- July 16, 2024
- by Bhavik Sarkhedi
- Content Writing, SOP Writing
Universities have started putting a lot of stress on the statement of purpose and its structure. Many misunderstandings are prevailing about the SOPs and hence there is a requirement to clear out all the false, pervading conceptions about it. Here are the five most important tips that can help you make a powerful SOP.
What’s wrong with most SOPs?
Generally, many SOPs start in a monotonous language where the applier is not specific with the reason to pursue the course in the university. Generally, the SOPs look like this:
“It’s a great honor to apply for the Masters of Science program at the University of Example. I want to pursue this course as I’m very much passionate about science and its wonders since my childhood.”
These statements sound a lot more generic and monotonous, without a firm, genuine reason for pursuing the desired field in the career. Many times, students copy-paste these statements of purpose from their seniors and this makes it looks often irrelevant and highly generic to their applications. Statement of purpose is a strong tool that helps the university know the force driving the student behind pursuing the course and their commitment to it.
Hence, making a well-structured statement of purpose can lead to getting admission to your dream university.
How can your SOP make you stand out from the crowd?
Following a proper strategy is a very important factor while drafting your statement of purpose. A bold, confident, and original statement of purpose can help you get highlighted among the many. Below are the five powerful tips and tricks that can help you make a powerful SOP:
1. Statement of purpose is not a statement: from childhood, we are fond of stories. We haven’t heard anyone fond of newspapers instead of stories. Isn’t it? Yes! Because stories carry the emotions that enable us to feel connected. Things are likely to get remembered and sounds more interesting when stories are a means of communication. The university to which you are applying has already read many hundreds of applications, apart from the hundreds unread. Do you want your statement of purpose to get remembered? Draft it in the format of a story that would also convey the source of motivation for deciding the course you have opted for. You’ll surely reap the benefits when you’ll impress the committee storyline.
2. Make your stories showcase your qualities: stories are indeed interesting until they don’t sound like a thesis. Make sure you mark out your key values along with telling the story of your life. This will help the committee get a deeper understanding of your motive. For example, if you have worked as an English teacher in an NGO, you can rather start explaining this by saying, “I always wanted to give some value to society. During my schooling period, I started teaching English in an NGO and that has shaped my interest for my entire life.”
3. Be specific: you need to make sure that you are specific with your goals and are not just puffed up to impress the committee. You need to dig deep into your inner self and present the points in such a manner that they support your choice in deciding the career. Don’t use words like I’m passionate or I love this field. Be specific with your goals that define your career and you as a person. You need to be straightforward and not be fancy or cheesy to make your SOP stand out and look authentic.
4. Customize it: this is often done mistakes by the students. They prepare a general template for their SOP that they provide to many other universities. They just simply change the names and the details according to the applications. This makes the SOP looks quite irrelevant to the different courses you are applying for. Hence, you need to make a fully customized and deeply researched SOP for specific universities.
5. Be authentic: there’s a huge difference between writing and creating stories. You need to portray your true life story without making it much fancy and imaginative. The things you have mentioned in your SOPs can be asked at the time of interviews and if they are inauthentic, they are easy to get caught. Make sure you convey your story positively without making it cheesy for impressing the committee. You need to use a formal and conversational tone while doing so to make it look more real.
Finally, never forget to do your homework about the university. This will help you look more serious about the course you have chosen for.
We wish you luck with your SOP!
