do people shape cities or do cities shape people? Irrespective of the order of transformation, I am of the belief that city landscapes impact our daily lives in a significant way.

(Selected at TU Delft, MS in Architecture)

While watching the digitally remastered and coloured version of 1960 Bollywood classic ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, then shot in monochrome, I realised that I was less concerned about the cinematic brilliance but more about certain stats I read about the movie.

(Selected at Cornell University, MPS program in Applied Statistics)

The main stage was set while I enthusiastically waited in the crowd for Guns N’ Roses to surface from behind the spotlight. It was an absolute dream for me to witness the band live in concert, after having grown up and getting inspired by Slash and his musical eccentricities. As they emerged on stage and plucked the first strings, I was transported in a trance of hedonistic pleasure. Surprisingly, it was not the music that had the greatest influence that night.

(Selected at Stanford, MS in Computer Science)

In all of the above examples, the first few lines draw the reader into the essay and make him ask the question, what happens next? This approach is a sure shot way to indulge the AdCom into reading your application in full.

Strictly avoid: Clichés

Let’s be honest here. The AdCom knows when clichés are coming. And no one likes them. Consider this for example:

Being an ardent fan of the Marvel Universe, I believe that if we have the thirst for knowledge, ability to rectify the errors and better our skillset like Ironman and if we have grit, perseverance and will to do good for the mankind like Captain America, then we can win any battle and achieve something great. I tried to follow these ideologies while working on all my projects and technical papers.

My profound interest in mathematics, computers, and problem-solving became the basis for furthering a career in Computer science. In order to broaden my horizons of technical acumen, I joined Oracle after completing my undergrad. This allowed me to develop a clearer vision about pursuing a career in my field of Software Engineering.

It’s safe to say that introductions like these should be avoided at all costs as they have been read by the AdCom a million times. You don’t want to be the million plus one candidate.

Lead with your best

When you are pitching your application to the AdCom, it is highly recommended that you start your essays with your most compelling experience. Do not follow a template of chronological detailing of your academic records and professional achievements. Show your best foot forward. You do not always have to outline your history to create context for your narrative.

Example A (Student Version of her internship)

Due to these rewarding experiences and key learnings acquired from projects, I secured a position as a Developer at Barclays India, which has been exhilarating from the onset. In a span of four months, I underwent intensive training in several technologies like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, Servlets etc.

Example B (Gradsmiths version)

At Barcalays, internship not only meant exposition to multimillion-dollar client portfolio, but also getting intensive training in tools like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, and Servlets.

Example A exhibits significant backstory, but the most important parts that she learned new technologies was mentioned after the third line. In example B, this happens right in the second line, and is smartly packaged for the reader.

This introduction—just one sentence long, rather than four—introduces the reader to the individual’s high- level position right away and is therefore much more compelling and effective.

Step – VI: Don’t put extra information in your essays

Although it seems to be a no brainer, most students end up doing this. They provide irrelevant information in their essay, which makes it a boring read.

Consider this:

My final year project was ‘Analysis and Design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall’. This project was done by 4 undergrads. In the initial phase, a 3-storied building is designed in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. In the next phase a 15-storied building with shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load is designed under G. A. Bhilare Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Pune. Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement was studied and shear forces, axial forces, bending moment were interpreted. This project increased my understanding of ETABS and improved my skills .

In the example above, there are too many details like the no. of storey of the building and name of the consultants, which are not required. It adds on to the word count and makes it a slow-developing paragraph.

Revised version

To gain more understanding of structures and the mechanics of forces at play, my final year project focused on the analysis and design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall. In association with three other undergrads, we worked to design a 3-storied building, followed by its higher version in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. Carefully monitoring the shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load, we studied Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement. All this culminated under a sponsored industry project in collaboration with top architects of the city. This experience helped me to analyse complex structural models with loads, and design them in the most sustainable way, a skill which I am confident will prove beneficial during my graduate studies.

Step VII: Honour the word limit

Although we can assure you that no one will toss your application in the trash if your essays exceed the school’s stated word limits a little, in general, sticking as closely as possible to these limits is the best plan. Doing so indicates to the admissions committee not only that you pay attention to and can follow directions (which reflects positively on you as a potential student who will be required to follow numerous guidelines throughout the course of the MS program) but also that you are willing to put in the work required to convey your story effectively within the stated parameters. Also, you show respect for the school as well as for the admissions readers, who must sort through thousands of essays each week. A good rule of thumb is to not surpass the school’s requested word count by more than 5%, though of course, the fewer extra words you include, the better—and minimizing any risk of a negative impression resulting from exceeding the set word count is best.

Step VIII: Answer the question

This is our most obvious rule yet, but one that must be stated nonetheless: make sure that you answer the question the school is asking. Sometimes candidates possess a great story and really want to “spin” it for a particular essay prompt. Other times, applicants work and rework an essay so much that when they are done, they do not realize that they have changed their initial story entirely and the resulting essay no longer addresses the school’s question. Not answering the question is one of the admissions committees’ biggest peeves. In addition to indicating an ability to follow directions on your part (if not an outright attempt to withhold information), not answering the question asked means that you have not provided the information the admissions committee is specifically seeking and needs. So, regularly revisit the essay prompts as you revise your essays, ensuring that you are on track and providing a topical response.

Step IX: Customize your responses

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to customize your essays for your choice of University. Many a times, we have seen that one SOP is sent to 5 different universities, with just a few line changes.

To us, this is a very easy and a lazy approach to essay drafting. Moreover, the AdCom through their years of experience of reading SOPs figure out whether you have followed a template or not.

Your short and long term goals should be aligned with the research areas and expertise of the University. AdCom loves to see how the university can help you realize your personal and professional milestones.

A common point of contention among students is whether or not to include the names of professors. In our opinion, you should go beyond name-dropping and identify key research areas where you would like to work. This creates a better representation of your academic interest and underlines your motivation to apply for the program.

It is important to understand that the AdCom is looking for unique and interesting candidates, who contribute to the campus and community. Thus, desire to work in student clubs, campus organizations, or community service is viewed positively. It shows that you have a multi-dimensional personality and go beyond your academic interests. Another quirky thing to add is why the location of the college is important to you and your goals. It can be the vibrant startup culture of the place, proximity to tech centers or Silicon Valley, or even the music vibe of the place.

Step X: Read, Re-read, Proofread. Repeat.

If you have followed all the steps above, and drafted your statement of purpose, great work done! Now will be a good time to send it to your friends, relatives, colleagues, and anywould who would care to read it.

You will amazed at how many grammatical errors get discovered. And we don’t even want to get started on the formatting bits.

Your goal, before sending out your statement of purpose should be to make it as error-proof as possible. This can be achieved by proofreading it multiple times to check for nasty little bits of flaws that hides furtively behind the pompous words and achievements.

The Statement of Purpose is perhaps the hardest thing you will encounter during your application stage.

The good news is that the process does not seem so overwhelming when you break it down into simple, actionable steps as described above.

At Gradsmiths, we have come across more than a thousand essays and SOPs, some brilliant while some total disasters. What really saddened us was that the same mistakes were being repeated in every other document, which motivated us to compile these steps that we follow into this post to draft an awesome statement of purpose.

Statement of Purpose (Samples and formats)

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to UPenn MS in Computer Science

Sample Statement of Purpose that got accepted to MS in Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to Cornell University’s Engineering Management program

Enjoyed the blog? Why not drop in your e-mail address below, and we send more such tips and strategies straight to your mailbox.

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If you have got the time, do check out our FREE E-book on ‘Biggest Mistakes you make in your resume’. It contains some super pointers on how to modify your resume and make it fit for a graduate school application.

Interested in talking to a Gradsmiths expert on how to go about your essays? Book your calendar here.

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How to Write a Problem Statement in Research with Examples

What is a Research Problem Statement?

A research problem statement is a concise statement describing the problem or issue addressed by the research study. The research problem should be composed in a way that both experts and non-experts in the field can understand.

Every research paper describes the investigation of a problem: by adding knowledge to the existing literature, revisiting known observations, or finding concrete solutions. What contribution your publication makes to your field or the scientific community at large depends on whether your research is “basic” (i.e., mainly interested in providing further knowledge that researchers can later apply to specific problems) or “applied” (i.e., developing new techniques, processes, and products).

In any case, a research proposal or research paper must clearly identify and describe the “problem” that is being investigated, so that the reader understands where the research comes from, why the study is relevant, if the applied methods are appropriate, and if the presented results are valid and answer the stated questions. This is known as the “statement of the problem.”

Table of Contents:

• What is a Research Problem?

How to Write a Problem Statement in a Research Paper

• Statement of the Problem Example 
• Where Does the Problem Statement Go in Your Paper?

Consider Using Professional Editing Services

Understanding how to write a research problem.

Your research problem defines the gap in existing knowledge you want to address (e.g., global warming causes), an issue with a certain process (e.g., voter registration) or practices (e.g., patient treatment) that is known and well documented and needs a solution, or some surprising phenomena or earlier findings that point to the need for further investigation. Your approach can be theoretical or practical, and the specific type of problem you choose to address depends on the type of research you want to do. 

In any case, your paper should not repeat what other studies have already said. It also should not ask a question that is too broad in scope to be answered within your study, nor should it be so vague that your reader cannot grasp your motivation or focus. To avoid such problems, you need to clearly define your research question, put it into context, and emphasize its significance for your field of research, the wider research community, or even the general public.

When including your statement of the research problem, several key factors must be considered in order to make a statement that is clear, concise, relevant, and convincing to readers. Think about the following elements not as “steps” to writing your problem statement, but as necessary conditions on which your statement can be firmly grounded and stand out.

Provide context for your study

Putting your research problem in context means providing the reader with the background information they need to understand why you want to study or solve this particular problem and why it is relevant. If there have been earlier attempts at solving the problem or solutions that are available but seem imperfect and need improvement, include that information here.

If you are doing applied research, this part of the problem statement (or “research statement”) should tell the reader where a certain problem arises and who is affected by it. In basic or theoretical research, you make a review of relevant literature on the topic that forms the basis for the current work and tells the reader where your study fits in and what gap in existing knowledge you are addressing.

Establish the relevance of this research

The problem statement also needs to clearly state why the current research matters, or why future work matters if you are writing a research proposal. Ask yourself (and tell your readers) what will happen if the problem continues and who will feel the consequences the most. If the solution you search for or propose in your study has wider relevance outside the context of the subjects you have studied, then this also needs to be included here. In basic research, the advancement of knowledge does not always have clear practical consequences—but you should clearly explain to the reader how the insights your study offers fit into the bigger picture, and what potential future research they could inspire.

Define specific aims and Objectives

Now that the reader knows the context of your research and why it matters, briefly introduce the design and the methods you used or are planning to use. While describing these, you should also formulate your precise aims more clearly, and thereby bring every element in your paper together so that the reader can judge for themselves if they (a) understand the rationale behind your study and (b) are convinced by your approach.

This last part could maybe be considered the actual “statement of the problem” of your study, but you need to prepare the reader by providing all the necessary details before you state it explicitly. If the background literature you cite is too broad and the problem you introduced earlier seems a bit vague, then the reader will have trouble understanding how you came up with the specific experiments you suddenly describe here. Make sure your readers can follow the logical structure of your presentation and that no important details are left out.   

Research Problem Statement Example

The following is a sample statement of the problem for a practical research study on the challenges of online learning. Note that your statement might be much longer (especially the context section where you need to explain the background of the study) and that you will need to provide sources for all the claims you make and the earlier literature you cite. You will also not include the headers “context”, “relevance” and “aims and objectives” but simply present these parts as different paragraphs. But if your problem statement follows this structure, you should have no problem convincing the reader of the significance of your work.

Providing context: Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, most educational institutions around the world have transitioned to a fully online study model, at least during peak times of infections and social distancing measures. This transition has not been easy and even two years into the pandemic, problems with online teaching and studying persist (reference needed) . While the increasing gap between those with access to technology and equipment and those without access has been determined to be one of the main challenges (reference needed) , others claim that online learning offers more opportunities for many students by breaking down barriers of location and distance (reference needed) .  

Establishing relevance: Since teachers and students cannot wait for circumstances to go back to normal, the measures that schools and universities have implemented during the last two years, their advantages and disadvantages, and the impact of those measures on students’ progress, satisfaction, and well-being need to be understood so that improvements can be made and demographics that have been left behind can receive the support they need as soon as possible.

Defining aims and objectives: To identify what changes in the learning environment were considered the most challenging and how those changes relate to a variety of student outcome measures, we conducted surveys and interviews among teachers and students at ten institutions of higher education in four different major cities, two in the US (New York and Chicago), one in South Korea (Seoul), and one in the UK (London). Responses were analyzed with a focus on different student demographics and how they might have been affected differently by the current situation.

Where Does the Problem Statement Go in Your Paper? 

If you write a statement of the problem for a research proposal, then you could include it as a separate section at the very beginning of the main text (unless you are given a specific different structure or different headings, however, then you will have to adapt to that). If your problem statement is part of a research paper manuscript for publication in an academic journal, then it more or less constitutes your introduction section , with the context/background being the literature review that you need to provide here.

If you write the introduction section after the other parts of your paper, then make sure that the specific research question and approach you describe here are in line with the information provided in the research paper abstract , and that all questions you raise here are answered at the end of the discussion section —as always, consistency is key. Knowing where to put the research question can depend on several important contextual factors.

Receive instant editing with Wordvice AI, our automated AI Grammar Checker . Then hand over your manuscript or paper to a professional English editing service for paper editing , thesis editing , or other academic editing services .

And if you need advice on how to write the other parts of your research paper , on how to make a research paper outline if you are struggling with putting everything you did together, or on how to come up with a good research question in case you are not even sure where to start, then head over to the Wordvice academic resources website where we have a lot more articles and videos for you.

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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!

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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!!! ^_^

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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…. 🙂

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There’s definitely a lot to know about this issue. I like all the points you made.

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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.

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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?

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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 🙂

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Thank you, Ray

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Helpful information

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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.

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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

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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.

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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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Master’s Abroad: How to Write the Perfect Statement of Purpose (SOP)

With my fourth article, I intend to help you perfect your admission package to a university for higher studies. This is a bit off-beat from my previous articles , which were intended to introduce various careers in science and research.

The advice and hacks presented here are not limited to just master’s programs in science at all! They are to help anyone write a better essay for their applications abroad.

Let’s first talk about why and when a good SoP matters.

An admission essay like a Statement of Purpose (SoP in short) is a document that represents you on paper . It is not about your grades, projects and awards, but your experiences during, though not limited to, the same. It is about honestly representing your strengths and how you acquired them. Although it does not ensure your admission into any programme, it is an important component of your application package.

In this article, I am going to talk about the steps to writing and perfecting your SoP, elements to include in your content, and the mistakes you should avoid like the plague.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose/Academic Essay

All good (and even great) Statements of Purpose are built through certain key steps, that slowly and steadily help you perfect your essay for your master’s programme. These are:

• Figuring out essay requirements and a tentative structure
• Building the content
• Validating the content by writing to faculty and students of the programme

Now, let’s look at them in detail.

Step 1: Figuring out the essay requirements and a tentative structure

The first, and by far the simplest, step is to look up the requirements of the institutes you are applying to. Some universities will ask you to write a single motivation essay, whereas others may ask for multiple essays describing your interests, motivation/purpose, research interests, or qualities such as resilience, perseverance and leadership skills.

Note down the questions featured on the application portal for the particular essay and the word limit for the same, before you start preparing a draft.

Generally, a 1000-1500 word limit is the best one to work with for your first draft. This should be enough for you to showcase who you are, in around 2-3 pages.

Recommended Read:  TOEFL vs IELTS vs PTE: Which Language Test Should You Opt For?

Step 2: Build the content of your SoP/academic essay

Your SoP should have the following essential elements.

1. A unique introduction

It is important to present your story in a manner that seamlessly unfolds . Let the admissions committee know what you do- where you started this journey, why you chose a particular field/bachelor’s course and what you intend to follow it up with.

The introduction need not necessarily comprise of just the above, but it should be brief and describe interesting and essential components of your life and personality. It could address, for example, how your childhood impacted your professional choices in life and shaped your beliefs, if there was a particular life incident that changed you, or your struggles due to your background.

2. A narrative of your professional story

Show, do not tell. Instead of serving facts such as, “I am good at X” or “I am interested in Y”, talk about how you learnt something and what was the motivation behind it. Connect them to your next step — the programme you are applying to, your short term and long-term goals and how the programme and institute will help you get a step closer to them.

For example, “I pursued BTech biotechnology with the hope of learning process used to tinker with biology for human welfare. Using the theoretical knowledge from my courses in cell biology, I worked with Dr Mala at the institute for cellular and molecular biology in 2015 and gained hands-on experience in using Crispr-Cas system to modify yeast strains for efficient water treatment in plants. At the MPI-XY, I would like to study antibody production with Dr Tina, from the perspective of immune responses to water-borne pathogens found in partially untreated water.”

Well-researched lines about the courses, faculty, and ideas about projects you wish to pursue would exemplify your conviction and preparedness.

3. A sales pitch about you (through your experiences and successes)

Your CV will be enough for an admissions officer to know your achievements, so elaborating on them is useless. Instead, pick out specific work experiences that relate to your future goals, describe what your major contributions to and takeaways were from them – your skills and realizations.

A way to do that is to introspect with a calm and objective mind, figure out the most important experiences in your life, write down what you felt during them, and what you gained as an individual from them. How did these incidents add to your life? Why are they important? This is what sets you apart from the other candidates after all!

For instance, you may not have the best scores but have overcome adversity and are ambitious despite your shortcomings. Maybe you have taught yourself to play an instrument or are a marathon runner, representative of some very solid qualities – hard work, perseverance, grit, and independence. Perhaps you read a book that inspired you to do courses online, or, have been closely following the origin and evolution of a cultural activity in a different part of the world, and being selected would allow you to learn about it in a more formal setting!

Recommended Read:  How to Write (and Perfect) a Winning Letter of Recommendation: Tips & Guidelines

4. Answers to the questions: Why should you be accepted into the programme? And, how is it a perfect fit?

How are you a good fit for this programme? Is there a way you can add to the programme’s community or the university’s status? Think about how you are going to give back to the world (the university, the society, and the community) from what you learn here.

How does the amalgamation of your current skills and personality, and your quest here on, enrich your life? They need to trust that you will be a good fit and are passionate about your work, so genuinely communicate what your expectations are from the place and the programme.

Writing Style – The Do’s and the Don’t’s

To write a good academic essay, you would like to check the following boxes:

1. Make sure the overall content is unique.

Authenticity and originality are of utmost importance. There is only one of you in this world, your essay should, thus, be sincere and true to your personality.

2. Having an overall theme and a proper flow is essential for it to read well.

Make sure you string together your experiences in a manner that is not jittery. One thing should gradually lead onto the next and the end of your statement should not be abrupt.

3. Check for grammar, punctuation and spellings very thoroughly.

Tip: Reading aloud helps minimize punctuation errors. Additionally, pick an infamous Grammar-Nazi among your colleagues/friends and ask them to review your essay. They will surely spot many errors which you will miss.

4. Send it out for feedback to at least 3 people, but not direct competitors.

Send your draft to a friend with better vocabulary and communication skills, a referee, someone who got through the programme earlier, a writer/copy-editor who happens to be a friend and acquaintance. Then do not look at it for 2-3 days, so when you do, it is with a fresh mind and make corrections and relevant changes.

Every word in your SoP is expensive currency which should not be wasted. Make use of every word to convey what is relevant to the programme and important to you! Avoid these mistakes:

1. Do not start your essay with a famous quote.

This is a trend in schools in India, teachers award higher scores for relevant quotations in speeches. However, this is a basic no-no with formal academic statements. The admission committee wants to read your words, not someone else’s. Unless it is a personal experience worth sharing, or words of someone important in your field which adds evidence to a claim you wish to make, avoid quotations and excerpts. And if you do include them, cite them properly!

2. Plagiarism – Do not copy-paste a single sentence or image from anywhere.

If there are quotes or excerpts, claims and schematics taken from anywhere; proper references should be added at the end of the essay. Do not write – source: the internet (!!!).

3. Avoid clichés and stereotyping (the latter, very strictly).

There is nothing wrong in expressing a very strong sentiment relating to a person, incidence or aspect of society. But it should be put forth in a manner that logically explains your take on it. What is in the newspapers, experts on the admission committee already know about. So other than a one-two line motivation, limit it to your original thoughts on the matter, if any.

4. Making a pun is sometimes fine.

But make sure it is not dumb or offensive and can be clearly understood. If you have doubts about it, best leave it out. Seek the opinion of your proof-readers on it.

5. Stay clear of overconfident, self-congratulatory, snarky, and arrogant remarks.

Part of the purpose of your statement might be to sell yourself, but snobbishly boasting about any of your achievements is unacceptable.

6. Do not falsify information (intentionally/unintentionally).

Any mention of upcoming opportunities like a promotion or a future project in the works, should be with full disclosure and honesty, or best left out.

7. Avoid flowery language and be careful of any technical jargon.

A limited use of the thesaurus should ensure the former. Look up any new words to make sure you are implying what you intend to. During writing, as well as, proof-reading, it is important to make sure you use only words that are common knowledge. If you coined a term in your thesis project (like mutant names or protocols or techniques or stimuli etc.), do explain them briefly.

8. Make sure the essay is not verbose.

Ensure that the same thought isn’t being repeated at multiple points throughout the essay. Any line or paragraph that doesn’t add meaning to the overall story is best left out.

9. Do not let others affect your essay!

Looking up or asking for other people’s SoP before finishing up a generic draft of your own SoP is a waste of time. Do not compare. Look at Quora and books for more help as the last step between draft 2 and 3 (if the need be). But do not try to tailor your essay according to someone else’s.

10. Proof-read your essay before submission every time.

Make sure the correct institute, programme and faculty’s names are mentioned, and they are all error-free.

Recommended Read:  Education in India or Abroad: Consider These 8 Things Before Making Your Call

Step 3: Writing to faculty and students of the programme

Other than the effort you will put into your academic essays, it is a good idea to also write to the faculty and students of the university/programme to familiarize yourself with their expectations. It is suggested that one interview with faculty well ahead of the deadline to figure out possibilities.

If the faculty are not writing back, are vague in their reply, or reply stating unavailability for an interview, it is unlikely that they are interested in taking you. This should not be disheartening though, it’s supposed to help you bet-hedge and give more attention to other programmes and institutes of interest.

Often, faculty weigh in on who gets called for on-campus interviews and gets into the programme, so having even a single person on the committee who will vouch for you, is a blessing. If a Skype interview goes well with some faculty, do talk to their current students and get information about other aspects (not just academics) of life at the institute. Keep in touch with them, be courageous and seek counsel for your doubts. You could even ask for their feedback on your essays!

Writing an academic statement of purpose is not an art – it requires a commitment to the document, time and few hacks to get it right. In the present article, I have delineated some common hacks which would definitely help you polish your academic essay.

Did you find this article helpful? Share with us in the comments below!

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Writing the Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should convince the admissions committee that your achievements 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. Faculty 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 graduate 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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SOP (Statement of Purpose): Format, Samples, and Tips

• Updated on  
• Feb 17, 2024

To aesthetically present a movie on the screen, great actors are the requisites. Similar is the case when one is carving their own career path. From choosing the right course to getting into your dream university, you need to take each step carefully. As a crucial part of the eligibility criteria, the universities often demand LOR s, SOPs or entrance test scores to assess the candidates and their suitability for the chosen course. A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is one such element that beholds great value in the admission process of those aspiring to study abroad. Creating an alluring SOP is essential to help the assessment committee understand your willingness for the program you have applied for. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide on drafting a statement of purpose that can help you sail smoothly through the assessment process and get entry into your dream academic institution.

This Blog Includes:

What is a statement of purpose (sop), why is sop important, sop format, 2. formulate, 3. revise and modify, what do colleges look for in an sop, how to write a perfect statement of purpose (sop / admissions essay), introduction, academic background and professional experience, career goals, why this course, why this university, how long should an sop be, what to include in an sop, what not to include in an sop, 10 tips to write a successful statement of purpose, sop sample for business analytics, sample statement of purpose for mba , sample statement of purpose for masters, sop formats for usa, canada, uk, and australia, top 5 mistakes to avoid while writing an sop, how can you reduce your chances of rejection from your chosen university, can sops help with scholarships, sop vs letter of motivation, sop vs personal statement.

A Statement of Purpose can be referred to as an informative document, containing personal statements, and is essentially required as part of the admission procedure of study abroad programs. Also referred to as an application essay, it comprises the basic details of a candidate along with their professional and personal interests, academic highlights as well as future aspirations. An SOP plays an integral role in the application process of a study abroad program as it provides the admission board with the key information about the candidate and why they want to study a particular course at their institution. It not only describes who you are as an individual but also gives an idea about your writing skills and proficiency in the English language.   

A well-written SOP is an extremely significant element during your admission process. 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. It is the only document in your application that allows you to prove that you have something unique which makes you stand out from the crowd. As such, it is the document of your application docket that can hugely determine your admission.

Also Read: Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement

As such, there is no particular or proper format for writing a statement of purpose or an SOP. Students have to write an SOP just like an elaborative and descriptive English essay dividing the whole context into different paragraphs. Each paragraph must be having distinctive features describing different scenarios, features or characteristics about yourself. You can take the help of the below-provided structure and get started with writing an SOP for the university you want to study in. 

How to Write a Statement of Purpose?

As a pivotal document for any study abroad application, an SOP needs to be precisely well-written. To help you understand the different elements of this document, we have curated a step-by-step procedure that you can follow to curate an impressive statement of purpose.

The first step of the process of drafting a statement of purpose is to think about the varied aspects of your candidature that you should mention in it. The mandatory inclusions of an SOP are academic achievements (especially at the undergraduate level), prior work exposure or volunteering experiences. Start with framing an outline for the document and ask yourself the following questions:

• Which field of study excites me the most?
• Why do I want to pursue this degree?
• What are my expectations from this degree?
• What outgrowth can this degree offer me?
• Where can this degree take me, personally and professionally? 
• Through my pre-requisites, what values can I add to this program?

Once you have made key pointers for most of the questions mentioned above, you can begin jotting them down in a thorough and comprehensive manner.

Now that you know what you want to mention in your SOP, it’s time to curate a rough outline for the document. Here is a list of some essential tips you need to keep in mind while formulating your statement of purpose:

• Since the admission committee strives to understand your candidature through the SOP, you need to be honest in describing your career aspirations and objectives. Focus centrally on maintaining the authenticity of your mentioned details. Duly elaborate on your advantageous perception of the chosen course.
• Creatively cite your personal and professional interests. Mention what you are passionate about and what excites you. Then, sensibly connect it with your chosen program and how it will assist you in grooming your skills. For instance, you can state that you are aspiring to gain experiential learning or training in your desired industry through the course.
• What brought you here should be a sure-shot mention in your SOP. You can begin with stating those features of your chosen course that convinced you to opt for it. Then, write down the objectives you want to fulfil by studying the program. It can be personal growth or professional upliftment or even both. Try to be unique and precise when listing your reasons. 

Once you have jotted down your SOP as per the above-mentioned necessary tips, the final and concluding step is to revise and make changes accordingly. Go through the list that you created in the beginning and ensure that you have added all of them.

• The word limit for a statement of purpose is between 500-1000. 
• Do not miss out the predefined sizes for spacing, margins and font size.
• Try getting a second opinion but getting your SOP read from a friend or an experienced professional.

Many foreign and even national universities ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP) from candidates wanting to enrol in suitable courses that the university has to offer. They ask for the SOP from candidates in order to check and look at the following things:

• The writing capabilities of the writer or the candidate 
• The X factor that makes their writing stand out from the crowd
• Choice of thoughts and ideas that has been explained in the SOP
• The unique personality of the candidate 
• Candidate’s talent, previous experiences, interests and potential
• How and what can the candidate contribute to the department of the college/university
• Candidate’s motivation or inspiration to study a selected course must be evident and justified
• The reason behind to choose a particular university/college and a particular course of study
• Academic and extracurricular achievements and recognitions (if any)
• Originality and clarity of the SOP as a whole. 

To know more, read our blog on – How to Write an SOP?

Check out the video on the same below!

How to Write a Powerful and Convincing SOP?

Whether applying for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate programmes, the strategy of writing a powerful statement of purpose should be sound focused throughout. Starting from your academic and professional background to your career aspirations, you need to carefully connect all the dots between reaching your goals through your choice of school and course. The essay should always go in a flow covering your past experience, present involvements, and future plans. An important point to remember while writing your SOP would be to divide it into paragraphs that cover all the pointers. Here is a look at how you may write the SOP presenting your profile strongly:

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. There are multiple approaches you may adopt to go about this paragraph:

• 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

This comprises of your academic background: what you have done so far, what you are currently pursuing, your academic strengths and projects, and the industrial exposure you have attained.

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 establish a firm that you own. It may also include your dream of expanding your existing family business overseas. You may also be interested in further studies like a PhD which can be included here.

More in this section may include your desire of becoming a professor or researcher. In any case, it is suggested that you discuss your business aim, principles, and core values or how you would influence the young aspirants of this industry. You should be able to portray ‘how you wish to make a difference in the industry keeping in mind the current industrial scenarios and emerging trends.

In this paragraph, you should discuss why you want to join a course and what modules would you tap during this course. It should also cover the skills you would acquire in this duration along with the exposure that would help in developing the skills desired to realise your goals.

This is a specific paragraph wherein you can convince a university as in how they are suitable for your profile and you are an ideal candidate for their university. You should discuss the course curriculum, research work, faculty names, as well as the university-specific activities that would help you in enhancing your profile.

Also Read: How to Write a Best Statement of Purpose?

Ideally, if considering an internationally renowned university, then the statement of purpose should be at least 1-2 pages long. In terms of word count, then the same should be around 1000 words. Having said that, the word limit and the length may also sometimes depend on the university that the candidate is targeting and also on the level of degree. Like for example, a candidate who is writing an SOP for an undergraduate program may not exceed 800 to 1000 words whereas a candidate who is writing an SOP for a PhD or M.Phil degree course has to write it in around 1200 words and sometimes even more. Some universities even have a fixed length and word count which is uniform for all the programs and courses. 

There are many elements to an SOP. Universities could 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 further important to the SOP are also the personal motivations that lead you to choose the university/course you have applied to as well as how you intend to use that experience to achieve that goal.

Following are a few things that you must do in order to make your SOP application strong:

• Your Statement of Purpose should have a unique and engaging beginning as well as an end. It must be original, a reflection of you. 
• Explain your academic background, present and future aspirations. Through this, you must justify your choice of a particular course for masters or doctorate courses.
• Upon reading your SOP, the admission officer should be able to understand how you can contribute to the university in terms of research and further scope in your chosen area. 
• Always write your SOP in an active voice and ensure you provide information in a manner that is a reflection of your passion and optimism. If you have any statements or references, try quoting them with relevant examples rather than being direct.

Often universities come across a lengthy statement of purpose and yet they reject it. Even when you cannot find one grammatical error, the seemingly excellent SOP would be rejected. And the primary reason is – too much unnecessary information. For instance, just because you might want to talk about your family, does not mean you go on and on to talk about only your family. While your SOP should be a brag sheet, it should be a brag sheet with a substance. You need to pick and choose what to include. Pick a theme and mention the accomplishments that make the most sense to your candidacy.

• Weave your career path into a story, not statements.
• Do not write what you think should be written. Personalise the SOP and make it your own.
• Do not stress over it. Although it is an important part of your application, the SOP should be a direct reflection of you.
• Find the deeper meaning behind the events of your life and pen them down.
• Give a strong reason as to why you chose the particular school and course.
• Be specific in the timeline of events.
• Use a formal but conversational tone.
• Accept your mistakes and explain how you are willing to act on improving. Use action items.
• Give yourself enough time to write the SOP and edit it constantly. 
• Proofread, edit, re-edit and then edit it again! There is always room for improvement, remember that.

Also Read: SOP for Scholarship

Statement of Purpose Samples

Here are some good examples of well structured SOPs that you can refer to while writing your own.

“ A successful career in Business Management requires adequate knowledge to utilise the strengths and weaknesses of an individual. In my undergraduate degree, I majored in economics and psychology because I believe that understanding these two fields is important for leading a successful business. I want to increase my experiences and knowledge further by pursuing an Executive MBA, which will equip me with advanced skills that are necessary to achieve my career goals.

As I have carried out various leadership positions, I have learned how to efficiently work in teams and pursue the specified goals. In my previous company, ABC, I successfully implemented the strength-cum-weakness finder software which helped us assign projects to the groups based on the mapped data. As employees got allotted tasks as per their efficiency, it resulted in a 30% net gain for the company over the following year. I believe that a successful business leader understands the importance of strategically utilizing a company’s resources to ensure the maximum potential and development of the company. Further, the pivotal thing I learned about myself by taking up leadership roles is that teamwork is a crucial element of successfully achieving an organisation’s objectives. An Executive MBA will help me furnish my leadership skills imparting me with the knowledge of hierarchical structures and how to work with other leaders of different domains in an effective manner.

Studying for an Executive MBA, I plan to take charge of multiple team projects throughout the duration of the degree so that I can polish my teamwork skills. I aspire to work under industry leaders and attain global exposure. Pursuing this degree from your institution, I aim to gain professional as well as personal skills that can help me soar through my career journey. ”

I had a keen interest in Biology since childhood. I was eager to learn about the living organisms around my surroundings and how they function. I took this interest forward and decided to pursue my higher education in biology. When I was first introduced to the field of biotechnology, I was mesmerized by what technology can do to improve the life of any living organism. This inspired me to look at various research programmes in biotechnology and how we are moving towards a phase where technology can alter even the basic fragments of any living organism and change the course of life an organism goes through. I observed the various research patterns that have been taking place in the agricultural industry with the advent of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) giving birth to the Green Revolution. This was only one potential achievement in the extensive list of achievements that biotechnology was progressing towards. I worked with a reputed biotech firm which gave me an insight into how fast-paced the research in biotechnology is. The firm gave me the necessary exposure leading me to decide that I want to pursue MS in Biotechnology. My ambition to work in this field lies essentially in bringing changes in the lifestyle of people in a way that I can research and extensively study the required positive steps towards climate change. My goal is to achieve a sustainable lifestyle for every individual. The exposure that your esteemed institution will give me in the field of research will help me achieve this goal by working at a reputed platform

• Sample SOP for Australian Student Visa
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• SOP for MBA: Essentials to Mention & Samples
• SOP for Australia

Here is the basic format for USA, Canada, UK and Australia:

If you are planning to study abroad and want to write a good and outstanding statement of purpose for the university that you are targeting, then here are some of the common mistakes that you can avoid from the very beginning while writing an SOP:

• Writing the SOP at the last moment without any plan of action or a roadmap
• Writing a weak and vague introduction and conclusion 
• Using informal language, slangs, short forms in your SOP
• Exceeding the word limit and not reaching the correct word limit at all
• Making your SOP excessively flashy and flattery

If you are eligible for any college-specific scholarships, then during the application process you will be required to write a separate essay/SOP. Either you will be given an essay prompt/question along with a word limit or they would simply ask for an SOP stating the reasons why you think you deserve this scholarship and/or what makes you unique from the rest of the candidates? Thus, a generic SOP is different from a scholarship SOP.

Must Read: LOR: Types, Format, Sample and Tip s

A Letter of Motivation is a letter directly addressed to the admission committee/department faculty explaining your objectives, motivation and goals related to the course. The SOP is not addressed to any specific person or department, it is drafted in an essay format, whereas, the motivational letter is always addressed to a professor or department under whose guidance you will be studying.

Also Read: How to Write a Motivation Letter?

Very much similar to an SOP, Personal Statements are an on-page essay where you write about your motivation, inspiration, goals, and achievements. Personal Statements usually have a more intimate tone than SOP as it talks about the highlighted incidents of your life. Another crucial difference between an SOP and a Personal Statement is that an SOP is addressed to no one in particular, while a Personal Statement is addressed to a professor or department under who you choose to study.

Relevant Reads:

Only your LORs need to be attested by your college or company. An SOP need not be attested/self-attested until and unless specified by the university. If you take a LOR from your college professor/school teacher or a Principal/Dean, then that LOR needs to be signed by the recommender along with the college/school stamp and letterhead. Similarly, for professional LORs, they need to be signed by their respective recommenders on the company’s letterhead and company stamp.

Once you have finalised your SOP draft, give it a double-check for grammatical and formatting mistakes. Your next step should be to analyse and critique your essay. Look at your SOP through the eyes of the Adcom and see what you find lacking. For more effective inputs, you can show your drafts to your friends and family and see how they react to them. Accordingly, you can make some changes but do not overdo it or deviate from the format. Lastly, check for spacing errors and save the final SOP which you will be using for the application process.

You should avoid mentioning any low marks or shortcomings about yourself in any of the application documents, including SOP. There are very few universities that ask you about your gap year. For them, you can mention the reason for the gap between your studies. Generally, no university asks about low grades during your study period as your selection depends on various criteria like exam scores, student profile, financials, and so on. Thus, it is advised against mentioning any flaws or low marks.

Hence, we hope that now you are geared up with all the quintessential tips to start carving out your SOP. If you still have doubts or need further professional guidance, you can always reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we’ll assist you throughout the admission process, be it selecting a suitable course and university or drafting impressive SOPs and LORs. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

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I was really impressed and happy with the informations I was able to get reading through your well documented page.

I am really impressed reading through your sample and guides in writing an SOP.I was able to put mine together and I have submitted awaiting feedback from the Admissions office. Thanks so much.

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How To Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congratulations! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even written a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is that the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, former associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be? “A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11 or 12 points) and leave enough white space in the margins to make the statement easy to read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

How to write a statement of purpose: a step-by-step guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. 

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly,” he explains. “Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, Pierce suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point for creating an outline and writing your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a lasting impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related grad school success articles .

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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• Applying to graduate school

How to Write a Statement of Purpose | Example

Published on February 13, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 1, 2023.

When you apply for graduate programs or scholarships, the admissions committee is looking for more than just a list of grades. The statement of purpose (also known as a statement of intent or motivation letter) is your chance to stand out from the crowd and showcase your motivation, skills and potential. It should:

• Outline your academic or professional interests and goals
• Discuss relevant skills, experience and achievements
• Demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the program

Table of contents

Successful statement of purpose example, requirements and prompts, personal introduction, experience and achievements, goals and motivations, fit with the program, tips for an effective statement of purpose, other interesting articles.

The torment of the Founding Fathers is responsible for my interest in Classics. My desire to learn Latin stemmed from reading American Revolutionary-era history during junior high and high school, and particularly from the countless Latin quotations I found in John Adams’ writings. Always eager for a challenge, I was intrigued by the American founders’ accounts of the torture of learning such a difficult language. In my first semester at university, I started learning Latin and thoroughly loved it. As I learned more and more about classical civilization through the language, I realized that I was passionately interested in many aspects of the field of Classics. I have since taken courses on mythology, art and archaeology, and religion, on ancient history, and on the classical tradition. I have also learned Greek, of course, starting with an intensive two-semester course at the university’s summer school. My experience studying abroad in Florence and traveling through Italy and Greece intensified my zeal for the field and, in particular, fueled my ambition to specialize in classical archaeology.

My personal philosophy of life is that everything is connected, and this conviction drives my desire to study Classics. The most rewarding moments for me are discovering and investigating connections – both broad ones, between fields and disciplines, and more specific ones, like the relationship between a piece of literature and an object of material culture. My liberal arts education has equipped me with a broad base of knowledge in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts, and in the honors program I pursued independent projects exploring academic and personal connections, including a paper on ancient Mayan astronomy, a self-observation study on the effects of nutrition and hydration on exercise performance, and a paper on the influence of political context on the changing artistic representations of John Adams. By seeking out connections between seemingly unrelated areas of academia, I have acquired a well-rounded outlook which helps me approach new ideas with both a range of prior experiences and a mind always open to different interpretations.

In accordance with my personal philosophy, I have also continued to explore connections within Classics and between Classics and other fields. In 2007, I published an article in my university’s undergraduate humanities journal; inspired by my studies in Florence, I compared representations of the birth of Venus in ancient and Renaissance literature and art. My major academic achievement to date, however, has been my senior honor thesis on John Adams’ connection to the Classics. Funded by a Hilldale Research Fellowship, I conducted research in the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society and in John Adams’ personal library at the Boston Public Library on the influence of the classical tradition on Adams’ worldview and how he consciously modeled himself on classical ideals. It was particularly fulfilling to connect historical and classical research in writing about the figure most responsible for instigating my study of the Classics.

As well as my research skills, I have demonstrated proficiency in the classical languages, winning prizes for both Latin and Greek translation from the Classics Department, as well as receiving an enthusiastic nomination from the department for the Pearson Fellowship from the American Philological Association. I am also the president of the undergraduate Classics Society, which allows me to share my enthusiasm for Classics with other students and the larger community.

One of the most appealing aspects of studying Classics is the vast range of topics encompassed by the field. Because my interests are broad and I value an interdisciplinary approach, I would like to pursue graduate study ultimately leading to a PhD in Classical Archaeology. Archaeology in itself is, of course, a multi-faceted field, requiring knowledge of history, language, anthropology, and various scientific and technological methods. I have already started building my skills in this area: I participated in a microartifact analysis from the excavation of a Maya site in Belize as part of an honors project, and this summer I will take part in two archaeological projects in Turkey after working as a research assistant on related material in the spring semester. This PhD program includes many other opportunities I am eager to explore, such as palaeography and papyrology courses, and especially the variety of fieldwork and museum experiences available. I believe that my strong background in the classical languages and wide range of courses on classical civilization and archaeological methods have prepared me well for this program, and I am convinced that, guided by my philosophy of interconnectedness, I will flourish in this program.

The first step is to read the application instructions. These should include the length of the document (usually 1-2 pages), any formatting requirements, and often a question or prompt that indicates what you should focus on.

In some cases, you might also be asked to submit a personal statement . Similar advice applies to both of these documents—both should give a sense of who you are, what you’ve done and what you want to do. But a statement of purpose is often more formal, tightly focused on your academic background and your suitability for the program.

If you are working on multiple applications, don’t try to write a one-size-fits-all text—tailor your statement of purpose to each program. Make sure to respond to the prompt and include all the information you’re asked for. A typical statement of purpose prompt looks like this:

Your focus will be slightly different depending on whether you’re applying for research-based academic programs (such as a PhD ) or professional qualifications (such as an MBA). But all statements of purpose should contain the following elements.

This is your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and let them hear your voice. The statement of purpose shouldn’t tell your life story, but it should give a glimpse into who you are.

Academic and personal background

Give an overview of your academic background, and show what drives your interest in this field or profession. You might want to include some personal background too—your family history, social circumstances, personal relationships and life experiences have all shaped your trajectory and perspective. What unique insights will you bring with you?

Characteristics and personality

Think about aspects of your character that make you well-suited for graduate school. Don’t just list generic adjectives—give examples that demonstrate your strengths and show why they’re relevant.

• Are you organized enough to handle a high-pressure workload?
• Do you have the creativity needed to develop original ideas, or a systematic mindset perfect for problem-solving?
• Do you have strong leadership skills, or are you great at working collaboratively?

Avoid including irrelevant autobiographical detail in the statement of purpose. Everything you include should be aimed at showing why you’d be a strong candidate for the program.

Your experience shows that you have the necessary skills to succeed in graduate school. Don’t just summarize everything you’ve done—pick out some highlights to build a clear picture of your strengths and priorities, illustrating how you’ve learned and developed along the way.

Academic experience

If you’re applying for a research-focused program, such as a PhD, show your knowledge of the field and outline your research experience. This might include:

• A brief summary of your thesis or final project
• Courses that you found particularly valuable
• Projects you contributed to
• Publications
• Presentations
• Extracurriculars that gave you relevant skills or experience

Professional experience

If you’re applying for a professional program, such as an MBA, outline your experience so far and show how it relates to your career plans. This might include:

• Past or current job roles
• Projects you led or participated in
• Internships
• Voluntary work
• Training courses

In all cases, give specific examples with details of what you worked on, what you achieved, and what you got out of the experience.

As well as showing that you’re prepared for the program, explain what you expect to get out of it. What are your motivations for applying? How do you plan to make the most of its opportunities, and how will it help you achieve your goals?

Academic motivations

For academic programs, indicate your research interests, showing how they follow from and build upon what you have studied so far. This might include:

• A subfield that you want to strengthen your expertise in
• A specific problem or question that you’d like to address
• An initial idea for a research project
• A theoretical or methodological approach that you want to develop

This isn’t the place for an in-depth research plan, but it’s a chance to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of your field.

Professional motivations

For professional programs, outline your career aspirations and show how your experience informs your goals. This might include:

• The next step you want to take in your career. What position are you aiming for and how will the program help you achieve it?
• Your motivations for a career change. Can you make a link between your previous experience and your new direction?
• Your long-term goals. Where do you want to be in five or ten years, and how do you see yourself getting there?

The admissions committee wants to know that you’re genuinely motivated to complete the program, and the clearer your plans, the more convincing your commitment.

It’s important to show not only why you want to study this subject, but also why you want to do it in this particular institution and department.

• Do your research, and mention particular classes, specialisms or faculty that attracted you.
• Show why you’re a good fit. Do your priorities align with the values and culture of the institution? What will you contribute to the department?
• Discuss the specific skills, knowledge and experience you expect to get from the program.

The statement of purpose isn’t only about selling yourself—it’s about illustrating an ideal match between you and the program.

Once you’ve made sure to cover all the key elements, you can work on strengthening and polishing the text. Follow these tips to make your application the best it can be.

Stay focused

It can be tempting to try to cram in everything you’ve done, but a good statement of purpose requires careful selection to craft a focused narrative. One way to do this is by building your text around a central theme—for example, a character trait, an intellectual interest, or a career goal.

This strategy helps structure your text and puts your priorities centre stage. Link each paragraph back to the central idea, making it clear how everything fits together.

Think about your structure

The structure of a statement of purpose is somewhat flexible, as long as you include all the relevant information in an order that makes sense.

For example, you might start with a chronological story of where your interests began, or you might open with your goals and then select a series of examples that show your capacity to achieve them. If you’re desperate to study in this specific program, you could lead with a summary of why it’s your ideal choice, and then elaborate on each aspect to show why you’re a perfect fit.

The important thing is that the text showcases your strengths and motivations in a compelling, coherent way. As in any other piece of academic writing, make sure each paragraph communicates one main idea, and that each sentence flows smoothly and logically from the last. Use transition words and topic sentences to move between paragraphs.

Add meaning to your resume

The bare facts of your achievements—grades, prizes, work experience—are already included in your graduate school resume and transcripts. Use the statement of purpose not to repeat yourself, but to add personal meaning and texture to these facts.

If you got top marks for your thesis, describe the research process and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the topic. If you completed an internship or participated in a project, explain what new skills you learned and which aspects you found most valuable. If you already have lots of experience in the field, show how each step developed your skills and shaped your current plans.

Revise, edit, proofread

Your statement of purpose isn’t only about the content—it’s also a chance to show that you can express yourself fluently, confidently and coherently in writing. Spend plenty of time revising, editing and proofreading your text before you submit.

Make sure you stay within the recommended length, and check if there are any specific formatting requirements. If not, use a standard 12pt font, 1-inch margins and 1.5 line spacing.

When you have a final draft, our professional statement of purpose proofreading service can offer an extra pair of eyes to make sure every sentence is perfect.

Proofread my statement of purpose

Checklist: Statement of purpose

My statement of purpose clearly responds to the prompt.

I have introduced my academic, professional and/or personal background.

I have described any relevant experience and shown my development over time.

I have highlighted key achievements that demonstrate my talents.

There is a clear connection between my previous experience and my future plans.

I have explained how the program will help me achieve my goals.

I have mentioned specific aspects of the program, department and institution that appeal to me.

Every paragraph focuses on one central idea.

The paragraphs are organized in a logical order and tell a clear, coherent story.

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• MS Admissions / SOP

How to Write an SOP: Statement of Purpose Examples

by Vishnu Prasad Kesavamoorthy · Published January 12, 2019 · Updated April 21, 2022

We at AdmitEDGE totally understand the fact that you are new to SOP writing, and want to know everything about it. In this article, we have tried to cover the basics of SOP writing, it’s importance, points to consider while writing an SOP , guidelines to follow while framing your SOP and detailed samples with explanations. This article will help you understand how a Statement of Purpose should be written, in a way that impresses the admissions committee.

What is a Statement of Purpose (SOP)?

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is usually an essay that ranges between 500-1500 words in length (though it is advisable not to exceed 1.5 pages), that gives your desired university a brief idea about your academic & professional career trajectory till date, your motivation behind pursuing that very stream, your future goals after the completion of your course and so on. A well-written statement of purpose can often go a long way in boosting your chances of bagging your dream MS admits. To sum it up, it is the only document through which you can let the universities know about the things that set you apart from the rest, the factors that make your profile, a unique one!

Just how important is your Statement of Purpose (SOP)?

As mentioned earlier, your statement of purpose serves as one of the prime factors that lets you gain acceptance to your desired grad school. A student’s Statement of Purpose holds the same importance as LORs, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS test scores, and transcripts in the selection process. This document acts like your mirror image and lets the university understand your strengths, weakness, achievements and other information about you.

Points to consider while writing an Statement of Purpose (SOP) –

Before you start writing your Statement of Purpose (SOP), consider the following pointers so that your SOP leaves a great impression on the admissions committee. They are there to hear, know and analyse you in every aspect to consider you as a part of their university.

Will you be an Asset to the University?

Every university looks forward to accepting those candidates who have the potential to make the best of the education they receive and make valuable contributions to the industry or to research and academia. This is only logical, as a highly accomplished alumni body helps universities augment their reputation and standing. Let them know how valuable you are by pointing out your urge to learn, your ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, demonstrating a positive attitude towards taking up new challenges and other qualities you possess that you feel, make you a great fit for their student body.

Be Yourself

“Be Yourself!” – this is a quote that we are all familiar with. However, it assumes a special significance when it comes to SOP writing. Show the universities what mettle you are made of, and by this, we mean that you should not only enlist all the enviable qualities and strengths that you possess but also own up to your weaknesses, and how you’ve worked to overcome them. Don’t forget to add any other pertinent information that you feel can help you get admitted to the program that you have opted for. Self-praising is great, but overdoing it, will create a negative impression on the experienced admissions officers, who review thousands of SOPs every year.

There’s No Harm in Listing Failures

You cannot achieve your goals without failures. Mentioning your past failures along with a proper explanation of how these downfalls added to your knowledge and problem-solving skills will make your SOP stand out. Explain how these negative experiences illuminated the path to your success and stability. However, don’t just list your failures in any abrupt order without listing your learnings from them, as maintaining a proper balance is the key in powerful Statement of Purpose writing.

Write in an Engaging Style

The competition for getting accepted to the top international universities is extremely high. To get an edge over your competitors, you need to ensure that your statement of purpose is distinctive. Write your SOP in a way that engages the admission committee, and compels them to read on. Your SOP should sound more like a verbal conversation rather than just listing your information. Explain how you faced challenges and tackled them. Let them know about your backlogs, if you had any, and mention why that happened. If you’ve faced some unwanted or unforeseen circumstances that have changed the course of your life, feel free to talk about them and how they helped you emerge as a stronger person. Be precise, concise and honest with the information that you present in your Statement of Purpose.

For example: If you have applied for MS in CS (Computer Science) then simply stating, “ I am interested in pursuing my master’s in CS from your university ” would be an unimpressive statement. Instead, you must explain or make a specific reference to what exactly you want to study and why.

What is a perfect Statement of Purpose (SOP) format?

Page length:.

A 1 – 1.5 page Statement of Purpose is most preferable, but content exceeding 2 pages should strictly be avoided.

Overtly lengthy or verbose content usually drives away the attention of the reader.

Writing format:

The font size that is considered ideal is 12 pt.

Keeping 1-inch margins at all sides of the page gives your SOP a neat look, enhancing its visual appeal.

Length of Paragraphs and Sentences:

We always overlook documents that have long paragraphs and lengthy sentences. Nobody would ever like to read such documents unless it’s a thesis paper we’re talking about. While writing an SOP, make sure each paragraph’s length does not exceed 10 lines and avoid using long sentences.

Include the following information in your Statement of Purpose:

First Paragraph: Introduce yourself by providing a brief background of your life so far, followed by your immediate career objective(s). Second Paragraph: Explain what inspired you to take interest in the program and that specific field of study. Specify your favourite subjects and which authors’ books you liked the most and why. You must also mention the relevant academic projects you’ve completed and what you’ve taken way from the same. Third Paragraph: Provide a brief information about your work experience,  and any internships or certifications that you’ve completed, if applicable. Fourth Paragraph: Briefly describe some other experiences that helped you to make up your mind to pursue graduate studies in your that particular area. Closing Paragraph: Describe your long-term goals in 2-3 lines (should be related to your subject)

The DOs and DON’Ts of Statement of Purpose (SOP) writing:

• Do maintain a positive tone throughout your SOP.
• Do be yourself.
• Do start with an amazing introductory paragraph. The 1st impression is always the best impression, and the same applies to your SOP too!
• Do mention that particular university’s unique features that attracted you the most.
• Be precise and to the point. Elaborate phrases and fancy words are not a part of strong SOP writing.
• Connect your paragraphs with each other
• Review your draft at least 3 times to check for any spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors that might have crept in.
• Get it reviewed by your faculty members and fellow peers and ask them if they feel that it is an accurate representation of who you are as a person.

DON’Ts:

• Don’t provide unnecessary information
• Don’t complain about events and experiences that you’ve had in the past. Instead, tell them how you managed to tackle those situations.
• Don’t get emotional and sloppy.
• Don’t wax eloquent about the nightlife or tourist attractions of the city in which the university is based. You will be going there for higher education and not as a tourist.
• Don’t include words like “nervous breakdown”, “depression” and other controversial topics.
• Don’t spend too much time in writing about your future goals and aspirations; talk about your past experiences too.

Some HOWs and WHATs to ask yourself:

• What is special, distinctive and unique about you?
• What personal details might make the admissions committee better understand you and make your SOP unique?
• Who has influenced you greatly?
• How are you pursuing your interests?
• Why should your desired university choose you?
• What are the future opportunities in your dream university?
• What is the best thing that you like about your university?
• What is the most appealing aspect about the program that you’ve applied to?

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample for GRE:

Below, you will find a detailed explanation, paragraph-wise, which will give you a more refined idea about what a perfect SOP looks like, matching the guidelines discussed above.

First Paragraph:

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample 1

• According to the guidelines discussed above, the introductory paragraph should be as actionable as possible, so that the reader takes interest and keeps on reading.
• Here, the student’s academic background has been mentioned, along with the field he has specialised in.
• As this candidate was opting for a program which is related to automobiles, he has done the right thing by informing the admissions committee of his emphasis on Automobile engineering.
• He has also demonstrated his urge of learning new things, portraying that he is a good learner who is keen to pursue higher studies in his field of interest.
• The paragraph has been ended effectively with the student’s immediate career objective.

Second Paragraph:

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample 2

• As stated in the guidelines for the 2nd paragraph, it has covered everything that is related to his interest in the field.
• Mentioning your favourite subjects gives your chances of acceptance a boost and shows that the candidate has dug deep in his field.
• The paragraph is drawn to a close by the student listing some of his specific interests.

Third paragraph:

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample 3

• This paragraph clearly shows the internships that the candidate has pursued during his summer breaks.
• The candidate has described the roles that he has played and the various tasks that he carried out during his internship.
• He also talks about the way this internship has helped him learn about his field.

Fourth Paragraph

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample 4

• Here he has mentioned a key factor on how he overcame a problem that he faced while writing a paper on Bio-Diesel.
• This creates a good impression on the admissions committee, convincing them about the problem-solving skills of the candidate.
• Mentioning what you learned from the experience is non-negotiable.

Closing Paragraph:

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample 5

As discussed earlier, he has concluded his SOP in the proper fashion, mentioning a future goal which is relevant to the program he is opting for.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Tips

Writing an SOP in the past was an easy task. However, owing to the rapid increase in the number of applicants each year, the selection process at top universities around the world has become a lot more stringent. Owing to this, framing and drafting a compelling, comprehensive, yet concise SOP has assumed a much bigger role than it played earlier, making it one of the most important factors that can help in determining your chances of acceptance.

We hope this article has been of assistance. We at AdmitEDGE wish you all the very best for your future endeavours! If you have any further queries regarding writing the perfect SOP that wins you your dream admits, do let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll get back to you at the earliest!

Tags: sample sops SOP sop example sop samples statement of purpose statement of purpose examples statement of purpose sample

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SOP Format and Samples: How to Write Statement of Purpose

• What is SOP
• SOP Writing Tips
• Statement of Purpose for Masters
• SOP for MBA
• Statement of Purpose for Phd

Updated on 28 June, 2024

Akansha, Pragya

Akansha Semwal

Study abroad expert, pragya sharma, sr. content editor.

When a friend of mine told me she looks forward to applying for admission at German universities, we hopped on to research the admission process and documents required. What amazed us was that around 90% of bachelor's and master's programs in Germany require a Statement of Purpose (SOP). On further research, we found that it is a crucial application requirement not just in Germany, but across various countries.

Admissions committees use the SOP to gain insight into your achievements, relevant experiences, future goals, and skills and explain why you believe you are the ideal candidate among others.

Read on to learn what all we found in our research. Explore the importance of an SOP, its types, formats, guidelines and more in this article.

Table of Contents

What is sop, why is sop important, paragraph 1: introduction.

• Paragraph 2: Academic and Professional Background

Paragraph 3: Reasons to Pursue the Particular Course

• Paragraph 4: Academic Interests and Goals

Paragraph 5: Reasons to Choose the Particular University

• Paragraph 6: Conclusion

Paragraph 2: Purpose of Travel

Paragraph 3: academic background, paragraph 4: relevant professional experience, paragraph 5: ties to home country, paragraph 6: travel plans, paragraph 7: conclusion, how long should statement of purpose be, 1. expressive writing ability, 2. unique personal traits, 3. contribution to the community, 4. congruence with course and university, 5. reflective conclusion, introduction.

• 1. Academic Background
• 2. Professional Background

Why this Course

• Career Goals

Why This University

• Do's and Don'ts of a Statement of Purpose

Is there any Need to Write Name on SOP?

1. avoid negative phrasing, 2. illustrate causal relationships, 3. avoid overwhelming details, 4. incorporate motivational incidents, 5. conclude impressively, 6. be creative yet factual, 7. be specific and self-aware, 8. showcase your qualifications, 9. quantify your achievements, 10. maintain word limits, 11. handle discrepancies, 12. avoid plagiarism, 13. be honest and direct, 14. research thoroughly, 15. proofread and revise, 16. write concisely, 17. use the first person, 18. maintain a professional tone, 19. seek opinions, 20. incorporate brief motivational stories.

• Highlight Your Personality Traits

Frame Original Stories

Be specific, write and rewrite, statement of purpose (sop) samples/examples.

• Statement of Purpose Example for Master's Degree
• Statement of Purpose Example for 12th Class
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample PDF

1. Dull Introduction

2. last-minute writing hassle, 3. informal writing style, 4. not proofreading, 5. incorrect or plagiarized information, statement of purpose vs personal statement, popular guides to simplify your study abroad journey.

The SOP full form is a Statement of Purpose. It is an essay cum application written by the applicant to the admissions committee. The letter outlines the applicant's reasons for choosing a particular course, as well as their interests, objectives, and career aspirations. The statement of purpose can also be known as a letter of intent or research statement.

The purpose of an SOP is to allow the admission committee to know you - your thought process, strengths, achievements, and future plans. It also lets them check how good you are at expressing yourself. This is an important step to get admission at overseas universities.

The SOP comprises various elements - starting from academic qualifications to personal experiences, but should be between 500 and 1,000 words. You should check the university’s official website to see the format they accept, as it might vary per the institute. 

The adage, the first impression is the last impression, holds true when presenting yourselves in front of the admissions committee via SOP.

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 university’s selection committee.

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.

What is SOP Format: Academic & Visa

The statement of purpose format is a structured outline that helps applicants organize their thoughts and present relevant information effectively in their written statement.

SOP Format for Academic Purposes

For an effective and impactful Statement of Purpose (SOP) for your university application, I recommend following this SOP format for thoroughness and persuasiveness.

Paragraph 1: Introduction 

This section is often confused with self-introduction. However, you should only introduce your chosen academic field. You must briefly express your interest in the selected program and future expectations from this course. 

Share the passions and motivations that led you to choose the course. Keep this statement of purpose section concise, focusing more on your aspirations than a detailed autobiography.

Paragraph 2: Academic and Professional Background 

• Provide information about your school or college. Describe any research you've conducted, including details such as collaborators, project titles, your responsibilities, and the outcomes achieved. Use the technical language or style of your academic field, as faculty members will read it.
• Highlight any significant papers or thesis projects you've completed, as well as any scholarly work that furthers your academic requirements.
• Students interested in studying abroad generally have some work experience. It may be a part-time job, training projects, internships, freelancing work, or a full-time job. 
• Discuss in SOP writing any relevant work experience along with your skills, especially if it relates to your intended study area. You can also explain how these experiences have shaped your focus on graduate studies.

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.

Pose a question, define a problem, or highlight a theme you wish to explore further. Discuss any questions that have emerged from your engagement with contemporary research in your field. Dedicate a substantial paragraph to this discussion.

Paragraph 4: Academic Interests and Goals 

This is the most important section where you should explain the job profile you will be working on after your studies. Try to explain your long-term career goals and plans. Do not mention anything that 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.

This is the paragraph where you need to tell the academic committee why you are an ideal candidate for the university. Research the departments you're interested in and identify professors whose research matches your interests.

Mention any professors whose work parallels yours and indicate your awareness of specific programs that may require you to name potential mentors.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion 

In the final paragraph, you must express your enthusiasm and readiness to tackle challenges that can come in your way of studying abroad. Conclude your statement on a positive note.

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.

Pro Tip: You must also highlight the personality traits and qualities that make you a unique applicant. Avoid using adjectives like interested, dedicated, etc. Remember, your suitability for the program does not depend only on your achievements.

SOP Format for Visa Application

Adhere to this format of statement of purpose to create a thorough and persuasive Statement of Purpose (SOP) for your visa application.

Introduce yourself briefly, mentioning your history, your educational background, and the reason you are applying for a visa. 

Indicate clearly why you are visiting, stating if it is for business, research, travel, or other purposes. Justify your trip decision by outlining the advantages the nation gives you for the goals you have in mind. 

If relevant, and if you're applying for a study visa, briefly describe the course or program you want to take and your background. Emphasize how your job goals and your academic path coincide. 

Summarize your professional experience, knowledge, and abilities about the position or sector of the destination country for work visas.

In this paragraph, emphasize your relations to your home country, including family, property, employment, or other commitments that indicate your intention to return after the visa period.

Provide details of your travel plans in your SOP writing format and add the duration of your stay, accommodation arrangements, and any planned activities or engagements during your visit.

Express gratitude for the opportunity to visit the country and reiterate your purpose and commitment to abide by visa regulations and contribute positively during your stay.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Format: Important Details

After addressing these elements in your SOP, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions committees and strengthens your application.

If you want to know how to make a statement of purpose effective for your profile, remember the evaluator reads thousands of SOPs like yours, so avoid excessive details. Unless instructed otherwise, stick to the word limit of typically between 800 to 1,500 words. 

Pierce, a famous author, notes that an SOP should typically not exceed a single page. So, choose your words carefully for clarity and avoid repetition or exceeding the limit.

What Do Colleges and Universities Search for in SOP?

Colleges and universities require a Statement of Purpose (SOP) that truly reflects your personality and achievements as an applicant.

Your SOP should showcase your ability to write engagingly and expressively. It should flow like a narrative, albeit based on real experiences. Ensure your content is well-organized, thoughtfully planned, and presented in an active voice with concise paragraphs.

A compelling SOP allows room to showcase your uniqueness. Admissions committees aim to envision your character and personality through your statement. Therefore, it's essential to present distinct aspects of yourself.

Institutions value contributions to their community. Your SOP should demonstrate how you plan to engage in student activities and enhance diversity within the student body, highlighting your potential impact.

Colleges and universities want to gauge your familiarity and unity with the chosen course and institution. Your SOP should reflect your understanding of the program's offerings and how they work with your academic and career goals.

In concluding your SOP, emphasize your primary motivations for applying. Articulate your short-term and long-term objectives, reinforcing your commitment and aspirations.

How to Write SOP Effectively

• Remember, this is not a self-introduction.
• Introduce the academic field of interest.
• An anecdote that motivated you to pursue the field.
• Gist of what you aspire to do in the domain.

1. Academic Background 

• For a bachelor's degree, mention academic information of X and XII.
• For a master's degree, delve into your college academic information and projects. 
• For a PhD degree, emphasis on your published research papers.
• Must include extracurriculars in MBA and UG SOPs.

2. Professional Background 

• Highlight the professional experience related to the applied degree.
• Specify why you desire to pursue this particular degree.
• Mention the modules that interest you.
• Elucidate the skills you want to enhance during the term.

Career Goals 

• Short-term Goals: Clearly specify your goal upon completing the degree.
• Long-term Goals: Mention your long-term plans (10-15 years down the line).
• Ensure not to mention that you desire to stay back upon completing the degree i.e., you should always talk about returning to your home country.
• Specify what made you choose the particular university.
• Mention the modules/research themes/research labs that intrigue your interest.
• Mention the professor(s) you would like to learn under. 

Write, in a nutshell, the reason that makes you the right fit for the university.

Also Read:- SOP Writing Tips

Do's and Don'ts of a Statement of Purpose

Usually, you are not required to mention your name while writing an SOP. However, in the case of Visa SOPs, one needs to mention their name. To get a better understanding, you should visit the university’s official website.

20 Proven Tips to Write Impactful SOP

Here are 20 proven tips about how to write SOP:-

Transform negative initial impressions by highlighting a positive turnaround. For instance, instead of mentioning a poor early GPA, focus on the improvement and dedication that followed.

Clearly explain the reasons behind your academic decisions or circumstances, which helps in maintaining the reader's engagement by answering anticipated questions. For instance, given the limited availability of facilities for advanced experimental research in my home country, I was compelled to focus primarily on simulations, which could have improved my ability to validate my findings.

While it's important to be thorough, prioritize aspects that enhance your narrative. Choose significant courses or experiences that align with your graduate goals.

Including short, motivational anecdotes from your academic life can enhance the persuasiveness of your SOP. For example, consider sharing a brief story that captures what initially inspired your passion for research.

End with a statement that leaves a lasting, positive impression, reinforcing your dedication and readiness for the challenges of graduate study.

Ensure your SOP is engaging but grounded in the factual recounting of your academic journey.

Provide detailed reasons for your interests and choices, reflecting a deep self-awareness and genuine passion.

Highlight relevant academic and extracurricular pursuits, addressing any specific program prerequisites succinctly.

Where possible, provide quantitative data to substantiate your claims and add credibility to your achievements.

To ensure your statement of purpose is noticed, abide by the application rules, especially the one about word count in the SOP writing format.

Utilize the SOP to clarify any possible issues with your application, such as job gaps or differences in your academic standing.

Make sure your statement is unique and authentic; plagiarized content may be quickly identified and could endanger your application.

Discuss your genuine aspirations and experiences. Authenticity is crucial, as admissions committees are adept at detecting insincerity.

Learn about each institution’s ethos and academic environment and craft your statement to illustrate your fit with their culture.

Multiple revisions and feedback from trusted peers or mentors are essential to refining your SOP.

Keep paragraphs short and to the point, directly addressing the topic before expanding.

Write from a personal perspective to create a direct connection with the reader and enhance the relatability and impact of your narrative.

While it's important to be engaging, maintain a tone that reflects your professionalism and suitability for graduate study.

Get input from academic supervisors, colleagues, TAs, etc. Consult with academic mentors for discipline-specific feedback.

Note: Some universities might also ask for your financial information. Ensure to write your SOP as per the university’s needs.

Bonus Tips to Write Unique Statement of Purpose 

For a winning SOP, making a perfect strategy before drafting is important. Though most people write whatever comes to their minds, you should not follow in their footsteps. You should write an original and eye-catching SOP to stay ahead of the competition. Here are some bonus tips:-

Highlight Your Personality Traits 

You must highlight the personality traits and qualities that make you a unique applicant. Avoid using adjectives like interested, dedicated, and more. Ensure to exude your leadership qualities or social skills via your SOP. Your suitability for the program does not depend only on your achievements.

If you have a choice to read a novel or a report. You are likely to choose the novel. Because a report provides insights about a topic, whereas a novel will tell you a well-written story with which you will feel emotionally connected. Similarly, your anecdote of what motivated you to pursue the course will connect you to the committee. Moreover, it will give them a comprehensive idea of why you chose the course and your strengths.

It is needless to say that 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 contain measurable experiences.

Suppose you have worked with an NGO teaching math to primary kids. You can write, “During my college days, I worked with an NGO and taught math to needy children. I also taught them basic English concepts. This helped me to enhance my social skills and management skills.” This statement sounds good and makes an academic committee think about your valuable impact on children/society.

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. 

So, if you think your first draft should be your final SOP, put that thought on hold. Ensure to write and then rewrite to create an impressive SOP.  

Now that you have gained an understanding of writing an SOP effectively, let us dive into some samples that will help you build your SOP better. Please note that these samples are indicative and you must follow the specific guidelines as mentioned by the university you are applying to.

Statement of Purpose Example for Master's Degree

The world of technology has always fascinated me. And being an Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering graduate further intensified this enchantment. While studying programming languages and machine learning, I realized that data is the ultimate source of information and power that will soon drive us into a better world. I am ambitious and geared towards contributing to this dynamic realm through the lens of effective leadership and management. For this reason, I am seeking to pursue (the program name).

During my time pursuing BE in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, I developed proficiency in the concepts of data structure, image processing, and programming languages, including C, C++, and the basics of Java. I also gained comprehensive knowledge of using software like MATLAB for machine learning and Keil to solve the complex problems facing embedded software developers. My third-year project, the AAA, aimed to make something that could benefit everyone, as the intention was to create something cost-effective and simple enough to be made at home. For my fourth-year project, however, I wanted to do something different, and that's when I came across a new subject, YYY, that piqued my interest. I have published my research paper on 'MMM’.

Working at NNN for more than seven months has given me the confidence to work in a fast-paced business environment. However, I've faced various roadblocks and unexpected problems throughout my time. Owing to the voids that I had noticed in my prospects, I felt a need to upgrade my knowledge and skills through an advanced training program that furnishes me with the nuances of business analytics at a global scale while nourishing my overall understanding of intricacies in the corporate world and hone my managerial skills.

After extensive deliberation to find the best coursework and modules that fit my expected learning outcomes, I narrowed it down to AAA from the esteemed KKK University. The curriculum of this program has been curated, specifically keeping in mind the persisting industry trends and foreseeing the potential practices the global marketplace might adapt to. On the one hand, the PGP certification in LLL will gear me to form a solid grounding in statistical modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and text mining, whereas the MBA. On the other hand, it will allow me to prosper in a complex business setting. The latter will imbue the ability to ascertain the current market economy and how my technical knowledge will help me, as a leader, to solve complex business challenges in the future.

The concepts I grab from the well-structured curriculum of the program at KKK University will enable me to lay the foundation for a thriving career in leading multinational conglomerates as a crucial part of the core decision-making body. After completing my master's, I plan to engage in IT as a business analyst and integrate the knowledge gained into real-time practice to solve complex problems. Years later, I look forward to embarking on an entrepreneurial journey and establishing a consultancy business, rendering quality services to clients worldwide.

I am incredibly excited at the prospect of studying at an esteemed institution like KKK University, which is acclaimed among the top-rated universities globally in Canada for student experience. The mentorships from the award-winning renowned faculty base at KKK University, along with multiple skill-enhancing programs and workshops, are some of the significant factors that enthralled me. I am also highly impressed by the intellectual diversity of the institution, with professors and students from over 100 countries bringing their combined perspectives to one place. This will be a thrilling experience as I will build a strong network of professionals and industry leaders to exchange our ideologies, knowledge, and experiences.

The opportunity to pursue a master's program at KKK University would elevate my skills. My academic training will prepare me to pursue a challenging and fulfilling career in the field of my interest. I hope the University will consider my application favorably.

Statement of Purpose Example for 12th Class 

Increase the effectiveness of your university application by structuring your Statement of Purpose (SOP) according to this statement of purpose format for clarity and effectiveness.

I grew up in a household where every dinner was a forum for insightful discussions on literature, art, and cinema. While my father favored English and Tamil movies, my mother leaned towards Hindi cinema. These discussions often culminated in movie nights, especially on weekends, which I eagerly anticipated from a young age. Exposed early to various filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Mrinal Sen, David Lynch, Ritwik Ghatak, Christopher Nolan, and Alfred Hitchcock, I realized my passion for the cinematic world.

In the 7th standard, my English teacher praised my essay on the 'Evolution of Hindi Films Over the Years,' sparking a conversation about my deep-seated love for movies. This conversation led to the realization that a career in cinema was my calling.

My journey to pursue Cinema Studies began after my 10th board exams. Despite the multitude of universities offering Film Studies abroad, my cousin's insights and guidance helped me navigate through the options. Following my stellar performance in the 12th board exams, I meticulously researched universities, ultimately choosing the Toronto Film School for its renowned Bachelor in Cinema and Media Studies program.

Toronto Film School's comprehensive curriculum, spanning diverse aspects of global cinema and offering a wide range of electives, stood out to me. The opportunity to delve into areas like diversity in Cinematic Arts, gender studies, and the history of international cinema fits perfectly with my interests.

My active involvement in debates during school, coupled with my accolades in literature, further solidified my passion for storytelling and cinema. The prospect of studying in Canada, a hub for film and media, excites me as it brings me closer to my dream of becoming a Film Editor.

A degree in Film Studies is best experienced through a combination of theory and practical practice. And I like the look and try to incorporate it into my life. Toronto Film School's Cinema and Media Studies program will expose me to the camera, allowing me to realize my childhood desire to have hands-on experience with the whole creative process of film production. From preparing myself for extreme challenges in the field to engaging in constant collaboration and mastering tenacity, I am eager to do it all while pursuing my degree.

I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely, XYZ

Statement of Purpose (SOP) Sample PDF 

Explore our Statement of Purpose (SOP) sample PDF for expert guidance and inspiration in crafting your university application. Download now for valuable insights and tips!

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing SOP

Now that you know the secret sauce to write an impressive SOP, let’s further increase your chances of acceptance of the application. How? We have enlisted the key pointers that cannot be considered nugatory while drafting your SOP.

The intro paragraph of your SOP can make or break your chances to be a part of the university. The member of the admission committee must have read a slew of applications. So, to hook their attention, you should start with an impressive line that surfaces your academics, confidence, and intentions.

Moreover, do not fixate on self-introduction; it should mirror your academic field of interest and your inclination toward the university. 

There is abundant information about how to write a Statement of Purpose over the internet. So, if you think that copying those cliche statements will get you through the admission process, then it’s time to rethink it!

Rather, you should start your SOP writing process months before your admission process. Moreover, check the university’s official website not to exceed the desirable word limit.

You might have come across many Statement of Purpose samples with informal writing styles. So, if you thought it would make it easier to draft one with an informal tone, you are mistaken over here.

It is suggested to keep your SOP crisp and adhere to a formal tone. In tandem with this, avoid the usage of slang.

Why lose a chance to secure a seat due to a misspelling or a grammatical issue in your SOP? Correct? Thus, to write a unique and flawless SOP, it is paramount to proofread it. You can also ask your friends or family members to do so.

Moreover, ensure to read it after a few days after completing it. This will curtail the chances of a blind spot while eliminating any errors.

Finding an impressive Statement of Purpose sample on the internet and tweaking the same won’t help you to be noticed by the admission panel. Your SOP should be unique to ensure that you avoid plagiarism.

SOP encapsulates the applicant’s strengths, career goals, academics, and research interests; in contrast, a Personal Statement details the applicant’s personal motivation for choosing the program. Both SOP and Personal Statements have their own goals.

As an applicant, you need to ensure to impress the admission committee with an SOP or Personal Statement. To comprehend the in-depth difference between both statements, read here . 

In conclusion, an effective SOP format is a crucial element in crafting a compelling Statement of Purpose. It serves as the blueprint that guides the narrative flow, ensuring that the content is not only well-structured and coherent but also engaging and impactful.

A well-formatted SOP helps to present the applicant's story, qualifications, and aspirations in a clear, concise manner, making a strong impression on the admissions committee.

As applicants prepare their SOPs, adhering to a thoughtful format is key to successfully conveying their unique voice, experiences, and motivations. It's this strategic combination of content and format that transforms an SOP from a mere application requirement into a persuasive and memorable introduction to the candidate’s potential and fit for the program.

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FAQs on SOP Format

What are the 4 p's of sop.

An SOP has four P's: purpose, procedure, personnel, and performance. These parts explain why the SOP exists, how to carry out the process, personnel roles and duties, and success measures.

How to give a final polish to my SOP?

Once you have written down your SOP, double-check the document for grammatical and careless mistakes. Your next step should be finding someone who can analyze your essay and 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 and react to the SOP. Accordingly, make some changes and modify your format. In the end, you can look out for spacing errors and save the final application.

How to write a perfect SOP that could win the heart of an academic committee?

Making your SOP stand out from the heaps of applications is not an easy task. Ensure you write a compelling introduction of your SOP, including the anecdote that motivated you to pursue the course. Moreover, mention what motivated you to pursue the course and choose the university.

Apart from these key elements, do not miss out on mentioning your projects/research work in tandem with your professional and academic background.

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.

A motivation letter 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.

Can an impressive SOP help to avail scholarships?

Yes, an impressive SOP can enhance your chances of availing scholarships. Students seeking to avail of merit or need-based scholarships need to write a different SOP. To be selected for the scholarship, their SOP will make a difference.

For need-based scholarships, they need to focus on their financial condition and the zeal to pursue the course. Whereas, in the case of merit-based scholarships, they need to structure their SOP around their academic achievements and what makes them the right fit for the university.

Can I use the same SOP for multiple applications?

It's advised to change your SOP to meet the unique needs and values of each university or program. Customizing your SOP shows that you are interested in and qualified for the specific program or school.

Should I address academic failures or gaps in my SOP?

If there are gaps in your academic or professional history, address them in a positive, constructive, and brief manner and focus on what you’ve learned or how you’ve grown from those experiences.

Can I include quotes or citations in my SOP?

You don't have to begin your SOP with a quote from a renowned person. If you want to, choose a distinctive and significant quote and use them sparingly and ensure they enhance your narrative rather than distract from it. If not, skip it.

Should I mention specific professors or courses in my SOP?

You can mention specific professors or courses to demonstrate your research and genuine interest in the program. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the professor’s work and your extensive research on the university.

How important is the opening sentence in my SOP?

The opening sentence of your SOP sets the tone and captures the reader's attention. A compelling opening sentence makes a strong impression and motivates the reader to engage with your entire SOP.

Is it better to start with a template or write from scratch?

It depends on your preferences and writing style. Starting with a template can provide structure and guidance, but try to personalize it extensively to show your experiences and aspirations.

How should I handle feedback on my SOP?

Be open to feedback on your SOP and use it as an opportunity to improve and refine your writing. Consider the suggestions provided, revise accordingly, and seek input from mentors or advisors for further enhancements.

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

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Crafting an Effective Statement of Purpose (SOP): Dos and Don’ts

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a critical document when applying for educational programs, scholarships, or job positions. It serves as a means for applicants to express their goals, motivations, and qualifications. To ensure your SOP stands out, it’s essential to follow a set of dos and avoid the common pitfalls. In this blog, we’ll explore the key dos and don’ts of writing an impressive SOP.

1. Understand the Purpose:

Do: Start by understanding the specific purpose of the SOP. For example, if you’re applying for a graduate program, recognize that the SOP is your opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate and how the program aligns with your career goals. If it’s for a job application, focus on how your skills and experiences match the job requirements.

2. Research the Institution/Company:

Do: Thoroughly research the institution or company you’re applying to. Understand their mission, values, programs, and recent achievements. Mention specific aspects that attract you to them. This shows your genuine interest.

3. Show Passion and Purpose:

Do: Express your passion for the field or industry and the specific program or job. Share your motivations for pursuing it and how it relates to your long-term goals. Your enthusiasm should come across in your writing.

4. Provide Specific Examples:

Do: Back up your claims with concrete examples from your experiences, whether it’s academic, professional, or personal. Instead of saying, “I’m a dedicated team player,” describe a situation where you demonstrated teamwork effectively.

5. Follow the Instructions:

Do: Pay close attention to any guidelines provided by the institution or employer. This includes word limits, formatting requirements, and specific questions you need to address. Not following instructions can be detrimental.

6. Focus on Your Unique Story:

Do: Highlight your personal experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, and unique perspectives that set you apart from other applicants. Admission committees or hiring managers are interested in what makes you distinct.

7. Edit and Proofread:

Do: Editing and proofreading are crucial. Go through your SOP multiple times to eliminate grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing. Consider seeking feedback from professors, mentors, or colleagues to refine your writing further.

The Don’ts:

1. Plagiarize or Copy Templates:

Don’t: Never resort to plagiarism or directly copy SOP templates from the internet . Admission committees and employers are skilled at identifying such dishonesty. Your SOP should be an authentic reflection of your thoughts and experiences.

2. Be Overly Formal or Generic:

Don’t: While maintaining professionalism is important, avoid using overly formal or generic language that could make your SOP sound robotic. Write in a manner that is clear, engaging, and still respectful of the context.

3. Exaggerate or Fabricate Information:

Don’t: Honesty is paramount. Avoid exaggerating your achievements or fabricating information. Admissions committees and employers verify the information you provide, and any discrepancies can result in rejection.

4. Include Irrelevant Details:

Don’t: Stay focused on relevant information. Don’t include unrelated personal stories or details that don’t contribute to your application’s central message. Every word should serve a purpose.

5. Use Jargon or Slang:

Don’t: Keep your language simple and universally understandable. Avoid using industry-specific jargon, acronyms, or slang that might confuse or alienate the reader, especially if they are not familiar with it.

6. Write a General Purpose SOP:

Don’t: Resist the temptation to use a one-size-fits-all SOP for multiple applications. Tailor each SOP to the specific program or job you’re applying for. Highlight how your background and aspirations align with the particular opportunity.

7. Exceed Word Limits:

Don’t: Respect the word limits set by the institution or employer. Going over the limit may demonstrate an inability to follow instructions, which can lead to your application being discarded.

In conclusion, crafting a successful SOP requires careful thought, research, and meticulous writing. It’s your chance to tell your story, demonstrate your suitability, and leave a lasting impression. Following these dos and don’ts will help you create a compelling SOP that significantly improves your chances of achieving your educational or career goals. Always remember that an authentic and well-structured SOP can be a powerful tool in your application process.

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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Guide & Examples

July 10, 2020 - Updated on May 12, 2024

No matter what business you’re in, you probably have a specific way of getting things done.

But things are constantly changing, employees come and go, and your business has to keep delivering high-quality products/services regardless of the obstacles.

So how can you maintain steady consistency of your end results?

That’s where standard operating procedures (SOPs) come in! SOPs help you break down even the most complex process so even a novice can complete it from start to finish.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about SOPs including:

What’s a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)?

• How to Write an SOP
• How to use Process.st for your SOPs

Let’s dive in!

A standard operating procedure, or SOP, is a set of detailed step-by-step instructions that describe how to carry out any given process.

Most companies that are serious about process management use SOPs to manage their day-to-day activities.

Well, Standard Operating Procedures allow you to:

• Achieve consistent results. With standard operating procedures, you complete your processes in the same way and achieve the right results every time.
• Reduce costs and increase productivity. When everyone does the same task in different ways, eventually your organization will run into inefficiencies that cost you time and money. With SOPs you can streamline the process and increase productivity.
• Create a safe working environment. SOPs are very useful when it comes to safety. You provide a standardized way of getting things done with minimized risk of safety hazards. In this way your workers are safe and your company reduces the risk of liability.

Standard Operating Procedure Structure

The typical SOP covers the following information…

• SOP ID number
• Names of the people who created the document
• The dates when the document was created and edited
• The department or division that will use the SOP
• The signatures of the people who approved the SOP
• Table of Contents. You can include a table of contents if your document is very long. This way, your employees will easily find the section they need in no time.
• The purpose and scope of the SOP
• The roles and responsibilities of the people who are directly involved in the process
• Resources and materials that the employees will need to complete the procedures
• Cautions and warnings related to the procedures or materials used in the process
• Procedures section. This is the essence of your SOP. Here you describe what needs to be done, the order of the tasks, and methodology your employees need to follow. You can list the different steps and if the process is more complex, include sub-steps to describe all activities in detail.Also, include supplementary diagrams, images, or illustrations when appropriate. Imagery can sometimes be a more effective way of explaining how to get things done.
• Best practices related to a specific procedure
• Guidelines on how to measure their performance
• Samples of previous results
• References and glossary. Here you can include all the terms, resources, and documents you might bring up in the procedure section. This is especially helpful if you’re onboarding a new hire, and they’re not familiar with a lot of the concepts.

So far so good, right?

But now you’re probably wondering how exactly do you write a standard operating procedure from scratch?

Read on to find out the exact steps you need to take in order to create an SOP.

How to Write and implement an SOP

Step #1. determine the sop format.

Depending on the size of your company and your needs you can choose from different SOP structures.

The 2 most common SOP formats are:

Simple checklist

This approach lets you quickly outline the steps you perform in a certain process . It’s more suitable for startups and small teams that are just starting to build their processes.

However, this type of standard operating procedure is NOT a good idea if you want a more detailed manual or if your goal is to perform analysis in order to improve a business process .

Detailed hierarchical checklist

This type of checklist also contains all process steps but it also includes more detailed sub-steps that explain how to perform the process precisely .

Essentially you’re breaking down the steps in such a way that anyone could understand and perform the process.

This SOP format is great if your goal is to analyze your processes and see where they underperform.

Step #2. Gather all relevant stakeholders

When you assemble a team responsible for constructing the SOP you should include employees who work directly with the process. After all, they’re the people who know the process best.

Additionally, you need to decide who is going to write the standard operating procedure.

It’s always better to assign the task to someone from the company who has a lot of experience with the process.

You can also hire outside consultants, but you should make sure that they have substantial knowledge of the industry, your company, and your internal operations.

Step #3. Identify the goals of creating an SOP

Determining your end goals will help you build a better SOP and understand whether you are achieving the desired results with your standard operating procedures.

Some of the most common goals include:

• Achieving better product quality
• Improving the underperforming steps
• Increasing the efficiency of the process
• Improving your bottom line
• Speeding up a process that is too slow

Sometimes all it takes to fix a broken process is to describe all the steps in a detailed easy-to-follow way. However, you need to have a clear purpose behind it.

Step #4. Define the SOP structure

If you’re part of a big corporate company, your SOPs will have a more formal and strict structure that will require official approval from a quality and assurance department or another authoritative figure.

But if you’re running a startup or a small organization you can keep a more informal format as long as this works for your team.

Once you start growing, however, you might want to start following a more formal structure for better results.

Step #5. Determine the scope of the SOP

Depending on the process you’re targeting, your standard operating procedure can involve multiple departments or teams.

However, it is important to understand whether your SOP should only use them as a reference or actually include them in the current document.

Sometimes it’s hard to determine to what degree you should involve multiple departments.

But keep in mind that you should have a clearly defined scope and not stretch out the standard operating procedure document to other processes and lose focus from your goals.

Step #6. Be consistent in your style

To make it easier for the end-user, e.g. the person who’s going to be using the standard operating procedure, you have to keep a clear consistent style throughout the whole document.

Here are some tips on how to maintain a consistent style:

• Emphasize on the tasks that the end-user has to carry out. To do that you can use more action verbs and place them at the beginning of the instruction sentences.
• Don’t write fluff. The shorter, the better. After all your employees are just searching for guidelines on how to perform a given task.
• Create an easy-to-read explanation for each step. After you state the action that your employees need to take, you might have to provide additional explanation. Keep them short and easy to scan.

Step #7. Choose the right notation (if you’re using one)

When working in a corporation, you are most likely sticking to some sort of notation which is sometimes specific to the company.

However, it’s much better if the notation you’re using is universal, like BPMN or UML.

This allows you to share your SOPs with business consultants and other professionals outside of your company without having to explain everything from scratch.

Step #8. Include all steps of the process

Here, you record all steps that your employees take to complete a certain process.

You can observe the process itself or collaborate with the people directly involved in it to make sure you recorded all steps in the right order.

This rough first draft allows you to see whether you need to go in more detail with some of the steps.

Step #9. Choose the right metrics for measuring the success of the SOP

To understand whether your SOP is achieving good results, you need to track the right KPIs.

If we’re following the previous example, the KPIs would be:

• How many products are we producing per month?
• How many of these are faulty?
• What is the production time per product?

Step #10. Test the SOP

To make sure that your SOP is good to go or to make any final edits and tweaks you can test it on a smaller scale.

Ask some of the employees who work with the targeted process to use the SOP and ask for their feedback.

You can involve both more experienced employees and new hires to see if the standard operating procedure guidelines are clear enough.

You might have to make some changes to the grammar, language, and style to ensure that the SOP is easy to follow and can be successfully completed.

Step #11. Ask superiors to review your SOP

In a bigger corporation, the SOP will have to go through the senior staff for review and if approved, it goes to the quality and assurance department for the final approval.

However, if you’re a small business or a startup and have no superiors, you can skip this step for now!

This will give you another perspective and will open your eyes to things you might have missed while assembling your SOP.

Step #12. Assess all risks related to the process

When you have reviewed and tested SOP, it’s time to consider the possible risks that the process might trigger along the way.

Give attention to the procedures that might be hazardous.

Working with hazardous materials can be dangerous for your employees while a defective product can put your customers at risk and your company under a lawsuit.

You have to predict such possibilities and try to minimize them.

You can never guarantee 100% safety but you can at least have standard procedures for minimizing the risk and be prepared when things don’t go as planned.

Step #13. Implement the SOP

Once you’re all set on all the previous steps you’re ready to implement your standard operating procedure.

And always keep in mind that these procedures are dynamic and will change with time in order to stay up to date with the current trends.

Also, you should think about how you’re going to distribute the SOP document so it’s easily accessible to your employees.

Step #14. Identify all potential problems in your SOP

Now, as you have an outline of your standard operating procedure you can see where potential problems might emerge and where your process needs some fixing.

For example, a manufacturing company might have high production levels but in turn, this results in a higher defect rate.

Therefore, this is a problem that needs to be eliminated from the official SOP because otherwise, your employees will follow instructions that lead to worse results.

Step #15. Plan for regular revisions and updates of the SOP

Since your environment, business and processes are changing all the time, your standard operating procedures should too!

An SOP is definitely not a document to be made and forgotten about, it is a manual that people in the company use on a day-to-day basis. So, it has to be a reliable one.

Revising your SOPs every 6 or 12 months is a must if you want to stay on top of all the changes and keep on delivering the best possible results.

Use Process.st for Managing Your SOPs

The distribution of your standard operating procedure can happen through either a traditional paper copy that you give out to your employees or using a digital version of the SOP.

With the paper document you should keep in mind that every time you make a change to the SOP, you will have to give out another set of documents to your employees.

And having multiple updated versions of several SOPs throughout your company will get messy.

In this case, using workflow management software is a much better idea. The software will make sure that the right people have access to the SOP from any location at any time. But that’s not all.

Our favorite software for this job is Process.st .

The platform is very easy to use and navigate. And it gives you SOP templates depending on your industry and the process you want to target.

Meaning, you don’t even have to make SOPs from scratch – just pick a template, tailor it to your business, and you’re good to go.

You can create your SOP documents in the form of simple or more detailed checklists (depending on your need). Plus, you can edit and customize them additionally so they fit your purpose.

The software is drag and drop, so it’s extremely easy to get started with it – zero coding skills required.

Process.st also:

• Creates interactive process checklists with if/then logic.
• Streamlines and automates all sorts of approval forms.
• Integrates with 1000+ other apps.
• Lets you collaborate with your team when completing a certain procedure.
• Notifies you on workers’ progress and when someone completes a task.

And on top of all that, the software also lets you keep track of your SOPs in real time. You’ll know EXACTLY when a process is underperforming, or at risk of missing a deadline.

Now you know everything about standard operating procedures, including how to build one and the best ways to distribute your SOPs among your employees.

Creating functional standard operating procedures for your business will help you eliminate the confusion around the processes that are performed on a daily basis which will allow your employees to be more productive and minimize the mistakes made along the way!

We hope this article was useful for you and if you’re looking for more advice on business process management, check out our blog!

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