Tips for Writing the best Statement of Purpose — SOP Guidelines

SOP or Statement of Purpose is a crucial document when it comes to getting the admission in universities. It is the SOP that communicates one’s goals / vision and potency of candidate for the particular program.

Students ought to pay extra attention while writing SOP as a poorly drafted SOP might prevent you from studying in your dream institute. However, most of the students struggle with how to start an SOP or what information do we need to put to make it interesting to read.

After being perplexed with such problems, students go online to find about the SOP writing tips. Our Professional SOP writers have curated some valuable SOP key points which can be helpful in drafting SOPs. This SOP writing guide will provide them a structure and will help them initiate to draft their SOP.

1. Introduction

Every piece of writing has a strong introduction as it is the first thing readers will go through. They will go on to read the whole stuff if the introduction is good enough to make them stick.

Introduction of an SOP must talk about why the student intends to pursue the particular program. The intention must be backed by strong motivation which inspires the student to go for the program.

The motivation could be anything or anyone. It could be a movie character, student’s father, or a problem that candidate perceived while he / she was a child and had a vision to solve it.

The Introduction sets the tone of the whole SOP. Therefore, more time must be spent on creating the best Statement of Purpose.

2. Academic Background

Having a strong introduction would have always made sure that the reader has gotten some interest in your profile. Next thing to articulate is academic achievements.

Clearly explain your high school, intermediate, graduation, and post-graduation etc. You need to smartly mention the subjects that are related to the particular program to establish that you are already aware with the subject matter.

The skills and knowledge that you gained during your academia will have clear impact over admission committee.

3. Extra-Curricular Activities

Throughout academia, students indulge in a number of Extra-curricular activities. You can use these activities to showcase that you are a team player, have a leadership quality and communicate to your peers in a clear manner.

Explaining your extra-curricular activities will stand out your application. These traits will surely appeal to the admission panel and might turn the tip the scale in your direction.

4. Work / Professional Experience (If any)

Many people who go for Masters or PHD already possess a professional experience in the same field in which they wish to study. If you are one such candidate, you can talk about how you have real world experience and how you can contribute to the university.

However, in this case, admission panel could have a concern regarding the timing of your perusal of the study. To clear this doubt, talk about how you want to upgrade your knowledge and enhance your skills which would ultimately led you to contribute to the domain of study.

5. Why have you chosen the program?

There are many universities offering many programs in the same field. The admission panel is curious to understand what was the attractive feature of the program that appealed to you and you are going for it.

Explain the special features of the program that it offers. You can talk about following things about the program:

· How the program not only focuses on theoretical part but offers an opportunity to the students to look at its practical aspect. Not many colleges offer such an elegant way of education.

· How the program is designed according to the latest trends of the market. Explain that after the completion of the program, you’ll have enhanced knowledge which will place you with the industry leaders of the field.

· How the course offers new and improved concepts to explore? Having familiar with these new concepts will upgrade your skills and might help you in contributing more to the field.

· How the program will let you work on many new projects which will help you in understanding the advanced concepts of the domain and clear your doubts.

· You can provide an insight about how the program’s curriculum aligns ideally with your learning objective and future goals. It contains everything that you require to study so that you could become an influential person in your field.

6. Why have you chosen the University?

There are numerous universities and colleges having prestigious reputation. The admission panel is interested to know your views about why you chose the particular university / college.

You can put together positive facts about the university which shows the university a great place to study. While praising the university, refrain from indulging in flattery. Moreover, you can talk about following things about the university:

· Well-designed Study Programs: You can talk about how the syllabus of the various study programs had been designed to keep the current trends in mind. It lets the students have the opportunity to clear the fundamentals and apply the knowledge in real world.

· Wonderful Environment with diversity: By going through the testimonials of former students and the website, you can talk about the diverse environment of the university and how it helps students in having their own point of view which leads them to contribute immensely.

· World Class Faculty: No university could be world class unless it houses the best Faculties in the entire world. They are not only full of knowledge but inspire students to achieve their dreams, encourage them to do what is needed for success.

7. Why the Country

Canada, USA, UK, Germany, and Australia etc. are one of the top destinations for study to the foreign students. They provide world class education, have different fee structure and unique culture to offer.

You can do a thorough research about the country and come up with significant information which led you to choose particular country. For e.g. US could have better standard of education but you choose Canada because for the particular program, it has better resources and faculties.

Doing a comparative analysis would give you an edge over other students. The admission panel would know that you are serious and would definitely blend in the culture of the country. Once, again don’t indulge in flattery but honest appreciation with facts.

8. Future Plans

The university officials have all your information. They still ask you to submit a Statement of Purpose because they want to be aware of your visions of future. Therefore, think about the short-term goals and long-term goals which you will be able to achieve once you complete the program.

Short term goals could be the goals which can be achieved immediately after the completion of the program. For e.g. if you are already working as a software engineer as a CS graduate. You can grab more projects or gain a position where you can contribute more.

Long term goals could be something which you wish to achieve in 5 years or 10 years. You can talk about launching your own start-up or come up with a solution for existing problem once you upgrade yourself with the current program.

Try to talk in terms of benefiting the university and country as well. Your goals must be aligned with the motto of the university. Once, they think that you are one of their own, you will surely secure your admission.

9. End Note

It is critical to end your SOP at a good note. So far, they would have made an opinion about whether they will give you a chance or not. However, the conclusive paragraph can still win you more points or let you down given that it’s not written properly.

Always conclude with how you wish to contribute to the campus. What are the factors that sets you unique from other students and how your professional exposure in the real world along with your education will help in maintaining the reputation of the university?

Conclusion

These SOP writing tips have been outlined by the best SOP writers in India from Contentholic. You can follow the above tips and draft yourself a beautifully written SOP. You can check some of the samples online but don’t plagiarize your copy.

Plagiarism is a serious crime and it could cost you the admission. However, if you are overwhelmed after checking all the samples and tips online and wish to hire a SOP writing services, you can take assistance from the below recommended list of top SOP writers online.

1. Contentholic

2. Soppro.in

3. SOPLOR.com

4. Suneet.in

5. Sopwriting.in

You can also do your own research for the agencies providing best SOP writing services and after checking their samples, could ask them to write your SOP. You can go through the below link to understand how you should hire an agency for SOP writing.

Read More — How to find the best SOP writing Services