There is no doubt that your statement of purpose letter is the most important document in your application package, and it can make or break your application.
When I was applying for graduate school, out of 7 universities to which I applied, I was accepted by 6 universities with fully funded graduate programs. This blog post contains some helpful information that I learned during my graduate school application process about writing a winning statement of purpose.
Why writing a winning statement of purpose is so important?
A statement of purpose letter is the only part of your application in which you communicate directly with the admissions committee. In most graduate programs (mostly Ph.D.), there is no interview round during the application process. What is the university going to do to evaluate your character, and how will they decide if you are the right fit for their university?
They can’t hear you talk, so they read you through your SOP.
Why is knowing YOU and your personality important to the admission committee when making a decision about your application? , especially when you have already backed up your expertise with your CV and transcripts?
Because, especially at this level of education, skills can be learned, but attitudes cannot, making this document your best chance of getting into your dream school.
In spite of this obvious fact, the Statement of Purpose is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of graduate applications. The majority of students treat it as just another essay about themselves, and write boring material that doesn’t stand out. It is for this reason that the university admissions committee places a lot of weight on statement of purpose and their structure – they want to know whether you are enthusiastic about the position they are applying for, and SOP is the most effective way to gauge that enthusiasm.
In this blog post, you will learn strategies for writing a winning statement of purpose for your graduate degree application to finally get into your dream university.
Almost all statement of purpose letters begin with the following…
“I am writing to express my strong interest in pursuing a [Diploma/ PHD or Master’s] in [program] at [University] University. I have a background in [research area] and am passionate about [XYZ] and believe that I can learn the necessary skills and get the knowledge to achieve my long-term career goals while pursuing this program.”
Or:
“I am applying to the [Diploma/ PHD or Master’s] in [Department] at the University of [University name] as I believe that this program will challenge me and will provide me with opportunities to develop my scientific and technical skills.”
Or like this:
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by science. I’m honored to apply to the [Diploma/ PHD or Master’s] program at the [university name]. My dream since I was a child has been to become a scientist/engineer.”
Although there is nothing particularly wrong with either of these statements, they seem rather mediocre. Students often copy-paste and edit statements of purpose from their seniors or friends, making them sound even more generic or, even worse, irrelevant to their applications.
As an applicant among many others, you will need to draft an effective statement of purpose if you wish to stand out from the crowd; if you wish to be remembered by the admissions committee after going through hundreds of applications; if you wish to gain a competitive edge by being a little special and unique than anybody else.
In today’s highly competitive graduate application environment, writing a winning statement of purpose becomes essential to your success as it is often the first piece of your application that is reviewed by the admissions committee. You are given the opportunity to convey your motivation, goals, and fit for the program through your statement of purpose.
Understand your audience
Any graduate school gets thousands of applications during the application season. You may spend so much time on your application, but the graduate committee is only going to spend so much time on it.
It is important for you to know your audience.
This is why your application package should be filled with meticulously crafted documents.
Statement of purpose is one of the first documents the admission committee will review.
Interest in your entire graduate application package depends on how much intrigue they are able to sense when they read your statement of purpose letter.There is no reason for them to read further if it seems mediocre because they need to use their time more effectively. This is why writing a winning statement of purpose so imperative for winning that ticket to your dream school . It’s your best chance to make a good impression and, ideally, sell yourself.
Section 1: Understanding the Purpose of a SOP
When applying for graduate schools, you should first understand one fundamental truth. ‘There are things you can control, and there are things you cannot control‘. For instance, in the hectic schedule of applying season, if you spend so much of your time worrying about your undergraduate marks, your past research experience, or how the graduate committee will think about it, it won’t help you much as they are already in the past. You should instead strengthen your graduate application bundle, since you know that these are the things that you can control.
Here’s why focusing on writing a winning statement of purpose is more imperative than you think:
- It’s a way of “filling gaps” in your curriculum vitae
- It gives you the perfect opportunity to explain yourself.
- Having a SOP in your application bundle allows you to explain things that you would not have been able to explain otherwise.
- It helps you express yourself.
Let’s say you are applying for a PhD in philosophy at a renowned university. You do not rank at the top of your class. Currently, you are working on two incomplete projects, and have no research papers. You are, however, bursting with motivation for graduate school, as you have definite and clear goals. Is it possible for you to showcase this side of yourself to the university?
Certainly!
You can explain yourself in your SOP!
An effective Statement of Purpose demonstrates your motivation, academic background, relevant experiences, and future aspirations. It helps admissions committees determine your personality, potential, and suitability for the program.
Section 2: What makes an impactful SOP?
Prior to constructing your SOP with context, it’s best to read and understand each step in section two.
The purpose of this section is to create the framework that will serve as the foundation for your entire SOP. In Section 3, we discuss how to add the relevant context once you have the right foundation.
A word count is provided for each subsection, which represents a separate paragraph. While it’s best to stick with the overall word count of an SOP, the number of paragraphs and/or words in a paragraph will certainly vary according to your personal experiences.
An example paragraph is included after each subsection from my own personal statement of purpose letter that got me admission to 6 universities in the USA and Canada.
Start with a captivating introduction (paragraph 1, 100 words maximum)
It may sound exaggerated, but the first few lines of your personal statement can make or break your graduate school application.
Here’s why:
Each year, every semester, there are a plethora of graduate applications awaiting evaluation. Despite the efforts you put into preparing your application package, you must understand that for the application panel, it is just another application package among many. To get your application noticed, you need to stand out from the crowd. It is for this reason that the first few sentences in your statement of purpose, your CV, or your first email to your prospective graduate supervisor are so crucial.
Make sure to grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning. This does not mean that your statement of purpose should only be written to grab attention, not just to make you look good. The most important thing is to show that you are truly interested in this particular position.
Use an engaging anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a personal experience that relates to your field of study. It is extremely important to keep the flow of your introduction going into the next sentence if you start with a story. Ideally, the introduction should contain three or four lines.
Here’s an example of the first paragraph for writing a winning statement of purpose:
“As a young researcher from a global, leading microelectronic sensor manufacturing company, I am currently honing my expertise in the fields of materials science and engineering by implementing electrochemical simulations of nickel-based electrolytes. The capacity to develop new and innovative materials, and the ability to devise real-world applications of these materials, have positioned material science engineers at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. I want to be a part of such exciting endeavors and look to graduate study as a path to becoming that innovative, industrial specialist.”
Showcase your passion (paragraph 2, 200 words maximum)
It is always of the utmost importance for the admission committee to avoid selecting applicants just for the sake of applying — in other words, those who have not yet determined why exactly they wish to pursue higher education.
You clearly have a passion for higher education or you would not have taken the time to read a blog post about how to improve your graduate application!
Your statement of purpose is the best (or might be the only) way to demonstrate your passion for higher studies in your interest field.
Discuss specific experiences, projects, or courses that have fueled your interest and how they have influenced your decision to pursue this field.
Here’s an example of the second paragraph for writing a winning statement of purpose:
“As an analytical and logical thinker, someone who particularly accepts facts that are grounded in research, I have been constantly seeking to understand more since high school. I brought my curiosity to the [University], [Country], one of the country’s premier technical institutions, where my thirst for in-depth problem analysis grew as I studied the multitude of fields under materials science such as nanomaterials, smart materials, and electroceramics. As someone who considers the real-world applications of theoretical insights, I completed a research-based project exploring multiple planes crashes caused by ice contamination, and presented my findings on icephobic coatings and their potential application in aerospace incorporating a computer-based simulation study to evaluate design feasibility. I was granted the opportunity to coordinate my department at EXMO 2017, a renowned engineering exhibition in Sri Lanka. I found that a whole new level of engineering advancements can be done through micro-level materials development since most of the common engineering problems have only been addressed at the macro-level.”
Highlight your achievements and experiences (paragraph 3, 200 words maximum)
The statement of purpose is not necessarily a document in which you list all of your accomplishments and/or past experiences, but it is an excellent opportunity to emphasize these accomplishments and experiences to show that they are aligned with the path you are about to embark upon.
For example, this is a good opportunity for you to “use” your past academic and even extracurricular achievements to show that you have always had an academic vision, in the sense that they are not just scattered, unrealized events, but well aligned milestones on your path to becoming a graduate student, which ultimately will benefit you in your career path in the long run.
Putting emphasis on your accomplishments and experiences leaves an excellent impression on graduates because it shows them that you are goal-oriented.
“Eager to gain practical experience, I applied to [XYZ company], for my industrial training. There, I expanded my research skills by investigating the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of patterned thin films, delivering an accurate method to measure TCR. My research journey continued; I worked with a dedicated team to explore the passivity and passivity breakdown of metal coatings. I also explored and applied my knowledge of software packages, to develop an algorithm and a dedicated instrument for measuring the contact angles of solder droplets. From this knowledge, I created a wetability evaluation system that was selected by the company for its research studies. This led me to realize the capabilities of materials informatics and motivated me to learn data science with R statistical programming. Participating in these kinds of research projects was deeply satisfying; I could combine my academic knowledge with functional applications and explore beyond my university curriculum.”
Summarize paragraphs two and three and align them with your future goals (paragraph 4, 200 words maximum)
Having highlighted your passion for pursuing a graduate degree and given your accomplishments and experiences, it’s best to align all of them in a way that showcases their unity.
In a way, this is the conclusion of the second and third paragraphs. Think about a pyramid structure, where the foundation is relatively large and converges layer by layer into a point.
The same rules apply!
First, you have demonstrated your passion for what you do, which allows you to layer out the broader foundation and you have shown potential to turn that passion into something valuable in the third paragraph. Finally, in this paragraph, you can explain what you plan to accomplish with your potential in the future.
“Fascinated by surface science and engineering applications, I extended the same research into my final year project at university and took a position as a research and development engineer at [XYZ company]. I am currently leveraging my previous years of research and am optimistic it will generate similar benefits for the company as my previous work did. My quest to learn and explore more led me to other, more entrepreneurial ventures; , I founded a startup, launching an educational tech website to help university students overcome fundamental uncertainties they encounter in daily life. This experience has enhanced my writing quality and piqued my interest in working as an academic writing freelancer, and, most importantly, has enabled my involvement in research on a global scale, contributing to international academic institutes. It has also magnified my sense of self-confidence and satisfaction brought about by my research and continues to inspire me. I’ve presented at various research conferences and was awarded the best paper presented at an IEEE-sponsored conference. This was a pivotal experience in my learning journey, as I did not get questions from the audience. To me, this indicates there are still significant knowledge gaps in the field. My goal is to fill these knowledge gaps through advancements in specific, narrow areas of study – ultimately helping others in the field.”
Give reasons to why this particular department/group you are applying for is the best for you
This paragraph is as integral to the SOP as any other above paragraph. While you have passion and potential for your goals and dreams, you still have to convince the admission panel that you are the best candidate for the program you are applying to.
Most applicants overlook the fact that this is not a zero-sum game where your institution offers something and you accept it. Essentially, you are not just asking for assistance, but also giving back at the same time — this is a win-win situation rather than a zero-sum game.
The main purpose of this paragraph is to convince the admission committee that collaboration between you and the department to which you are applying, and finally, the university to which you are applying, will benefit both parties.
“My research interests overlap with my academic strengths and relate to surface science, computational materials science, tribology, corrosion science, electrochemistry, and advanced manufacturing. I consider [University] to be a place compatible with my interests and strengths; projects on surface , computational & materials chemistry are a perfect confluence of my interests and an incredibly keen area to research, for example. Given its research program, interests, and the standard of academic teaching, I look forward to receiving an education from [University] that will propel my innovation and understanding in the field.”
Section 3: What to Avoid in an SOP
Avoid clichés and generic statements
Ensure that your statements aren’t clichéd or generic. Applicants make this mistake in their statement of purpose letters because, let’s face it, it sounds good to us since your statement of purpose letter is one of the few you have ever seen.
However, if you see the same clichés thousands of times, which is actually the case for the admission application review panel, they are not going to be turned on by them.
Rather, emphasize your unique qualities, perspectives, and experiences that make you stand out from other candidates.
Understand the purpose of a CV and a SOP
It’s important to highlight your achievements, but avoid simply listing them. Almost all graduate programs require a CV, which lists your accomplishments.
Rather, for a SOP, as explained in the second section, consider how these experiences impacted your academic and personal development.
Ultimately, your statement of purpose letter is the only part of your application that lets you be yourself – The committee is eager to read your SOP as it is the only way they can get to know you and your thought processes before you even enter the college. So don’t make it into another achievement list document.
Keep the main story in mind
At this point, you should re-read and have your friends, colleagues read the document to refine its flow. In this step, keep the letter’s goal in mind. Avoid focusing on a single event or achievement unnecessarily. Maintain the flow of the text at all times.
Make sure you stick to the word limit provided by the college or university (if any), and make every sentence count. Make sure you stay focused on your goals and how the program aligns with them.
Edit and refine
Now that you have outlined the foundation of your statement of purpose and added some context, it’s time to refine and edit it. To refine your SOP, follow these steps:
- Ensure all sentences are clear and concise, and that the essay flows logically by reading it aloud. Make sure all grammatical errors, language use, punctuation, and spelling errors are corrected.
- Use an online editing tool or have someone else proofread your statement.
- It’s best to avoid clichés and false content in the essay in order to preserve its authenticity. Reread your SOP and remove any sentences you think are cliche. Replace them with something unique to your academic journey.
- Whenever possible, avoid using jargon, technical language, or excessive details that could confuse the reader. Instead, emphasize your academic background, skills, achievements, and goals.
Conclusion
Statements of purpose are complex pieces of writing that require thoughtful planning, introspection, and careful wording. A student can create a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee by understanding the purpose of an SOP, following the above blog post.
What are your suggestions for writing a winning statement of purpose? Leave us a comment about your academic journey in the comment section!
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