The SOP or the Statement of Purpose is a vital piece of the application packet when you are going abroad to study. It usually has a word limit of 500 – 1000 words and has a detailed outline of your professional and academic achievements and background, your reason to do a particular course, and how the university facilitates your present and future goals. This document can thus be termed as the building block of your fundamentals and requires precision. Mistakes while writing SOP are common but you mustn't make them which is why we have a list here.
What Does Writing an SOP Entail?
A good SOP must cover broad topics namely: who you are, what have you done thus far, what you wish to do i.e., your academic and professional ambitions, and how the particular university can aid you in achieving these goals. These are separate points that you will need to weave together cohesively while writing your SOP. You must be cogent and succinct while providing ample supporting details that will boost your application and make you stand out. Remember that the reviewer will need a holistic understanding of your personality and like to see what you are as a person and a student.
How Important is an SOP?
In one word, very! SOP can either make or break your chances of getting that acceptance letter so writing SOP is both an art and a science! If you are wondering why is it so important, we have an answer for you: the same department that you are applying to will receive thousands of other applications from students with similar academic and professional backgrounds. So your SOP is that one chance to secure your admission. An excellent SOP will also open the doors to scholarship and research/teaching assistant opportunities that will help you grow.
Additionally, students who have a not-so-strong academic profile can also utilize the SOP and present strong career goals, and secure admission. So, a stellar SOP can help both an achiever who wants the best scholarships and an average student who wants to pursue higher studies abroad and work.
Mistakes You Should Avoid While Writing Your SOP
Now, we come to the main topic which is what should an SOP not contain. We will take a look at a few of the common mistakes that students make while drafting their SOPs and how can avoid them.
1. Writing Your SOP in the eleventh hour
We have often noticed that students do not understand or underestimate the time and effort it needs to create an SOP, pushing it to the last minute. Then, they copy-paste from samples available but this is a grave mistake. Your SOP must reflect your personality and thus, has to be your brainchild. So start writing at least a month before sending out applications and write as many drafts as possible to get that winning personal statement. Remember that an SOP requires planning and deliberation and pushing it off till the last minute can seriously hurt your application.
2. Weak Beginning and Ending
Morning shows the day, right? Similarly, an impactful introduction can make a lasting impression on the committee’s mind. You can maybe start with a powerful quote that reflects your achievements or your mentality to ensure that the reader is hooked from the get-go.
Similarly, your conclusion should round it off nicely so that the readers know what to take away from your article. Clearly state your expectations from the faculty and the school and what you aim to do after your studies get over. Remember, all’s well that ends well!
3. Using Informal Tone or Language
Make sure that your language is professional and your tone polite and respectful throughout the statement. A panel of distinguished academics will read your SOP so avoid slang, abbreviations, or informal language. This will reflect poorly on your character. Your sentences must be concise and clear. Additionally, avoid jargon or lofty words; only use words and terms that you know and are comfortable with. Simple English is a miracle that most of us often tend to overlook but do not make this mistake while you write your SOP!
4. Exceeding the Word Limit
The word limit, though a standard one, can vary slightly depending on the university and school you are applying to. Make sure you check the guidelines and stick to it. Do not use irrelevant information. In case you are unable to stick to the limit, get in touch with the concerned department to see how much is permissible.
5. Too Much Weaknesses or Strengths
These are very subjective opinions and hence, dwelling for too long on either is not a good idea. Talk about backlogs and low GPAs only if there were extraordinary circumstances like illness etc. Also, mention what positives did you take away from such experiences and how they shaped you. Focussing too much on the negatives or making excuses does not bode well.
Similarly, talk about your strengths but do not overdo them. You do not want to make it too flashy. So, be positive but remain moderate and modest.
6. Not Editing and Proofreading
This is a rookie mistake but one that can be very costly for your application. Proofread your writing to ensure there are no grammatical or factual errors, no spelling or punctuation mistakes and there is coherence and the paragraphs are flowing into one another. Additionally, get feedback from friends or family members or your former teachers. They can add a critical lens to it, suggest edits as well as catch mistakes that you might have missed. We hope that this post was of some help to you. For more tips to write the ideal SOP, read our blog here.
