Whenever we are applying for our higher studies there is a fixed set of documents required like your academics, resume, grade chart certificate, letter of recommendation which varies from university to university and sometimes country to country. Along with all the documents, there’s one important document which is equally important for the assessment which is a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. An SOP is always considered to be one of the key documents when it comes to abroad studies. Not just at the time of application but in many countries like Australia, Canada, NZ also, it holds a place of an important document for a student visa as well.
Being a counsellor myself, I get this question very frequently from the students saying why do we need an SOP? What pointers should we include in it? How many words? And the list goes on. Before I start on the pointers or parameters, I would like to highlight on What is an SOP?
Statement of Purpose
An SOP is a single most important document which helps the admission team to understand your profile better. It comprises of different parameters other than introduction like your interest in a particular course, University or country; your goals, and your research aspects. It helps to understand the student’s analytical abilities, interests, aim and aspirations. SOP is the only document which provides a platform for the student to write about themselves. It should be clear, crisp, short and include all the pointers. A good SOP can be of 2-4 pages not more than that. Few Universities might have certain word limit as well which is usually mentioned on the website of that particular university. Its always recommended writing SOP using paragraphs where every paragraph should explain one parameter making the progression smooth and subtle.
How to construct your SOP?
Origin Story: Introduce yourself with your family background by explaining about your parent’s employment/business background. Explain about the academic history in descending order starting from your highest qualification and ending with secondary school. Don’t forget to include any certification done related to the course you want to apply. Include things like relevant high-level coursework, research, conferences, mentorships, projects, papers and research.
Highlight the relevancy: Explain in detail how your previous study is related to the proposed course of study. It should include the reasons which sparked the interest in the proposed course of study. It can be an experience from your -
Academic Life: This could include a group project you did, a professor who inspired you, a class you took or maybe the research you did all by yourself. An event or a moment that inspired you to learn more about the course.
Professional Life: This could include the new explored skillset during your internship or full-time job. The shift of focus, for example academically you belong to the technical background but professionally you are into management profile which has helped you to explore the other side of the coin making you interested for management related PG.
Personal Life: Try to include this parameter only if it is unique and fundamental to the story. Try to avoid early childhood anecdotes rather focus on the recent experiences which got you the spark within to pursue this course.
Work experience: Describe the professional journey helped you to grow your knowledge and interpersonal skills. If you are yet to enter the workforce then you can include internships and volunteering experience. Real-time experience helps to enhance many unexplored skill-set. Include details like the role with timeline, company name, designation and responsibilities you were handling during your tenures.
Gap explanation (if applicable): Many times a student takes a break for few months which is again accountable, as the invigilator wants that it’s reflected on the SOP from the student’s side rather than them asking for the explanation about the gap. For example, if a student was on maternity gap of a year or so, then we need to justify the gap duration upfront by mentioning the duration and date (if possible).
Immigration History: In this parameter include if there is any kind of visa refusals as it might be a notable point for few countries like if a student is having Australia Visa refusal then it needs to be disclosed at the early stage if he is applying for NZ or Australia (as NZ & Australia are sister countries). This parameter is not mandatory to be included as it varies from university to university.
Why this course?
This is one of the important parameters of the SOP. In this explain your interest in the course of study which will convince the reader that you are prepared for this degree. Include the research work you have done, maybe attach the links as well for reference. Outline chosen Course contents and Duration (its core/ elective courses) to justify the relevancy. For example, Master of Management (Marketing) program will not only cover core marketing subjects such as consumer behaviour, retail management, marketing strategy but also covered new-age subjects such as neuromarketing and sustainable business practices which I feel are of utmost relevance to my field of work, as well as would help me get an edge in my future career.
Graduate Studies is usually very rigorous because of which the reader wants to understand that you are highly motivated to pursue this degree and this course will help you to achieve your goals. For example, I am pursuing a medical degree because I am passionate about doctor firms. I want to become a doctor for underprivileged individuals, and am driven by my passion for being a doctor and serve the nation.
Teaching outcomes and internship element (if applicable). Every course mentions in their website about the outcomes or the occupations one can opt for post-course completion include the same so that the reader is ensured of your research work on the course.
Why that country?
In this, they want cross-comparison amongst other countries on various parameters like:
Education system
Climate
Fees
Living expenses
Post-study work visa (if applicable)
Part-time jobs (if applicable)
If possible include links to justify your research work. The details about a country can be referred from their official country websites.
Reasons highlighting if this course is available in India
Do not mention anything negative or low points about your own country. You can mention about entrance examinations, competitive exams in your home country. Mention the universities/colleges offering similar courses in your home country. Cut off list and entry requirements can be included as well. Cross comparison can be done in terms of syllabus, course structure, etc.
Why this University/College?
In this parameter, your research is being reflected. Mention 4-6 universities form same city or same country for cross-comparison. Outline reasons why not other universities. Explain about the university you have chosen by highlighting the rankings, campus life, placements, student satisfaction ratio, which is usually mentioned in the “ABOUT” section of that university website. Try to include links to justify the same. Brief about the campus and the city you have chosen. You can consider rankings from Times Higher Education or Good University Guide and QS ranking provider (which provides ranking to the university as per teaching reviews are given by students).
Future career plans:
Brief about how this course will benefit you as you have already described it in “Why this course?” section. Describe the return of investment (ROI) of the course in terms of skills, knowledge and money. Mention what kind of jobs you would like to start immediately along with the factual salary. Example reference: payscale.com. Mention about the jobs and salary structure in your home country post the course completion.
Many students do have a plan to start their own business or already have an existing business. For them, they should mention the mission and vision of their company. What kind of resources they would like to implement to start and to grow the company within a span of the next 2-3 years. How are they planning to fund the company initially and turning it to a profit-making company? How many staff member would be hired initially.
For example, I understand the fact that MBA will give me a platform to expand the business of my startup XYZ therefore, I envision myself to lead my company to become one of the top firms in India. After getting the relevant work experience by working for top firms, I would like to apply different strategies not only conceptual but practical as well, to improve the sales report and increase the clientele of XYZ. My vision is to become a leader of Infrastructure business in India by providing total solutions under one roof as builders to the nation, I believe brick by brick a wall is built. I would like the world to see me as an innovator and envisage me as a trendsetter in my field which will be my ideology while handling XYZ in the future. Given the scope, I would like to work by minimizing my comfort zones and focusing to make most of my past experiences. Therefore, as my long-term goal, I would like to attain a place in the business world based on my innovative ideas and problem-solving outcomes wherein I would be an irreplaceable asset in the organization.
Financial circumstances
(Note: This parameter is usually included in the Visa SOP)
Include below details about the sponsor:
Name
Relation with you
Occupation
Income (as per to ITR)
Types of funds
Bank names
We mention the details as we provide the related documentation for the visa file.
Accommodation
(Note: This parameter is usually included in the Visa SOP)
Here you can mention about the friend or relative you have in that country where you will be living or staying until you finalize on alternate stay. You can also add the other global websites which help in accommodation like hotels, AirBnB, etc.
Conclusion
This is the closing paragraph of the SOP. It should be short and sweet reflecting your gratitude towards the reader and to give you an opportunity to fulfil your dreams. For example:
“I am looking forward to being part of one of the most renowned heritage education institute with a vision in mind. I hope that you will find me a suitable candidate and grant me the opportunity to pursue my education in XYZ. I hereby declare that the above-written particulars are true to the best of my knowledge & belief.”
Or
“If given an opportunity, I can assure you of my dedication and commitment in addition to being an integral part of the ABC program at XYZ university and thus pursue my dream.”
Throughout the article, you must have read me emphasizing to add links because it reflects your research and the supporting facts. I strongly recommend to write your SOP all by yourself and not to copy from the internet or somewhere as it is your story, your research. Since SOP varies from profile to profile, it’s very much possible that the structure might slightly vary depending on the profile.
I hope this article will help you through your SOP.
Happy writing!!
Comments