When applying for graduate schools or universities one of the most important parts is writing a strong statement of purpose. This is one of the most daunting parts of the application process. If you know about the format and structure of writing a statement of purpose then this task won’t be overwhelming. If you don’t know about the structure and format of the statement of purpose read this article completely. We have simple step-by-step instructions below on how to write a statement of purpose that will increase your chance and put a good impression on your application.
What is a Statement of Purpose (SOP)?
A statement of purpose (SOP) also called a statement of intent or a personal statement is a critical piece of graduate school application or is an essay that you write when applying for graduate schools or universities. A statement of purpose tells an admission committee who you are, what your professional and academic interests and achievements are, and how you will add value and reputation to the graduate program you are applying to.
Remember writing a strong and uniquely personal statement is vital in proceeding with your application and it can be a deciding aspect in your admission. This piece of writing describes who you are, what your interests are, and why you deserve to be a part of a university’s community.
By reading a statement of purpose or statement of intent, the admission committee will get to know you more and comprehend how you add value and interest to the classroom and the academy.
Before beginning to write a statement of purpose there are some important tips that you need to know first.
Important Tips to Consider Before Writing a Statement of Purpose
When writing a statement of purpose you also need to consider your writing style and ability because it will reflect your writing abilities and qualifications as well. It’s essential to show the admission committee that you are a competent and a good writer too. Some important tips to consider before writing a statement of purpose are as follow:
- Make sure the written statement of purpose doesn’t have any typos, grammatical errors, or spelling, and punctuation marks
- Write strong, clear, concise and avoid irrelevant points
- Avoid repetitive language
- Write formal language
- Keep a confident and positive tone
- Select clear and readable font like Time New Roman font or Roboto
- Space the text and paragraphs clearly
- Don’t put your name on the SOP as it’s a part of your larger application which already has your name
- Format your essay
- Proofread the written statement
Length of Statement of Purpose
The length of a statement of purpose is recommended to be one page or one and a half pages, but not longer than this. If you write longer than this, it means you overwhelm the reader. Admission offices receive a lot of applicants daily hence it’s important to write clearly and concisely your statement.
Some educational institutes have rules on their official websites where you can read and write your personal statement accordingly.
Also Read: 5 Common Personal Statement Mistakes You Should Avoid
How to Write a Statement of Purpose in English: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you comprehend the important tips on how to format a statement of purpose, you can start typing your own. The following step-by-step guide will help you write all the points required for a strong statement of purpose.
Step 01 Introudction: Introduce Yourself & Tell About Your Background
In the first paragraph, you should briefly introduce yourself and tell about your background. Also, address starting your current career in this paragraph. Remember the introduction should be short and to the point, to the coursework you are applying to.
Don’t mention irrelevant points which are not relevant to the coursework. Instead, include the information which is relatable back to the specific aspects of the program. So in the introduction, you will need to add the following points:
- Briefly introduce yourself
- Your background career
Step 02 Body: Why You Want to Do it (Your Experience And Interestes)
In the first paragraph, you said about yourself and your background related to the program. Now, in the body paragraph, you should explain how you became interested in this specific area of study and your professional goals.
Write about the relevant experiences and accomplishments you have related to the field that should state why you are the right candidate for the program. In addition, you should write about your interests in the specific program and tell what you can bring to the table.
Briefly write insight information that you really think the admission officer should know about you and explain why you are the best person for the program.
To summarize you should add the following points in the body of the statement.
- Your relevant experiences and accomplishments
- The interest in the program
- Your professional goals related to the program and what you want to do
Step 03: Conclusion: Your Future Plan & Summary of the Information
In the concluding paragraph, you should describe your long-term career goals and motivations. Notice that this is a bit different than the current goal from the body paragraph. In the body paragraph, you can mention your current goal or can state what you want to do now. You should write where you want to be years from now.
The admission office will admit a student who has a clear vision of how you want to grow in the field. Hence, you must have a long-term vision related to the program.
In addition, in the concluding paragraph, you can also write a summary of the information presented in the body of your statement to emphasize your qualifications and compatibility with the program.
Proofread and Refine Your Work
Before you submit your statement of purpose you need to proofread and refine your statement as follow:
- Make sure you have formatted the statement accurately including, spacing, margins, and font size.
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
- The statement of purpose should be between 500 to 1000 words or one page to one and a half pages.
- Ask any professional to read and check your statement before you submit it.
Statement of Purpose Sample in English
You can follow the mentioned steps to write a strong, unique, and conveyancing statement of purpose. Wish you all the best.