Applying to graduate school is a rigorous process that includes everything from taking required tests to getting recommendations and writing a coherent personal statement.
Graduate students devote a significant amount of time to their applications in order to increase their chances of receiving acceptance letters.
Because writing a statement of purpose for graduate school application is a time-consuming process, there is a wealth of information available regarding what you should include in your statement of purpose for graduate school.
However, there is probably less talk about what applicants should never do. This blog will help you to identify common mistakes that students make when writing a statement of purpose essay.
Trying to be desperate to secure a position
One of the most common mistakes students make in their applications is trying to sound desperate to get into a school.
Don’t make it seem like you’re desperate to get into graduate school. Show your enthusiasm.
However, you must be careful not to be aggressive at the same time.
So, where do you find the sweet spot?
Discuss your passions and why it would be a win-win situation for you and the department to which you are applying.
Suppose you solely talk about why you want to go to graduate school and what you’ll get out of it in your statement of purpose for graduate school application. In that case, you won’t be able to convince the committee that you are an essential candidate.
It could be more helpful to consider the situation from the perspective of the graduation committee.
What do they expect from you?
You might be able to provide something important to the research and, ultimately, to the department.
Therefore, you should be able to prove how your prior knowledge & experience will help them look at problems from a newer angle and make things better than it is now.
They’ll only invest in you if they see the benefit in you.
Not following the word limit of the statement of purpose for graduate school application
If the graduate committee has set a word limit for your statement of purpose, you must adhere to it. Even though this advice appears simple, few students follow it.
Why do so few students adhere to this rule?
They’ve already planned out the information they want to include in their statement of purpose. They have already written their letter most of the time before looking for new positions. Most students do not want to edit or trim down a nicely constructed letter in such instances.
But that is a huge mistake.
If you didn’t stick to the word limit, it’s a clear sign that you’re not paying attention to the details. Most graduate committees regard it as a serious offence.
If you plan to draft a template for your statement of purpose even before searching for programs, the best option is to draft a letter with 700 to 750 words.
Most programmes have a word limit in that range, so you won’t encounter any issues while custom editing your statement of purpose for graduate school application.
Talk about unattainable goals
To make a good first impression, most students aim to be dramatic and overconfident in their statement of purpose.
But that is the absolute last thing you should do.
Why?
First and foremost, the graduate committee has seen so many statements before. They can tell if you’re exaggerating right away. That would hardly make a favourable first impression.
On the other hand, a graduate committee is seeking an honest, realistic, and humble impression in your goal statement. To persuade others that you are interested in a given research subject, you do not need to use many quotes or idioms.
Always try to be realistic and humble.
Negative remarks about yourself
To talk about a “comeback,” most students try to add something negative about themselves.
“I had a relatively low GPA in my first semester, HOWEVER… (How I was able to enhance my GPA over time)” for example.
Graduate committees might get the wrong impression that you are not adaptive to new situations. Because, even if you were able to overcome a difficult scenario, most students do not clearly understand “why” it happened in the first place. Therefore, This strategy of talking negatively about yourself is often overused.
If you want to talk about something like that, try to think of a constructive way.
Also, even if you’re changing fields, don’t mention that you lack the requisite knowledge or abilities in your statement of purpose letter. Discuss why you’re keen to study and apply the skills and techniques essential for graduate school success.
End your letter with a weak statement
It might not be the best-case scenario if you end your letter with the following.
Thank you for reading my application. I hope you will consider me for the position. I am very grateful to apply to this program.
Consider each line of your statement of purpose to be evenly important. Use it to demonstrate what you’ve learned about the programme and what you intend to gain from it and how your various experiences can benefit their community.
Instead, end your statement of purpose for graduate school application by expressing your interest in the research opportunity and your desire to learn more.
Given its research program, interests, and the standard of academic teaching, I look forward to receiving an education from (University name) that will propel my innovation and understanding in the field.
Images courtesy: Student vector created by upklyak – www.freepik.com , Photo by Evan Mach on Unsplash
