Perfecting Your Statement Of Purpose

Students applying to study abroad are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) as part of their application. A Statement of Purpose is an academic essay written with utmost care, written in the English language displaying an excellent command over their spelling and grammar.  While the Statement of Purpose may seem lengthy and daunting, it is one of the most important essays you are required to write to kick-start your academic journey abroad.  

The selection committee of the university that you have sought admission from will use your Statement of Purpose essay as one of the deciding factors when selecting you as their ideal candidate, hence you must write your Statement of Purpose with utmost care.  

Here are a few simple points to consider when writing your Statement of Purpose:  

1. Research the university that you are applying to 

Many times students get so excited about studying abroad that they forget to research the university they are choosing to pursue their higher education. It is imperative to research the university that you are interested in. Find out more about the program that you are interested in and learn about their course structure. Research their teaching staff and learn about their specialities. Read their websites and social media accounts to understand the types of extracurricular activities that they offer on campus. Learn about their volunteer programs. Once you have gathered enough information, you can better understand how to align your academic goals with what they offer.  You can also use this information with writing your Statement of Purpose.  

Example 1: “After careful research, I am convinced that the course offered at _____________ (university name) is best aligned to my academic goals.” 

Example 2: “If given an opportunity, I would be delighted to work with Professor _____________ (Name). I found (his/her) work in the fields of ____________ and ______________ remarkable and I am confident that I can learn a great deal under (his/her) guidance.” 

   2. Follow a structure for your Statement of Purpose  

The Statement of Purpose follows a detailed structure and applicants are requested to follow the structure without any deviations. Most times a university may ask that you Statement of Purpose essay be between 800 – 1000 words or 1000 to 1700 words. Follow the word count guideline of your university’s request. Here’s a simple Statement of Purpose structure:  

     a. Who are you? 

     b. What course would you like to study and why? 

     c. Why did you choose this university? 

     d. Do you have an undergraduate degree? Why did you choose that course?

     e. What were the most rewarding subjects did you study in this course? 

     f. What are you skills? 

     g. What experiences have you gained? 

     h. Do you have an employment history? 

     i. What are you short term and long term goals? 

     j. What activities do you engage in, in your spare time? 

     k. Why should the selection committee choose you? 

   3. Spelling and Grammar

For most students, English is not a first or even second language, so writing an academic essay in the English language can prove to be daunting. While education consultants can guide you in the editing process, it is important to write clearly and with great precision. Write about yourself with great care. Use present tense, past tense and future tense sentences with care. Try you utmost best when formulating your sentences in your Statement of Purpose.

   4. Be creative

Use creative sentences to describe yourself in your Statement of Purpose academic essay. Use the introduction to share something interesting that you have learnt that guided you to pursue this course. Impress the selection committee with your knowledge of the subject that you are eager to study. Share your history and passion about the course subjects with your reader. Use elaborate words in your sentences, however, do not get too carried away! Use creative and elaborate words in their context. You can share an experience from your childhood or time at university to enhance your Statement of Purpose. This makes your academic essay real and adds a personal touch.

   5. Show your worth

Use your Statement of Purpose as an excellent opportunity to show how valuable you are as student and as an employee if you are currently employed. Share meaningful experiences of how you contributed to the betterment and advancement of research and development in your field. Share examples of where you displayed excellent leadership skills, generous volunteerism and examples of your strengths and weaknesses. Detail your short term and long term goals. The selection committee wants to admit candidates who have solid future plans. Remember students with long term goals show that they have given time and thought to their future and shows that they are serious about their education and their careers.

While these are just a few simple considerations, we encourage you to remember the following when writing your Statement of Purpose academic essay:

• Draw a mind map of what you what to highlight
• Draft your Statement of Purpose , following the structure
• Read through it carefully, ensuring that you have included the contents of your mind map
• Re-write it accordingly
• Read again
• Ask a friend or educational consultant to read and provide feedback

At Maven Consulting Services, we provide a holistic education application experience for all candidates. We encourage candidates to write their Statement of Purpose academic essay creatively and boldly and we are always available to guide you on the right path towards your scholastic ambitions. Should you require further information, we are available in Chennai and Bangalore and you can contact us