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
- What you want to study at graduate school?
- Why you want to study only 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?
2. 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
3. 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 in 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?
- How can you contribute to the university and their program?
4. 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.
5. Plain English
Strong Writing – You’ll need to communicate clearly, effectively and
6. The Process
- Begin Early – start now, give yourself 3-4 months before the submission date
- Follow directions – Write a Draft – Proof read – and get others to proof read –
- Plan ahead
Tips
- 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
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