Here i come folks, with an topic on SOP which means a statement of purpose:
It answers the question on any US citizen's face (of the university)
Why the heck are you coming to USA all the way from India and why should i give you admit into the university?
Okay, give it a thought first! Aren't we in a position to study further in our beloved country India? ( in case a visa interviewer asks it you must be able to answer).
What does your clever brain say of it? It's not about the opportunities its all about the sophistication in the education system! Why aren't we asked to write the same statement of purpose for our universities? ever gave a thought? Boring right? You gotta bear with these things, as you are at the beginning of a stage where in you had to deal with more and more stuff of this kind!
Well i'd like to mention it here, do start reading more on SOP's from many other sites before writing it, i 'am just to give you an exact understanding of what it exactly means and how you should start thinking of!
A word on it before going into it:
SOP is where you present yourself articulately and honestly in a well designed and thought writing which in the mean way even represents how much eligible are you.
Its just not an well wisher's review over your academic and personal journey, it's a sweet critic's take on you (not so rude though)
An sop can be explained in detail as below:
Introduction:
anish ( a pal of mine) mentions: " Keep in mind not to start SOP like -> "Once upon a time, long long ago and very long ago, so long ago that i dont remember how long ago
".. The univ doesnt want a script for Shrek-4!
Come straight to the point. Start by saying, "I wish to apply for X course in XYZ university, under QWE dept. This is a classic way of writing SOP and very effective. It sends a straight message to them! ".
I second him in the Shrek-4 script point :)! Start of directly, introduction ( You can't stand out from others in this except in just being a bit creative with the side heading. make it preamble or prologue (check if it suits or not) )
In the intro you need to mention:
-> why you are in the branch
->what inspired you in taking up this branch or subject
-> Do you have a hero since your child hood who inspired you? Well i mentioned sachin in it! he was and is my hero! wondered how did i put it?
I've written it like this: I feel credited for being a contemporary of the cricketer Sachin Tendulkar! Every run scored by the legendary sachin tendulkar drove me to achieve something in my field of interest! (its not the exact words, i don't remember them).
->Why this university! In total not more than 8 to 10 lines! Keep short and simple and sweet!
->Why this university! In total not more than 8 to 10 lines! Keep short and simple and sweet!
We are done with intro!
Body:
After an awesome introduction of a few lines, you come to a part where you need explain things in detail! You cant explain everything in the intro, so the remaining are to be done and neatly elaborated here!
-> You'll explain your UG level experiences where in you might have conducted a few workshops or symposiums. You can even explain your childhood ( in this case the hero of yours is to be mentioned here)
-> A statement of purpose is more precisely a maths problem! You need to prove yourself. I mean, if you write a statement like... i work very well in team ( either in resume or in SOP) then better explain how well you do that! ( in a few instances you can spice it up virtually)
-> Never keep side heading as body or etc, keep childhood for first few years and then UG or something innovative for the undergrad degree! and remember you need to write on your practical experiences--- keep a separate side headings like-> practical exp or hands-on-experience.
-> In case you got some low scores in a semester, then do make a point in mentioning that it was due to some personal reasons! ( in case you are short of % the university asks for)
->why only USA can be mentioned!
->Something unusual can be mentioned smartly, never do anything that could hurt chances of your admission!
The body is done!
Conclusion:
Rename conclusion in your own way, if you can ( these renames has nothing to do with, but they just show the examiner that you've worked a bit on your SOP) The conclusion is a very important part of your SOP, you need to
-> You can make two or three major points here! One being the university you chose has to be emphasized on, why are you on to this university!
don't write like
-> I chose the university as my brother stays there
-> I chose it as this university provides aid, you can rephrase it.
->Never mention that the university has so many on campus jobs as stated by seniors etc.
->Don't try to flatter the university staff!
You can write:
-> about the effective faculty
-> the alumni of the university
-> research opportunity in the field you are interested in etc.
->You can even write a few points on India, lack of research facilities here etc. ( just a few lines, it can be even included in why USA point)
->Future aspect:
Man this is to be an important point! the university staff is definitely going to look through this point! I 'am quite sure you must pass this to get an admit! What's your future goal or what do you see yourself in future:
You could dream of being an entrepreneur, even after doing MS in any university but for gods-sake never mention such kind of a thing in your SOP! coz you study something related to science for 22 years (CS OR EE OR anything) and you want to pursue something related to it and in the end conclude yourself in being an manager! how weird it sounds ( to the university faculty). This is what i want to stress it!
You can write of the future drastic development that could happen and would be a part of it or etc....!
All the best!
NEVER EVER COPY AN SOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can mail me@ skarthikc@gmail.com for further queries
Body:
After an awesome introduction of a few lines, you come to a part where you need explain things in detail! You cant explain everything in the intro, so the remaining are to be done and neatly elaborated here!
-> You'll explain your UG level experiences where in you might have conducted a few workshops or symposiums. You can even explain your childhood ( in this case the hero of yours is to be mentioned here)
-> A statement of purpose is more precisely a maths problem! You need to prove yourself. I mean, if you write a statement like... i work very well in team ( either in resume or in SOP) then better explain how well you do that! ( in a few instances you can spice it up virtually)
-> Never keep side heading as body or etc, keep childhood for first few years and then UG or something innovative for the undergrad degree! and remember you need to write on your practical experiences--- keep a separate side headings like-> practical exp or hands-on-experience.
-> In case you got some low scores in a semester, then do make a point in mentioning that it was due to some personal reasons! ( in case you are short of % the university asks for)
->why only USA can be mentioned!
->Something unusual can be mentioned smartly, never do anything that could hurt chances of your admission!
The body is done!
Conclusion:
Rename conclusion in your own way, if you can ( these renames has nothing to do with, but they just show the examiner that you've worked a bit on your SOP) The conclusion is a very important part of your SOP, you need to
-> You can make two or three major points here! One being the university you chose has to be emphasized on, why are you on to this university!
don't write like
-> I chose the university as my brother stays there
-> I chose it as this university provides aid, you can rephrase it.
->Never mention that the university has so many on campus jobs as stated by seniors etc.
->Don't try to flatter the university staff!
You can write:
-> about the effective faculty
-> the alumni of the university
-> research opportunity in the field you are interested in etc.
->You can even write a few points on India, lack of research facilities here etc. ( just a few lines, it can be even included in why USA point)
->Future aspect:
Man this is to be an important point! the university staff is definitely going to look through this point! I 'am quite sure you must pass this to get an admit! What's your future goal or what do you see yourself in future:
You could dream of being an entrepreneur, even after doing MS in any university but for gods-sake never mention such kind of a thing in your SOP! coz you study something related to science for 22 years (CS OR EE OR anything) and you want to pursue something related to it and in the end conclude yourself in being an manager! how weird it sounds ( to the university faculty). This is what i want to stress it!
You can write of the future drastic development that could happen and would be a part of it or etc....!
All the best!
NEVER EVER COPY AN SOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can mail me@ skarthikc@gmail.com for further queries
