everything you need to know about the statement of purpose

INTRODUCTION

In our series of e-books to help students with their preparations to study abroad; we now present

our latest e-book on the ‘Statement of Purpose’.

The Statement of Purpose or the SoP as it is popularly known as is essentially an essay of sorts in

which the applicant to a course writes about his or her academic and professional goals and why

he or she has opted to apply for a specific course and study at a specific institution.

The e-book is divided into convenient modules covering various topics like the components of an

ideally written SoP, dos and don’ts of writing a SoP and most importantly sample SoPs for your

reference.

CONTENT

What is a Statement of Purpose/SOP? - 5

Components of an SOP - 7

Tips to write an effective SOP - 10

SOP – What not to do? - 12

SOP – Samples - 14

What is a Statement of

Purpose?

CHAPTER 1

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.

This is usually required for students applying to universities, colleges and research studies. A SoP

usually narrates one’s purpose of studying that particular course, area of specialization, future

career goals, and achievements in the past and so on.

The SoP is your chance to talk directly to the admissions committee and make you stand out from

among a multitude of similarly qualified candidates. The SoP should convince the admissions

team that you are the best applicant they could choose for the seat. You must show that you have

the motivation and ability to succeed and perform excellently. Your SoP should highlight any

experience related to the course to which you are applying.

“Keep in mind that your audience comprises experts in the field and make your SoP as close to

facts as possible. Include your research plans, academic goals, and describe your aptitude.”

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6Everything you need to know about the Statement of Purpose

CHAPTER 2

Components of a Statement of

Purpose

Make a list that of all the main important topics that you want to cover and list out supporting

material under each topic. You must remember that information about your past is crucial but it’s

more vital to include how it led you to focus on your present area of interest. The admissions

team considers your current and future areas of research interest.

You can divide your SoP into three parts - the introduction, body and conclusion.

1. Introduction

You should pen down personal reasons for why you have chosen this area of interest or list out

how you have overcome difficulties. You can even go on to include how certain incidents in your

life played a part in influencing your aspirations.

2. The Body

Professional Goals

Here you should look to answer some of these questions:

• Why is it that you want to become a mathematician or a physicist (for example)?

• Which were the life experiences that made you realise you wanted to become one?

• What are your plans after you obtain the degree from the university – talk about your future

goals - both educational and professional.

• Why have you chosen this university?

• Why do you make a good candidate - talk about your triumphs and how committed you are to

academics.

Education - Background

Include a summary of what you did as a high school or an undergraduate student. Here, ensure

you list out the specific classes or projects you had taken that enhanced your interest in the field

that you desire to pursue study in. Mention the skills that you have acquired through the projects

that you have worked on and stress the ones that are relevant to your future graduate work.



3. Conclusion

The conclusion is also an important part of the essay - it must bring in the essence of what you

are trying to say overall.

Related Experience

Provide all details of relevant research that you might have performed with all required details such

as the project title, the project responsibilities and the project outcome.

If you have obtained any relevant work experience related to your professional area of interest -

ensure you include them.

Outstanding Triumphs

If you have been the winner of any regional, state, or even international events or competitions,

then mention them - needless to say. This could include any form of achievement including special

fellowships to special nominations or awards.

Everything You Need to Know About the ‘Statement of Purpose’ 9



Tips to write an effective

Statement of Purpose

CHAPTER 3

Some basic tips you must be aware of before you put pen to paper!

• Use active voice and always highlight everything from a positive angle and if the program

asks you for one page, stick to it strictly.

• When it comes to font, go for 11-12.

• Note that it’s always better to use examples than just making plain statements especially while

referring to yourself. If you say you’re a persistent person, back it up with an example or

demonstrate how you are one in your SoP. Examples are always more catchy and hold the

reader’s attention compared to general statements. Don’t hold back from drawing on situation

from your very own life and adding them. This will put you above other superficial applicants

who may have just made statements with no content to back them up.

• The key of the SoP is focus and continuity; have your essay proof-read and checked a couple

of times before submission. A fresh perspective always helps. If you’re looking to apply to the

US, it would be great to get someone who’s currently studying in a grad school to have a look

at your essay- as they would be in the best place to know what grad schools would be looking

for in a prospective student.

• Tailor your SoP for every school you apply to; make sure your essay is convincing enough to

prove you belong there.



SOP – What NOT to do?

CHAPTER 4

What NOT to Do?

Steer clear of these!

• There are some words that are painfully over-used and just sound empty and vague – such as

challenging; rewarding; beautiful; meaningful. Make sure these don’t end up in your SoP.

• Non-specific information and common phrases are definitely not going to get you any closer to

getting you noticed. Stay away from them as much as you can. It’s useful to ask yourself if you

have just put down what a hundred other students would have too.

• Do NOT repeat information from your application unless you must.

• Humour may backfire as you don’t really know your audience. So refrain from jokes or funny

phrases.

• Slang and unoriginal phrases like “I have always wanted to become a...” won’t really help you

score either.

• Talking about mistakes unless you are referring to it as a learning experience.

• Special fonts or coloured paper are a definite no-no!

• Don’t let them mistake your confidence for arrogance - make sure your tone throughout the

essay portrays you to be a person who is open to learning.



Statement of Purpose - Samples

CHAPTER 5

“Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands, and there is no knowledge that is

not power”. This statement characterizes my beliefs. Ever since I attended the first industrial visit

during my sophomore year of engineering I have nurtured a dream of becoming a part of the top

level management team of a firm.

Now, after two years of relevant experience in the field of procurement in Supply chain

Management, the power of knowledge seems to call me out persuading me to seek more. The

dream I nurtured during my graduation has grown with me and I hope the day of realization is not

far off. To make this a reality I intend to pursue an M.B.A in strategy and procurement

management at your esteemed university.

Soon after my graduation I set out to realize my dream by joining Olympic Cards Private Limited

as a procurement engineer. After a year of experience I joined a top electronic manufacturing

company (Foxconn International Holdings) in order to attain global experience. The company

trained me in global procurement and appointed me as a team leader for the procurement team at

Foxconn India Private Limited which I consider as one of the biggest achievement so far in my

life.

Early in my life, at the high school level, I learnt the value of hard work and perseverance. This

led me to secure 90% in my higher secondary examination. Later this served as a foundation for

my studies in electronics and communication at B.S.A Crescent Engineering College which ranks

as one of the top accredited engineering college affiliated to Anna University in the state of Tamil

Nadu (South India). Besides this academic achievement I am an active musician and my passion

for music has helped me to further understand the importance of hard work and perseverance

required to excel. I was elected as the secretary of the college music association in the year 2004

and I performed at a number of prestigious venues around the city.

…… continues

Sample Statement of Purpose – MBA

Below is a sample statement of purpose written by a student applying to a university to study

an MBA programme.



As a part of my work experience I have gained knowledge in the following fields,

• Strategic development of suppliers

• Analyzing and negotiation of the quotation

• Management of contracts and agreements with suppliers

• Supplier performance evaluation

• Different kinds of P.O disposition

• Debit note and Credit note

• Inventory Control

• Documentation for the procurement department for TL9000

• Part of internal quality and on-site supplier auditing team

• Key user for SAP R/3 Material Management Module

This had provided me with a firm grasp of concepts and a launching pad to embark upon a

voyage of knowledge in procurement. My study of these fields has also served to further fuel my

ambition and deepen my interest in the field of strategy and procurement management.

I got some very interesting information about my field of study by browsing your website and this

has driven me to apply for the M.B.A (Strategy and procurement management) course offered at

your prestigious university. The eight modules of the M.B.A program which include the Strategic

Management, Organization & Resource Management, Strategic Marketing, Financial

Management, Operations Management, International & Risk Management, Power Regimes &

Supply Chain Management, Business Strategy and Procurement competence will help me

improve my cognizance in the field of procurement and I believe that studying at your university

will give me the means to achieve my goals and realize my dreams. I therefore make an earnest

request to consider my application for admission.



Its boundless possibilities and instant outcomes are what I find most stimulating and appealing

about Computer Science. I believe that keeping an explorative attitude and inquisitive mind is

key to a constant learning process. As I am in the course of my final year in my undergraduate

program, I want to pursue graduate study to further refine my skills and knowledge in this area of

interest. I think the graduate programme in Mechatronics will give my career goal of becoming a

research professional the right direction at research-oriented, commercial or academic

organisations.

I believe it will also serve to give direction to my goal of a career as a research professional at an

academic or commercial, research-oriented organisation. I intend to pursue an MS degree in order

to reach that goal.

I have benefitted vastly from the breadth of Bharat University’s undergraduate syllabus and

gained a comprehensive exposure to many core areas of the field and a strong conceptual

understanding. In my four years of study at University I have learnt how to maintain an

expending independent approach in all my endeavours.

In the past two years, I found myself drawn towards the areas of Information Retrieval and

Compiler Construction. The Compiler Construction lab sessions and the subjects Formal Systems

and Automata and Compiler Construction led me to show appreciation towards the field’s

intricacies. However for my MS program, I am open to topics focussing on other areas as well.

For my B.E. project this coming semester, I would like to concentrate on Information Retrieval. I

would like to employ a technique for search engines- to increase their precision of query listings

and comprehensiveness.

One of the most important lessons I have learned as the head of the Engineering Students Body at

Bharat University is that one person’s life can influence the lives of many people. This gives us

the reason to behave responsibly and be accountable. I was the youngest head of this student body

in the history of Bharat University and the only one to have served two consecutive years as the

Head. This role taught me that self-reliance is the basis of good work and helped me learn how to

take both praise and criticism positively. This was a very distinctive and gratifying experience

which I feel will stand me in good stead if I choose to get in to the teaching line in the future.

…… continues

Sample SOP For Engineering Grad Schools

The below Statement of Purpose is written by a final year undergraduate engineering student

applying for MS programs in the USA.



I would like to say in conclusion that the essence of University education lies in the synergetic

relationship between the department and the students. I think that graduate study at your

University would be help me best with my academic pursuits and is a major step towards

achieving my objectives. I would be grateful if I am given the opportunity to pursue my graduate

study at your world-renowned institution.



India leads the world in the number of people suffering from diabetes and cardio-vascular

diseases; this is a fact corroborated by most medical agencies. The worrying factor is that the age

of those getting diagnosed with diabetes and cardiac issues is getting lesser. This is testimony to

the lifestyle changes in the current generation and the unhealthy eating habits of the current

generation, which is getting addicted to ‘junk food’.

I have completed my MBBS course from MGM Medical University; Ahmedabad and have

worked for two years in the Government Medical Hospital, Rajkot. I secured 83% overall in my

final exams and received a certificate of merit for being the ‘Best Medical Student’.

During my days of training as a medical student; I noticed the number of patients who were

admitted to the hospital because of lifestyle induced diabetes and cardiac complaints. The

percentage of such complaints was much higher than those of patients with age-afflicted and

hereditary medical complaints. This prompted me to conduct a survey of about 50 patients who

had been admitted to the hospital in the age-group of 23 to 40 years and I found that in nearly 15

patients; just eating proper nutritious food on time could have prevented hospitalisation for

cardiac complaints.

This reiterates the fact that healthy eating, ample exercise and regular medical check-ups can

prevent life-style diseases. I would like to focus my energies on understanding more about how

the human body reacts to herbal medical alternatives. In some tests run here I noted that blood-

sugar levels and cholesterol levels could be controlled by regular consumption of extracts from

bitter gourd and fenugreek. I noted this in some patients and this is an acknowledged practice in

many families in India.

I would like to devote time to conduct systematic research on the positive impact of bitter gourd

and fenugreek extracts on diabetic and cardiac patients. As a first step in this path, I wish to apply

for a place on the MSc in Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research offered by the University of

Leeds.

The excellent research facilities and the strong research-centric curriculum seem to be the perfect

choice for me to further my academic and professional goals. The strong Indian community in

Leeds is another factor, which draws me to Leeds. I hope that I can fulfil my dream of becoming

a certified medical specialist in diabetic and cardio-vascular diseases at the University of Leeds.

Sample Statements of Purpose - For Medical Studies

The below statement is written by a practising doctor who wishes to join the MSc in

Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research at the University of Leeds..



"The computer is the most remarkable tool we’ve ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a

bicycle for our minds." - This quote by Steve Jobs has inspired me ever since I read about him in

a newspaper article when I was in school. The sheer passion, dedication and insight into the

future that Steve had led to the growth of Apple one of the riches technology companies in the

world. The products created by Apple Inc. from the ipod to the iphone and the ipad have all been

game-changers and have a fanatic fan-following all over the world.

My interest in computers was sparked by the story of how Jobs created Apple as a technology

firm with his friends. This led me to opt for the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science

course at Mercy Engineering College. I rate the four years of study at the engineering college

among the best years of my life as I spent a lot of time in the computer laboratory learning

programming languages and also concepts of hardware technology and the components that make

up a computer.

As part of the project of my final semester of study; I worked on developing a portable word-

processing application that would also work on low-cost Java-based mobile phones. In

developing countries, smart-phones are still a luxury and most people still use sub-US$25 mobile

phones, which work on Java-based operating systems. The external examiner for the project rated

my project 4.5 out of a maximum of 5 rating points. I completed the engineering course with a

cumulative grade point average of 8.75 out of a maximum of 10 points.

I aspire to study the Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Melbourne

because it is amongst the most highly rated postgraduate programs offered in Australia.

Additionally, one of my lecturers Mr. Avinash Tripathi an alumnus of the University of

Melbourne recommended that I study here. I have complete faith in Mr. Avinash’s

recommendation and I hope I will get a chance to study my dream course at Melbourne.

…… continues

Sample Statement of Purpose- MS in Computer Science

The below statement of purpose is written by a student who aspires to study an MS in

Computer Science at the University of Melbourne.



My ambition is to focus on creating a low-cost yet robust computing device that can offer the full

functionalities of a personal computer. This will work on open-source technology and will help

everyone from students to farmers and the biggest USP of the device would be that it would run

on a solar-powered battery.

The process of learning is continuous and I hope that I would also be able to work on a doctoral

program at the University of Melbourne. I hope I will get admission at the University of

Melbourne and will be able to fulfill my dreams.

Caution: Please note these SOPs are for reference only. Do not copy-paste themto write your SOPs. Institutions may refuse to acknowledge them citingplagiarism of content.

Disclaimer – The names of institutions and students and faculty have just been used for reference. All

cases and scenarios mentioned are fictitious and have just been used for the purpose of explaining how

sample SoPs look like.



Dear readers, thanks for downloading this e-book and reading this book to learn about the various

aspects of writing a Statement of Purpose. We hope that you found this useful and now you would

get a clearer idea on how to write the perfect SoP that will help you with your admissions. If you

have any tips or suggestions or would like to suggest new topics on which you would like to read

e-books; please write to support.hotcourses.co.in.

Team Hotcourses India – With you on your study abroad mission!



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