So a couple of days ago, I was invited to a webinar to address how to write an SOP (Statement of Purpose). Unfortunately, 10min into the event, It was hijacked. I have decided to share some of the points here:
What is a Statement of Purpose (SOP)?
A short essay that describes:
(i) Who you are/motivation (credentials)
(ii) Your rationale for applying to a university (intent)
(iii) Soft & Hands-on skills
(iv) Your future plan
A short essay that describes:
(i) Who you are/motivation (credentials)
(ii) Your rationale for applying to a university (intent)
(iii) Soft & Hands-on skills
(iv) Your future plan
SOP is the most important part of the admissions process
A well-written SOP could downplay certain weaknesses such as low CGPA or lack of funding
A well-written SOP could downplay certain weaknesses such as low CGPA or lack of funding
Essential components of a Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Part I: Introduce yourself, your interests, and your motivations
-Your interest/motivation for graduate study
- You can connect this with your long-term goals
- This should be short and concise
Part I: Introduce yourself, your interests, and your motivations
-Your interest/motivation for graduate study
- You can connect this with your long-term goals
- This should be short and concise
Part II Summarize your undergraduate or graduate study projects
- Research you conducted
- Publications or thesis project-short summary and contribution to knowledge
- Work/ hands-on experience
- Avoid unrelated work or research experience
- Research you conducted
- Publications or thesis project-short summary and contribution to knowledge
- Work/ hands-on experience
- Avoid unrelated work or research experience
Part III: Discuss the relevance of your recent and current activities
- Working experience
- Soft skills (volunteering, communication, and leadership skills, etc)
- Highlight the connection to your intended study/long-term goal
- Working experience
- Soft skills (volunteering, communication, and leadership skills, etc)
- Highlight the connection to your intended study/long-term goal
Part IV: Why the university or program?
-You can include a statement problem as the basis of your curiosity and be confident that the faculty/ department has the necessary platform to solve this
-You can include a statement problem as the basis of your curiosity and be confident that the faculty/ department has the necessary platform to solve this
- Focus on how the intended course of study or targeted group aligns with your interest
-Mention the name of at least 1 faculty member that you would like to work with ( importance of cold emailing before you start)
Part V: Conclusion
End with a positive note
-Mention the name of at least 1 faculty member that you would like to work with ( importance of cold emailing before you start)
Part V: Conclusion
End with a positive note
- Stay away from informal language
- Your statement of purpose shouldn't have any spelling or grammatical errors
- Use strong, clear, and concise writing- not fictional
- Avoid cliches and repetitive language
-Stay away from informal language
- Your statement of purpose shouldn't have any spelling or grammatical errors
- Use strong, clear, and concise writing- not fictional
- Avoid cliches and repetitive language
-Stay away from informal language
- Keep a positive and confident tone
- Avoid stories that touch/ emotional blackmail (I had no food or water while growing up)
- Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words
and not more unless otherwise stated
- Avoid stories that touch/ emotional blackmail (I had no food or water while growing up)
- Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words
and not more unless otherwise stated
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