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How to write an SOP

by Chetna Vasishth


So, you are thinking of applying for universities abroad and are pondering over the SOP essay. This article is a master class with ChetChat on How to write the perfect statement of purpose (SOP) or personal statement. The nuanced approach to write a perfect admissions essay for admissions to study abroad. You will find a step by step detailed instruction on how to write your sop, essay, statement of purpose and lots of tips on how to write a statement of purpose and examples of how to write sop. You will find experts share their tips on how to write application essay and a detailed 6P guideline on how to write a perfect admissions essay and how to write a perfect statement of purpose

The 6P’s of the SOP –

1. Purpose

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

  1. What you want to study at graduate school?
  2. Why you want to study only this degree?
  3. Focus on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there.
  4. Discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.
  5. What you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
  6. Would you choose to end up with a job, a start-up or take up further research?

2. Past Experience

  1. How much and what kind of experience you have in your field?
  2. Is your experience related to your choice of degree?
  3. What additional skills are you planning to gain
    Provide vivid, specific examples

3. Program

Interest and Fit with the Program –

  1. Why did you choose to study in this particular country?
  2. Why do you want to study at this particular college?
  3. What do you like in them
  4. How does your work fit with the program?
  5. Why the program suits your work/interests!
  6. Does the department have a certain methodology you’re interested in?
  7. Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?
  8. Would you like to study or do research under any particular professor?
  9. What are your expectations from both the graduate program, and the university?
  10. How can you contribute to the university and their program?

4. Personality

Be Unique

  1. Apart from work and education, what are your hobbies, interests, and habits?
  2. What are you like, as a person?
  3. What do you understand about the student community and culture of the college?
  4. 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.

5. Plain English

Strong Writing – You’ll need to communicate clearly, effectively and

6. The Process

  1. Begin Early – start now, give yourself 3-4 months before the submission date
  2. Follow directions – Write a Draft –  Proof read – and get others to proof read –
  3. Plan ahead

Tips

  1. Include faculty with whom you want to work,
  2. Do not overuse ‘I’
  3. Avoid colloquial language like ‘can’t , won’t and a lot of ‘like’
  4. Do not assume they know acronyms –
  5. Word limitA statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, In an SOP – keep personal information minimum

Show Not Tell

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