When applying to a university, whether it’s abroad or in your home country, writing a Statement Of Purpose or SOP is crucial. Despite being a daunting and meticulous task, it’s one of the most important ones. Paradoxically, the key to crafting a good SOP is to avoid making it appear meticulous, formal, and riddled with unnecessary details. Instead, it should be engaging and captivating, like an interesting story that the admissions committee won’t be able to resist.
Starting your SOP off on the right foot is very crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the document and influences the mindset of the reader. Basically, if you don’t make a good first impression, they might not even bother finishing it. It is indeed true- the first impression is the last. Starting your SOP with something like “ I am applying for the XYZ program because…” is a redundant and boring statement as the university is well aware of the program you are applying for! Instead of starting right off with your details try and craft an engaging hook such as “I have always been fascinated by Art and its History. When I was eight I picked up my first colouring book with conviction to colour Hannah Montana perfectly from edge to edge. By the age of fifteen, I had selected my additional subject to be applied art and art history…”
A hook like this will pique their interest and then you can continue on with your story to elaborate.
It can be effective, to begin with your early life experiences when crafting your story. Start with your childhood and create a timeline of significant moments and experiences that have had an impact on you. However, it’s important to avoid delving into every detail of your past, as this is not a biography. Instead, use your experiences as a tool to highlight your unique story and showcase who YOU are.
In fact, the first golden rule for your SOP is:
“YOUR SOP IS NOT YOUR RESUME SO FILTER OUT YOUR INFORMATION ACCORDINGLY”
Your resume will contain all your relevant certifications, qualifications, extracurriculars, etc. but what sets your SOP apart from your resume is the fact that you can actually explain why and how those certifications or qualifications have been relevant to your growth, to your future goals and to the university you are applying. Learn to filter out what’s relevant to your course and what’s not. For example- if you are applying for a course in Finance it is probably not essential to elaborate on the Psychology seminar you attended in 9th grade. Unless it somehow directly relates to your personal outlook and story.
If you do not have a timeline per se it is okay to simply build your narrative in a less structured manner. But ensure that is not all over the place and that every paragraph flows from the previous one and sets up a nice base for the succeeding one. Additionally, your accomplishments should be accompanied by a story that explains how they influenced you, what you learned from them, and how they will contribute to your future career goals.
Along those lines, the second golden rule for writing the perfect SOP is
“YOUR SOP SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE”
If your SOP highlights strengths, and certifications that can be copied by another applicant with minor changes then it is a bold sign that you need to work on it more. That’s why attaching stories and learnings to your achievements is essential.
Which sentence would you be impressed by?
“ Because I’m interested in art, I pursued a certification course on prehistory, stonetools, and numismatics”
Or “In parallel, I attended a certificate course on prehistory, stonetools, and numismatics, enabling me to venture further into the impact of art on multiple functions of the society of my ancestral culture.”
Next, it is essential to express your goals clearly in your SOP. This includes outlining your short-term and long-term objectives in a precise and concise manner. Simply stating “I want to become a child psychologist” may not make a significant impact. It’s crucial to delve deeper and provide more context and detail to make your goals more compelling.
While explaining your short-term and long-term goals link it with how the program you are applying for is going to help you achieve them. How will the subjects in the course aid your career? What opportunities can you get with that particular course and university and why does that excites you to apply?
Up till now, this blog has detailed what to include in your SOP. But it is vital to highlight what you absolutely should NOT DO.
When you’re writing your SOP, it’s important to not sound confused! Don’t leave the admission officers guessing about why you want to pursue your chosen career path. Tell them exactly what you want to achieve in the short-term and long-term, and explain why you’re passionate about it. Avoid vague or ambiguous stories that don’t add anything meaningful to your application. Instead, put yourself in the shoes of the admission officer and think about what would capture their attention. What makes your story unique and why should they choose you?
Next thing to avoid while crafting your SOP is to not sound entitled! When writing your SOP, it’s important to strike a delicate balance between highlighting your achievements and coming across as entitled or boastful. While it’s natural to want to showcase your strengths and accomplishments, it’s important to do so in a humble and authentic manner. Avoid using overly grandiose language or exaggerating your achievements. Instead, focus on highlighting the skills and experiences that make you uniquely qualified for your chosen field. Remember that they are looking for candidates who are not only capable but also humble and grounded.
The last thing to not do is write verbose statements. Avoid using convoluted sentences that can make your writing difficult to understand. Strive for clarity and simplicity in your language, using precise words and phrases. Keep in mind that they are likely reading through many SOPs, and they will appreciate writing that is easy to follow and digest. By avoiding circumlocutions and verbosity in your writing, you can ensure that your message comes across loud and clear, making a strong case for why you’re the ideal candidate for the program.
By following these tips and putting in the hard work, you can create an SOP that helps you achieve your dreams. So take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and get writing!