Tips to Write the Best SOP (Statement of Purpose)

Are you planning to travel abroad for studies? Then it is likely that you have come across the term SOP or Statement Of Purpose. SOP is a crucial part for securing admission in a foreign university. Admissions committee of universities ask for it to learn about the prospect’s intent behind taking a course, motivation for continuation and future aspirations.

For students, it is a chance to display their suitability for the course and make themselves stand out of the rest. Given its extreme importance, it might be daunting for some students to write a SOP. In such a case, it is best to go for professional help. Here we have compiled information about writing a good SOP along with some great tips.

What is (SOP) Statement of Purpose?

As the name indicates, Statement of Purpose revolves around your purpose to study in a target university. Basically it is your formal introduction to the admission officials where you explain your academic background, your reason for taking admission in a particular university for the selected course, your achievements and future goals. Officials use it to determine whether you are the right candidate for the course. It is usually 1000-1500 words long.

Oftentimes, SOP is confused with personal statements but there are significant differences between the two. SOP focuses on your academics and professional aspects whereas a personal statement is a reflective piece that answers the question why you want to study a specific course? SOP has a confident and formal tone and clearly outlines your future goals. Personal statement is less concerned with future aspirations and covers more of the passion and motivation for the desired course.

It is important to check the universities’  websites to know whether they require a personal statement or SOP.

What should be included in SOP?

SOP is usually written in two parts. The first part is a self-reflection in which you should begin with introspection and recapitulation of all significant life events that have shaped your personality. In the second part, you should concentrate on why you want to study at your desired institution.

Here are the points that you must provide in an SOP:

• Introduction
• What do you want to do? (Study or research)
• Why have you chosen a particular program?
• Why do you want to take admission in the university?
• Your experience in the field
• Any community service or leadership experience
• Why should you get admission in the university?
• What values will you bring to the institute?
• Your knowledge of institutional culture and student community
• The significance of the study program to achieve your career goals
• Your extracurricular activities, interests, and hobbies
• Unique aspects of your personality that admission officials should know

Tips for writing perfect SOP:

1. Decide the image of yourself that you want to build in the authorities

Before beginning to write your SOP, it is beneficial to have a list of your qualities you want to display. Make sure that they are aligned with the course and university atmosphere you are targeting. For example a few virtues could be hardworking, passionate towards learning, motivated, intellectual, adjustable, etc. officials usually look for these traits in the candidates.

Use these qualities as a lighthouse for your SOP. Reflect them throughout the piece. All in all, consider this as the image you want the officials to see you in. 

2. Quantify your accomplishments

Try to include numerical data while mentioning your experience or wherever relevant. They give a sense of depth and clarity and make a greater impact. E.g. instead of saying “I worked as a research intern and got research papers published in international journals”; it would be better to put it in this way - “I worked as a research intern for 3 months and got 10 papers published in 6 international journals.”

3. Convey your qualities indirectly

SOP is all about displaying your personality, attitude and commitment. So, it is good to portray your traits and skills directly as well as indirectly to make the maximum impact. For this, include your hard and soft skills while laying out your accomplishments or experience. Show how your skills helped you in completing your tasks successfully.

Also you can smartly target the skills that will be useful for your course and highlight them in your SOP. It will increase your relevance for admission.

4. Avoid over-the-top statements

Yes, your SOP should outshine the rest but being artificial and showy will do no good. It can infact lead to a rejection. Be fair and authentic. Remember, the university’s intention behind asking for SOP is also to give you a chance of self reflection and gauge your presentation skills.

Being showy can create a negative impression and sound pretentious. Don’t fake your skills or knowledge. You never know when it can land you in trouble. It’s sufficient to be honest, simple yet impactful. Such a SOP will hit the right note.

5. Back your points with strong reasons

Avoid vague statements like I love this subject, I like this university, I want to achieve great heights in future, etc. Be highly specific in your approach. Mention why you want to take admission in a particular university, how exactly your chosen course will help you in your career, how you see your career in the next 10-15 years.

Support your statements with concrete insights and reasons. It will impart greater clarity and sound unique.

6. Take feedback from friends and family

As you will spend a long time writing, reading, rereading and revising your SOP, it is possible that you will get confined to a single perspective. Therefore it is better to ask your family and friends to review it. They will be able to give you a reader’s perspective on your piece and may also suggest valuable points since they know you well.

Be mindful about which feedback to consider and which not.

SOP holds the key to your dreams of foreign studies. Centre your SOP around your purpose behind applying for admission in the university. Highlight your academic achievements, skills, personality traits and experience. Be clear, specific and honest in your approach. That’s simply your mantra to craft a winning SOP.

If you are feeling anxious about writing your SOP, you can take help from professional experts from The Assignment Ninjas. We have experts holding years of experience and are well-versed with the requirements of writing an SOP which can help you to get admission to the University or college of your choice. Skip the queue and reach out to our Customer Support Executive to get your professional SOP ready in just one day.