Tips For Statement of Purpose
February 24, 2020,6:07 AM
- Purpose – Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests –
- What did you want to study at graduate school?
- Why did you want to study only for this degree?
- Focus on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there.
- Discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.
- What you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
- Would you choose to end up with a job, a start-up, or take up further research?
- Past Experience –
- How much and what kind of experience you have in your field?
- Is your experience related to your choice of degree?
- What additional skills are you planning to gain Provide vivid, specific examples?
- Program – Interest and Fit with the Program –
- Why did you choose to study in this particular country?
- Why do you want to study at this particular college?
- What do you like about them?
- How does your work fit with the program?
- Why the program suits your work/interests!
- Does the department have a certain methodology you’re interested in?
- Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?
- Would you like to study or do research under any particular professor?
- What are your expectations from both the graduate program and the university? j. How can you contribute to the university and its program?
- Personality – Be Unique –
- Apart from work and education, what are your hobbies, interests, and habits?
- What are you like, as a person?
- What do you understand about the student community and culture of the college?
- What is that one unique characteristic about you that they should know? The key to writing a good statement of purpose is being unique and making sure your words stand out in the minds of the readers.
- Plain English – Strong Writing – You’ll need to communicate clearly, effectively, and logically.
- The Process
- Begin Early – start now; give yourself 3-4 months before the submission date
- Follow directions – Write a Draft – Proofread – and get others to proofread –
- Plan ahead Tips 1. Include faculty with whom you want to work,
- Do not overuse ‘I’
- Avoid colloquial language like ‘can’t, won’t and a lot of ‘like’
- Do not assume they know acronyms –
- Word limit – A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages
- In an SOP – keep personal information minimum 6.