‘Statement of Purpose’: commonly called SOP, is a short essay that briefs about your education, work experience (if any), achievement, and your future goals after completing the course. As an international student, SOP is mandatory for obtaining a student visa. Apart from this, you must provide an SOP during the application process for pursuing master’s degree.
A Statement of Purpose strongly holds a briefing about yourself, your educational background, interest, and passion.
Key points in an ideal SOP
As stated, an SOP is required for obtaining a student visa and for the admission process in the case of master’s program. However, a statement of purpose must generally hold the following points:
- Self-introduction
- Education
- Work experience
- Reasons validating your choice, of course, college, and country
- Future goals
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Self-introduction
You could start with your basic information such as your name, your family, and where you live. Do not go much deep about your family details, rather a short snippet will make your SOP look crisp.
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Education
Here you must brief your school and college education details including the marks/percentage with the year of completion. When mentioning your undergraduate studies, you could reason out why you chose the course in the first place. Education details can also include internships and achievements during college.
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Work experience
In case, you’re planning to pursue masters’ or PG diploma programs you must add your work experience in the SOP. Since you are planning for higher studies in your relevant field, your work experience can add value. You could point out how you had developed yourself and learned in the respective field while working.
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Reasons validating your choice, course, college, and country
This is the heart of your SOP. You must explain why you chose the course, why the college/university is the best to study and why you want to study in the country. This part scores well while your SOP is reviewed by the admission committee. Though you have scored low marks, this part of the Statement of Purpose can help you.
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Future goals
Your goals speak more in an SOP. It must be the reason why you chose to study. Do not talk about unrealistic goals, rather a more practical goal will add value to your SOP. It can be bringing about a change to your village or society or overcoming an economic struggle through this study program. Your vision must be realistic and impressive.
How long should an SOP be?
A Statement of Purpose (SOP) must contain around 1000 to 1500 words within 2 pages. Exceeding the word limit might make it look too long to read.
What is the font style and size?
You can stick to the standard font style as Times New Roman with a font size of 12.
Common mistake students make in an SOP
- Not clear
Do not beat around the bush. Briefing the SOP must be to the point and unwanted information like boasting too much about yourself must be avoided. The admission committee reviews many SOPs, so making them readable is important.
- Too many details about family, education, life, etc.
Your SOP might look too bragging when you add too many details about your family, your place, and the people around you. The committee will be least bothered about the intricate details rather they look for a passion in you.
- Not doing enough research
Not doing thorough research about the courses and colleges might end up in writing an incomplete SOP. When you talk about your interest in studying in college, you must make sure you describe the facts rightly.
- Talking too much about your weak GPA or backlogs
Even if you had scored low in school or college, dwelling on the topic might make your SOP sound weak. SOP is a great chance to talk about your passion and interest even if you have low academic performance.
- Not proofreading and editing
Once you are done with the SOP, it is highly advisable to proofread and make the necessary changes. In case, you find it difficult in writing an effective SOP, get the help of authorized education consultants who can help you through the process.
To sum up; a Statement of Purpose (SOP) plays a major role in the admission process in pursuing a master’s degree and in obtaining a student visa for all higher studies in a country like Canada. Hence, there is a stressful need to write a strong SOP.
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