The
Statement of Purpose is the single most important part of your application that
will tell the admissions committee who you are, what has influenced your career
path so far, your professional interests and where you plan to go from here.
As the name signifies, the Statement of Purpose is your personal statement
about who you are, what has influenced your career path so far, your
professional interests and where you plan to go from here. It need not be a
bald statement of facts; several successful SoPs address these questions
through anecdotes, stories or by describing their hero. But whether your SoP is
subtle or to the point, it must be well written to be successful. (What is a
successful SoP?)
This is because the SoP is
the only part of your application packet over which you have full control. Your
academic and extra-curricular records are in the past. Most people only take one
or two shots at the GMAT, GRE or TOEFL, and these scores could be adversely
affected by conditions on the test day. It is important to choose
recommendation letter writers carefully, but while you hope they give you the
best possible recommendation, this is not within your control.
The SoP is your chance to
talk directly to the admissions committee. To make yourself stand out from
among a multitude of similarly qualified candidates. To convince the committee
that you have the spark, the thirst for
knowledge that could add value to your class.
Most of us work hard for
the standard tests - the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL and others. We attend classes or peruse
study aids. We give practice tests and do everything within our power to aim
for the highest possible score. Because we know that these test scores, while
not a perfect tool, are crucial to our chances of gaining admission and even a
scholarship or assistantship.
The SoP or essay, on the
other hand, is put off till the last possible moment. It scares us when we look
at those oh-so-perfect essay examples in the admissions guidebooks and wonder
how we can ever write so well. Or wonder what shining instance we can pick out
of our normal, average lives to show that we are unique and remarkable. Or how
to pick our way through the minefield of endless Do's and Don'ts. Or, after
overcoming all these obstacles, we falter at the seemingly endless revisions, wondering
if this latest draft is good enough (If I read that essay once more, I'll
scream!). Finally we write something, because time's a-pressing and we have to
meet the application deadline. We do our best, juggling the writing process
with the last-minute paraphernalia of applying-checking forms for errors and
completeness, collating the application packets, making sure transcripts,
recommendations, work samples and resumes go in their right envelopes, worrying
about transit times. We feel thankful when the essay is over, do a quick scan
for obvious mistakes, and send it on its way.
If you do it this way, you
are practically throwing away your chances of admission (see the next section, What
do Schools look for in a Statement of Purpose?). A good SoP will certainly
improve your chances of getting admission to the school of your choice, and
even compensate for weaker portions of your application such as
less-than-perfect grades. A bad SoP, on the other hand, has the potential to
drag down an otherwise strong application.
If you plan correctly, you
can give yourself enough time to submit a well-written, thoughtful, polished
essay that will boost your chances for admission. Equally important, this is a
great opportunity to look inside yourself and be rewarded by a better
understanding of who you are.
Writing a reasonably good
Statement of Purpose is not an impossible task. It requires care, attention and
patience. And enough time for you to be able to write several drafts, show them
to people and polish the essay till you get a version you are happy with.
Done
right, this will even turn out to be an enjoyable process. And you will be the
richer for it. Read on.
WHY BOTHER SOP ?
"...the SoP is the only part of your
application packet over which you have full control."
How to write a SOP
All that you have to answer is:
1. Your purpose in graduate study. This means you must have thought this
through before you try to answer the question.
2. The area of study in which you wish to specialize. This requires that you
know the field well enough to make such decision.
3. Your future use of your graduate study. This will include your career goals and plans for your future.
4. Your special preparation and fitness for study in the field. This is the opportunity to relate your academic background with your extracurricular experience to show how they unite to make you a special candidate.
5. Any problems or inconsistencies in your records or scores such as a bad semester. Be sure to explain in a positive manner and justify the explanation.
7. You may be asked, "Why do you wish to attend this school?" This requires that you have done your research about the school and know what its special appeal is to you.
8. Above all this, the statement is to contain information about you as a person. They know nothing about you that you don’t tell them. You are the subject of the statement.And it is you alone who have the best answers for the above questions – So Don’t rely on others SOP.
