While applying for Universities to study abroad, you need to focus on the approval of various documents before the government approves your application. A statement of Purpose is one of those important document requirements that is the real decision-maker for your application. This is a piece of document that goes along with the application to the universities and helps the one evaluating to understand your career perspectives and goals for the future. That is not all! There are a variety of SOP types that one should be aware of in order to understand how to write SOP, and today, in this blog, we will help you know it all. So, fasten your seat belts and get ready to perceive the rocket of knowledge coming your way!
What Is A Statement Of Purpose?
To understand how to write SOP, you first need to focus on the meaning of the word along with its importance. So, what is SOP? An SOP also referred to as the Statement of Purpose, is usually a short essay that describes your study background, goals and achievement. This piece of the essay will also help the reader understand why you desire to study a particular program at the university of your choice.
Writing a unique SOP is considered important as it is considered one of the best ways that will help you stand out amongst a thousand other applications on a daily basis. You must understand that grades are not the only thing that matters to universities in other countries. With the help of your SOP, they also want to know if you are capable enough to handle their curriculum and keep up with the standards of their university or not.
What Are The Types Of SOPs?
Now that you know what is SOP writing, the next thing you need to learn about is the types of SOPs according to the demand of the application. If you wish to learn how to make SOP attractive, the first thing you need to do is focus on types and understand their format. So, let’s get started!
This statement of Purpose is drafted for the admission committee, which focuses on determining your interests, understanding your accomplishments and ambitions and the inspiration for why you chose a particular college along with how you stand different from amongst the crowd.
This type of SOP is specifically written to convince the authorities why you need a student visa from a particular country and why you stand a chance to get whereas others don’t. There are several different types under this category, refusal, Spouse, SOP for permanent residency, Tourist or visitors SOP, Student Visa etc.
Just like any other SOP, the Purpose remains the same, but you have to mention what you intend to learn from your research project, why you wish to do it in a specific country, and when you expect to come back. You will find a list of SOPs under this category, like SOP for fellowship, PHD, internship, scholarship SOP etc.
In order to create an amazing write-up in the category, the main points you need to mention are why you aspire to a particular job, what are your professional goals along with what you wish to achieve in your career.
SOP might be called a short essay type, but when it comes to working on something this important, accuracy makes you feel nervous. If you are thinking twice before making a decision, then taking professional SOP Help can be beneficial. They will always know what to write in SOP and how to make it interesting.
How To Write A Good Statement Of Purpose?
Writing an impeccable SOP is very important in order to stand out from the crowd. If you are not aware of how to write statement of Purpose, then the content below will help you get a few tips to enhance your writing. So, let’s begin!
- Begin As Early As You Can
SOP might be something that you require at last, but now that you are surfing how to make SOP and draft something that is different, you need to start early! Ideas will never come to your mind when you randomly sit one day before submission. However, the one thing that will surely come to your mind is how to start a statement of Purpose and why it did not begin before. So, ensure to sit as early as possible in order to complete your requirements on time. You surely don’t want to regret working on an SOP that does not even have your 100% input.
- Choose Stories Over Your Statements
What do you think will be an interesting piece of writing to read? Will it be a novel or a newspaper? A newspaper might work on delivering facts and figures and that too in a concise manner, but will you be interested to read it until you actually want to know those facts and figures, no right? Statements might help a person convey the message in a precise way, but stories are the best way to connect with your audience in the right way! When you are wondering how to write a good statement of Purpose, you should always tell your story. The reader will always take an interest in knowing more in this way.
- Keep Your Version Fresh And Unique
There are multiple answers on the internet when you surf for the query on how to start writing SOP with the right format. Well, the truth is that formats on the internet have made SOPs quite boring and monotonous. If you are also searching for the same query, then let us tell you are creating something of your own will help you gain the attention you require. Try to keep your SOP fresh and unique, including sub-topics that catch the eye of the reader and keep them hooked until the very end!
- Don’t Forget To Mention The Numbers
Numbers and facts do make your story stronger! Adding the numbers will always ensure keeping your statement of Purpose quantitative as well as qualitative. When wondering how to write a good SOP, focus on writing an interesting story and then mention the end results with the help of numbers. Another advantage of adding numbers is that it will catch the eye of the reader immediately when they see your draft. You also have to ensure that the numbers you are adding are true to their nature and have no misleading information. If a background check takes place, your background should match what is written in the SOP, no matter what!
- Consult Others For Changes And Opinions
‘How to prepare statement of purpose’ is one of the most common questions applicants search on the internet on a daily basis. Now that you know the tips and tricks in order to draft an amazing SOP, the next step after you finish your draft is to proofread it by yourself. Once you are done and think this is ready to go with your application, hold on and take other people’s opinions. Doing that is one of the best ways to catch your own mistakes without anyone knowing about them at all. The best part is that you will know before sending how your SOP sounds and whether it is even worth the hype or whether improvement is required from your end. If there is any scope for improvement, then it’s best to do it before sending and becoming confident of your application!
If you still continue to face an issue and can’t figure out the right way to do it, then search for how to make a statement of Purpose for external help. You just need to know that there is no one better than you who can do it. In order to draft an impeccable piece of the statement of Purpose, all you need to do is think about what you have done in the past, analyse the situation and work on the right structure. Also, ensure to make it unique and different from what everyone else drafts.
How To Write An Effective SOP: Mistakes One Should Avoid!
If you are working on a statement of Purpose for the first time, you surely wouldn’t know what to write in SOP, what are the main things for you to avoid etc. Well, now that you know all the tips to write an interesting SOP, you should also be aware of all the things you need to avoid before sending the final version of your SOP. So, let’s begin:
Avoid A Dull Introduction At All Costs
Whenever a person is writing any piece for personal or professional use, one thing that is the most important is the introduction. This category is that part of your write-up which is going to impress the reader and make them want to read more! So, if you are wondering how to start a SOP, then the first thing you need to emboss in your mind is writing an introduction that hooks the reader in one go!
Don’t keep yourself busy introducing yourself too much in the introduction; rather, begin with a heavy line that highlights your intentions, performance and confidence in your personality!
Don’t Talk Way Too Much About Your Dream As A Child
An SOP’s main Purpose is to make the reader understand how realistic and dedicated you are towards your career. All the international universities want you to sound ambitious and behave like a human being that is focused on working on their dream. Putting emphasis on your childhood dream can actually make you look like a childish dreamer, and believe us, no one wants to hear that!
While writing an interesting piece of SOP, try your best to focus on being an aspirant and that you take this opportunity as the best way to learn new things that will ultimately help you achieve your dreams.
Ensure To Keep The Word Limit In Mind
Usually, the university requirements will always consist of the word count you need to focus on while writing an SOP, but in case there is no mention of the word count, you must contact the university and get information on the same. Different countries and universities have different sets of guidelines for the word count, so always ensure to check who you are writing for and double check the word count requirements for the same.
While learning how to write SOP, there is one thing that you need to take care of and that is the word count. Remember never to exceed the word limit, as this is a way to tell the officials you respect their time! If you can not find the word limit mentioned by the university or country, try to sum up your content in 800-1000 words.
Using Informal Language Is A Big No-no!
SOP is a professional document that high-level professionals will go through in order to decide if you are a fit for their university and can come to their country for education, a job or even a simple visitation. You, by any chance, can not write your SOP in an informal way!
Always be respectful and subtle in language while drafting an SOP for your application. An SOP should always have to-the-point sentences that do not utilise any slang or abbreviations whatsoever!
Never Over Compliment
Whenever trying to learn and understand how to write SOP, you should always remember your goal of writing a particular document. Working on an SOP requires you to only focus on telling the university why you are suitable for them and why they should accept your application. In this, you are always free to mention the advantages you will get by studying at their university but remember; you can never over-praise the university or faculty thinking that it will help! It won’t help and will, in fact, decline your chances of being selected, as over-praising always looks fake!
Proofread More Than One To Avoid Any Blunders
After you are done working on your final draft, read what you have written; if required, read it more than once in order to avoid any mistakes in your content. Pay special attention to spelling and grammar, as they carry value when writing a professional document.
Run a plagiarism check as you do not want to leave any chance for the reader to take out mistakes which can ultimately hamper your application approval results.
All the information mentioned above will surely help you work on an SOP from scratch. If there is still room for error on your end, or you think you are stuck with a particular section and can’t decide what goes next, you can always take SOP samples to help clear up your mind and kick start your writing again!
