Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose, commonly known as the SOP, is an intriguing part of the admissions process at foreign universities, especially those in Western countries. Imagine if you are a dreamer who wants to get admission to a west located foreign university, You do not merely need to do well in the academic background, but it is equally important to you to write down an impressive statement of purpose so that it may help you in the process of admission.
In this section of the article, we will learn undergraduate, and graduate level needs of the statement of purpose. After concluding this article, you will equip yourself with the fundamentals and necessary information to write down an ideal statement of purpose.
Before we continue further in this article, let us first understand what exactly a Statement of Purpose is and why is it important for the candidates who are willing to study abroad. So let’s get started by with the meaning and importance of Statement of Purpose.
What is Statement of Purpose?
The statement of purpose is essentially an essay that applicants must write while filling out the admission application form. It is both symbolic and mandatory for international aspiring students who are coming from all over the world to study in a foreign country or university.
In one sentence, if we have to explain the statement of purpose, then we can say this,” the statement of purpose is typically a letter cum application that students write to explain their intent to study abroad or at a foreign university”.
Several elements aspiring students should consider when writing an impressive and powerful statement of purpose. We will talk about the elements in the next section.
Statement of Purpose: Important Writing Element
A standard university that has a low acceptance rate but a high placement rate generally undergoes a tough admissions process. Even after receiving thousands of applications, such universities accept merely a few.
The reasons for rejection may vary, but it is common for these universities to deny admission based on two factors: failure to meet basic eligibility requirements or inability of candidates to express themselves correctly in the statement of purpose.
Therefore, if you really want to get admission to a foreign university, you must write down the perfect statement of purpose. The statement of purpose essentially represents the candidates more than their academic standings. To write a strong statement of purpose, applicants should center their writing around the following important elements.
- Personal and Academic achievements
- Financial Background and Professional Experiences.
- Immediate and Long-Term goals
- Reasons for choosing the University.
- Why you should be chosen from among students with higher academic performance than you.
Format for a Statement of Purpose
In order to be considered for admission to the colleges with a low acceptance rate, you must stand out from the rest of the crowd. One way to stand out is the Statement of Purspose that you are going to prepare. The candidates must write their statement of purpose in an organized manner. In order to make SOP alluring, and persuasive in the eyes of the reader, it is necessary for the aspiring students to review and follow the checklist mentioned below.
- The statement of purpose should be written with headings, subheadings and precisely similar to the Essay. Using bullets and highlighting special achievements may persuade readers.
- Try to finish up the SOP in not more than two pages, using meaningful points and a double-spaced formula. It is ideal if you write a genuine representation between 1,500-2500 words.
- Do not include more than five to seven headings in the Statement of purpose because adding more can make your representation a little long and boring to read.
- Do not do any different work than writing the SOP in a simpler manner. It is recommended that you do not use any other color-oriented pen other than a casual writing pen or create any images.
Instructions to Follow in the Statement of Purpose
Writing a great and structured Statement of Purpose plays an important role in getting it shortlisted. Following a particular structure for your Statement of Purpose will make it more alluring and great. We have listed below some points which you must consider while preparing your Statement of Purpose.
- Introduction: Provide a brief introduction to yourself, focusing on your interest in the academic field, why you want to study in that particular field, and what you hope to accomplish in that field.
- Background: Provide information about the academic and professional accomplishments. Remember to include information about extracurricular activities.
- Why do you want to study at that university and in selective programs: Give a compelling reason why you want to study at this university. Respond to the questions truthfully.
- Career Objectives: Describe your career objectives concerning the program and university you have chosen.
- Conclusion: Give a brief explanation of why you are the best choice or fit for the university.
What is the significance of a Statement of Purpose?
The significance of a Statement of Purpose is one of the important questions that most aspirants have when considering pursuing a higher education at a foreign university, particularly in America, the United Kingdom, or other English-speaking countries.
Previously, we have already discussed the importance of a statement of purpose in the admission process for foreign students. However, in this section, we are going to know more about the significance of a Statement of Purpose in the admission process.
- SOP can either help or hurt your admission chances because it serves as a direct representation from the student side to the admission committee.
- The direct connection opportunity to the admission committee via SOP is brilliant because it allows students to express themselves and impress the admission committee by demonstrating that they are the best possible candidates for admission.
- It is the Statement of Purpose that allows the admissions committee to learn about the candidate’s background and overall personality.
- A well-written SOP can conceal your flaws and help the admissions committee favor you during the admissions process.